Chapter Nine
Cole
Last night felt like a dream. A porny, sexy dream, but a dream nonetheless.
When I felt Reed’s lean, warm body pressed against mine, I couldn’t help but inhale his sweet, intoxicating scent.
It reminded me of a crisp fall morning, and warm pie covered in vanilla ice cream.
The way he kissed was like nothing I had felt before.
Better than any girl, and it made me think Bryant, who?
Not that he had ever been anyone serious.
He had kissed me, told me he would keep in touch, and then after a few texts, told me that he was too busy to be anything more than friends.
Like our summer together had meant nothing.
I had been a little upset but brushed it off.
I had been putting all the effort into reaching out to him without much in return.
We had been kids. Long distance was hard enough as an adult, but the least Bryant had been honest with me upfront instead of stringing me along.
“What time is it?” Reed yawned softly before he twisted around to face me, his dark eyes still full of sleep. They crinkled slightly as a big smile spread over his face. “Hi.”
I matched his smile and surged forward to kiss him, morning breath be damned. “Hi, baby.” I combed my fingers through his soft blond hair as he slicked his tongue against mine.
Reed hummed happily. “I like it when you call me that.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll have to call you that all the time.”
His pupils dilated. I wasn’t sure what we were even doing, but we had three years of lost time to make up for and a whole summer to do it.
“Did you have any plans for the day? Maybe we could grab breakfast.”
Reed suddenly sprang from the bed. “Shit, shit, shit!” he exclaimed. “I was supposed to help my mom this morning.” He sprinted down the hall completely naked to the laundry room, where we had thrown our wet clothes in the dryer before we went to bed last night. “I’m sorry!” he called.
“It’s fine.” I chuckled as I climbed to my feet, found his phone, and waited for him to come back. I held it out as he tried to shove on his sinfully short shorts. “Maybe we can get together later?”
I was disappointed he was getting dressed. I liked the view of his body, and I wanted to see it again. Explore him a little more now that I wasn’t riddled with lust.
Reed poked his head through the neck of his shirt.
“Absolutely.” He grabbed the phone from my hand and rushed off again.
Then the echo of his feet sounded closer as he came back to my room and nearly knocked me over as he kissed me.
“Last night was fantastic, Cole. Thank you.” He dragged his hands through my curls.
“I’m sorry I have to run out on you like this.
I would have liked to spend the day wrapped up in your arms, exploring your body. ”
I guess we were on the same page.
“Baby, it’s fine. I completely understand. Text me when you’re free,” I murmured. “I want to take you out tonight.”
Reed’s eyes went wide with surprise. “I’d love that.” He tilted his head. “And then you can tell me about this.”
His fingertips traced the bruise on my ribs. Pain flared from my side, and I flinched and sucked in my breath. I had almost forgotten about that.
“I missed it last night because I was too wrapped up all your hotness, but I’m assuming it’s why you were late to the party?”
“It comes with being a hockey player.”
It had been an accident, of course, and Maverick had nearly had a heart attack over it.
But my uncle had leaped from his seat, rushed down to the ice, and cursed Wyatt up and down before he swore he would never let me put on another pair of skates again.
Which was hilarious, because I wanted to play professional hockey.
Reed gave me a soft smile, then leaned down and skimmed his lips over my bruise. It should have hurt more than it did, but it sent all the blood in my body rushing south. Then he rose on his toes. “Mm hm.” He kissed me again. “I’ll text you when I’m done. Be careful out there, Casanova.”
And then he was off, hurrying home to his parents’ house, and I was laughing like it was the funniest thing I had ever seen.
I peeked my head out the window to catch sight of him as he hurried across the lawn.
God, he was perfect. His body was a work of art.
I couldn’t wait to see him again. Not just to touch him, but to be near him.
No one had made me feel the way Reed did.
I smiled to myself as I showered, dressed, and headed to the Bean on Main to grab something to eat.
I wasn’t a big coffee drinker, I preferred my energy drink, but Tate lit up when I stepped inside, so it was the right decision.
He waved in excitement, his face nearly splitting with the smile he wore.
“Cole, hi!” Tate exclaimed. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
I grinned. “I was looking for something flaky and delicious this morning.”
“Oh, I think I can help you with that.” Tate beamed happily. “I just made more chocolate croissants, and they’re pretty good. Would you like one?” His green eyes were wide with hope.
I nodded. “That sounds perfect.”
I couldn’t help but feel his excitement. Tate was always so happy and friendly. It had been a big surprise when Dean and Maverick had found out they had a younger brother they didn’t know about, but they had accepted him without question. He seemed to be thriving here in North Carolina.
“On the house.” Tate placed the pastry in front of me on the table where I sat down along with a can of Monster.
I shook my head. “I can’t let you do that.”
“You can, and you will. You’re family,” he assured me.
I nodded. “All right, but only if you join me.”
“Oh.” Tate blushed but sat down across from me. He smoothed down the front of his tan apron as he chewed nervously on his bottom lip. “How are you enjoying North Carolina so far?”
I popped open the can. “We’re going to do small talk now? How about you tell me if you’re seeing someone instead.”
I had no idea how Tate identified. He was a couple of years older than me, and maybe it was time we grew closer. Just because he was sort of my uncle didn’t mean we couldn’t be good friends.
“Ha, uh, no.” Tate giggled softly as a dark red blush crept up his neck and over his face. “I’m not.” He shook his head, then climbed to his feet and walked behind the counter. For a second, I thought maybe I had scared him away, but he came back with a cup of coffee and his phone.
I tilted my head. “Is there someone you’re interested in? I mean, you’re cute. You could have your pick of anyone. I don’t want to push you. You could be Ace. Not that you have to tell me anything.”
“I’m not sure what I am.” Tate blushed again and took a sip of his coffee.
When he didn’t say anything else, I reached for my croissant. It was just as heavenly as it looked. Warm, flaky, and full of chocolate goodness.
“Damn, this is amazing! You should be advertising the hell out of these.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket, snapped a picture, then posted it on my Instagram. I didn’t use it often but today felt like a good day. I tagged the coffee shop, Tate, and posted it before I looked back at him.
“I’m not Ace.” He ducked his head. “I just...I don’t think Maverick would like it if I dated.”
Interesting. “Is there someone you’d like to date?”
Because Mav had no say in that. He was protective of his family, but when he welcomed someone in, he loved them with all his heart and would protect them fiercely.
“I mean, it couldn’t happen if I wanted it to. We only met like once, and he’s—”
“He?” I slapped a hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have interrupted. And I’m not judging you for liking anyone, I promise.”
Tate opened his mouth, but the door opened and customers came in.
His scrunched expression cleared, and he smiled.
He hopped up and darted behind the counter, busying himself with their orders and coffee, talking happily as he took their payment.
But I wanted to know who this mystery man was.
Was it someone I knew? Was it someone Maverick didn’t like?
Wait. What if it was someone on Jackson’s team?
Now I was even more curious and had so many unanswered questions.
“Sorry about that.” Tate came back to sit down. “I won’t tell you who it is.” He pushed my plate toward me. “Finish your food.”
I laughed at how much he sounded like Maverick. I picked up my croissant and finished it off in two more bites. “Can you give me a hint?” I wiped my hands and mouth with the napkin he had provided.
“Mm... Nope.” Tate shook his head. “But he’s really sweet. Kind. Funny. Tall.”
“And Maverick doesn’t like him?” I needed him to tell me everything, starting with why Mav wouldn’t like him.
Tate rolled his eyes. “I never said that. My brother just thinks I shouldn’t worry about dating. Maverick likes him just fine. Dean, too.” His eyes went wide when he realized he had revealed more than he had intended. They knew him.
“I won’t ask anything else.” But that meant they both knew who he was. “And I promise not to ask them, either,” I assured him. “But you can talk to me if you ever feel like you need to. And I won’t judge you.”
Tate reached over to squeeze my hand. “Can I ask about that hickey now? Does that mean you and Reed are dating? Because I think you make a really cute couple. When you came in together the other day, I wanted to ask, but I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“We’re going out tonight.” I wasn’t sure what Reed and I were doing. “I like him a lot,” I added.
Tate grinned. “He’s pretty cute.” His ears burned. “I mean, I don’t like Reed like that or anything. I’m not crushing on your boyfriend. Jesus, I should probably just stop talking now.” He shook his head and stood up.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I assured him. “I used to have a crush on Dean.” And that was super weird to admit because of who he was now.
Tate’s eyes nearly popped from his head. “My brother and your stepfather?”
“To be fair, I didn’t know he was dating my dad at the time. And he wasn’t my stepdad then.” I picked up on that he was into my father quick, though, and pushed those feelings away. “I think I crushed on the entire band at one point.”
Tate nodded. “Killian is pretty cute.”
“It’s the dimples.”
“Right? I think that’s what did me in the first time, too.”
We both laughed just as another customer came in, and Tate went over to serve them.
He was smiling as he talked softly with them, pulling baked goods from the case while he filled their order.
I wondered if Ezra had designed the apron he wore.
It was cute as hell with the little coffee bean design.
My phone buzzed on the table, and when I saw a text from my dad, I quickly unlocked it.
Dad: Are you awake? Can we call you?
Attached was a photo of the two of them with sunburned faces on the beach and flowered leis around their necks. They looked so happy. I missed them, but I was glad they had this time together. That they had one another.
I quickly texted back to call me. I motioned to Tate that I was stepping outside to take a call just as the video call came in. I couldn’t answer it fast enough.