Chapter Thirteen
Cole
Days turned into nights, which became weeks, and suddenly it felt like summer was going by way too quickly.
Reed and I posted selfies. Lots and lots of selfies.
I took and shared lots of pictures on my Insta of my summer in North Carolina.
Dad and Dean were more than happy about our budding relationship.
They thought we made a cute couple. As did Maverick and Jackson.
But Maverick was a bit of a romantic himself.
He loved the idea of love. I knew in the beginning when Andy was interested in his boyfriend, Leo, Mav wasn’t that keen on the idea, but now he was ready to marry them off, and they were still in high school.
I think Ezra helped a lot with that. And even though I was warming up to him, Ezra still scared me.
He was bubbly and friendly, but I always felt like he was watching me.
Reading my mind like he knew everything I was thinking.
Reed and I spent a lot of time together.
We went to more of his siblings’ races. We tried a yoga class with Saint, which was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.
I was amazed at how bendy Reed was, and he said the same about me.
When I wasn’t with Reed, I found myself on the ice with Jackson.
He was a good coach, and I could see why the Panthers had won multiple Stanley Cups.
Sometimes Wyatt joined us, along with Tom or even Asher.
And sometimes it was just the two of us.
I enjoyed it best when it was just one-on-one.
It felt like he was showing me things that would help me further my career, help me when the Terriers drafted me next year.
I enjoyed being at the Olson house. It was full of warmth and happiness.
Not that mine wasn’t, but it was loud there, too.
Full of so many children. I wasn’t used to that.
I didn’t hate being an only child, and as much as I loved my father, I had always wanted to have a brother or sister.
Mav and Jax had four teenage boys—five, if you counted Leo, which they did—and they were talking about adopting more.
The house was just bursting with love and happiness.
The loud voices, the laughing and bliss that just wrapped around you like a welcoming hug.
On Thursday afternoon, Mav had asked me to invite Reed over for dinner on Friday night, and now, here we were, sitting outside while Maverick fussed over everyone after we had finished eating. I knew any minute he would bring out some extravagant dessert to finish off the night with.
“He loves this, doesn’t he?” Reed whispered.
He was sitting on my lap, his arm around my shoulders, his head pressed against mine. I was falling for him more and more every single minute, and I was terrified of what that meant when we went our separate ways at the end of the summer, and I was too scared to ask.
I nodded. “Maverick was born to be a father. He enjoys cooking and smothering everyone around him with love. He’s a good person. He has a reputation for being a dick, but that’s just a rumor. He’s a big softie.”
“I could tell you some stories.” Killian dropped into the chair next to us and yanked his husband, Matthias, onto his lap. “Why are you looking at me like that, babe?”
Matthias rolled his eyes, then pushed the hair from Killian’s forehead. “Behave yourself.”
“I’m always on my best behavior,” Killian assured him. “You two have gotten pretty close.”
And there it was. Was Hutch having Killian check up on his son while he was gone for the weekend for a NASCAR race? Should I have asked his permission to date Reed or something? Did people still do that sort of thing?
“Knock it off, Kill. They’re adults. They can make their own decisions,” Maverick called, his hands on his hips as he stared in our direction, a smile tugging at his lips.
Killian snorted. “He’s already marrying you off just like Leo and Andy.” His eyes darted over to where those two were sitting with his son, Archer, along with Felix and Ford.
Marrying us...What? Every muscle in my body went rigid. I wasn’t ready for that yet. I cared for Reed, and I could see a future together, but we’d have to see how a long-distance relationship would work first. If we made it to Thanksgiving and Christmas, we could see where this would go from there.
“Relax, Casanova,” Reed cooed in my ear. “I can feel you freaking out right now. They’re joking.”
“They’re really not.” Leo eased into the chair next to my boyfriend.
Archer was right next to him. Beaming happily like they were the best of friends; he lifted his arms until Leo picked him up.
“Maverick simply wants everyone to be as happy as he is with Jackson. But don’t worry.
He’s not going to force you to buy an engagement ring yet. ”
I forced a smile. “I like Reed a lot.” That wasn’t a lie.
I did. I could probably see a future with him if I let myself dream about it.
We had our entire lives ahead of us. We hadn’t stopped to talk about anything yet.
“We’re young. We have our entire futures to think about.
” But what if? What if Reed was the one and I ruined this again?
“Andy and I are, too. We just plan on getting married as soon as we can. But we knew right away that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. You and Reed have plenty of time to figure things out. But you do make a cute couple. Huh, Arch?” Leo ruffled Archer’s curls playfully.
Archer giggled happily as he nodded in agreement. “Cute.”
Reed brushed his lips over mine. “We do make a cute couple.”
“We do.” Even I knew that. I might have stared at the pictures of us a little too often. Reed was ridiculously beautiful. I wasn’t even sure what he saw in me. My hair was a little too curly, and my nose was too big. He could have his pick of anyone.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” Tate interrupted all the seriousness, and for that, I was grateful.
“I was trying to get everything ready for tomorrow morning and time just got away from me.” He waved happily when he saw me sitting across the yard and hurried over to say hello.
“I’m so glad you’re still here. I have to tell you something. In private, if that’s okay.”
Reed laughed softly as he got to his feet. “That’s fine. Leo can show me how he puts on that eyeliner he’s always wearing. I would love to do that the next time I’m on stage.”
“Really?” Leo gasped. “Because honestly, your cheekbones are amazing, and I would love to get my hands on them. Professionally, of course.” He reached for my boyfriend’s hand and carried Archer away as they headed toward the house.
Tate quickly planted himself in the vacated seat next to mine. “Remember that guy?”
“Um, the ones whose name you wouldn’t tell me?” I raised my brows, because of course, I remembered. “Are you going to tell me now?”
Tate shook his head as his cheeks burned pink. “No, but he followed the coffee shop on Instagram and then commented on one of my posts. And sent me a DM. What do I do?”
“He’s not a creep or anything, is he?” I tilted my head.
Tate chewed on his lip. “No, he’s nice. Oscar is—” He slapped his hand over his mouth, and his ears burned pink. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
“It’s Oscar?”
I knew Oscar Lane. He had been teammates with my father back in Boston. And Oscar was nice. A little na?ve but sweet. Kind. A lot like Tate. They would make an adorable couple if they could make things work; if that’s what they wanted. Now I understood the secrecy.
Tate didn’t say anything for what felt like forever.
“You won’t say anything, will you? You can’t, Cole.
Not even to Reed. We met once when the Panthers played Boston, and he was so kind to me.
We talked for what felt like hours, and he told me to follow him, but I was too nervous.
But I kept thinking about it. And after I told you the other day, I kept thinking about him. And now I’m terrified.”
“I promise I won’t tell anyone,” I assured him. “But you need to message him back before Oscar thinks you don’t like him.”
Tate giggled. “I like him plenty. He’s so cute. And tall. And nice. Funny. I wonder if he’s seeing anyone. Do you think he’d ever think of me like that?” Once again, he was blushing.
“He would be crazy not to.”
Tate took his phone out of his pocket and held out a picture for me to see. It was Oscar in all his goalie gear, his mask sitting on the top of his head. He had to be at least a foot taller than Tate.
“You should message him back.”
Tate’s brows dipped. “I can’t.” He sighed. “I wish Ezra were here. He would know what to do.”
“What did his message say?” I wasn’t trying to be nosy. “Ezra would tell you to send him a nude, and that’s not what we’re trying to do here.”
Tate’s green eyes went wide with fright. “Goodness, you’re so right. He would tell me to do that. He, uh, he would tell me to flirt, too, and I’ve never done that in my life. I’ve never even kissed a boy before.”
“Well, you can just be friendly,” I suggested as Tate held out his phone to show me the message.
“Hey Tate, it’s Oscar. Hope it’s cool that I followed you. All your baked goods look delicious. I hope to stop by the next time Boston is in town. I’ll have whatever your favorite is.”
Tate gave me a nervous smile. “What do you think?” His eyes darted over to where Maverick was talking with their mother, Yvette.
“I don’t want Mav to worry. He does that, you know.
Because I lived such a sheltered life compared to him.
And I respect that. I want what he has. Love.
A family. All of this.” He bit his bottom lip.
“I think you should just keep it safe. Message Oscar back, thank him, and tell him you’d love to see him when he comes back. Tell him you’ll hook him up with something special. Ask what he likes.” The tension dissolved from his shoulders. “Then see what happens from there.”
Tate nodded. “I could do that.”
Just then, Reed reappeared with Leo and Archer. I half expected him to be covered in makeup, which honestly would have been hot as hell, but he wasn’t. He stopped to say something to Andy and the twins, nodding and smiling at them before he ruffled Archer’s hair and headed to where I sat with Tate.
“All good?” Reed asked. “I can make myself scarce again if you still need privacy.” He hooked a thumb behind his shoulder.
Tate stood up. “No, it’s okay.”
“You don’t have to leave.” Reed sat on my lap again, bringing with him the enchanting smell of cinnamon. I couldn’t help but inhale deeply as I stuck my nose against his neck.
I growled softly. “What the hell did you do up there? I want to eat you alive.”
“Easy, tiger.” He huffed out a laugh as he pushed my head away playfully.
Tate had his phone in his right hand. “I have something I need to do.”
“Dessert!” Maverick called out as Jackson placed pie on the table. “Tate, don’t go too far. It’s devil’s food. Your favorite.”
Reed pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect,” I assured him.