Chapter Twenty-Seven
Reed
Last Night
Ilet Zach convince me to go the Panthers game, and the moment I stepped into the VIP section, I regretted it.
Dean and Beau were thrilled to see me again.
Ezra mentioned another WAGs outing that also included Zach, and Blake hugged me like a long-lost friend.
Everyone was so nice to me. I knew that if they knew the truth, they would change their minds.
Realize that I was a monster who didn’t deserve their friendship.
I spent most of the game watching Cole, wishing things had been different.
Wondering what would have happened if I’d stayed.
“You could act like you’re happy to be here,” Zach murmured. When I turned to glare at him, he grinned. “You look like you’re going to your execution. Smile, babe, you’re beautiful, and your man is a huge star. You’re going to make beautiful babies together.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not my man,” I grumbled. “What’s going on between you and Tate?” I spat, only to regret it instantly.
Zach’s neck flushed pink as he looked away. “Nothing. We’re just friends.”
“Okay, keep your secrets.”
But friends didn’t act the way Tate had when he saw Zach. The way his eyes had roamed over his body while his eyes flashed with lust. Had my best friend slept with the youngest Frost brother? And what about Oscar? This was going to get super messy.
Zach folded his arms over his chest. “Just like you kept yours.”
Okay, was everyone mad at me now? Even though I deserved it, I didn’t have to like it.
I needed love and encouragement, just like everyone else.
A hug or a little kiss on my head to remind me that I was important, too.
That even though I was struggling, I would be fine and get through it.
There was suddenly a lot of commotion on the ice, and when I turned my attention to the game, it looked like someone had crashed into Tom.
“Don’t touch my husband!” Blake shot to his feet. “That motherfucker! I’ll kill him!”
Yikes.
“Boo, he’s fine. Look, he’s already up, and oh!” Maverick grimaced. “Goalies don’t usually fight like that.”
I watched in wonder as everyone began fighting on the ice.
It was common knowledge, and courtesy, that you weren’t supposed to touch the goalie.
It made sense that everyone was coming to Tom’s defense.
Including Cole, who had jumped over the wall, dropped his gloves and swung at the first Colorado player he came across.
Punches were thrown, and I was pretty sure I saw blood on the ice just as Cole went down.
“He’s fine,” Beau tried to tell me. “Fights happen all the time. I was involved in my share when I was playing.”
We watched in horror as Cole struggled to get back up. Wyatt skated over to check on him, then Cole dropped onto the ice. My entire body trembled. This was bad. Really bad. Bile raced up my throat, and I clapped a hand over my mouth to prevent myself from throwing up on everyone.
“We have to go,” Beau announced. He headed toward the door with Dean, then glanced over his shoulder. “That means you, too, Reed.”
The Next Day
SLEEPING IN THIS HOSPITAL chair had been a choice.
My entire body felt like it had been twisted into a pretzel.
I stretched my arms and sat up, then realized Cole was awake.
His eyes were glossed over, like maybe he had been given some strong pain medication, but he looked pissed.
The clenched jaw was enough to tell me that.
Maybe staying had been a bad idea? I had just been so scared when he passed out.
Worried that I would never have the chance to tell him how much I loved him. Even if he didn’t feel the same.
“Husband, huh?” His voice was raspy.
Oh, right... I had told the hospital staff we were married, so that I didn’t have to leave. Beau hadn’t even flinched when the words tumbled out. In fact, he had wrapped an arm around my shoulders in a side hug.
“I was worried.” I dragged a hand through my hair. “But you’re going to be okay, so I can go. I’m sure your dads will be here soon enough. You’ll want to spend time with them.”
Cole raised his brows. “I need you to come closer.”
Like hell. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I didn’t ask, Reed,” he growled. Why was that so sexy?
I let out a long breath and stood, then walked slowly over to the bed and sank onto the chair Beau had been in when I fell asleep. Cole patted the bed next to him.
“No.” I shook my head. Was he high on the medication?
“You told my father about us.”
“Well, I mean...yeah. I told Beau and Dean what I did.”
Cole patted the bed again. “Now.”
“Right.” I tried to sit on the edge of the mattress, but he tugged on the back of my shirt. I twisted around to stare at him. “You want me to lie down?”
Cole nodded. “Right next to me.”
I pulled my legs up, moved into the spot next to him, and stared at Cole as he watched me. Silence stretched.
I let out a loud sigh. “What do you hope to accomplish with this?”
“I just wanted to see you,” he whispered. He reached over to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “You were worried.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I was terrified. I thought you were dead, Cole. What was I going to do with the rest of my life if you were gone? I’d rather suffer in silence while you married some beautiful blond woman with a plastic smile. That would be my personal hell, but at least you’d still be—”
Cole pressed his mouth to mine. Just a peck on the lips, but it sent my heart into a fit of flutters and thunder against my chest. I found myself leaning into him, my hands finding purchase on his chest, before I remembered Cole was in the hospital and was hurt.
I pulled away, and he grabbed my hand and linked our fingers together.
“Is this the medication talking? Did you forget who I was?” I resisted the urge to climb on top of his large body. That wouldn’t be good. For either of us.
Cole’s face broke into a smile that looked like sunshine on a summer day. “You love me,” he whispered happily. “You told my dads that you loved me. You stayed because you were worried.”
“I thought you were going to die!” I exclaimed. “I would have confessed to anything at that point. I couldn’t just leave you here alone, Cole.”
He gave me another giant smile. “You love me.”
“I’ve been in love with you since I was sixteen years old.”
His eyes went wide.
“I mean, I thought it was love, but I was just a kid, so...”
Cole pressed a finger to my mouth.
He dragged his hand down my jaw. “I love you, too.” Cole tilted his head, his baby blues searching my face. “We could make this work. If you wanted.”
“Do you? Want to make it work?” I chewed on my bottom lip. “Your fans might be mad. That you’re not straight.”
Cole gave me a lazy smile. “My fans know I’m not straight, baby.
I did an interview about it during my rookie season after Pride Night.
I think a few people got upset about it, but considering my fathers are bisexual, and a few other players on the team are queer, it wasn’t a big deal.
It felt good to tell the world who I really am. ”
I guess I had missed that one. “Was that before or after Fiona?” Oh, bitchy Reed has arrived.
“Before,” Cole murmured. His voice slurred slightly, which meant whatever pain meds they had put him on were working overtime. “Fiona was unexpected. We had fun, but I never loved her, Reed. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”
I squeezed his hand. “I hated you with her. I was so jealous. It made me sick whenever she tagged you in a picture. And those videos she pushed you into. You looked bored.”
“I think I might have been,” Cole told me. “I only ever thought of you when I was with her. Or anyone, if I’m being honest.”
Hot tears stung my eyes. “Me, too. I’m sorry, Casanova.
For leaving you. I should have told you how I felt.
I should have stayed. I was terrified that you would give up everything for me, and I didn’t want that.
You’re so fucking amazing. I’m so proud of you, Cole.
God, I just...I need you to know that. That I never meant to hurt you.
I didn’t want to tie you down. I should.
..I wanted...I loved you. I still love you, and I’ve never.
..I can’t...Fuck!” A sob escaped my throat.
“Oh, baby.” Cole tugged me against him and wrapped his thick, muscular arms around me.
His chest was bigger than I remembered, covered in muscles that hadn’t been there five years ago.
I cried harder when I thought about what I had done.
How I had hurt not just myself but the man I loved.
Cole quietly rubbed my back, his large palms soothing the ache in my soul.
I felt safe here. With him. Cole was the only man I’d ever let see the real me.
I pulled away and noticed the mess of snot and tears I had made on his hospital gown. “Sorry.” I brushed my cheeks with my hands. “Shit, did I hurt you? By lying against you? I should be comforting you.”
“I’m fine,” Cole assured me. “I think that you and I have a lot to figure out when I’m home.”
Right. Just because I had confessed everything, and we still loved one another, it didn’t mean we were going to get back together. Obviously, Cole didn’t want that.
“Of course.” What was I even doing here? I should just leave. “I should go.”
“Wait, why?” Cole’s brows dipped. “Reed, I want you. I suggested we talk more because I want you in my life again.”
I opened my mouth to answer him just as Beau and Dean walked in. A blush crept up my neck and covered my face. I was still in their son’s bed. “Uh, I was just...”
“Staying right there.” Dean winked. “What, baby? They’re so cute. Let them have their fun.”
I climbed to my feet. “It’s not...I’ll let you have your family time.”
“Reed.” Beau touched my shoulder lightly. “You’re family, too.”
I burst into tears again. “I’m such a mess today.”
“We understand,” Beau assured me, pulling me into a hug. “It’s been an emotional day for everyone. You should wash up and change. We grabbed some clothes from your house that Zach thought would be appropriate.”
I glanced over at Dean, who was holding out a small bag. “Th-Thanks,” I stuttered. I looked back at Cole, who beamed at me. “I’ll be right back.”
Beau hugged me again, then I took the bag from Dean and hurried into the hospital room’s bathroom.
Inside, I found a pair of white shorts with a matching shirt, deodorant, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.
I made a mental note to text my best friend the second I had a chance. I owed him an apology, too. A big one.
Once I had freshened up, I stared at myself in the mirror, took a deep breath, and stepped back into the room.