Chapter Thirty-Seven
Cole
After a nice make-out session with Reed, we went back out to the track, keeping clear of anyone with a camera.
That didn’t mean people didn’t stop me, say hello, and wish me luck with the playoffs.
I appreciated that. I was trying to keep my nerves settled, but it wasn’t easy.
A couple of them even asked for a picture, but no one seemed to care that I was with Reed.
That we were holding hands as we walked around.
Maybe it was me, but I couldn’t help but think that Ezra had something to do with that.
Or the WAGs. All of them were here today, including my cousin, Andy Olson, whom I hadn’t seen in years.
He was probably there more for his husband, Leo, but that was fine.
And the twins, Felix and Ford, who hadn’t left RJ Shepard’s side.
I had questions. Lots of them. Only I wasn’t about to ask. It wasn’t my business.
“Uncle Maverick, Uncle Maverick!” Archer bolted over to Mav, who had just arrived with Jackson, and I smiled as they embraced. “Where’s Rhodes?” The littlest Olson was the spitting image of Jax, right down to the auburn curls and dark brown eyes.
Maverick ruffled Archer’s curls. “He’s home. I didn’t think he was ready for the track yet. But I promise you can come over to see him any time you want. Tomorrow, even. I’ll make pancakes.” He grinned.
Rhodes and Trish were with the same sitter, my dad had told me. They were best friends, my sister and little cousin.
“Spoiling my kid again?” Killian raised his brows as he approached.
He grinned when Maverick gave him the finger.
“Love you, too, Mav.” His eyes went wide when he saw me.
“Hey, kiddo.” He moved in to hug me. Maybe it should have been weird or awkward, since he was my bi-awakening, but he was a good guy.
Even though he tried to act like he wasn’t.
“It’s okay, Dad. You make the best pancakes,” Archer assured his father.
Kilian’s face softened. “Thanks, peanut.”
My dad walked over, his arm wrapped around Dean, and they both engulfed me in a hug when they got closer. Then they released me and embraced Reed, and my throat grew tight. Especially since Reed was completely caught off guard.
“Sorry we’re late.” Dean fist-bumped Killian. “Trish is having a day. She didn’t want us to leave. I know she’s going to give the sitter a really hard time today.”
Dad nodded. “We almost brought her, but I think it would be too much. Maybe next time.”
“She’s four,” I reminded them.
Reed laced our fingers together. “Who is Trish?”
“My sister.” Shit, he didn’t know? Had I forgotten to mention that my father and Dean had a baby via surrogate? “You’re going to love her.”
Reed smiled. “Tell me about her. When can I meet her? Who does she look like?” He giggled softly. “Does she play hockey yet?”
“You can meet her any time you want.” Dad grinned. “And she actually looks like Dean. They have the same white hair and big green eyes. She’s beautiful. Just like her father.” He leaned down to press a kiss against Dean’s head.
Dean blushed. “She likes hockey well enough, but she’s starting to ask about singing lessons and playing the guitar.
Trish is obsessed with Uncle Maverick’s house and all the instruments they have.
And don’t even get me started on Killian and Matthias’s place.
She screamed so loud the last time we had to leave I thought she was going to crack the windows in the house. ”
“Trish is a little spoiled,” I murmured. I barked out a laugh at the surprised look on my fathers’ faces. “What? You’re going to tell me I’m wrong? She’s the only girl. Everyone loves to give her what she wants whenever she wants. No questions asked.”
“You’re not wrong,” Killian butted in.
Matthias groaned. “You’re not helping, Kill.” He slapped a hand over his husband’s mouth before he could say anything else. He maneuvered Killian away, then threw his hand in the air with a slight wave goodbye.
Reed’s parents arrived then, along with both his sisters, and I stood back as he said hello to them.
I enjoyed the sound of his low laugh, the way his face lit up when he spoke with Hazel, teased Mia, and pulled his father in for another hug.
This was a big day for all of them. Silas was making his NASCAR Cup Series debut, and if he did well, if he managed to finish the race, it would open so many opportunities for him. Including a full-time ride.
“Cole.” Hutch nodded at me, and my stomach twisted. “Good to see you again.” His lips twitched into half a smile. “Great job with the Panthers this season.”
I wondered if the click in my throat was as loud as it was in my head. “Thank you, sir. And it’s good to see you, too.”
“Sir?” Reed giggled. “This is my dad, Casanova. You don’t have to call him sir. Right, Dad?” He cocked a brow.
Hutch grunted. “Hutch is fine.”
Did he hate me? Was that what this was? He knew how much I loved Reed.
I had told both of his parents that when he had left.
When I saw them outside their house one morning before I went back to Boston.
I was sitting on the dock, their dock, crying and wishing I had done things differently.
That I could go back in time and change everything. So Reed wouldn’t have left.
“Hutch, honey, let the kids have their fun.” Jillian squeezed my shoulder. “It is good to see you, Cole. I hope you’ll come by and have dinner with the family some night. After the season is over, of course.”
My vision blurred. “I would love to. Thank you.”
“We should probably go find Silas for pre-race ceremonies,” Hutch announced. “Are you two going to join us on the track?”
Reed tugged on my hand. “Absolutely.”
I WAS ON THE EDGE OF my seat for the entire race.
And I mean the entire six hundred miles the cars were on the track.
I screamed when someone crashed, cheered and jumped to my feet when Silas cracked the top twenty, and watched as Ezra lost his ever-loving mind when Carson crossed the finish line in first place.
Leo was right behind him, and Noel finished in eighth.
My face hurt from smiling, my throat was a bit sore from screaming, and my body hummed with adrenaline.
I had to do this again. It was exciting as hell.
I could see why people enjoyed it so much.
After we said our goodbyes to everyone, congratulating Carson on his win and Silas on his fourteenth-place finish, I took Reed back to my house.
It was quiet. Oscar, Tate, and Zach weren’t back yet, and I took the opportunity to talk with Reed.
Really talk with him about the future and what it held for us.
I had been serious when I told him I wanted him to move in.
But only if he was ready. I sat him down at the kitchen table while I made some ice cream sundaes.
“Thank you.” Reed giggled. He wiggled around in his chair when I placed the dessert before him and took an exaggerated bite. “Mm.” He hummed happily around the chocolate syrup and ice cream.
I slid into the seat next to him. “Good?”
“Very.” He tucked his spoon back into the bowl.
I took my own bite before I spoke again. “Are you happy, baby?” I tilted my head as I watched him. “Like, with me and everything. Is moving back to North Carolina going to be the best thing for you? Don’t get me wrong, I want that for you, but what do you want?”
“I want to be with you.” Reed dropped the spoon, got to his feet, and climbed into my lap. “I want to build a life with you. I can’t do that in New York. And honestly, I don’t like it there. It’s too loud and dirty. I miss my family.” He cupped my cheek with his palm. “I missed you.”
I smiled. “I missed you, too.” I kissed him. “You’ll be happy here?”
“Casanova, as long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy.”
“What if I get traded?”
Reed blew a raspberry. “I seriously doubt that is going to happen. But if it does, I’ll go with you. Wherever it might be.”
“Even New York?” I didn’t think I would get traded either, but it could happen. Look at Oscar.
He smoothed the hair back from my forehead. “Even New York.” He dropped kisses on my face. “I’d be with you, so I would be happy. These past few years haven’t been the best.” Reed put a finger over my lips before I could interrupt. “Most of that is on me.”
“What about Zach? Won’t you miss him?” I nipped playfully at his finger.
Reed hummed. “I will, but something tells me my bestie is going to be coming around here more than we think. Cole...” He pulled back to meet my eyes. “Coming home is going to be the best thing I’ve ever done. Well, other than falling in love with you.”
I kissed him because that was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. Loving Reed came easy. I relished the soft moan he released, loved the way his hands slid into my hair and tugged gently before he started rubbing against me.
“Easy,” I whispered. Oscar could come home at any minute.
“What time are you leaving tomorrow?” Reed slipped off his shirt. “It would be a shame if you didn’t get to enjoy those panties.”
Fuck. “Let’s go.” I stood up, and he wrapped his legs around my waist. “My flight is at ten. I can sleep on the plane.” I carefully carried Reed up the stairs to my room, pushed open the door, and laid him out on the bed.
Lust burned in my veins as he lifted his hips, pulled down his jeans, and revealed the lace panties. Then I sank to my knees, yanked him to the edge of the mattress, and got to work.