Chapter 22 #2
My mouth opened, then closed again, because I didn’t trust my voice. My eyes burned—embarrassing and impossible to hide.
“You don’t have to answer today,” Ignatius added, gentler now. “But I’m not in the habit of letting good men get away. If you want the job—it’s yours.” He leaned forward. "I would obviously take Cole's schedule into consideration because you need to be with him when he plays."
I looked at Cole then, really looked at him, and for the first time in too long I saw something in his eyes I hadn’t seen directed at me in weeks—hope. Belief. Something like pride.
He squeezed my hand gently. “Say yes,” he whispered.
My voice broke when I tried to speak, but the words came anyway. “I… Yes. I want—I want that.”
Ignatius nodded once, like the decision had been obvious from the start. “Good. Then welcome to the team.”
Ignatius clapped his hands sharply. “Now. Logistics. You’re expected at the arena here by noon for medical clearance.”
Cole’s breath hitched. “Medical?”
“Standard procedure,” Ignatius said. “They need to confirm you’re fit to compete. Which you are. Dr. Ahrens already cleared you yesterday."
Cole stood abruptly. “I should shower. Before…before the arena.”
Ignatius nodded. “Take your time. The driver will be ready.”
Cole hesitated, gaze flicking between us—me stiff and smiling too hard, Ignatius watching me like he could see the bomb under my ribs—then walked toward the hallway with shoulders hunched like he was bracing for something that wasn’t here.
The moment he was out of earshot, Ignatius said dryly, “You’re terrible at hiding things.”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“You’re vibrating like a microwave.”
“Ignatius—”
He held up a hand. “I don’t need to pry. I don’t want to pry. But you need to understand something. Cole is walking into the biggest moment of his season today. He needs clarity. Confidence. Stable support.”
My throat tightened. “I know.”
Ignatius leveled me with a look. “If something is threatening you—or him—the timing matters.”
I swallowed hard. Everything I was trying to hide flooded back. The texts. Ricky's baby.
My hand balled in my pocket around the phone, white-knuckled. “It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I said.
“Phoenix.”
“It’s not Cole’s problem,” I said, sharper than intended. “He nearly died yesterday. I’m not dumping my mess on him today of all days.”
Ignatius’s brow furrowed. “This isn’t about dumping. This is about—”
The shower turned on down the hall. Ignatius lowered his voice. “Whatever this is, you don’t have to face it alone.”
I laughed under my breath. “I promise to talk to you when we get back from this competition.” And I would. We just needed to get through this game.
Ignatius sighed, frustrated. “Phoenix—”
"As soon as we get back from this. Please just let him have the All-Star first."
Ignatius was quiet for what seemed the longest five minutes of my life, but then he nodded sharply.
Footsteps in the hall. Cole reappeared wearing jeans and a snow-soft sweatshirt, hair damp, eyes bright—but with something fragile underneath. Like he didn’t quite trust this happiness. “Ready,” he said, breathless.
He was. God, he was beautiful like this. Soft and scared and hopeful. I was going to talk to Ignatius. I knew I had to, but not while the medical today then the All-Star was hanging over Cole's head. He had enough to think about. I needed to get the money to Ricky and stall while we got back.
Ignatius gave him a once-over. “Good. The driver’s waiting outside.”
Cole nodded, pulling on his coat. “Phoenix…will you come with me?”
His voice cracked slightly, like the idea of going alone was unbearable.
“Yeah,” I said instantly. “Of course.”
We stepped out into the hallway together. Cole adjusted his coat, fingers trembling slightly. I reached out without thinking and straightened the collar for him, thumb brushing the warm skin at the base of his neck.
He shivered.
“You okay?” I asked softly.
“Yeah.” He gave me a small smile. “Just…still getting used to the idea that good things can happen to me.”
I swallowed. My eyes burned. “Then maybe we’ll start small,” I murmured. “One good thing at a time.”
His smile grew. Small. Soft. World-ending.
“Thank you,” he said. Not for the collar.
For staying.For last night.For everything.
We walked toward the front door together, and in that moment, I nearly blurted everything out, but I couldn't spoil this for him.
Ignatius met us there, arms crossed like a sentinel. “Remember: this is an honor, Cole. You earned it. Not Wells. Not the league politics. You. Dragons will be watching you. Humans will be watching you. And every one of them will be cheering.”
Cole’s cheeks flushed. “I’ll do my best.”
“Your best is extraordinary,” Ignatius said simply. “Go remind them.”
Cole nodded, then stepped outside toward the waiting car. I followed. My phone buzzed again.
I didn’t want to look. I really, really didn’t.
But I did.
Do I need to go visit Ricky?
A cold wave rolled through me, knocking the breath out of my lungs. I texted quickly. I will message you the moment I'm alone. Traveling. Give me the weekend.
I tucked the phone away before Cole could turn around and see.
He climbed into the car, nerves and excitement warring across his features. I climbed in beside him and Cole took my hand, bracing himself for the biggest week of his season.
And me?
I stared out the window, trying to breathe around the fist closing around my chest. Trying to figure out how to save a boy’s family without losing Cole or myself in the process.