Chapter 41 Cole
COLE
Freya: Told you it was hot.
We won again tonight, ensuring we maintain our position at the top of the Western Conference. But it’s Freya’s message that really gets me excited.
Those billboards only went up today, and she’s already been out to see it.
Her actions are at complete odds with the woman who’s tried her best to keep her distance from me since she woke up in my arms.
I’ve regretted that morning since the moment it happened. I scared her off, and I hate myself for it. I don’t want to push her away; I want to drag her closer.
She’s not ready. I fully understand that and accept it.
Luckily for her, I’m a patient man, and when I want something, I’m more than willing to wait as long as necessary until I get it.
I’ll also put in all the legwork to ensure it happens because I don’t have any doubt that it’ll be worth it in the end.
“What’s the smile about?” Linc asks.
I shake my head and enlarge the image Freya sent me.
“You seen this?”
“Oh shit.” He gasps. “Rivers, get over here,” he calls, waving him over.
“What? Oh, for fuck’s sake. Get rid of that.” He scoffs before walking back to his cubby.
“Dude, you should cheer up. That image is gonna get you laid tonight.”
Kodie glances back over his shoulder with a smirk.
“I don’t need my body on a billboard to have a good night, Storm. I feel sorry for you if you do, though.”
Linc ignores him and focuses back on me. “Freya sent you that?”
“Yep,” I agree, unable to keep the smugness out of my tone.
“What did she say?”
“That I was hotter than the other two,” I deadpan.
“Fuck off. She did not.”
He reaches for my cell, but I pull my hand back faster.
“I guess you’ll never know,” I tease, pushing to my feet, ready continue with the rest of our night.
Fletch, Killer, and Coach are doing press, and our friends and family are all waiting for us in the family suite. That means Freya is waiting for me. Or at least, I hope she is.
“You heading up?” I ask, grabbing my suit jacket.
“In a bit. Gonna check in on Parker first. Say hey to Freya for me,” he teases.
“You’re an asshole.”
He smirks at me before turning away to get his shit together.
“Wait for me,” Monroe says, catching up with me as I walk out of the dressing room.
He falls into step beside me as we make our way to the elevator.
“Great game tonight,” he says.
“Thanks. You too.” He had a couple of great takeaways tonight, but it didn’t escape my notice that he didn’t get as much ice time as he usually would.
“Meh. I was distracted. I should have been better.”
I glance over and notice the excitement that usually lights up his eyes is a little dull. “Is everything okay?”
He sighs as we step into the elevator.
“It’s just family shit,” he explains.
I’ve heard him say this before. Usually, I back away, because what the fuck do I know about family? But I can hardly do that while we’re trapped inside an elevator.
“You wanna talk about it?” I offer.
He stares at me as if I’ve just grown another head.
“What?” I ask.
“You don’t usually say that,” he points out.
“Well, no. I don’t exactly have experience in that area, but right now, there isn’t anyone else to help who might be more qualified.”
“What do you mean, you don’t have experience? Everyone has a family to complain about.”
“So what’s going on with yours?” I ask, dodging that question.
He sighs again and tips his head back as if praying for strength.
“Same shit. I love them more than anything, I do. I just…it’s really fucking hard.”
“Are they up here waiting for you?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, they can’t travel right now. They were watching from home, though.”
“Fair enough.” The doors open before us, and I drape my arm over his shoulders. “Come on, let’s go and get a drink, celebrate our win and all the good things in our lives.”
“Yeah,” he mumbles, allowing me to tow him along.
A few of the guys are already up there with their loved ones, but that doesn’t stop everyone from turning our way when we step inside.
I scan the happy faces, and the second I see her, I swear, everything inside me settles.
She’s the only one I want to celebrate this win with.
If only I could drag her out of here, take her home, and celebrate in the way I really want.
“You’re a lucky motherfucker, Handsy,” Monroe mutters beside me as I take off toward my girl.
My girl.
Fuck. That’s something I’ve never said, let alone thought about before.
Her smile only gets wider as I get closer, but before I can say anything, someone else jumps between us. Someone who is equally as excited, only in a slightly different way.
“Amazing game tonight, Cole,” Brian says, holding his hand out for me to shake.
The moment I slide my palm against his, he pulls me in for a man hug, slapping my back.
Behind him, Freya bursts out laughing. Casey looks over and smirks while Monroe joins them.
“Great game tonight, Hayden,” Casey says, while Freya’s eyes remain locked on mine.
Neither of us are saying any words, but I can’t help but feel like there is an unspoken promise being passed between us.
Brian chatters away about a couple of my saves tonight, but honestly, I barely hear him. My only thought is getting to his daughter.
“Thanks, man,” I say, hoping I sound enthusiastic enough. “So glad you could get out to make the game.”
“I wasn’t going to be anywhere else tonight,” he says, following me toward Freya.
“Hey,” I say, suddenly nervous now that I’m standing before her. Fuck, she looks good in my jersey. It was a risk leaving it for her. But it also felt right.
“Hey, great performance tonight,” she says before suddenly surging forward and wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
I still, shocked by her sudden need to touch me.
It takes a second before I remember that I should probably be doing something and wrap my arms around her, squeezing her a little as I suck in a breath laced with her scent.
Our embrace lasts a little longer than a normal platonic hug would, and when we finally pull back, I discover that everyone surrounding us is watching closely.
Thankfully, Casey starts a conversation that steals Monroe and Brian’s attention, allowing Freya and I to continue our moment.
Remaining in her personal space, I drop my head and whisper, “Did you miss me, Whirlwind?” in her ear.
She shudders, and I internally give myself a high five.
“I just love watching you,” she responds. “Did you like my new screensaver?”
I pull back to look at her with my brows raised.
“You want all three of us on your cell?”
“Sure, why not. It’s a hot picture.”
“Hmm,” I mumble as noise explodes from behind us as the rest of the guys join.
Linc leads Parker over toward us with Rett, Kodie, and Killer trailing behind. Coach and Fletch are only a few seconds behind them.
Kodie sweeps Casey up in a hug before throwing caution to the wind and kissing her right there in front of Coach.
I can’t help but glance back at Brian, wondering what he would do if I kissed his daughter right in front of him.
I also laugh at the thought of him whooping and hollering in excitement.
It’s a head-fuck. Growing up, I was always the bad boy that girls didn’t want to introduce to their fathers.
Something I was more than happy about. But to have a father now so invested in our relationship, and probably cheering us on, is a little weird.
Not as weird as knowing that if something did happen, I would walk into a ready-made family who I’ve no doubt would support me without question.
Multiple conversations erupt around us, and before I can stop it, Freya is pulled into one.
Drinks appear before us, courtesy of Coach, and we all chat and laugh. But while I might look like I’m enjoying myself on the outside, all I can think about is taking Freya’s hand and dragging her out of this room so we can be alone.
“I’ve gotta head out,” Brian says as he finishes his drink. “Promised your mom I wouldn’t be too late. It’s a school night, after all,” he teases, hugging Freya.
“Great game, Cole. We’ll see you again soon, right?”
“I’m sure you will,” I say, shaking his hand again.
“Message me when you get home,” Freya calls as he says goodbye to our group.
“You got it, Mom,” he teases.
“And you think I’m overbearing,” I mutter in her ear.
“I never said that,” she breathes, turning to look up at me.
I’m so lost in her eyes, I don’t notice someone else joining us.
“Are your emails all broken or something?” a familiar voice chastises. “You know, when someone emails and asks you a question, the polite thing to do is reply.”
I glance up to find Hailee, our PR director, standing before us all with her hands on her hips.
She’s a tiny woman, but don’t underestimate her because of her size. She is fierce.
A round of apologies sounds out before Monroe proudly pipes up, “I replied.”
“You did, thank you,” Hailee says.
“And I added a GIF.”
Hailee nods, looking utterly exasperated.
“So, are any of you attending? Or is it just me and Hayden?” I can’t lie; Monroe doesn’t look disappointed by the prospect.
“Attending what?” Killer asks like the asshole he is.
“For the love of God, Calvin. The club is opening next week. The one that has been in the calendar for a month. The one I emailed you all a reminder about a few days ago.”
“I know, I know. I’m only yanking your chain, Hails. We’ll be there, won’t we, boys?”
“I need a plus one,” I state confidently. All eyes turn on me, before they drop to Freya at my side. They don’t say a word, but they don’t need to. Their smiles say it all.
“Wait,” Rett says before agreeing to anything. “Will there be women?”
Hailee and Parker groan.
“No, Rett. It’s an opening night for a gay bar.”
“What?” He balks. “Then I’m out. Sorry, Boss.”
Hailee’s nostrils flare with irritation, her face getting a little red. Our little pocket rocket can get almost any man to do her bidding around here, but since Rett arrived, he seems to have bucked the trend. He has no qualms about going against her, much to her frustration.
“What did I say to you only last week, Donnelly?” she warns.
“Ohh, Retty boy got a telling off,” Killer sings.
“Rett,” Parker warns, attempting to get her brother in order.
“Fine. I’ll be there.” He huffs, powerless against his little sister’s glare.
“And…” Hailee prompts.
“I’ll be on my best behavior.”
A round of laughter sounds out. “Do you know what that is?” Killer asks.
“Fuck you.” Rett snorts.
“And no, it isn’t actually a gay bar, but that doesn’t mean you get to ho yourself around every woman in the place and give me a shit ton of work the next day when all the stories get leaked.”
“But that’s what you live for.”
“Trust me, Donnelly. It really isn’t.” She glares pure hate at him, but there isn’t so much as a flicker of concern in his eyes. “I need a pay raise,” she mutters before marching away.
“Hailee, wait,” Monroe calls before rushing after her.
“You’re a fucking nightmare,” Linc mutters, focusing on his best friend. “Just because Coach likes having you here, it doesn’t mean he has to keep you.”
“Coach loves me,” Rett reasons.
“For now,” Casey warns.