CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Dublin
“Tell them to go ahead. I need you for a second,” Cole says, causing Malachi to stop in the doorway, brow furrowed.
Much as mine is as I stand several yards away, uncertain if I’m interrupting or not.
“Yeah. Sure.” Malachi pokes his head out the door and calls out. “I’ll be right there. Get the shots lined up.” Then he turns back to Cole in the little corner area where they stand. “What’s up? Everything okay?”
Something feels off but I don’t move. Don’t speak.
Cole’s posture is tighter now, less relaxed, as he drags one hand over the back of his neck while Malachi’s expression shifts instantly into concern.
“I don’t know, man,” Cole says quietly. “I’m just not right today.”
Shit. That’s not a good sign. Why didn’t he tell me that though?
“What do you mean?” Malachi asks immediately. “How can I help?”
Cole exhales harshly and scrubs a hand through his hair. “My dad this morning . . . he got in my head more than usual.”
“Shit.”
“And the hand thing”—he flexes it slightly—“isn’t good. It’s shit. Been trembling on and off all morning. I’m just worried I’m going to be off today.”
Concern flashes across Malachi’s face. “You’re not. You’re gonna kick ass.”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
“No. You are, Valor. You’ve gotta think positive.”
“I know, man . . . I’m trying, but if you see me put my hand in my helmet on the sidelines, it’s because I’m trying to hide it. The tremor.”
My breath catches. He said he was feeling better this morning. Didn’t he?
“Good idea. Hide it,” Malachi says. “And if you need a familiar face, glance up to the suite. I’ll be standing there flipping you off so you laugh and relax.”
Cole laughs softly. “Yeah. Thanks. Um”—he glances around—“don’t say anything to the guys, all right? I don’t want them to worry. I just had to tell someone.”
He nods without hesitation. “Yeah. Of course. Your secret’s safe.” He pulls Cole in for a bro hug. “You’ve got this. Don’t let that shit get to you.”
“Thanks again,” Cole calls after him as he leaves.
And that’s when Cole finally turns and sees me standing there. Surprise flashes across his face first. And then caution.
“Hey. You’re here.” He steps forward and grabs me in a quick hug. “I didn’t think you were coming.”
“I’m not. I found some files I hadn’t turned over and since the GIA crew was working here today, I figured I’d transfer them and then leave.”
An unreadable emotion moves across his expression before he jerks his chin toward the lounge. “Stay.”
Warmth flickers in my chest at the request.
“You know I can’t. The last thing I want to cause is more drama, and it doesn’t look the best if I’m here when they are.”
“You can stay just fine. You’re my guest.”
“Cole.” I lower my voice. “You and I already crossed enough lines.”
His eyes hold mine for a beat too long. “Fair.”
But he still looks disappointed and, oddly enough, that makes me feel good that he cares.
My gaze drops briefly to his hand. “What was that about with Malachi?”
“How long where you standing there?”
“Long enough to hear you tell him your hand’s giving you trouble.”
His expression closes off instantly. “I’m fine.”
“Cole.”
“It’s handled,” he says.
“That’s not an answer.” What is going on?
His jaw tightens slightly before he flexes his fingers once. Steady with no visible tremor at all.
“Is your hand messed up again?” I ask quietly, cautious of those around us.
“No.”
“But you just told Mala—”
“I’m fine,” he says softly. I’m so confused.
The man standing before me looks steadier than he has in weeks, but I know what I heard him say.
“I don’t understand.”
“Valor,” Coach barks. “Need you with me.”
“Coming, Coach.” Cole glances his way before looking back to me. “We’ll talk later?”
The question sits between us, innocent in nature but feeling loaded in context.
I nod. “Yeah.” And then I step up to give him a kiss, trying to will the worry away. “Have a great game.”
“That’s the plan.” His gaze lingers another second before he heads out the doorway toward the locker rooms.
And I stand there long after he’s gone, my thoughts twisting tighter and running rampant.
Because if his hand is fine, why did he tell Malachi it isn’t?