Chapter 31 Cole
THIRTY-ONE
COLE
November
At the beginning of November, the hockey program partners with a local shelter to host a community event on the quad in front of the athletic facility.
The team mills around, some of them directing people to the booth to buy tickets for the game, some taking photos with fans and signing things. The rest are playing with dogs and taking people to the shelter’s volunteer table to complete adoption paperwork.
Noah has a megaphone, helping draw people over from campus. “It’s Pucks and Paws night, people. Yes, beautiful, I’m talking to you. Do you like puppies? Free pets all day—and you can pet the dogs, too. Come on down to get your tickets. All proceeds tonight will be donated to the shelter.”
“Less flirting, Porter,” I chide.
“But it’s working, coach,” he answers.
I wave him off and scrub my face, hiding my amusement.
“I love this event,” Eve gushes as we stroll through. “When I was still here, I volunteered to design all the promo graphics. Still can’t convince Dad to adopt a dog, though.”
“Damn. What’s that, twenty-five years and counting?”
“The man is so stubborn. He was mad he had to feed my goldfish from the state fair one time—one time—and decided Benson and I weren’t ready for a dog.”
“Wait, I remember this. You made me win that fish for you because Benson wouldn’t do it. I spent my whole allowance trying to win because you looked like you were going to cry.”
Her lips roll between her teeth and her nose scrunches with delight. “You’re the best.”
We cross paths with her dad and Steve. Eve sidles up to David and nudges him.
“What do you think, Dad? Is this the year? Look at that sweet one over there, can’t you picture her snuggled up with Mom on the couch while she reads? Feeding her snacks? Dressing her up for hockey games?”
David lifts his brows. “No. Don’t bother with your usual tricks, they won’t persuade me.”
She gestures to him in exasperation. “See?”
“All hope is lost,” I joke.
“Seriously,” Eve agrees. “What about you, Steve-o? Are you adding a new buddy?”
He tips his head side-to-side. “We’ll see. My wife wouldn’t be too pleased, but she’s a big softie. Whenever I bring a new rescue home, she’s the one that ends up spoiling them.”
“As she should. I totally need to come visit. Or…” Eve turns a pleading expression on me that I have trouble refusing. “Maybe I can convince other people to adopt so I can get a dog through friendship. It’ll be fun, like a co-op.”
“Eve.” David sighs. “Leave my coaching staff alone. Don’t let her talk you into anything, Cole.”
She tugs me away by my elbow, calling over her shoulder. “Great talk. Bye, Dad.”
I snicker, allowing her to tow me. When we’re across the lawn, she slows down. I study her surreptitiously, trying not to be obvious about it while we’re in public.
“I like those earrings on you.”
She pokes the dangling arches. “Yeah?”
“You look cute in Heston U colors.”
Her eyes glitter. “Yes! You’re the first one that noticed. I made them for some Knights fan spirit.”
“I notice everything about you.”
My hand automatically lifts to find the small of her back, dropping away once I realize I can’t. I settle for bumping my shoulder against hers.
Her gaze softens. “You really do.”
I rub at my sternum, heart beating like it’s trying to leap out of my body to get closer to her.
I’m glad I drove her ex out of town months ago so she can enjoy events like this without worrying if she’ll run into him.
Shawn nearly pissed his pants the first time he found me waiting for him outside his building after the talks I’d had with him at the club and the coffee shop. I didn’t do anything to him, only stared him down. Didn’t have to lift a finger. It took three encounters before he packed up and moved.
It can’t erase the ways he hurt her, but it satisfies me ensuring he’s long gone from her life.
My hand flexes at my side, longing to hold hers. I prefer feeling physically connected with her.
“So, have any dogs caught your eye?”
I hang my head. “All of them.”
She grins. “You keep saying you want a dog. This is a perfect opportunity.”
“I know, but it’s so tough to justify it when the hockey season keeps me—”
The puppy pen stops me in my tracks.
“Oh my god, they’re so cute!” Eve crouches by the short fence, delighted when a mass of small black and brown lab puppies charge to greet her.
She steps inside and they follow her, circling around her feet. They’re jumping on each other as they vie for her attention with excited yips. She sits in the grass, immediately ambushed by the litter. She falls to her back with a laugh, allowing the puppies to run over her.
“This is the best,” she declares. “Instant serotonin boost.”
Damn, that’s adorable. I take photos for my ever-growing album of her on my camera roll.
“Get in here,” she says. “They’re so soft.”
I kneel by the side, letting a puppy sniff my fingers. If I go in there, I won’t want to leave. I rub my fingertips together.
The kid inside me that’s always wanted a dog takes over. I swing a leg over the pen to join her.
It’s awesome when half the puppies veer toward me. I crouch with a grin, petting as many of them as I can. A small one that must be on the runt side of the litter sticks to me like glue when I move to sit beside Eve.
“Aww. That one really likes you.”
“He’s really damn cute,” I say as the little black lab wriggles beneath my fingers.
“You could take him home,” she suggests as we play with him.
“I don’t know. This is only my second season here. Is it really a good idea?”
“I think so. Don’t you?”
“Of course I’d love to take him home.”
She tilts her head. “What’s really holding you back?”
I sigh, scratching the dog behind his ears. “Habit. Doubt. Dogs need a lot of work and time.”
I never got one before because I was always moving. I’m not living my life as if it’s all temporary anymore.
“And since when have you shied away from hard work?” Her affectionate smile stretches slowly. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a reliable guy now, Cole. In fact, I think you always were. You never let me down. When I needed help, you stepped up.”
My gaze meets hers. I lick my lips, considering the puppy. He’s so tiny it plucks my heartstrings. Her encouragement reassures the old doubts that reared up.
“You don’t have to do anything alone, either,” she continues. “I’ll help watch him when you’re on the road for games.”
“A co-op dog,” I muse. “Adopt him together?”
“I like that idea. He can be ours.”
As soon as she says ours, I’m swayed by the thought of doing this with her. “Okay.”
She lights up. “Really?”
“Yeah. Let’s take him home.”
She squeals, crawling closer to hug me. I want to kiss her. Instead, I hold up the puppy between us.
“What’ll we name him?”
“I might’ve made a list of dog names if I ever got one when I was a kid,” I admit. “They’re all hockey-themed.”
“That’s sweet. What’s your top contender then?”
I pass the dog to her and squeeze my nape. “Bauer. If I ever got a dog, I really wanted to use that name.”
“I like it! What do you think?” She lifts him and he releases a bark that makes us chuckle. “Oh my gosh, we can put him in a skate for photos, I can’t.”
Bauer squirms in her hands to get closer. I take a photo of them. He licks her face, her fingers, anywhere he’s able to reach. She laughs.
I love that sound. Her joy is the most beautiful music in the world.
I love…her. I’m in love with her.
It hits me. Strikes me so hard in the chest it knocks the wind out of me.
I think I’ve known for a while, but recognizing it, giving this feeling a name seems big.
This is what I want. All of it’s here in Heston Lake. I have part of the life I’m ready to build—coaching with a team I’m proud of—still afraid someone’s going to turn around and tell me they changed their minds from the moment I found out I was staying.
I’ve never thought about my own future before this past year, let alone making one with someone else. Eve’s who I picture having that future with. And if she’s not part of it? I’m not interested in any future that doesn’t include her.
It’s time to put down my roots. But it’s not the roots that matter, it’s the person I want to ground me. The one I want to be with whether we’re standing still or on the move, no matter where life takes us.
Eve. She’s my roots.
The one who makes Heston Lake feel most like home—because she’s here with me. I want to make our home with her by my side.
Because in small moments over the last year, I’ve fallen for her. Harder and more deeply than I have ever before in my life.
She’s drawn me in with the way she shines brightly, her kind and gentle heart open to everyone around her, and an unwavering belief in me. We’ve grown to lean on each other. When something good happens, she’s the first person I want to tell.
This didn’t start after I finally made her mine. Our beginning was way before that, from the moment I kissed her on New Year’s Eve. It was when we were teaching ice skating. When we were fixing up the camper. When she visited hockey practices and cheered us on to win the championship.
It was every moment I held her hand as her friend while my heart yearned to belong to her.
Maybe it started years ago, back when her smiles and laughter would stir the funny sensation in my chest I’ve come to recognize as my adoration for her.
It grew the more I started doing things just because I know they’ll make her happy—I’ll do everything in my power to make sure she has a million good days.
At some point, she became a vital part of my life. Without her, I won’t be able to breathe, to exist.
Eve is my person. Simple as that.
I don’t want to hide my feelings for her or our relationship. She’s mine and I want everyone to know it. Including her brother and her dad.