He shakes his head, “I don’t think I ever really did. I always knew she wasn’t my forever person. She was just a convenience, someone who was always just there. That sounds horrible, but we’ve used each other over the years. She’s crazy.”
I grimace, “You know that guys who call a girl crazy are usually just shaming her. Her “crazy” is usually a reaction to the shitty things they put her through.”
He winces, “I wasn’t a saint in the relationship, but neither was she. She could be so controlling and vindictive if I ever did any small thing she didn’t like. Being with her was like walking on eggshells, never knowing if I would set her off. She reacts out of line with my behavior.
You, on the other hand, have every reason to act irrationally, with all the shit the three of us put you through. Instead, you took both their asses back.”
“It’s not like I’m serious with either of them. We’re just casually dating,” I argue with him for no apparent reason.
He gives me a deadpan look, “They went to a kid's birthday party with you. Those two are completely obsessed with you. They aren’t going anywhere. I don’t think you could do anything to make them leave your side again. I’m happy that the three of you have worked it out. I really am.”
He says he’s happy, but his face looks devastated. I stand from my stool and approach him, touching his shoulder. “You’ll find someone who cares about you one day. Don’t lose hope,” I tell him, hoping I’m as reassuring as I try to be.
There’s an irony in having this conversation with him. At one time, we were the ones happy in a relationship, just the two of us. Then I asked to add two others, and we fell apart. Not for the first time, I ask myself if it all would have been different if I hadn’t been so greedy. Unfortunately, we’ll never know.
Cole places his large, rough hand over mine. “Thanks. I already had someone perfect, and I fucked that all up. My career is all I need.”
I don’t know how to reply, so I kiss his cheek before going downstairs to find Talon.
Chapter 21
It’s days later, and I’m sitting at the kitchen island answering emails on my laptop when I hear the front door open and then slam shut.
“They signed me!” Cole yells from the foyer.
I jump off my stool and intercept him in the hallway. He swings me up into his arms, and we twirl around. We’re both smiling wide when he puts me down.
“So, I take it they made you a good offer?” I ask him.
“It was better than I had hoped for. They signed me for five years, with the option of adding two years after that. I’ll likely finish my career as an Ice Dragon in my hometown.”
His eyes are shining, and his cheeks are flushed with excitement. The grumpy Cole I’ve known the last few months has disappeared, and the sweet one from high school has been uncovered.
“We have to celebrate,” I tell him.
“My mom wants to have dinner tomorrow night, but tonight is ours.”
“Let’s go gather up the other two and get out of here.”
After dragging Talon away from the studio and Foster from the gym, we all get ready for a rare night out. We decide against a fancy dinner in favor of some yummy bar foods, which will be a splurge for Cole before he starts training camp soon.
We sit in a booth at the back of a dimly lit sports bar. As I slide in next to Talon, a thought occurs to me.
I lean into him, “Are you okay with this?” I ask him quietly.
He smiles at me and puts his arm around my back. “I’m good. I have my new favorite addiction here with me. Nothing else tempts me.”
He squeezes me, and I roll my eyes, “Such a sweet talker.”
Wings, mozzarella sticks, pickle chips, and onion rings are quickly brought to our table, and I munch on it all until I can barely breathe. I start people-watching while I sip my beer. It’s one of my favorite pastimes. We’re all relaxing when I catch a glimpse of the television that’s hanging closest to us. On it is a report about Cole’s contract with the Dragons. I reach across the table and nudge him, and all three guys look up. Foster and Talon whoop it up, attracting the attention of the patrons in the small bar.
A few girls around our age come up to the table, “Are you Cole Thorne?” the bravest one, a pretty blonde, asks.
“Yes,” he answers her but doesn’t encourage further conversation.
“Can I buy you a drink?” she persists, not taking his hint.
“No, thank you. I’m just celebrating with my friends tonight. Thanks for the offer, though. You all have a good night,” he said, giving them all a polite smile and returning to us.
