The woman frowns but turns and joins her friends, who have been eying all of my guys. I put one hand on Talon’s shoulder, reach across the table, and grab Foster’s hand with my other one while looking them in their eyes. All the guys chuckle.
“That took balls for her to approach you. You could’ve just taken the drink,” I tell Cole.
“It rarely stops with one drink. Her gaggle of friends would have wormed their way over here, and then you would have had to swat them away from those two all night,” he tells me like he’s been through it a million times before—and he probably has.
Foster orders everyone except Talon a shot of tequila and encourages us to hold them up for a toast. “To Cole for becoming an Ice Dragon. Now to bring the Stanley Cup home!” We all yell and down our shots, most of everyone in the bar joining us.
We stayed at the bar for a couple more hours. People talked to Cole about the team and wished him luck in the upcoming season. No other women took their chance. It’s a fun evening but nothing over the top.
Talon drives us all home, and when we get there, he and Foster go off to their rooms, each having to get up early the next day. I should get to bed, too, but I feel too wired.
“Watch a movie with me?” I ask Cole.
“Sure.”
We settle into the living room and argue over what to watch before Cole agrees to one of my favorites. “You’ve seen this movie a hundred times, at least. How can you still watch it?” He asks me.
“It’s like hanging out with some of my favorite people again, every time. Now shut up before I miss a good part.”
He chuckles at me but sits silently through the movie. He laughs along with me at all the funny parts. My buzz is gone by the time it ends, and I’m exhausted. “I need to go to bed,” I tell Cole.
“Me too,” he says, but neither of us moves to get up. We turn to look at each other.
“I’m so proud of you, Cole. I’m sad that I’ve missed all of your career milestones.”
“That’s not your fault, it’s mine. I’m sorry I’ve been such an asshole to you. You did nothing to deserve that. My life is such a clusterfuck. I felt like I needed to push you away.” He gently touches my cheek, “Will you please come to my first game as an Ice Dragon? It would mean the world to me to have you there.”
“Of course I’ll be there,” I answer him, and then his lips are on mine. He puts gentle pressure against my mouth, and I press back, my tongue hesitantly sweeping over his bottom lip, but that’s as far as it goes before he pulls away.
We stare at each other, unsure what to make of our moment.
“I’m going to bed, goodnight Cole,” I whisper and retreat to my bedroom.
I can still feel that kiss on my lips. We haven’t discussed it. I’ve barely even seen Cole since then.
After an engagement shoot the following weekend, I pull into our driveway, and a silver BMW is blocking me from getting into the garage. I park my Jeep in front of the house to go inside and see what’s going on. I hear someone shrieking as soon as I open the front door. I rush back to the family room to find a furious woman pacing furiously around the room, throwing her arms around wildly. Cole sits on the couch, watching her with a blank look. He’s not trying to get a word in about whatever she’s squawking about.
“Cole, you have to make this right. My parents want us to get married as soon as possible,” she yells, her words nearly intelligible at that high pitch.
I study her. She looks vaguely familiar with her long, straight dark hair and delicate face. It’s Cole’s ex, Hannah, and I want no part of whatever this is. Unfortunately, I make a noise they hear between her ranting, and they both turn and spot me before I can escape. Cole looks up at me. Panic is written on his face before it goes blank.
“Who’s this?” Hannah demands, looking pissed now.
“My roommates’ girlfriend,” Cole answers her coldly.
I try to back out of the room, “I’m gonna–”
She moves closer, “Isn’t she your ex? The pathetic girl from that ice rink so long ago?”
Cole sighs, knowing this will cause more trouble. “Yes,” he answers her honestly.
“You need to leave. This conversation is private,” she tells me.
“I was just going up to go to my room,” I turn to leave but she stops me again.
“You live here?” she screeches.
I am getting sick of this woman’s voice.
