A muscle in Cope’s cheek began to flutter. “They’re here because of me. Because of my stupid career.”
I squeezed his hand as hard as I could. “They’re here because they’re vultures.”
Trace had called last night, letting us know he’d gotten word from a few hotels and motels in town that news vans were gathered there. Cope’s new security cameras—courtesy of Holt Hartley—had told him a handful of reporters were already outside his gates.
“I hate that I’m putting you through this.”
“You’re not.” My voice cracked like a whip. “If you take this on, it’s really going to piss me off. And you donotwant to piss me off, Copeland Colson.”
His lips twitched. “If she’s pulling out the formal name, I’d better be careful.”
“Damn straight.”
Cope slowed as one of the three stoplights in town shifted to red. He turned to me. “I love you.”
God, those words were the most beautiful music I’d ever heard. And the fear I’d felt because of them in the past was no longer there. Getting through what we had with Luca had taught me something: We were stronger together. And we could make it through whatever came our way.
I leaned across the console, brushing my lips against Cope’s and then staying close so he could feel what I was about to say. “I love you, too. We’ll get through this together.”
His fingers sifted through my hair, and he held me there, right against him. “Together.”
A horn sounded behind us, and Cope scowled into the rearview mirror but eased off the brake. “Everyone’s always in a hurry.”
A laugh bubbled out of me. “Can’t be holding up traffic for a make-out session.”
“Baby, you start really kissing me, and I’m not gonna stop at making out.”
I bit my bottom lip. “That would certainly give the reporters a show.”
Cope chuckled and turned onto a side street. “Pretty sure Linc would fire me if I showed the world my ass.”
“When do they get here?” I asked.
Cope glanced my way as he headed toward the bakery. “Tomorrow. I think it’s a good idea. Linc’s right. It’ll shift the focus of the story.”
The owner of Cope’s team had called last night with an idea. He was going to bring the Sparks to Sparrow Falls for a week-long kids’ hockey clinic, one held in honor of Teddy. Since the media was already here, having the entire team present would send them into a frenzy. And hopefully, they’d forget all about little ole me.
“I think I’m just a little nervous to meet all of them,” I admitted. Sure, I’d seen them at the funeral, but there hadn’t been a lot of proper introductions, given all the drama with Marcus. And since mypersonal life had just been tossed around in the media, I wasn’t sure what they’d think of me.
Cope pulled into a parking spot in the back alley behind The Mix Up and turned to me. “Sutton. You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. So strong…getting yourself out of the unimaginable. So damn smart, building a business from nothing. So dedicated to being the best mom imaginable. And one of the best people I’ve ever known.”
A burn lit behind my eyes. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
One corner of his mouth kicked up. “Never get tired of hearing it.”
I leaned across the console and whispered the words against his lips. “I. Love. You.”
Heat lit in those dark-blue eyes. “Warrior, now I need to fuck you. And that is real damn inconvenient.”
I started to laugh, but the sound got cut off by shouts. I turned to see reporters running toward the SUV, cameras of all kinds at the ready, questions already hurling. Was Cope being traded thanks to the dustup with Marcus? When did Roman find out I was involved with another athlete? Was I hiding from the Russian mob?
Cope cursed, but I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “We’re in this together.”
Those dark-blue depths searched mine. “Together.”
We headed into the mayhem.
46
