Cope shook his head. “Always made excuses for why I couldn’t make the ceremonies. It just—it’s like I’m back there.”
An ache took root in my bones as if my body was pulling his pain into me. “What would Teddy say?”
Cope’s mouth twisted. “He wouldn’t give a damn about any of this.”
“What about you? Doyougive a damn about it?” Because Cope was the one who had to live with his choices today.
He let out a shuddering breath. “I want to honor him. I want to tell his parents what a privilege it was to be his friend.”
My hands dropped from Cope’s face, and I threaded my fingers through his. “Then let’s do that. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Cope squeezed my hand in a death grip. “Promise?”
“I’m with you.”
He swallowed again, then nodded his head slowly.
“Let’s do this.” I led him toward the side entrance, and Cope opened the door.
At least a dozen eyes shot to us the moment we stepped inside. Sweat beaded and ran down my spine, but I didn’t run. I kept hold of Cope’s hand and didn’t let go, just like I promised. A redhead in a sleek black dress stared at us in shock, her mouth falling open as her gaze dropped to our joined hands. Apparently, this sort of thing wasn’t the norm for Cope.
Another man in an expertly tailored suit strode forward. I knew the suit had to be custom-made because he was so tall I had to crane my head back to meet his hazel eyes. He looked at me with perplexed curiosity before turning to Cope. “Got it together?”
Cope nodded. “Sorry, Linc.”
“Don’t apologize. Just tell me if you need an X-ray and promise there won’t be a brawl in the chapel.”
My eyes widened and jerked to Cope. “You were in a fight?”
“It was nothing,” he said quickly.
“Tell that to the smashed photo and Marcus’s bruised ribs,” Linc shot back.
Crud.None of that was good. I squeezed Cope’s hand and met the team owner’s stare dead-on. It took some doing because he hadthe height and a leanly muscled fighter’s build, but I didn’t cower. “Cope’s got it handled.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up. “Looks like you’re the one to keep him in line.” He extended a hand, a glimpse of ink peeking from his sleeve. “Lincoln Pierce.”
I accepted the shake, trying not to let my hand tremble. “Sutton Holland.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Holland.”
“Sutton, please.”
He nodded. “Call me Linc. All my friends do.” Cope made a noise that almost sounded like a growl, and Lincoln’s face split into an outright grin. “Going to be fun as hell watching this one go down.”
I stared as Linc turned and strode back down the hall.What the hell did that mean?
Teddy’s servicewas what all memorials should be. A mix of humor and heart, laughter and tears. It only took me a matter of minutes to peg which of Cope’s teammates he’d gotten into a fight with. The blond-haired, green-eyed man glared in our direction for the first fifteen minutes of the service until someone next to him elbowed him hard in the ribs, making him wince and avert his gaze. I knew he had to be Marcus.
Thankfully, the man kept his focus on the front of the church after that. Teammates, friends, and coaches took turns going to the podium and sharing readings or stories. Each one made my heart ache for everything the world had lost with Teddy’s death. He was a bright light snuffed out far too soon.
As the head coach finished his story, he turned in Cope’s direction. “There’s one more person who needs to speak today. Teddy’s partner in crime and punishment, Copeland Colson.”
There was a scattering of light laughter at Coach Fielder’sremarks, but Cope didn’t move right away. I leaned into him, squeezing his hand that I hadn’t let go of. “Just talk to me. Tell me who Teddy is. I’ll be right here.”
Cope still didn’t move for a beat, then two. When he rose, he released my fingers at the last possible moment. He climbed the steps to the podium, pausing to clasp hands with the coach. When he finally reached the lectern, Cope’s eyes instantly found me, and he didn’t look away. He also didn’t speak.
I’m right here.I mouthed the words, hoping he could read my lips.
