Cope’s chest rose with an inhale, and his mouth opened. “The first thing Teddy Jackson said to me was that if I was going to be a hotshot hockey player, I needed better style.”
The crowd broke into laughter, and Cope’s mouth curved slightly, but he still didn’t take his eyes off me. “We were sixteen and spending the summer at camp in the Middle-of-Nowhere, Minnesota. It was an hour and a half away from any sort of civilization, but Teddy somehow managed to throw a party in the woods, complete with a DJ and booze. And that was the first time Teddy got me grounded.”
Cope went on to share funny and heartwarming stories, ones that painted a picture of exactly who Teddy was. His fingers tightened on the podium as he finally forced his gaze to Teddy’s parents in the front row. Cope swallowed hard and began speaking one more time.
“You raised an incredible son. One who brought fun and laughter to everyone he was around. But so much more. He was the kind of man who always had his friends’ backs. The kind who always took the time to check on me when he knew I was struggling. The kind who gave so much more than he ever took. And I promise you, I am a better man because I knew your son.”
Teddy’s mom broke then, her tears coming fast and free. Cope strode from the podium straight to her as she stood and hugged the woman hard. He fought his own tears, those dark-blue eyes shining under the church’s lights.
When he released her, the minister asked everyone to stand. I didn’t hear her closing words, only snatches of things that promisedTeddy lived on in each of us and the lives he touched. I only had eyes for Cope as he moved toward me.
He slipped into the pew, his arm sliding around me, and his face pressing to my neck as he breathed deeply. “Thank you, Warrior.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
Cope pulled back, his eyes shining. “You lent me your strength.”
22
COPE
My hand foundSutton’s again as we filed out of the pew. I couldn’t stop touching her. It was as if she grounded me somehow. Gave me a flicker of peace during the riot currently living inside me. The moment my fingers touched her skin, the accusatory voices muted, muffled by something uniquely Sutton.
I kept hold of her hand as I stepped into the aisle, coming face-to-face with Marcus, whose green eyes were more than a little thunderous. A new wave of guilt crashed over me. He might’ve thrown the first punch this time, but I’d goaded him into it. I’d fix it, just like Teddy wanted me to, but not today.
I let Marcus step ahead, two other teammates sticking close, likely because they didn’t trust us not to get into a fistfight in the middle of the sanctuary. I didn’t blame them. People spoke in soft tones as we moved down the aisle.
When we reached the doors, I heard security order some photographers back. “Hell,” I muttered.
Sutton glanced up at me, her eyes flaring wide. “What is it?”
“Vultures trying to snap a picture to sell to magazines or a sports blog,” I ground out.
Sutton’s face paled as she fumbled in her purse.
“Are you okay? Your face just went white.”
She nodded but the motion was jerky. “I can’t believe they’re at the church.”
I could. They were bottom-feeders. People whose only sustenance was others’ misery. “They won’t be able to get close, don’t worry.”
Sutton’s hand trembled as she pulled out a huge pair of sunglasses. “I know.”
When she slipped them on, they took up half her face. I wasn’t up on what was fashionable, so maybe this was the look.
“Cope,” a soft voice said.
I turned to see Angie standing near the doors. She did her best to hide the hurt in her eyes, but I saw it. And I was the asshole who still couldn’t let go of Sutton’s hand, even when Angie’s gaze dipped to it. “Lincoln has a car waiting for you around the side of the church to take you to the airport.”
“Thanks, Ang. I appreciate it.” It was all I could give her. And maybe that was for the best. She’d think Sutton being here with me was more than the simple kindness it was. But as I thought those words, I knew one thing: I wanted it to be more.
The moment Suttonand I landed in Sparrow Falls, it was as if reality set in. After helping her into my SUV that I’d left at the airport, I forced myselfnotto take her hand as I drove. Instead, I kept both hands on the wheel and navigated the two-lane roads back to my house.
“Who stayed with Luca?” I asked, slowing at the gate to my property.
Sutton’s mouth curved. “Arden. He was very excited because she said she would take him on a trail ride.”
Good.That was good. Luca deserved all the adventures and fun he could pack into his days.
