“Yes,” I blurt, finally answering Parker’s question.
“Huh?”
“Yes, I want him.”
Both of them turn to look at me. There are wide smiles playing on their lips and a mixture of pride and excitement dancing in their eyes.
Honestly, it’s a relief to admit it—not only to myself, but also to them. It’s out in the open now.
“So what are you waiting for? Take him.”
“What if he doesn’t?—”
“Freya,” Casey warns. She knows more about what happened between us than Parker does, so I’m hardly surprised when she speaks up. “That man is crazy about you. He’s waiting for you.”
“But—”
“No buts here. Just facts. I know you’re scared. But Handsy isn’t him. He’s…well…he’s Cole.”
I duck my head and smile because I know for a fact that I’m the only person in his car who really knows who Cole is. And something tells me that he has every intention of keeping it that way.
Excitement stirs in my stomach as I think about seeing him again, and I trace the number thirty-three on the shoulder of the jersey I’m wearing.
It’s been a week since I’ve seen him doing what he loves most without watching on a screen, and I’m desperate to get in the crowd and cheer him on.
“We should probably head back,” Parker says, letting me off all the questions I’m sure she’s desperate to ask. “If our boys aren’t ready to hit the ice, I’ll blame myself.”
“They’re ready,” Casey says confidently. “But before we go…” She grabs her cell from the center console and snaps a picture of the billboard.
I quickly do the same and send it to Cole.
Nerves collide with my excitement at the thought of him opening it and knowing that I’ve been thinking about him.
I don’t immediately send a comment to go with it.
But just before Casey backs out of the space, I tap one out and hit send before I can overthink it.
Freya: Told you it was hot.
The ride to the arena is fairly short, and I spend the entire time lost in my own head, full of thoughts of what the night might hold.
“You’re coming out with us after the game, right?” Parker asks once Casey has pulled up in her space.
“If Cole is, then yeah.”
“Tonight is the night, girl.”
My stomach knots.
“From what I’ve heard, you’ll have no complaints. Just don’t come moaning to us when your legs don’t work properly tomorrow.” And with that statement, Parker swings the door closed and takes off running.
“Ignore her,” Casey says, turning to me with a smile.
“It’s fine. I know he has a reputation.”
“This is different, though. You’re different.”
“Maybe, we’ll see.”
