“This is…wow,” I breathe, my eyes darting from photo to photo, newspaper clipping to newspaper clipping.
“You’ve never looked in here?” he asks in awe.
“No, you keep the door shut,” I say as I absently reach for one photo that really calls to me. “Who is this?” I ask, my eyes on an older man with his arm wrapped around a young Cole. He has a proud, beaming smile on his face. Almost father-like.
There’s movement, and a second later, Cole steps up behind me. “That’s Austin Richardson. He was my first hockey coach. He found me playing grass hockey alone at the local park and invited me to join his practice sessions.
“I almost didn’t go. I didn’t have any equipment, or even any money to pay for the sessions, but my curiosity won out. I wanted to have a go on the ice, so I turned up. I guess the rest is history.”
“Do you still speak to him?” I ask, but deep down, I think I already know the answer.
Cole’s breath tickles over my neck a beat before he responds. “No, he died of cancer a few years ago.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Me too. I owe him everything.”
I place the framed photo back down carefully now that I’m aware of just how precious it is.
Spinning around, I stare up into Cole’s eyes. They’re a little glassy.
“He was lucky to find you,” I tell him.
A humorless laugh falls from him. “Nah, it was definitely the other way around.”
I shake my head. “If he were still here, he would disagree. I bet you had much more of an impact on him than you realize. You’re incredible, Cole. And I’m lucky to have found you as well.”
His eyes bounce between mine. “I never really believed in luck. Or anything really,” he admits. “Everything was too shitty, too hard, to think there was a reason why I was dealt the life I was.”
“To be the man you are today,” I tell him honestly. “You inspire people daily all across the country. Hell, the world.”
He doesn’t want to believe me, I can tell by the way he bites down on the inside of his lip, but it’s true. And I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to prove it to him if I have to.
“Was your mom okay?” he asks, gladly changing the subject.
“Yep, she’s beside herself to be the first to hear our news. She has warned us to take things slow and not make her a grandmother yet.” I can’t help but laugh when all the color drains from Cole’s face. “It’s a joke. She’s joking, Cole. We’re taking this at our pace, remember?”
Twisting his fingers in the hoodie that I’m wearing, he pulls me closer and wraps an arm around my waist. “It doesn’t matter. I’m pretty sure I want everything with you, Whirlwind.”
61
COLE
As much as I want to stay locked in our little slice of heaven together for the foreseeable future, real life continues to call outside.
I’ve ignored every single call and message on my cell since the shit hit the fan, and I know that the minute I step foot into the arena, it’s going to bite me in the ass. Or at least, Hailee will. Metaphorically, of course.
With Freya’s arms hooked around my neck and her body pressed against mine, I hold her tighter and breathe her in, wishing I could put her in my pocket and take her with me.
“You need to go,” she tells me, although she doesn’t seem overly happy about it.
My heart beats a little harder at the knowledge that she wants me to stay with her.
“I know,” I confess.
“I’ll be okay,” she promises. “I’m not going to go anywhere.”
I nod, refusing to move my face from the crook of her neck.
