It was always about control. About being bound and re-bound, about never letting anyone see what was underneath. I got that. I’d spent my whole life hiding the worst parts of myself. But maybe, just this once, I could stay. I could be the person who didn’t run.
I needed to find him, but how when I didn’t have a ride? Ricky? I could take him the money and borrow his car. I didn’t know where to look, but at least I could try. I grabbed my jacket, stuffed the envelope in my pocket, and grabbed an unopened envelope, turning it over so I could write on it.
Gone to find you.
Taking a deep breath, I rushed to the door and swung it open, coming to an abrupt halt at the two men I recognized. Ignatius Steel from the VIP box, and I assumed this was his nephew and Cole’s teammate, Keegan.
Now what?
Chapter thirteen
Breakaway - A lone attacker racing in on the goalie with no defenders.
Phoenix
Keegan was the first to speak, but I noted that neither of them seemed particularly surprised to see me. “Is Cole here?”
I shook my head, words stuck in my throat. There was something about the way Keegan looked at me, all nervous energy and too-bright eyes, that made it obvious this wasn’t a social call. “He just left.”
Ignatius Steel stepped forward, the air around him shifting like the temperature had dropped a few degrees. He didn’t look surprised, just…resigned. Maybe a little disappointed, but I couldn’t tell for sure.
“Is Cole all right?” Keegan asked, worried. “He was upset over the game. I wanted to check he wasn’t hurt.”
“His father was here.” I tried to keep my voice steady, but it wobbled anyway. “He was…angry.”
Neither of them said anything, but I saw the way Keegan’s jaw clenched, like he’d just bit down on a tack.
I pressed on, because I didn’t know what else to do. “He said if Cole lost another game—or let the press see anything weird, some people would come down on him hard. Hard. Like, drop-him-in-a-hole hard.” I wasn’t going to give up what might be secrets even though I had a feeling they already knew.
Ignatius’s eyes narrowed just a fraction. “He said that?”
“Yeah.” My voice cracked in the middle, but I powered through. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on. I get that I’m just the idiot in the spare room, but if there’s something wrong, maybe someone should go after him.”
Keegan shot Ignatius a look, but Ignatius just shook his head slowly. “It’s not our place to interfere. Not yet.”
“Bullshit,” I snapped, heat flaring in my chest. “You’re all talking in circles. Cole’s dad is out there treating him like some sort of monster, and you’re acting like it’s just another Tuesday.”
Ignatius’s gaze landed on me, heavy as lead. “I can’t comment on a father-son relationship.”
“But it’s killing him!” My hands were fists at my sides, and I realized too late how desperate I sounded. “He thinks he’s broken. He thinks he’s going to ruin everything for everyone, and you’re just standing there like that isn’t the real reason you’re here.”
For a second, nobody spoke. Then Keegan stepped forward, his voice gentler. “We came to help.”
“Then tell me what’s going on,” I demanded, voice raw. “Tell me what’s happening to him. Please.”
Keegan looked at Ignatius, waiting for permission. Ignatius shook his head, this time with actual regret. “If Cole wants you to know, he’ll tell you himself. That’s how it works.”
I laughed, sharp and ugly. “You really think he’s going to tell me anything? He can barely look at me when he’s hurting. He’d rather chew his own arm off than admit something’s wrong.”
Ignatius staredat me. “Why did he leave without you if you're clearly staying here?”
“Because I fucked up,” I whispered.
Ignatius watched me with those eyes that missed nothing, not even the way I twisted my hands together. “You care for him,” he said, and it wasn’t a question.
I couldn’t look up. “He was the first person in years who made me feel like I wasn’t just a problem to be solved.”
Keegan’s voice was softer, almost shy. “He’s never brought anyone into the VIP box before.”
