“She's much more than organized. She's brilliant at what she does. Her interview today showcased exactly why she's considered one of the rising stars in event planning in New York.”
After a few more minutes of Cole essentially forcing my mother to focus on my accomplishments, he hands the phone back. The rest of the conversation is mercifully brief, with my mother actually asking questions about my work instead of immediately redirecting to Brett.
“Thank you,” I say after I hang up. “You didn't have to do that.” But I have tears in my eyes. No one has ever defended me like that. Especially to my own parents.
“Yes, I did.” His voice is firm. “She needed to hear it.”
The gesture touches me more than I can express. Cole barely talks about his own family, and here he is, standing up for me with mine.
“What about your parents?” I ask, settling back against him. “You never mention them.” He’s told me a little about his mom, but nothing about his dad.
Cole is quiet for a moment as if trying to gather his thoughts. “Not much to say. It was just Mom and me. My dad dipped out when I was little. He tried to get back in touch when I got drafted, but I knew he was after money, and not a real relationship with me.”
I frown at the rug. “I’m sorry that happened,” I say, knowing that nothing I say will make it any better.
His fingers resume their gentle massage. “It is what it is. Brett’s been my family for years.” He pauses. “And now you're family too.”
The words turn me to mush. Family. Except, we’re keeping secrets, and families are permanent, and I don't know if we are.
“Speaking of Brett,” Cole continues, “I want to talk to him about us after Saturday's game.”
The Renegades have an away game with the Commanders on Friday. I haven’t told Cole yet, because I haven’t yet decided, but my plan is to fly in and out for the game. My entire body tenses. “What?”
“It's time, Harper. I'm tired of hiding this.”
“I don't think that's a good idea,” I say carefully.
“Why not? He's going to find out eventually. Better it comes from us.”
I can't voice the real reason. That I'm terrified this thing between us won't last, and then Brett will have to navigate the awkwardness of his best friend and sister's failed relationship. That telling people makes it real in a way that scares me.
“Let's just get through the auction first,” I say instead. “I need to focus on that.”
Cole doesn't argue, but I can feel his disappointment in the way his hands slow down. “How are you feeling about it?”
“Terrified,” I admit. “It's huge, Cole. Bigger than anything we've ever done. If we mess this up…”
“You won't mess it up. You've pulled off all our events so far, each one better than the last.”
“This is different. This is half a million dollars for charity.”
“Hey.” He tilts my chin up to look at him. “You've got this. I've watched you work. You think of everything, plan for every contingency. Saturday is going to be incredible.”
His confidence in me helps settle some of my nerves. I make a snap decision. “By the way, I’ll be in Boston too.” All the arrangements are in place, and if I fly to Boston in the afternoon and return on the eleven PM flight, I should be good.
Cole’s face lights up. “Oh yeah?”
I nod. “It’ll be tight. I’ll have to fly in and out, but I really want to be there.” I plant a kiss on his lips. “I want to see my two favorite men play.”
Cole grins. “That's incredible. Having you there will mean everything to me.” Then he frowns. “Does that mean you won't make it to the after party?”
“I could pop in for an hour or so before my flight back,” I say, then can't resist teasing him. “Though I'm not sure I can handle seeing all those women throw themselves at you.”
His response is immediate and gruff. “You're the only woman for me, Harper.”
All the air leaves my lungs. My heart does this fluttering, swooping thing that I've never experienced before. It's the way he said it, with such certainty, such fierce conviction that there's no room for doubt.
Part of me wants to deflect with another joke to lighten the moment, but I’m too touched to kid about this. “Cole,” I whisper, my voice catching slightly.
