Page 156 of Hard Pass

“I love him for making you do it though. You know that, right?”

I blink at her. “You do?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I love someone who stands up for you? Every other guy you’ve dated sees this strong woman and assumes that you can handle everything on your own. Pretty sure Cole knows you can too, but he’s still making sure you don’t let them push you into hiding.”

“I wasn’t sure what you thought of him.”

“The jury’s still out but so far, I’m pleasantly surprised.”

Willa watches me for a second longer, and then her expression softens. “You’re spiraling, aren’t you?”

“I’m not. It’s just a lot.”

“Hence the spiraling. You’ve gone from controlled and anonymous to living with an NFL quarterback in the middle of a media storm,” she says. “That qualifies.”

She’s right on every level but one. “I prefer the term processing to spiraling.”

“Tomato, tamahto.” She grins. “So tell me about it. Him. You guys. You’ve been rather hush-hush about it all.”

“I didn’t plan this.”

“Of course you didn’t.” She laughs. “You never plan anything that’s messy.”

I sigh and tip my head back, staring up at the darkening sky.

“I love him.”

Shit. Did not intend to say that.

I freeze, then slowly lower my head, to find Willa staring at me.

“I’m sorry. I thought I heard you say something, but I need to make sure.”

“Didn’t say anything,” I say.

“Pretty sure you did.” She pauses, eyes narrowing as she studies me before shaking her head. “Um, holy shit, Dublin.”

“That pretty much sums it up.”

I can’t believe I just admitted that to Willa when I haven’t fully grasped the concept, the emotion, and its repercussions myself.

“It just kind of happened. Somewhere between everything falling apart and him not walking away.”

“The kiss to end all kisses,” she murmurs wistfully.

“Or maybe it’s trial by fire. Nothing makes your true character show like the pressure cooker we’re currently in.”

“And you think you’ve seen enough of it to know this version of Cole is the real one?”

My smile is automatic. “Yes.”

There are so many sides to him.

Bedhead Cole in the morning, fixing me coffee how I like it, without even asking, and handing it to me as I walk into the kitchen.

After practice Cole who walks in the house exhausted and while he probably needs some time to himself to unwind, makes a point to help plan dinner.

Late-night Cole who falls asleep with his playbook open in his lap while he mumbles the plays he’s dreaming of.