Page 95 of Hard Pass

All those are her parameters. They’re sure as shit not mine. But I’ll let her believe that’s where we stand if that will help her keep that structure and control she clearly thrives on.

I smile at the thought. Five years is a long time to leave something unfinished. Funny how I never thought about it once—and now I can’t stop. She’s crazy if she thinks I’m staying away.

“You good?” someone calls out.

I lift my hand in acknowledgment, glancing once over my shoulder. Back toward the building where Dublin’s somewhere inside.

“This isn’t over,” I mutter.

Because I know. No doubt. Without hesitation.

It’s inevitable.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Dublin

“No. Yes. I promise.” I laugh as my mom sighs on the other end of the phone.

“I know you’re Miss I-can-handle-life-myself, but it won’t kill you to pick up a phone more often.”

“I text daily.” I grin. There’s nothing like a dose of Mom love to brighten my day.

“You do, but it’s not the same as hearing your voice,” my mom says. “Plus, I need a little more estrogen in my day to balance out all the testosterone now.”

Testosterone. My dad and two male dogs.

I roll my eyes. “I’m sure you’re managing just fine. I’m the one surrounded by hulking football players all day, so I win the who deals with more of it contest.”

She laughs and one of the dogs barks in the background. “Dealing with it as in dating someone?”

“Oops. Look. It’s time for me to get back to work,” I joke but my mind immediately goes to Cole.

And I smile.

“You need to play a little more and work a little less. Balance is important.”

“Uh-huh. You just want a grandchild to dote over.”

“More like I just want my daughter to be happy and have someone who makes her laugh on tough days and celebrates with her on the good ones.”

“I am happy, Mom,” I say. “And I have to get back to work.”

“Is this the quarterback investigation? The one who was on the news?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, honey, he’s so handsome.”

“Oh my God. I’m going now.” I laugh, already seeing her wheels turning. “Tell Dad hi for me, and I’m sorry I missed him.”

“Will do. Love you.”

I hang up the phone with a stupid smile on my face and another roll of my eyes.

Of course, she’d notice how handsome Cole is and bring it up. It’s like my whole life is surrounded by him right now and I can’t escape it.

I sigh into the quiet, so grateful for the generous offer from the Rebels to use their offsite facility. Who would refuse the offer of absolute privacy?