“We’re going to take off.” Mom, Dad, Silas, and Mia walked over to where we were sitting.
Cole climbed to his feet. “Thank you for letting me hang out with you tonight. And for the ice cream. I had a lot of fun.”
“You’re welcome to come with us any time.” Dad shook Cole’s outstretched hand. “Reed, you good?”
I wasn’t, but I couldn’t tell my parents that Cole had broken my heart a second time without meaning to.
“I’ll see you back at home,” I told my parents. And I wondered how I was going to survive the drive home without bursting into tears.
Chapter Five
Cole
Ithought last night had been great. Until the end. Up until we went out for ice cream and I said that we were friends. That was when Reed had started to act weird. Like my saying that had hurt him. I hadn’t meant to upset him. I just didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I liked the way he looked in my hat. I never even took it back from him. I loved how Reed liked to hold my hand and the way he always seemed to smell like pecans, even at the racetrack. Of course, I wanted more from him. I didn’t look at Reed like he was just a friend. And the feelings I was having didn’t feel like we were just friends. I had mentioned bringing him with me to visit Jackson and Maverick, but he hadn’t seen too keen on the idea, so I guess that meant I was going alone.
After I showered and got dressed, I made myself a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon, then grabbed an energy drink. It was too quiet in this house all by myself, so after a couple of hours, I grabbed my phone and headed outside into the warm North Carolina morning. I wasn’t expected at Maverick and Jackson’s place until later, but I thought I would head over early, just to catch up with everyone and not be alone. I wasn’t used to the silence. The sound of my own breathing bothered me.
The Olson house sat back on a fifty-acre lot. It was probably more than they needed, but with all their children, it made sense to have so much room. I drove up the long driveway and stopped to stare at the massive structure before me. It wasn’t one of thosemansions you saw on television with ridiculous chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows. This was a home filled with love and laughter. A place you could walk into without calling ahead and be welcomed with open arms. As I climbed from my vehicle, Maverick opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch. When he realized it was me, he rushed over to hug me, the coolness of his hands seeping through the t-shirt on my back.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” He beamed at me. His eyes darted to the car, then he met my gaze again. “You didn’t bring Reed with you?”
I shook my head. “He had plans. Besides, we’re just friends.” I hated the way that lie tasted on my lips.
“Okay, fine, but when the two of you end up married and living in Boston when you’re Mister Big-Time-Hockey guy, don’t forget who told you he saw the future first.” Maverick chuckled.
Doubtful. “Okay.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
“What? You think I’m lying? I knew that Andy and Leo were going to be endgame.” Maverick guided me toward the porch and inside the house. Voices came from every direction. It was always chaos here, but it was a nice feeling. When I was a kid, I had always wanted something like this. Siblings and all the things that came with that.
I huffed out a laugh. “Did you? Because I thought you didn’t want the two of them dating at first and gave Noel a heck of a hard time about it.” Noel was Leo’s older brother.
“Pffft, lies.” A wide smile grew across Maverick’s face. “Are you hungry? I can make you something now. Dinner is in the oven, and it should be done around five.” He was already opening the cabinets, pulling out bread and a plate.
“Maverick, you don’t have to feed me right now.”
“It’s sort of my thing. I can’t help it.”
Warmth spread through my body. “I came to visit with you. Just sit down, so we can talk,” I suggested.
“Oh, like gossip? I mean, I usually do that with Ezra, but we can spill tea together. Dean told me he’s getting a new tattoo in Hawaii. Do you want to know about what?” Maverick giggled as he slid into the seat across from mine.
I knew that already. My stepfather had asked if I thought Dad would like it. But the look on Maverick’s face, and how excited he was, made me shake my head. “No, I haven’t heard about that. Tell me.”
“He’s getting Beau’s name tattooed around his ring finger. It’s so romantic. Maybe I should do that for Jackson.” Maverick sighed. “What about you, kiddo? You ever think you’ll get any tattoos? Both your daddies have them. I’m not trying to pressure you, but it’s just something we all do. I got my first one when I was your age. So did Killian.”
It was like he could read my mind. “When I get drafted, I want to get something in honor of that. That’s what Dad did. Jackson, too.” But I wouldn’t do it until I was obviously with the NHL. If that ever happened.
“We all got matching pucks at one point. Your Dad, Wyatt, Asher. The entire team,” Jackson announced as he walked into the kitchen. He grinned at me as he leaned down to drop a kiss onto his husband’s head. “It’s good to see you, Cole. How are you enjoying North Carolina so far?” He opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.
I returned his smile. “It’s quiet here.”
“You can say that again.” Jackson dropped into the chair next to Maverick. “When we first moved here, Andy was just starting high school, and he couldn’t sleep. He was up at all hours of the night roaming the house. We had to install one of those sound machines in his room. We programmed it to play traffic noises. Revving engines, beeping horns, all the fun stuff we left behind in Boston. Andy eventually outgrew it, but it took a goodsix months. We still have it if you’d like to borrow it for the summer.”
I chuckled. “I think I’m good, but thanks for the offer. It’s a good thing I don’t ever plan on leaving Boston unless I’m on the road with the Terriers.” I looked up as Andy and his boyfriend, Leo, walked in, followed by the creepy twins, Felix and Ford. I knew Maverick had invited them to live here, but it always seemed like they were around. Being a couple of years older and states away, I’d never had the chance to be friendly with them.
“Hey.” Andy lifted his chin in greeting.
I nodded back. “Hey.” I suppose in a different life, if Maverick and Jackson hadn’t moved, Andy and I might be closer. Maybe even best friends. But it didn’t happen, and now we were smiling awkwardly at each other. Cousins and strangers.