Cole pressed his mouth to mine. Just a peck on the lips, but it sent my heart into a fit of flutters and thunder against my chest. I found myself leaning into him, my hands finding purchase on his chest, before I remembered Cole was in the hospital and was hurt. I pulled away, and he grabbed my hand and linked our fingers together.
“Is this the medication talking? Did you forget who I was?” I resisted the urge to climb on top of his large body. That wouldn’t be good. For either of us.
Cole’s face broke into a smile that looked like sunshine on a summer day. “You love me,” he whispered happily. “You told my dads that you loved me. You stayed because you were worried.”
“I thought you were going to die!” I exclaimed. “I would have confessed to anything at that point. I couldn’t just leave you here alone, Cole.”
He gave me another giant smile. “You love me.”
“I’ve been in love with you since I was sixteen years old.”
His eyes went wide.
“I mean, I thought it was love, but I was just a kid, so...”
Cole pressed a finger to my mouth.
He dragged his hand down my jaw. “I love you, too.” Cole tilted his head, his baby blues searching my face. “We could make this work. If you wanted.”
“Do you? Want to make it work?” I chewed on my bottom lip. “Your fans might be mad. That you’re not straight.”
Cole gave me a lazy smile. “My fans know I’m not straight, baby. I did an interview about it during my rookie season after Pride Night. I think a few people got upset about it, but considering my fathers are bisexual, and a few other players on the team are queer, it wasn’t a big deal. It felt good to tell the world who I really am.”
I guess I had missed that one. “Was that before or after Fiona?” Oh, bitchy Reed has arrived.
“Before,” Cole murmured. His voice slurred slightly, which meant whatever pain meds they had put him on were working overtime. “Fiona was unexpected. We had fun, but I never loved her, Reed. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”
I squeezed his hand. “I hated you with her. I was so jealous. It made me sick whenever she tagged you in a picture. And those videos she pushed you into. You looked bored.”
“I think I might have been,” Cole told me. “I only ever thought of you when I was with her. Or anyone, if I’m being honest.”
Hot tears stung my eyes. “Me, too. I’m sorry, Casanova. For leaving you. I should have told you how I felt. I should have stayed. I was terrified that you would give up everything for me, and I didn’t want that. You’re so fucking amazing. I’m so proud of you, Cole. God, I just...I need you to know that. That I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t want to tie you down. I should...I wanted...I loved you. I still love you, and I’ve never...I can’t...Fuck!” A sob escaped my throat.
“Oh, baby.” Cole tugged me against him and wrapped his thick, muscular arms around me.
His chest was bigger than I remembered, covered in muscles that hadn’t been there five years ago. I cried harder when I thought about what I had done. How I had hurt not just myself but the man I loved. Cole quietly rubbed my back, his large palms soothing the ache in my soul. I felt safe here. With him. Cole was the only man I’d ever let see the real me.
I pulled away and noticed the mess of snot and tears I had made on his hospital gown. “Sorry.” I brushed my cheeks with my hands. “Shit, did I hurt you? By lying against you? I should be comforting you.”
“I’m fine,” Cole assured me. “I think that you and I have a lot to figure out when I’m home.”
Right. Just because I had confessed everything, and we still loved one another, it didn’t mean we were going to get back together. Obviously, Cole didn’t want that.
“Of course.” What was I even doing here? I should just leave. “I should go.”
“Wait, why?” Cole’s brows dipped. “Reed, I want you. I suggested we talk more because I want you in my life again.”
I opened my mouth to answer him just as Beau and Dean walked in. A blush crept up my neck and covered my face. I was still in their son’s bed. “Uh, I was just...”
“Staying right there.” Dean winked. “What, baby? They’re so cute. Let them have their fun.”
I climbed to my feet. “It’s not...I’ll let you have your family time.”
“Reed.” Beau touched my shoulder lightly. “You’re family, too.”
I burst into tears again. “I’m such a mess today.”
“We understand,” Beau assured me, pulling me into a hug. “It’s been an emotional day for everyone. You should wash up and change. We grabbed some clothes from your house that Zach thought would be appropriate.”