Page 92 of Cole

Cole nodded, knowing his friend was right. The team needed him at his best tonight. He closed his eyes briefly, offering up a silent prayer—for focus, for clarity, for guidance on what to do about Annie. And more than that, for protection for her. He couldn’t imagine how he’d feel if something happened to her.

When he opened his eyes, something had shifted. The noise of the arena, the pressure of the game, the complications with Annie—they all remained, but somehow, they felt manageable. One step at a time. One play at a time. One day at a time.

As the starting lineup was announced and Cole’s name echoed through the arena, he jogged onto the court with renewed determination. For the next few hours, he would be fully present in this game. And afterward, he would figure out how to fight for what mattered.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Cupping her chin in her hand, Annie rested her elbow on the smooth surface of her worktable and stared out the large window in front of her. She’d spent the morning hours preparing to mail out the last of the packages that were guaranteed delivery by Christmas.

It had been the best Christmas season yet for her little on-line shop, which would mean an even bigger donation to the women’s shelter. But it felt like, personally, it was going to be the worst Christmas that she could remember.

Her heart was well and truly broken, and she didn’t know what to do about it. She’d never had a broken heart before.

Cole was the first man she’d loved. He’d been the first man she’d held hands with. Hugged. Kissed. He’d been so many firsts for her, and she wanted him to be the only man she did those things with.

She didn’t know how to let him go.

Annie knew that he—and her dad—felt that their lives were incompatible. However, she felt like there was a way. That there had to be a way. One that wouldn’t require Cole giving up his career.

It hurt to think that Cole wasn’t willing to fight harder. He seemed to give up so easily. It made her wonder if he hadn’t felt as strongly about her and their relationship as she had. If he hadn’t really cared that much about her after all.

That thought laid another layer of hurt on top of her already bruised and battered heart. She didn’t want to think that she had been the only one invested in their relationship.

She didn’t think she had been, but she couldn’t say with one hundred percent certainty, since she had no idea how men could be with love and relationships.

Part of Annie thought her dad had exaggerated the threat to pressure her into ending things with Cole. She’d considered defying him, seeing what happened if she stayed in the relationship. But the reality was she didn’t want to put Cole in any kind of danger, and she certainly didn’t want him to give up his career.

Not hearing from him since they’d last talked added to her worry that he hadn’t been invested in their relationship the same way she was. Even when he’d been extremely busy, he’d always called or texted to check-in. But since he’d broken things off, she’d heard nothing.

She’d heard from Benji, however. He’d called or stopped by every day since that horrible conversation with Cole. Annie suspected their parents had sent him to check on her. She appreciated his concern, even when he was too persistent.

His care and concern were the only things that had made her feel even remotely better. That and seeing how much money she’d be able to donate to the shelter.

She’d texted Cole to tell him about it being her best month ever, hoping to at least get a response to that.

Maybe he’d respond to that message in a day or two. Or maybe he wouldn’t respond at all.

A soft whine from Nyla drew Annie’s attention from her bleak thoughts. The dog had been aware of her unhappiness and stayed extra close to her since the breakup with Cole.

Annie gave her an ear scratch, then stayed at the table for another few minutes, still holding onto some hope that Cole would surprise her with a call or a text message.

When her phone remained silent, she stood, feeling a little dizzy as she did so. She hadn’t been eating well since the breakup, which Benji had pointed out when he dropped over the previous evening. At least she’d managed to sleep a little more the night before, but only after she’d soaked her pillow with tears.

Annie tightened her ponytail, then went to the coat closet by the back door. She bundled up in her heavy wool coat, slipping her phone into one of the deep pockets.

“Come on, girl,” she said to Nyla, then waited until the dog joined her to open the front door. Annie hoped that a brisk walk would clear her mind, at least temporarily.

Tucking her chin against the cold air, she made her way through the snow, walking along the driveway that circled to the main house.

Her dad had left the previous day along with Elizabeth, but they’d be back in a week for Christmas. There were Christmas parties they needed to be present for in New York.

Annie guessed that was a pro to people not knowing who she was. She didn’t have to go to any of the pretentious events that her parents felt obliged to attend.

After what her one and only event had led to, she wasn’t sure she wanted to attend any more ever again.

When she reached the house, she opened the back door and stepped into the warmth of the house.

“Good afternoon, Annie,” the housekeeper said with a smile.

---