Page 93 of Cole

“Hi, Diana.” Annie went to sit at a bar stool at the island counter. “Is Benji around?”

That was kind of a dumb question. She would have received an alert on her phone if he’d left the property after getting home from school.

“He’s in the theater room,” she said. “He’s having a snack, and I believe he’s chatting with Amelia.”

“Oh. I won’t go bother him then.”

Annie felt lost. Uncertain of what to do. How did a girl move on from a relationship and the man she loved?

“I’m making some fresh bread and soup for dinner,” Diana said. “Will you be joining Benji?”

Annie thought about it for a minute, then said, “I don’t think so. I need to get back and do some more work.”

“Let me send someone with food when it’s ready,” Diana said. “It’s going to be delicious.”

“Of course it’s going to be.” Annie gave her a smile. “You made it.”

Diana chuckled. “Well, I have definitely perfected this recipe since it’s a favorite of yours and Benji’s.”

“I look forward to eating some,” Annie said as she got to her feet.

The distraction she needed hadn’t been found there, and she had a feeling that it wouldn’t be found anywhere. The pain was too much to be easily ignored.

“See you,” Annie said, then called for Nyla.

She was halfway home when her phone rang. Her heart pounded as her hand wrapped around the phone in her pocket.

After another ring, she pulled it out to look at the screen. She felt a strange mix of disappointment and relief. While she wished it was Cole, she was also relieved that it wasn’t.

“Are we watching the game here or there?” Benji asked when she answered.

Annie closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, the cold air stung the sudden moisture in her eyes. She’d forgotten that there was a game that night.

She usually followed the schedule religiously, but now, her pain was clouding her mind.

“I’m not sure I’m going to watch the game tonight,” she said, though realistically, she knew she probably would.

She just wasn’t sure if she wanted to have an audience while she watched it.

“C’mon, sis,” Benji protested. “We always watch the games together.”

Annie sighed. “Fine. I guess come to my place then.”

“I’ll bring the food,” Benji said. “See you in a few.”

Annie pocketed her phone and trudged the rest of the way home, Nyla a steady presence at her side. The thought of watching Cole play sent another pang through her heart.

Would it always hurt this much? Would she ever reach a point where seeing him wouldn’t feel like reopening a wound?

Inside her cabin, she shed her coat and boots, then wandered to the living room. The large television seemed to mock her from its place on the wall. How many games had she watched there, texting Cole immediately following a game to congratulate him or offer sympathy after a loss?

She grabbed the remote and turned it on, flipping to the sports channel where pre-game coverage was already underway. There he was—Cole in his warm-up jersey, headphones on as he moved through his pre-game routine. The camera lingered on him longer than the other players, and the commentators discussed his recent performance slump.

“...seems to have lost his edge these last few games,” one analyst was saying. “Halverson’s always been Mr. Consistency, but something’s clearly affecting his game.”

Annie’s throat tightened. Was that because of her? Because of what had happened between them?

A knock at the door startled her, and Nyla barked once before racing to greet Benji. He entered carrying a large insulated bag that had heavenly smells emanating from it.

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