Page 66 of The Love Comeback
“That was perfect,” I say softly. “You’re doing a great job with Colton. You know that, right?”
She makes asound that’s halfway between a laugh and a sob. “Am I? Because some days I really don’t feel like it.”
“Yes, you are,” I insist. “Colton is kind, resilient, determined. And he’s respectful to others. Those aren’t qualities that just happen by accident. They come from having someone like you to guide him.”
I hear her take a deep breath. “Thank you for saying that,” she says. “I needed to hear it.”
“Anytime.” I pause, then add, “Do you think it would help if I talked to him? Not to contradict anything you’ve said, but just to—I don’t know—clarify things? Let him know it’s okay to be honest with his teammates about who I am?”
“You’d do that?” The surprise in her voice stings a little.
“Of course I would. I care about Colton.” I swallow hard before adding, “And I care about you, too. That hasn’t changed.”
The line goes quiet, and for a second, I worry I’ve said too much, pushed too far.
“I know,” she says finally. “I know you do.”
We both let that hang between us for a moment, neither willing to unpack what it really means.
“If you think it would help for me to talk to him, I’ll do it,” I continue. “Also, I’ve been meaning to tell you that I have some extra tickets to next week’s game. No pressure, but I wanted to put it out there in case you and Valerie want to bring the boys.”
“That would besogreat,” she breathes. “The boys will lovethat.”
“Awesome, I’ll send them your way.”
Another silence falls, but it’s less tense than before. I hear her yawn.
“You should get some sleep,” I tell her. “It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah,” she agrees. “You too. Thanks again for listening.”
“I meant what I said before. I’m always here for both of you.”
Her “thank you” is soft, carrying a warmth that spreads through my chest like honey.
“Good night, Kade.”
“Good night, El.”
The call ends, and I stare at my phone for a long moment before setting it on the nightstand.
She called me.
When she needed someone, she choseme.
I grab my toiletry bag and head for the shower, replaying our conversation in my mind. There’s still so much unresolved between us—her request for space, that kiss at the rink, years of history and hurt. But tonight feels like a small step forward, like a crack in the wall she’s built around herself.
Under the hot spray of the shower, I let myself imagine a future where calls like this aren’t rare exceptions but part of our daily routine. Where Colton doesn’t have to pretend that I’m his dad because I’m actually there, not as a replacement for his father, but as someone who loves him in my own right.
Where Ella doesn’t have to shouldereverything alone.
It’s a dangerous path to let my mind wander down. I know better than to get my hopes up. But as I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist, I can’t help but smile at the thought.
I just wish I could go back in time and never let her go…
When I finally lay down on the crisp hotel bed sheets, I close my eyes as soon as my head hits the pillow. And suddenly, I’m pulled back into the depths of my mind—back to a whole decade ago, when Ella was begging menotto let her go … and all the things that led up to it.
9 Years Ago
