Page 1 of Thunderstruck
Chapter One
Cole
Seven months ago
Of all the times for my girlfriend to call…
“Are you taking your turn or what, Evanson?” My teammate, who everyone calls Bean, narrows his eyes at me across the pool table.
I look down at my ringing phone again. This is the first time since I joined the Los Angeles Thunder rugby team a year and a half ago that any of the guys have even offered to let me join in on a game of pool, and I would be stupid to blow what could be my best chance to finally feel like one of them. But Sage rarely calls me out of the blue, and I worry something’s wrong. “Give me a sec,” I tell Bean and hurry outside the bar.
The call drops before I can answer it, but I call Sage right back, my heart pounding in my chest as it rings. And rings. When it hits her voicemail, I frown at my phone and leave a quick message. “Hey, sorry I didn’t pick up intime. What’s up?”
Then I send her a text.
Cole:
Everything okay?
To my relief, she responds to the text, though I’m not sure why she wouldn’t have answered my call.
Sage:
I'm fine. Wanted to talk.
As I debate calling her again, I glance through the window and take in the annoyed expressions of the guys I’m supposed to be playing pool with. I don’t blame them for being impatient, especially because they were just starting to warm up to me, the outsider.
I send another text, hoping Sage will give me a clear direction of how my night is going to go.
Cole:
I’m happy to talk right now if you want. Or you can call me later. Whatever works for you.
Truth be told, I’m surprised Sage wants to talk at all. For the last month or so, she’s been extra busy. Every time I try to video chat or plan a weekend up in Oregon where she lives, she blows me off, which is why I’ve decided to head up that way next week to surprise her for her birthday.
Long distance isn’t easy, I’ll admit that, but I’ve been doing my best to make it work for the last year and a half. And I’m hoping this surprise makes up for me being so far from her. The books she likes to read all have these grand gestures from the guys, and my goal is to pull off something that comes close to her favorite love stories.
I even rented out one of the ice rinks in Portland because she loves reading hockey romances specifically. I’m not a hockey player, but I do play rugby. Which is almost as cool? Sage might not think so, but sheloves me even if I refuse to strap knives to my feet. I’ll do it this once because it will make her happy.
Though I should probably get back inside and stop making the guys wait, I try calling one more time, just in case Sage really needs to talk through something. Sage always comes before the team.
To my relief, she answers after a couple of rings. “Cole.”
“Hey, are you sure you’re okay? I know you’ve been stressed with—”
“Why do you never post about me online?”
I frown, looking down at my phone for a second. “What?”
“You never post about me. Are you ashamed to be with me?”
Swearing under my breath, I lean against the wall and settle in. So much for getting on the team’s good side. They’re not going to like me ditching the game, but this is more important. “Of course I’m not ashamed of you, Sage. I love you.”
I have a ring sitting on my kitchen table that mirrors my words. I intend to give it to her next week as part of the big surprise. At least, Iwantto give it to her next week, but that all depends on if I can pull off the plans I’m putting into play. And if I can finally work up the courage.
“Sage, where is this coming from?”
“None of the other guys on the team are afraid to post pictures about their wives or girlfriends.”
