Page 87 of Cheap Shot
“He’s standing there, isn’t he?” Parker nods his head, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “How does he look?”
It might seem like a dumb question, but Dad has a bit of a temper, especially when it involves someone hurting his girls. I got a quick look at Cole before he disappeared, and everything looked okay besides bloody knuckles. But I saw the other guy.
“He looks fine. A little worse for wear, but nothing some TLC from his girl won’t fix,” Parker says, leaning forward to plant a kiss on the top of my head, but he freezes before his lips connect, shoving his hand between us instead. “I don’t have a death wish.”
I giggle softly, grasping his hand in mine. “It can’t be that bad.”
“Girl, if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under right now.” Parker quickly pulls his hand from mine, his eyes flicking to Cole before returning to my face. “He scares me just a little. All the Hendrix men do when it involves their lady loves.”
Love? Cole doesn’t love me.He can't. It’s too soon. I need to stop fucking thinking so hard. Stressing about how Cole does and doesn’t feel won’t change anything. It might scare the shit out of me, but it changes nothing. I’m in this relationship to see where it goes. It’s only logical to believe that stronger feelings will present themselves as we get to know each other better. I have no control over someone else's emotions. Only my own. Or at least, that’s what my therapist tells me twice a week. Right now, that has to be enough.
“Stacey is going to be staying at my place tonight. You’ll have the place to yourself if you need some privacy.” Parker winks before heading toward the training room door. I hear the soft tone of his voice mixing with Cole’s before the sound of the door swinging open reaches my ears.
My ears strain to hear his footsteps as he comes closer, but all I can hear is the low tick of the wall clock and the faint creak of pipes in the ceiling. The meeting seems to have gone on for hours in my mind. Far too long for anything good to have come out of it. Even with Parker’s assurance that everything is going to be okay, I can’t stop worrying. There are too many scenarios running loops in my head. Worst-case ones where Cole is given his packing orders, but instead of fighting it, he storms out with his bag slung over his shoulder and a fire in his eyes and disappears.
The panic rises fast and sharp, like cold water to the lungs. I swallow hard, my eyes darting around the room as I try to work up the courage to turn around and look at him. I didn’t ask him to fight for my honor, but knowing he did, that he lost control because someone had the nerve to disrespect me, does something to my insides that both excites and terrifies me.
“Hey,” I croak, my throat thick with unshed tears.
“Hey,” he responds, his calloused hand running down my shoulder, causing goose bumps to pebble on my skin. “Aren’t you going to look at me, M&M?”
I spin around, suddenly confused and terrified by my new nickname. I turn my head away from him, looking at the door into the hallway, but he grips my chin, forcing me to look at him.
He looks wrecked—but not in the way I expected. His jaw is tight, lips pressed into a thin line, but his eyes find mind and instantlysoften. There’s blood on his knuckles, but there’s no other sign of the fight he was in earlier. He must have stopped to take a shower before coming to find me because his hair is damp, curling slightly at the edges. His expression is unreadable, shadowed by something heavy.
“What did you call me?” I ask, my voice coming out slightly higher than I wanted, lacking the warmth and richness usually present. It makes sense because I’m terrified of what this new nickname means. What it means for us.
“M&M.” His thumb brushes against the apple of my cheek as the corner of his mouth pulls up at the corner. “That’s your name, right? Michele Mercer? The daughter of the man that holds my entire hockey career in his hands.”
“Yup. And it’s also my favorite candy,” I blurt out, trying to put some space between us, but he doesn’t allow it.
“Are you planning to run away from me again?”
“That depends. Does it change anything between us?”
“Not a thing. At least not on my part.” His jaw is tight, lips drawn in a hard line, as he takes a step closer. “But you have to know your dad hates me. I’m likely the last person he wants breathing the same air as you, let alone being given the honor of touching you.”
“Last time I checked, I was an adult. I make my own decisions, and I choose you.” My jaw clenches as I try to blink back tears before finishing my sentence. “But if he cuts you from the team because of me?—”
“I didn’t get cut. Your dad didn’t know exactly what happened, but he knew it had something to do with you. I’m surprised he didn’t give me a medal.”
Relief slams into me so hard my knees nearly buckle, blinking back the burn behind my eyes, but Cole doesn’t look relieved. He just continues to silently stare at me, his eyes scanning my face.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to?—”
“Iwantedto.” His voice is harder now, sharp edges and full of heat. “I don’t regret it, Michele. I’d do it again.”
My entire body shudders at the intensity behind his words. I’ve never had someone protect me universally. My dad has always been there for me, pushing me to do my best and protecting me in small ways, but he always lets others bring me down. He and my family nitpick at my choices until I do what they want, making everyone happy but me. But not Cole. Cole risked everything just because someone said something stupid. Imagine what he’d do if I were in actual danger.
“You can’t say things like that.”
“Why? Because it’s reckless?” He takes another step, now only inches away from me. “Because it puts my career at risk? Because I might lose everything for you?”
My mouth parts to say something, anything in response, but nothing comes out. The scent of him—sweat, cedar, and the sharp edge of soap still clinging to his skin—wraps around me, tangling with my breath. My throat tightens as I look up at him, and what I see leaves me completely undone. Dark, fierce, and burning devotion shines brightly in his eyes. It takes my breath away.
“Because I don’t want to be the reason you lose everything.”
“You’re not the reason.Heis.” Cole lifts his hand, brushing my cheek with his knuckles.
