Page 98 of Cold As Ice

And after the close call this morning, I felt off-kilter.

What the fuck did I know about raising kids? I’d been Rory’s big brother, and I’d let her down at every fucking turn. If she never talked to me again, it would be more than I deserved. But Aurora always had been too soft, too forgiving.

The vibration of my cell phone jolted me from my thoughts.

Madison: I am SO sorry about that. I had no idea that Jeremiah would bring Imogen home early. It’s probably a sign we need to be more careful.

Right. Because I was just a college fuck boy who didn’t have the emotional maturity to handle the fact the girl I was fooling around with had a daughter.

Austin: Or a sign we need to cool things.

I hit send before I could temper my anger.

Fuck.

I braced myself for her reply, the three little dots taunting me.

Madison: If that’s what you want.

Austin: I think it’s for the best, don’t you? Before things get messy.

Madison: Okay.

I pocketed my cell because what else was there to say? Our little arrangement had run its course, just like we both knew it would eventually.

Exhaling a little huff of frustration, I tensed when I heard footsteps.

“Austin, what’s wrong?” Connor asked.

“Nothing.” I snapped out of it, forcing a weak-ass smile he saw right through.

“Did something happen? Rory—”

“Nothing happened. Just need another coffee or three to kickstart my motivation.”

He studied me, looking a little too closely. “If you want to talk—”

“I don’t.”

“Yeah, figured you’d say that.” Frustration rolled off him. “But sometimes it helps.”

“How’s PT going?”

“It’s going. Fucking kills me that I’m not playing with the team, but it could be worse.”

“That’s the spirit.”

“You figured out your plan yet?”

“Huh?” I gawked at him.

“Come on, Austin. I’m heading to the Flyers, Aiden is heading to the Red Wings, and Mason is in talks with the Blue Jackets. We’re all waiting for you to make a decision.”

“I didn’t know my future was that important to you guys.” I gave him a dismissive shrug.

“Jesus, you’re a tough nut to crack. We’re your friends. As good as family. It wouldn’t hurt to let us in.”

He was right. Maybe talking things over would help.

---