26. Cooper

26

Cooper

T he cold air of the rink bit at my skin as I glided across the ice. Each push of my skate echoed in the cavernous space, a rhythmic thud that matched the turmoil in my head. I should have been concentrating on my form, on my technique, but Everly's face kept intruding, clouding my focus.

I was furious. Furious at her for being so damn stubborn, for pushing when she should have pulled back. But mostly, I was mad at myself for being so harsh. I'd lashed out, my words cutting deeper than any blade could. She didn't deserve that.

My skates cut a sharp turn, spraying ice as I leaned into it. I needed this distraction, needed the physicality to drown out the chaos in my mind. But even here, she haunted me.

Everly's eyes had been wide with hurt when I snapped at her. I saw it every time I closed mine. Her voice trembled when she tried to reason with me, and instead of listening, I shut her down. I ruined everything, lashing out, telling the truth in the worst way. The memory twisted inside me like a knife.

I stopped at the edge of the rink, breath coming in ragged bursts. She wasn't just anyone; she was Everly. The girl who made me feel something other than numbness and anger. The girl who looked past the scars on my face and saw more than just a violent hockey player.

I missed her laugh, missed how she tilted her head when she was deep in thought. Missed how she made me feel human again.

And damn it all, I wanted her. Wanted to hold her close and make things right. But the thought scared me too—being vulnerable, letting someone in like that.

Especially after Ashley.

Love wasn't supposed to be this complicated. Yet here I was, tangled up in emotions I couldn't even name properly.

I pressed my forehead against the plexiglass barrier, the cold seeping through and grounding me for a moment.

What if I'd ruined everything? What if she never came back?

I skated another lap, faster this time as if speed could outrun regret.

The sound of skates scraping the ice and the distant chatter of Titan players echoed through the rink, but I barely registered it. My mind was a mess, tangled with thoughts of Everly and how I'd messed up.

Then I saw her—Holly. She walked in, her eyes darting around, chewing on her bottom lip like she was worried. My heart skipped a beat. Holly was Everly's best friend, and seeing her here couldn't be good.

"What?" I snapped as I stepped off the ice, trying to mask my concern with irritation. "What is it?"

"Is Everly here?" she asked, looking around like she half-expected Everly to materialize out of thin air.

"Does it look like she is?" I shot back, my voice sharper than intended. "Why?"

"I've been trying to call her," Holly said, worry lacing her words. "But it keeps ringing and ringing. It's not like Everly not to answer, even if it's a quick text."

I clenched my teeth, feeling the weight of my own guilt press down on me. I'd fucked things up more than I realized. "Aren't you supposed to be with your mom?"

"And every time I check her location, it comes back to campus," Holly continued, ignoring me. "Which doesn't make sense because I've tried her dorm, I've tried the library, River Styx. This is the only other place she'd come to."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. If Everly wasn't answering Holly, something was definitely wrong. She was always so reliable, so predictable in her habits.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath. My mind raced through possibilities—where could she be? What had happened? The image of her hurt expression flashed before me again, and I felt a fresh wave of regret.

Holly looked at me expectantly, waiting for some kind of solution or reassurance that I didn't have.

I clenched my fists, trying to steady my voice. "Let me see your phone," I demanded, extending my hand.

Holly huffed, clearly frustrated, but she dug into her pocket and handed it over. I unlocked the screen and my blood ran cold. Everly's last known location wasn't just on campus—it was pinned right at the edge of the frat houses.

"Here," I said, shoving the phone back at her, my heart pounding.

"What?" Holly's voice quivered. "Where is she?"

"Stay here," I ordered, yanking off my skates and slipping into my shoes with urgency.

"That's not going to happen," she retorted, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'm Everly's only friend. I'm coming with you."

I glared at her. Why the fuck were women so damn stubborn?

"Where is she?" Holly repeated, eyes boring into mine.

"The frat house," I muttered through gritted teeth.

Holly and I raced across campus, our footsteps pounding against the pavement. My heart hammered in my chest, not from the sprint but from the fear gnawing at my gut. Everly was in trouble, and it was my fault. I should've been there for her instead of pushing her away.

We reached the frat house, the lights inside glowing dimly, casting shadows on the lawn. Music thumped from within, muffled voices blending into an indistinct roar.

I grabbed Holly's arm before we went in. "Do exactly what I tell you," I said without looking at her. "And for the love of God, don't get into trouble. I'm only here for her. If I have to choose, you're never going to win."

"Understood," she muttered, a defiant edge to her voice.

The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere hit me like a wall. It wasn't the chaos I expected. The place was eerily quiet, and that only made the dread tickling the back of my neck worse. Holly stayed close, her breath quickening as she scanned the room.

"I think I hear something upstairs," she whispered, her voice barely cutting through the tension.

Then, a loud thump echoed through the house, followed by a slurred voice yelling, "Fucking bitch!"

My blood ran cold. Everything else blurred out as I bolted for the stairs, my heart pounding louder than the music. I didn't look back to see if Holly followed; it didn't matter. I had to get to Everly.

I took the steps two at a time, driven by an urgency I'd never felt before. Each second stretched into an eternity until I reached the top. The sound of struggle grew clearer, leading me to a door at the end of the hallway.

I didn't hesitate.

I tore it open.

Inside, six frat boys surrounded Everly. She was bruised and bloody, but she didn't stop fighting. Her spirit blazed even in her battered state, and I had never been more in awe of anyone in my life. My little killer hadn't given up.

I lunged forward, my fists already swinging before they even registered my presence.

Everly looked up, blood trickling from a cut on her lip, but there was fire in her eyes. She wasn't just surviving; she was fighting back with everything she had left.

I threw one guy off balance with a hard right hook, sending him sprawling against the wall. Another came at me, but a swift elbow to his gut doubled him over.

"Cooper!" Everly's voice cracked through the chaos, a mix of relief and fear.

"I'm here," I growled between punches. "I'm not leaving you."

Holly appeared behind me then, her face pale but determined as she swung a lamp at one of the guys trying to get up.

We fought like our lives depended on it because in that moment, they did. And nothing mattered more than getting Everly out of there safe and sound.

Someone grabbed Holly's head and shoved her into the wall. The sickening sound of skin splitting against brick echoed in the room, mingling with the chaos. She slumped momentarily, her eyes wide with shock.

Everly sprang onto the guy's back. She clawed at his face, her nails digging into his skin. He roared in pain and rage, then threw her off with a violent jerk. Everly hit the wall hard and crumpled to the floor, motionless.

"Cooper!" Holly's cry sliced through the mayhem.

"What?" I grunted, throwing another guy into a dresser, splintering wood flying everywhere.

"She's unconscious," Holly gasped, eyes darting between Everly's limp form and me.

"Go!" I barked. "Get her to a hospital."

"What about you?" she hesitated, fear creeping into her voice.

"Don't worry about me," I said through gritted teeth, landing a punch on another attacker's jaw. "I'll take care of this."

Holly nodded, shaky but resolute. She hurried to Everly's side and struggled to lift her. Everly was dead weight now, a haunting contrast to the fierce fighter she had been moments before. Holly grunted with effort but managed to get Everly up and began moving slowly towards the door.

As they left, a sense of calm fury washed over me. Good. They were out of harm's way. Now it was time for payback.

The room shrank to just me and them. Mercy had disappeared the second I saw what Zach did to Everly that fateful night. My fists moved on their own, fueled by raw anger. I grabbed one guy by the collar and slammed him against the wall so hard he dropped like a stone. Another swung at me with a broken bottle; I ducked and sent a knee into his gut before he could react.

Every hit landed with precision and power, each one a promise that they would regret ever laying a hand on Everly. One tried to crawl away— fucking pathetic —so I grabbed his ankle and dragged him back into the fray.

By the time I was done, they were all on the floor, groaning or out cold. The room reeked of sweat and fear. My knuckles were raw and bloody, but it didn't matter.

I stood there, breathing heavily, surrounded by silence at last. The adrenaline slowly ebbed away, replaced by a cold, gnawing fear for Everly. I couldn't stay here. I had to get to the hospital.

I stepped over the bodies on the floor and made my way downstairs. The house was still eerily quiet, the remnants of the party long gone. Outside, the night air hit me like a slap, sharp and cold against my sweat-soaked skin.

I ran to my car, every step echoing with urgency. My hands trembled as I fumbled for the keys. The engine roared to life, and I sped out of the driveway, tires screeching against the pavement.

The drive to the hospital was a blur of red lights and frantic thoughts. Every second felt like an eternity, every delay a personal affront. My mind raced with images of Everly—her broken form, her fierce eyes fighting back tears. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles white.

When I finally skidded into the hospital parking lot, I didn't bother finding a proper space. I jumped out and sprinted towards the entrance. The harsh fluorescent lights inside were almost blinding after the darkness outside.

I rushed to the reception desk, breathless. "Everly Hawthorne," I panted. "Where is she?"

The nurse glanced up, her eyes widening at my appearance—bloodied knuckles, wild eyes. She quickly checked her computer.

"Room 203," she said softly.

I didn't wait for more information. I bolted down the hallway, dodging doctors and nurses in my path. Room 203 loomed ahead, its door slightly ajar.

I pushed it open gently and saw Holly sitting by Everly's bedside. She looked up as I entered, relief washing over her features.

"She's stable," Holly whispered. "They said she needs rest. But Cooper?"

I looked at her expectantly.

"She's bruised up pretty bad," she said.

I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. Everly lay there, looking so fragile against the stark white sheets. Her face was bruised but peaceful in sleep.

I moved closer and took her hand in mine, feeling its warmth. My chest tightened with a mix of anger and guilt.

"I'm here," I murmured softly. "I'm not leaving you."

Holly stood up then and placed a hand on my shoulder. "She'll be okay," she said.

I nodded again but couldn't tear my eyes away from Everly's face.

For now, this was all that mattered—being here with her and making sure she knew she wasn't alone anymore.

Holly gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before she quietly left the room, the door closing behind her with a soft click.

I was alone with Everly now. The hum of the surrounding machines seemed to amplify the silence, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

I pulled a chair close to her bed and sat down, my eyes never leaving her face. She looked so young, even with the bruises marring her skin. Guilt gnawed at me, sharper than any physical pain I'd ever felt on the ice.

"Everly," I began softly, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I'm so sorry."

The words felt inadequate, but they were all I had. My fingers gently brushed against hers, seeking some connection, some way to bridge the gap that my own mistakes had created.

"I've never had anyone like you in my life," I continued, my throat tightening with emotion. "I never thought I was worthy of it."

I paused, swallowing hard as memories of past failures and regrets flooded my mind. "You see these scars?" I said, touching the rough patches on my face. "They're nothing compared to the ones inside."

I looked at her peaceful form and shook my head slowly. "I don't understand why you love me," I admitted. "But you do... and that scares me."

My voice wavered as I fought to keep my emotions in check. "But I promise you," I said, gripping her hand more firmly now, "I'll do whatever it takes to earn it."

Tears blurred my vision, but I didn't wipe them away. They were a testament to everything I felt for her—everything I'd been too afraid to admit until now.

"I'll be better," I vowed quietly. "For you."

Everly stirred slightly in her sleep, a soft sigh escaping her lips. It was a small movement but enough to give me hope.

"I love you," I whispered, leaning in closer. "And I'm not leaving you again."

The room seemed to hold its breath along with me as I watched over her, silently praying that she'd wake up soon and give me another chance—another chance to prove that maybe, just maybe, I could be worthy of her love after all.

At that moment, the door swung open with a loud creak. Everly's mother stormed in, her face twisted in anger and fear.

"Get away from her!" she screeched, her voice cutting through the stillness like a blade.

I jerked around, eyes wide, and stood up quickly. "Mrs. Hawthorne?—"

"You need to leave," she spat, stepping closer to the bed, her gaze never leaving me.

"I'm not leaving her," I said firmly, my grip on Everly's hand tightening. I wouldn't abandon her now.

"After what you did?" Her voice rose with each word. "Everyone knows the truth about you, Cooper Sinclaire. You're an abusive, unfaithful has-been. And with a mother like yours… I shouldn't speak ill of those not present. But I can kick you out of my daughter's room."

"I love her," I said, my voice steady despite the chaos in my mind.

"My husband loved me too," she muttered bitterly. "Do you really think someone like her could ever love someone like you?"

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My jaw clenched tightly as I fought to keep my composure. "Ask her," I managed to say through gritted teeth. "I saved her?—"

Before I could finish, a nurse hurried into the room, drawn by the commotion.

"Please," Mrs. Hawthorne pleaded with the nurse. "Call security. He did this to my daughter. It's Cooper Sinclaire. His ex-fiancée just opened up about how he did the same thing to her too."

"No! I would never?—"

But before I could explain myself, two burly security guards entered and grabbed me by the arms.

"Sir, you need to come with us," one of them said firmly.

"I didn't do this!" I protested as they began to drag me away from Everly's bedside.

The nurse watched with a conflicted expression but didn't intervene. The guards' grip was unyielding as they escorted me out of the room and down the hallway.

"I love her!" I shouted over my shoulder one last time before they pulled me around a corner and out of sight.

In that moment, everything felt surreal and wrong. All I could think about was Everly lying there alone without knowing how much she meant to me. How she'd wake up and think I didn't come for her.