22. Cope

22

COPE

My hand found Sutton’s again as we filed out of the pew. I couldn’t stop touching her. It was as if she grounded me somehow. Gave me a flicker of peace during the riot currently living inside me. The moment my fingers touched her skin, the accusatory voices muted, muffled by something uniquely Sutton.

I kept hold of her hand as I stepped into the aisle, coming face-to-face with Marcus, whose green eyes were more than a little thunderous. A new wave of guilt crashed over me. He might’ve thrown the first punch this time, but I’d goaded him into it. I’d fix it, just like Teddy wanted me to, but not today.

I let Marcus step ahead, two other teammates sticking close, likely because they didn’t trust us not to get into a fistfight in the middle of the sanctuary. I didn’t blame them. People spoke in soft tones as we moved down the aisle.

When we reached the doors, I heard security order some photographers back. “Hell,” I muttered.

Sutton glanced up at me, her eyes flaring wide. “What is it? ”

“Vultures trying to snap a picture to sell to magazines or a sports blog,” I ground out.

Sutton’s face paled as she fumbled in her purse.

“Are you okay? Your face just went white.”

She nodded but the motion was jerky. “I can’t believe they’re at the church.”

I could. They were bottom-feeders. People whose only sustenance was others’ misery. “They won’t be able to get close, don’t worry.”

Sutton’s hand trembled as she pulled out a huge pair of sunglasses. “I know.”

When she slipped them on, they took up half her face. I wasn’t up on what was fashionable, so maybe this was the look.

“Cope,” a soft voice said.

I turned to see Angie standing near the doors. She did her best to hide the hurt in her eyes, but I saw it. And I was the asshole who still couldn’t let go of Sutton’s hand, even when Angie’s gaze dipped to it. “Lincoln has a car waiting for you around the side of the church to take you to the airport.”

“Thanks, Ang. I appreciate it.” It was all I could give her. And maybe that was for the best. She’d think Sutton being here with me was more than the simple kindness it was. But as I thought those words, I knew one thing: I wanted it to be more.

The moment Sutton and I landed in Sparrow Falls, it was as if reality set in. After helping her into my SUV that I’d left at the airport, I forced myself not to take her hand as I drove. Instead, I kept both hands on the wheel and navigated the two-lane roads back to my house.

“Who stayed with Luca?” I asked, slowing at the gate to my property .

Sutton’s mouth curved. “Arden. He was very excited because she said she would take him on a trail ride.”

Good. That was good. Luca deserved all the adventures and fun he could pack into his days.

“She loves introducing people to her babies. I swear those horses are better trained than any I’ve ever known. They come when called like dogs. Do tricks like pups, too.”

Sutton looked out the window at the darkening sky. “I like watching them, petting them, even. But I can’t seem to imagine getting on one.”

My lips twitched. “Why not?”

“That saddle is very far from the ground.”

I chuckled as I navigated my SUV down the aspen-lined lane. “Fair enough. But you might get the bug if you watch Luca and Arden ride. It’s pretty damn fun.”

Sutton arched a brow in my direction. “I’m surprised your team lets you ride. There aren’t any restrictions on the kinds of activities you can do?”

“Oh, there are. But what they don’t know can’t hurt them. I’m surprised you knew that since sports puck isn’t really your thing.”

Something flashed so quickly over Sutton’s expression, I couldn’t quite pin it down. Her mouth curved, but the action looked strained. “I think I read an article about pro athletes and their rules somewhere.”

I forced my gaze back to the road as we hit the bridge that crossed the creek. I could just start to make out the lights from within the house—a place that felt a hell of a lot more like home, knowing Luca was there. That Sutton soon would be, too. It wasn’t an empty, cavernous space anymore. It felt alive.

I pulled to a stop in front of the steps but didn’t shut off the engine. Instead, I turned to Sutton, really taking her in. Her blond hair hung in soft waves around her shoulders. Her turquoise eyes looked even lighter thanks to a navy color accenting the corners of her lids. She was the kind of stunning men fought wars over. But it was so much more than that .

“You flew to Seattle to be there for me.” My words were coated in a grittiness I couldn’t shake because she’d come. Spent money to do it when I knew she was desperately trying to save. Left Luca when they were usually joined at the hip. For me.

Sutton’s expression softened. “I should’ve ridden with you from the beginning. I’m sorry?—”

I shook my head, cutting her off. “You were there when I needed you.” I couldn’t resist touching her. My hand slid along her jaw and into her silky strands. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you today.”

Sutton’s lips parted, and whatever she wore on them made them shimmer in the lessening light. “I wanted to give you a little of what you’ve given me. It’s not enough, but it’s something.”

Fuck. She would destroy me.

My thumb stroked across her jaw, dangerously close to those beautiful lips. Her scent filled the SUV, wrapping around me in a stranglehold. Cinnamon and sugar with just a hint of vanilla. Maybe it was all the hours she spent in the bakery. Those scents were branded into her skin.

They teased and tugged, pulling me closer. Because I wanted to know if her skin tasted as good as it smelled.

“Cope!”

Luca’s voice cut through my lust-induced haze and had us both jerking back. I couldn’t help the curse that slipped free.

A small laugh escaped Sutton. “Little ones always have impeccable timing.”

I grinned back at her. “He’s lucky he’s fucking cute.”

We slid out of the SUV, but Luca was already running down the steps and rounding the vehicle. He threw himself at me, hugging me hard. “Are you okay? Mom said you needed to say goodbye to Teddy.”

Fuck. It wasn’t just Sutton who would destroy me. Luca would, too.

I hugged him back. “I’m all right. ”

Luca looked up at me, turquoise eyes shining. “Was it sad? Saying goodbye?”

“It was everything,” I told him honestly. “Sad but also funny and happy. We told lots of stories about Teddy.”

Luca worried his bottom lip. “Think you could tell me some of those stories one day?”

My chest constricted as I forced the lump in my throat down. “I’d like that.”

“Good,” Luca said, then grinned up at me. “I set up a movie marathon for us. All three Mighty Ducks, plus popcorn and brownies and lots of other snacks. Arden helped me after we rode horses. The Mighty Ducks always make me feel better when I’m sad. The snacks, too.”

I chuckled. “How can I say no to that?” I glanced up at the doorway where Arden waited. “Thanks for hanging with Speedy.”

She just shook her head. “Luca’s good people. I’ll hang with him anytime.”

Luca grinned even wider. “Arden’s going to teach me how to gallop!”

Sutton’s face paled. “Gallop?” she squeaked.

Luca nodded so fast his head was a blur. “Yup! And maybe I can do barrel racing one day.”

Sutton pressed a hand to her chest. “You can’t love golf?”

His face scrunched up. “Sweater vests, Mom. Ew.”

I laughed as I moved to wrap an arm around Sutton. “Give it up, Mama. Your kid is way too cool for golf.”

She sighed, slumping against me. “It was worth a try.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I released Sutton to pull it out.

Angie

This just got sent to me. I thought you might want a heads-up.

An article from a huge sports site was linked. Copeland Colson Uses Friend’s Funeral to Show Off New Girlfriend . I scanned the article, my temper spiking hotter with each sentence. Accusations that called into question whether I cared about Teddy’s memory at all.

Fucking hell.

Then the page reloaded with an update.

This just in. We’re hearing Cope decked teammate Marcus Warner, son of the late, great Weston Warner. When will the Sparks have enough and finally trade this risk to their organization? We’re hearing it might be sooner rather than later.