Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Cole

“What’s going on in your head, A?” I ask her.

I don’t want her to think that I don’t want to share a bed with her. I do, but I also don’t want her to feel pushed into this because she saw her ex. And I don’t know if I should be upset or okay with her request.

“You don’t have to.”

“I didn’t say no A. I just asked what’s going on in your head.”

“I want to tell you. I just need you to hold me while I do it and to be honest with me, is that okay?”

How the fuck do I say no to that? I take my sneakers and jeans off before pulling the comforter back on the bed. Laying down first, I put my arm out for Adriana to come to me. She sighs a breath of relief before joining me in bed and scooting over to cuddle into me.

“What’s going on, gorgeous?” I ask.

“Thank you. I know I said I wanted to go slow, and this probably seems to speak otherwise. I just need to feel safe right now.” she tells me.

What the fuck? Did this fucker hurt her?

“Babe, what do you mean by safe?” I question her, trying to sound calm.

“Remember when you saw me upset on opening day?”

“Yes.”

How could I forget? Seeing her cry made me want to go on a rampage to find who made her that upset. It was a first for me.

“Well, I had just gotten off the phone with Toby. I hadn’t spoken to him since the day I found him cheating on me with two floozies. I had blocked his number, but he called from another one. He told me how he was told I didn’t live at my apartment anymore because he went by when he couldn’t reach me. He was trying to see me to talk to me. Then to see him at a place he complained about going to and find out that he has been going there to ask around about me is freaking me out, especially with him saying I would hear him out one way or another. And now he knows I moved to New York. I don’t think he’d come there, but I just don’t know anymore. He seems desperate.” She finishes and I can feel her whole body shake.

This fucking asshole. I should have punched him when I had the chance. He really is a piece of work. I hate this asshole for making her scared. What a fucking fool to let her slip through his hands. He realized what he lost too late. I won’t make the same mistake he did.

“Hey. Hey look at me.” I tell her. She turns her head up to me from my shoulder.

“He’s the stupidest man on this Earth. He lost the best thing that ever happened to him and he knows it now. You don’t owe him anything, babe. We will do whatever you want to help you feel safe when we get home. If that means you move into Heather and Ty’s house instead of being over the garage or hell, if you wanted one of the guest bedrooms in mine, it’s yours. I know there are cameras all over the outside of the house and property, but we can talk to Heather and Ty and see what we all come up with, okay?” I say and place a kiss on her forehead.

“You really are a real-life, Casanova.” she whispers.

“Why do you say that?” I ask her.

“You know the right thing to say and when to say it.” she answers.

“I’m just being me. I want you to know that while this is new and we are going slow, I want to always be a safe space for you.”

“You are Cole. It’s why I felt comfortable asking you to sleep in here tonight with me. I hope I’m not sending you mixed signals.” She says.

“Honestly, I was a little worried when you initially asked me. I wasn’t sure where it was coming from, but now I’m just happy to be someone you need.” I tell her honestly.

“You make it really hard to want to go slow there, Casanova.” Adriana tells me with lust in her eyes.

“You are the one that makes it hard. We go at your pace. All you have to do is tell me when you’re ready to pick up speed.” I say with a wink and a chuckle. Adriana nudges me on my side with her elbow.

“I will.” She informs me.

“Let’s get some sleep. We both have flights to catch in the morning.” I remind her.

Adriana leans up and places a kiss on my lips and lingers there for a moment. Her lips are soft against mine and I just want to dive in, but it’s not the right time. I pull away for a brief second before placing another kiss on her lips.

“Night babe. I’ll keep the bad thoughts away.”

“Night Casanova.” she says.

With that, Adriana snuggles closer into me and puts her head back on my shoulder. Laying here with her in my arms has me realizing just how much I’m already all in, even if she isn’t. Yet. There is this need deep in my soul to protect her and make sure she is always safe. I need to call Art first thing tomorrow to let him know about Adriana and me so he can be alert for whenever we go public and see if he can look into Toby just to help ease my mind, since she is clearly upset by his words.

She’s right, and he seems desperate enough. I would kick my own ass if I didn’t do some digging as well to see if I can find anything too. As great as the ending of this road trip is right now, I can’t wait to get back home. I think we need an official date night in and I’ll be enlisting some help to make it perfect for her.

I normally love traveling on the team plane but today I wish we could choose to fly commercial. Waking up with Adriana in my arms felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake up from. We reluctantly got out of bed and had breakfast with Ty and Heather after packing our stuff.

After we ate, the car service came to pick up the girls since their flight left before ours. Not too long after they left, we had to load up on the bus to take us to our plane at the airport.

The bus was quiet since most of the team was sporting hangovers. We all make quick work of getting off the bus and onto the plane.

I take a seat and King comes to sit in the empty one next to me. We both get settled in for our long flight home.

“What’s up?” King asks.

“Not much. Wanna come by for a beer this week and see the place?” I ask him.

“You won’t be too busy?”

“Too busy? We have the same schedule, ass.”

“You know what I mean.” He says with a don’t play dumb with me look on his face.

“I might know what you mean.” I tell him and can’t help the grin that slips onto my face.

“You’re the ass. We’re best friends, talk to me. It’s not like I can’t see it. And not to mention some of the guys do, too.”

“Yeah, I can’t help it. We’re taking it slow. That douche from the bar is obviously her ex who cheated on her.” I say.

“I thought that’s what I heard Heather say, but just needed to make sure since she said something about two women.” King says with slight disbelief.

“Yeah, she caught him with two women.” I confirm Heather’s words.

“At the same time?” King questions like it couldn’t happen.

“Yup.” I say with a pop on the p at the end.

“How the fuck did he get two women at once? I mean, that doesn’t even happen THAT often to me.” He says with a smirk.

“You are ridiculous, dude. But yeah, I don’t know how he did that.” Shaking my head in agreement.

“I’m glad she’s not with him anymore and she’s giving your ugly mug a chance. She’s a cool chick. Might be just what you need in your life.”

“You and me both.” I agree with him.

She’s exactly what I need in my life.

“What’s new with you?” I ask him.

“With me? Nothing. Same shit different day. I heard we might get Dylan Crawford since Dean is out for at least three months.” He gives me the inside scoop.

“No shit. It sucks we have to bring someone else in, but I get it. I just don’t know if he’s going to mesh with the club. You know what I mean?” I tell King my thoughts.

“Yeah, his antics that cause him to be in the headlines isn’t a good look for us. We all know to keep our nose clean even when we get a little crazy.” he agrees with me.

“That’s for sure.” I nod my head.

“I’m sure we will find out at practice on Tuesday.” He says.

“That we will. You decide if you are bringing a date to the gala for the foundation?”

“Nope. Have to keep my options open. I don’t want to be committed to one person all night. This way, I have the pick of the single litter.” He tells me with a waggle of his eyebrows.

“You are absurd.” I tell him with a laugh.

“You know there was a time when you were like that before, too.” he reminds me.

“Touche my friend, touché.”

“You inviting any of the other guys to come by the house?”

“I might just make it a barbeque. Have a bunch of the guys over to hang.”

“Guy’s night?” he asks with a tilt of his head to look at me.

“Why not? We haven’t had one in a while. The basement is all set up. I have darts, poker, and a movie room. So there are options.” I tell him.

“Sounds good, Thursday?” he asks.

“Thursday sounds good, man.” I confirm with him.

With that decided, King and I both pull out our phones. I grab my headphones out of my bag too so I can listen to music or watch a movie. I unlock my phone and switch it to airplane mode. As soon as the Wi-Fi connects, I see Adriana texted me and I can’t help the smile that comes.

Adriana: Have a safe flight Co.

Cole: You too babe. Let me know when you land?

Adriana: I can do that.

Cole: Thank you

Heather and Adriana will get back to New York before we do. I am just slightly jealous. Being home in my own bed sounds so good right now. I love my job, but sometimes being on the road for an extended period of time can be a bit much, especially with hitting multiple time zones. I’m ready to get back to my normal routine.

King is now sleeping, so he’s not an option to talk to and Ty is a few rows up from me. I open up my movie app on my phone and pick out a movie I’ve seen before, so I don’t have to pay attention. I guess I’m more tired than I thought because I nod off and wake up from my phone vibrating.

Adriana: Landed and got our luggage. Heading to the car to drive home.

Cole: Glad you made it safe

Adriana: Now it’s your turn to let me know when you land ;)

Cole: I will

This woman is something else. I need to figure out what to do for our date night in, but I don’t want to text Heather while she is with Adriana. Dinner and a movie sounds like a good start. If the guys are coming over Thursday, then tomorrow or Tuesday would be best since we have a game Wednesday night, a day game Thursday, and another night game Friday. I don’t want to rush my time with her, but I also don’t want to wait. As soon as we get home, I’ll text Heather so she can help me.

As my movie is finishing, the pilot comes on over the PA system that we are making our descent. Fifteen minutes later, we have landed and are walking off the plane. We all walk as a team to grab our luggage. I wait for Ty so that we can go over to my truck since we carpooled to the airport. As we walk to my truck, I grab my phone from my pocket to text Adriana.

Cole: Made it safely. About to get on the road home.

Adriana: Good to hear. Drive safe.

Cole: Will do. Talk to you soon.

I switch to my text thread with Heather so I can get this plan into motion.

Cole: You know you are my favorite sister-in-law.

Heather: I’m your only one.

Cole: Doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be my favorite.

Heather: Oh, I know. What’s up?

Cole: I need some help.

Heather: Oh this is going to be good.

Cole: Hush. I want to plan a date night in and want to make sure I don’t mess it up.

Heather: Only because I love your date. What do you need?

Cole: You don’t love me? I’m hurt.

Heather: I don’t have a choice, your family. Lmao

Cole: Jeez thanks. What’s her favorite dish? Any I need to avoid?

With that, I put my phone back in my pocket since I won’t be able to do anything while driving. Ty and I get to my truck, throw our stuff in, and head home. It’s a quick and quiet drive home since Ty and I are beat from two weeks on the road.

“I’ll talk to you later.” Ty says as he closes the door to my truck and heads to walk next door to his house.

“See you brother.” I tell him and walk to my front door.

I go into my place and head straight to my bedroom. Needing to do a load of laundry, I unpack my suitcase first. I grab my phone out of my back pocket and throw it on the bed, then I grab gym shorts out of my dresser and change out of my dress pants. As I put my phone in my pocket, I grab the laundry basket, and start making my way downstairs to the laundry room. Once I’ve started my first load, I head over to the living room.

I sit down on the couch and put my feet up on the coffee table. I pull my phone out and check my messages. Score! Heather texted me back the info I needed. Time to bite the bullet and ask Adriana. I know she’s going to say yes, but I’m still nervous. I thought about texting her but I want to see her face when I ask her. Before I can think better of it, I hit the FaceTime button.

It takes a few seconds, but she answers the call.

“Hi.” she answers.

“Hey You. Happy to be home?” I ask.

“Sure am. It was nice to get away, especially with all the work that’s coming up with the gala, but I wasn’t expecting small dick Toby. You happy to be home, too?”

“Yeah, I didn’t think we’d run into your ex, either. Is that what you guys call him? That’s great.” I can’t help but laugh at his nickname. “Hell yes, I’m happy to be home.”

“I bet you guys were on the road longer than we were.” She says.

“Yeah, it can be rough. But I called to see if you were free on Tuesday night.”

“Oh yeah? Let me check my schedule.” She teases me.

“Miss popular over there, huh?” I rib her right back.

“Haha. Just trying to make you sweat a little. I’m free.” She lets me know.

“How about dinner at my place and then maybe a movie?”

“That sounds perfect. Just let me know what time to be there.” She tells me.

“I’ll be at your door to walk you over to my place at 6:30. If that works for you.” I say to her.

Like I would let her walk over by herself on our first date.

“That works for me.” she confirms.

“Good. I’ll see you then, beautiful.”

“Night Cole.” she says sweetly.

“Night A. Sweet dreams.” I tell with a wink before ending the call.