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Part of me wished I had boring eyes so Roman would’ve skipped right over me. But then I wouldn’t have Luca, and he was the gift of a lifetime.
Im not ready for the pain
The area called to outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. But that wasn’t what it gave me. For me, it was one thing and one thing only… Peace.
I walked away from the woman with what felt like the first genuine smile I’d had in months, those hypnotizing turquoise eyes flashing in my mind. She was fierce, that was for damn sure. Fiery and more than a little determined. I respected the hell out of it. Even if I wished she’d let me help.
I straightened, meeting his gaze dead-on. Well, as much as I could, being at least a foot shorter than him. “Coach,” I greeted. That smile widened. “Like the sound of that.”
“Nothing. I’m good. Just the press biting at my heels, and it’d be nice if my brothers had my back instead of thinking I was a loose cannon about to explode.”
I couldn’t help taking in the sheer joy on Luca’s face. That was what I wanted most of all. His happiness. And if hockey gave him that, so be it. I’d be the most diehard hockey mom around.
“I may miss a lot of things, but one of those will never be how fucking gorgeous you are. Doesn’t matter if you’re covered in grease or flour or have dark circles you’re drowning in. None of it will take away an ounce of your beauty.”
A huge smile broke out over his face, one that had me sucking in a sharp breath at its potency. It was real, I realized. No forced fakeness. And Cope truly smiling? It was lethal.
A burn lit somewhere deep—the pain of remembering how long it had been since someone had reminded me of my worth. I wasn’t sure it had happened since my grandmother passed.
But it was Luca who had me awestruck. The kid could fly. It was like he’d been born on the ice. No fear. Only sheer joy every time he got to skate full-out. And after a couple of demonstrations, he could stop on a dime.
Someone was trying to ruin my career.
I ached to give Luca a home like this. It was more than the sheer size and beauty of it, it was the knowledge that he could be safe running through the fields. It was the warmth that lay inside. The family that filled the structure. I longed for that. For Luca and for me.
“Come on, Luc. It’s really hard. We need you.” His cheeks flushed slightly, and I swore his eyes went a little unfocused. Oh, shit. This was crush city, and I wasn’t sure how Trace would feel about that.
Awwwww
“You’re not.” My fingers sifted through her silky blond strands. “Just because you let someone give you a place to rest for a while doesn’t mean you aren’t standing on your own two feet.”
Cope had created the perfect harbor.
“It’s beautiful,” I told him honestly. “The color reminds me of your eyes. It felt like it was meant to be.” My gaze jerked to him. “My eyes?” “Turquoise. Like the Caribbean Sea. Could find a world of peace in those eyes.”
Don’t think that’ll be an issue. A little birdie told me Cope already got a trampoline for the backyard and all the pastry accessories someone would need to turn his kitchen into a bakery. My back teeth ground together as my fingers flew across the screen. Me Tell Thea she’s a traitor.
“Cope told you about me?” “Won’t shut up about you, kid. Says you’re a star in the making.” Luca’s head jerked back in my direction, but his voice went quiet. “You said that? Really?” God, this kid was going to kill me. “I did, and I only speak the truth.” Luca stayed silent for a moment and then hurled himself at me, arms wrapping around my waist in a fierce hug. My arms went around him in answer, holding him close.
Awwwwww
I never gave up. Especially when the light at the end of the tunnel was her.
Lolli flipped her silver hair over her shoulder. “I think you could use a little Mary Jane in your life. Might chill you out enough to get your priorities in order instead of trying to take advantage of everyone in your orbit. Honestly, maybe we should go for a pot enema. Might clear out your bullshit.”
Clocked him queen
“Teddy was in an accident on his way back to Seattle.” It was as if Cope had been struck by lightning; his entire form snapped straight. “Where is he? What hospital?” Pain streaked across Trace’s features. “I’m sorry, Cope. He didn’t make it. He’s gone.”
Are yoy kidding me
“Sometimes, those monsters seem worse simply because we haven’t turned on the lights.” God, was that ever true. “I’m tired of living in the dark.” Tired of feeling like I was running when I’d done nothing wrong. That half smile on Arden’s face grew into a full one. “Then maybe it’s time to step into the light.”
Cope pulled back, his eyes shining. “You lent me your strength.”
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.
“Yes,” I snarled. Because Sutton would always be worth it. No matter the risk.
Sutton stalked toward the treadmill, wearing a look that said she was supremely pissed off. “What’s wrong?” I hit stop on the machine and jumped off. “What’s wrong?” she parroted. “What’s wrong is I want to know why the hell you’re trying to kill yourself!” My eyes flared. “I was just going for a run.” “That was not a run. That was trying to escape the hounds of hell.”
“Because you scare the hell out of me, Warrior. Because you make me feel more than I ever thought I could.”
“All I’m asking is that we try. No half measures. All in. It may not work, but if we’re going to play with fire, let’s not settle for matches. We deserve fireworks and infernos.”
“No! You talk mean about everyone behind their back. And I know that’s not right. I know you’re not right.” Evelyn flushed, her head jerking toward me. “Do you see what you’ve done?” I met her stare, not looking away. “I’m pretty sure this one is all on you.”
Clocked it
His concern had everything in me warming. And, God, it was nice to have someone with me. Someone who could make a run to the store or the pharmacy. For the first time in too long, I didn’t feel quite so alone.
“I’m not doing anything.” “You are.” Steel bled into Arden’s voice. “Not everyone puts their kid before themselves. You do.” With that, she turned on her heel and left.
Pain lit in my chest, and I held Sutton tighter to me. “I’ll always take care of you. Always.” Sutton just cried harder. “Don’t promise me that.” “Why not?” I asked, my voice dropping low. “Because if I lose that promise, I’ll break.” “Fuck,” I muttered. I cradled her against my chest. “I’m afraid it’s too late.” “Too late?” she croaked. My fingers sifted through Sutton’s hair, tangling in the strands. “I’m already in love with you.”
It was the light in Cope’s dark-blue eyes as he looked at my son. The joy in his expression at the chaos that reigned in his living room.
Her fingers lifted to my face, tracing my mirroring scar. “You gave us a safe place to land. A harbor in the storm.”
“Don’t even think like that. I’d walk through fire for you any day of the week.” “But you shouldn’t have to,” Sutton whispered. “Life isn’t perfect. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. It’s about finding people who will weather the storm with you. Who will find ways to dance in the rain.”
Now, let’s go get our boy.”
Swoon
Luca threw himself at Cope, and Cope caught him easily. Luca cried in earnest now. They were tears of relief and of letting go. “I love you,” Luca hiccupped. “I love you, too,” Cope whispered. “More than you’ll ever know.” Every piece of myself that I’d been holding back lost itself to Cope in that moment. Every wall I’d been desperately clinging to crumbled. And I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, I was in love with Cope. And that would never change.
“I love you. With everything in me. All I am is yours. Brokenness and all.”
“You got me bees?” Cope pulled me against him. “You know I’d do anything to make you happy. I want this to be your home. We can decide if we want a place in Seattle, too, or if I’ll commute on my time off. Linc already said he’d loan me his plane if we want Sparrow Falls to still be our home during the season.”
“More than bees love honey,” I echoed, fingering the locket at my neck, the one I rarely took off. His eyes reddened. “He’s the best dad I could’ve hoped for.” My eyes filled. Damn these hormones. “I know.”
