Page 11 of Don’t Leave (Stay #2)

LUKE

“ W hat if they get back together?” she asks. “Cole and I haven’t been together for that long. And they have this long history together. They didn’t just go out, they were friends. Best friends.” She worries the napkin between her fingers.

I don’t think she realizes that she’s shredding the paper into tiny pieces.

“We’re talking childhood friends,” she adds as if I haven’t grasped the gravity of the situation.

Instead of taking her back to the dorms, we’re sitting at a diner located a few streets over from campus.

Cassidy just described how she was ambushed by Cole Mathews’ crazy ex-girlfriend.

The very same ex who has moved back home to attend Western.

Apparently, they dated for two years and were best friends for most of their lives before she proceeded to shit all over him by hooking up with another dude at college and getting knocked up.

Now that’s one hell of a mess.

Unfortunately, Cassidy is caught smack in the middle of all this crazy drama. I’m well aware that she loves him. Hell, she’s been more than upfront about her feelings with me. Obviously, this new development is a potential game changer.

It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Cole could break up with his new girlfriend and get back together with his ex. They do—as Cassidy pointed out—have a long history.

What sucks is how this situation is affecting Cassidy. I can barely stand all the pain and uncertainty swimming around in her beautiful blue eyes. This is one girl who deserves a man who will worship the very ground she walks on.

Clearly that guy isn’t Cole.

I, on the other hand, would treat her like a queen. If she’d give me a chance, I’d be more than happy to prove it to her.

If he’s boneheaded enough to take up with his ex, then I’ll be right here at Cassidy’s side, ready to help her pick up the pieces and move on.

The fact that Cole and I are teammates makes this situation more complicated, but that doesn’t matter to me. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no bro code involved. I met Cassidy last year and haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since that night. She’s been like a specter haunting me.

I still can’t believe that she’s here, attending Western.

What are the fucking odds?

I shake my head.

It’s like fate or some bullshit like that.

More proof that we belong together.

It’s not like I’m going to break them up.

As much as I want her, this is about the long game, and I can be patient.

When I realized she was dating Cole, I figured it might take a few months for their relationship to fizzle out.

Maybe even a little longer. Imagine my surprise when I caught sight of Cole walking upstairs with that slutty nurse panting after him.

And Cassidy watching the entire thing with a heartsick expression on her face.

All I’d wanted to do was wrap my arms around her and shield her from the hurt that was being inflicted.

Cole doesn’t deserve her.

He can have his trashy ex.

You know what I like about Cassidy?

That she didn’t use Halloween as an excuse to dress up in a barely-there costume. It’s not like I can’t appreciate the skimpy costumes some of these chicks wear. Hey, if they want to show off their tits and ass, I’m more than happy to look.

I blink back to our conversation when she falls silent. “What are you going to do?”

Her misery-filled eyes fasten onto mine. It takes every ounce of self-control not to yank her into my arms and soothe away all the hurt pumping through her veins.

Although, I’m smart enough to know that if I make one move toward her, she’ll bolt. Cassidy reminds me of a frightened animal who spooks easily. She’s someone you have to take your time with. And I’m more than willing to do that. At the end of the day, I know she’s well worth the effort.

She chews her lower lip, looking conflicted. “I don’t know.”

Like I said before—I’m not looking to break them up. That’s not the way I want us getting together. Whatever she has with Cole needs to run its course before she’ll be able to move on with me.

“Just because she wants to get back together with him doesn’t mean he’s interested.”

Her mouth lifts fractionally as she silently considers my words. Trust me, I’d like nothing better than to tell her to dump his stupid ass, but that’s not the way to handle this situation.

“I know. It’s just that…” Her words trail off as her eyes drop to the untouched coffee sitting in front of her.

When she doesn’t finish her thought, I prompt softly, “It’s just what ?”

Her eyes are luminous as they lift to mine. Sometimes it feels like I could drown in their deep depths. “I wish I could hate her for wanting him, but I can’t. I totally get it.”

That’s not what I was expecting her to say.

I almost snort.

This girl is seriously killing me. She’s way too kindhearted.

Again, I want to tug her into my arms and hold her close. “Of course, you can hate her. It would be easy to do.” My lips lift into a smile. “She’s totally hate-able.”

The edges of her mouth slowly curls into something that almost resembles a smile and my heart actually constricts.

“No, I can’t. She made a mistake.” Her gaze holds mine.

“Maybe a lot of them. Just like me. I threw away all my hopes and dreams last year and so did she. When you think about it, we’re really not all that different. ”

The fact that she’s even comparing their situations is ridiculous.

Cassidy and this girl couldn’t be more different.

I might not know Cassidy well, but she would never disrespect someone she supposedly loved by cheating on them.

That’s not the kind of person she is. The mistakes she made were different.

I see that even if she can’t.

“You were overwhelmed by the stress and pressure of playing hockey at a Division I college while taking a rigorous course load. That girl decided to fuck around on her boyfriend of two years because she was bored and fell,” I use air quotes to drive home the point, “ in love with some other dude. That’s hardly the same thing.

Don’t even put yourself in her category. ”

The fact that she’s doing it actually pisses me off.

I wish she could see herself the way everyone around her does. Cassidy might have stumbled last year, but her core is still the same.

When she jerks her shoulders, I realize that she doesn’t believe me.

Unable to help myself, I reach out and tentatively cover her fingers with mine as her wide gaze flies to mine.

I’m aware of how Cassidy feels about being touched and I understand the reason behind it.

After all, I was there the night she was almost raped by those three douche bags.

I would have fucking killed each one of them with my bare hands, but it was more important to get her out of the situation than beat the shit out of them.

That’s not to say I didn’t give each one what they deserved at a later date.

You bet your damn ass I did. I didn’t want any of them getting away with what they had been intent on doing.

After a week or so, it became obvious that Cassidy never filed a police report since nothing happened to those little pricks.

So, I mete out my own brand of justice and you know what?

It felt pretty damn good bloodying my knuckles against their faces.

“Cassidy,” I say quietly, “you and this girl have absolutely nothing in common and you don’t have to hate her or feel bad for her either.

She made her own choices. I think you and Cole need to talk about the fact that his ex-girlfriend is here and figure out what it means. Which honestly, could be nothing.”

With her smaller hand still ensconced in mine, she smiles softly, looking almost relieved by my comments. “Your right, I’m probably overreacting. Just because they had a conversation tonight doesn’t mean they’re getting back together.”

Nodding, I add, “I’m sure you’re right. You need to talk with Cole and get things figured out instead of jumping to conclusions.

Okay?” That’s the best advice I can give her.

In the end, I want what’s best for her. I just don’t think Cole Mathews is what’s best for her.

But she needs to arrive at that conclusion on her own.

“Yeah.” When she gives me another tentative smile, something in my gut clenches.

“Thank you, Luke. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me about this.” She stares down at her untouched cup of coffee for a long moment before quietly admitting, “There aren’t many people I can confide in.

” Her eyes lift, skewering mine with heartfelt intensity. “I’m really glad we’ve become friends.”

Fuck.

She wouldn’t be saying that if she knew how much I wanted her. But until her and Mathews are completely over, friends is all we’ll ever be. As much as it sucks—as much as I want more—I’ll be that strong shoulder she can lean on.

And when she’s finally ready, I’ll be more.

I’ll be her everything.