Page 22 of Love Me Like You Do

These guys knew why better than anyone.

I’m a menace.

Cole: I’m the last person anyone wants raising their kids.

Jaime: That’s bullshit. You’re generous, smart. You’re a good man.

Declan: And rich.

Cole laughed.

Cole: Okay, quit soaping my ass. I’m not donating to your new training facility.

Jaime: Did you forget it’s Kurt’s team? Trust me, we’re well-funded. Since you’ve got nothing better to do, come to the rink tomorrow. We’ve got practice at eleven.

Paisley would be at school, so Hailey wouldn’t need him around. Yeah, he could do that.

Cole: See you then.

He set the phone down, letting it sink in that they didn’t hold a grudge. That this banishment was self-imposed and reconnecting with them meant this town could feel like home again. He’d like that.

By the time he got the notice from the delivery driver, the girls were coming down the stairs in their flannel nightgowns, looking fresh-faced, their cheeks flushed pink as cotton candy. Hailey started toward him. “So, what’re we doing for dinner?”

But he’d made such a mess of his conversation with her that his brain scrambled as soon as he saw her. He blurted, “Food’s here. Be right back,” and turned his back on her, heading for the door.

What the hell is wrong with you?

Get a hold of yourself.

“Good timing,” she called. “They just dropped the groceries outside the gate.”

“On it.” He threw on his leather coat and escaped into the freezing cold night. What he had to realize was that one, he wasn’t eighteen anymore. He was a grown-ass man who didn’t need to get flustered around anyone. And two, he wasn’t pursuing her. The only reason they were under the same roof was because of the girls.That’s it.

There’s not going to be some big romance.

His breath came out in white puffs, and his knee hurt as if he’d jammed a spike through the patella. As he rounded the bend in the long driveway, headlights blinded him, and he shielded his eyes.

They flicked off, and a young man jumped out of the idling truck. “Sorry, man.”

He hit the button to open the gate, and while the guy unloaded stuffed tote bags from the cab, Cole collected the box with the groceries.

The driver handed them over, gaping in that very familiar way. “Are you…holy shit. Cole Montgomery?” The man spun around, bending over and clenching his fists on his knees. “You’re fuckingCole Montgomery. I can’t believe it. I grew up here and never once ran into you. This is insane.”

“Good to meet you, man.”

“What’re you doing here? You’ve got a game tomorrow.”

His concussion had already hit the news, but he should be sitting on the bench with his team. “I’ve got some family business to take care of. I’ll be back by Thursday.”

“You’re playing, right? Because we can’t afford to lose you. Not when we’re up against the Chargers.”

Conversations like these could go on for a while, so he had to cut it short. The girls were hungry. “Absolutely. Listen, thanks for bringing food to my crew. You have a great Christmas.” He gave him a tip and a chin nod and headed back up the long driveway.

The wind cut through his jacket, and his knee throbbed.No more screwing around. He had the next three days to heal, so he had to take it easy. He’d hang out on the couch while the kids played or whatever. He just had to keep the weight off.

Hearing little girl chatter and Hailey’s sexy voice as he entered the house was jarring. Usually, he had his friends with him, which meant there was always laughter, booze, and music. It was a raucous energy.

But with kids and Hailey, it had a whole different vibe, and he liked it. Throughout his childhood, he’d been obsessed with watching other families. At restaurants, parks, school events—and especially when he’d hung out at someone’s house—he keyed in on the dynamics. More than anything, he liked when the Duprees invited him over the holidays.