Page 12 of Restricted List (New York Stars #2)

eleven

Rory

Cole coming over to help with Sage two days ago confirmed for me that I’ll never move past this man.

He didn’t have to come over and hang out with a toddler, but he did anyway.

He didn’t have to stay when I told him he could leave when said toddler was having trouble falling asleep, but he did anyway.

He didn’t have to ask for the picture I drew of him, but he did anyway.

I didn’t have to fall harder for Cole Pierce, but I did anyway.

I have a hard time believing he thinks of me the same way I think of him, but maybe there is a chance Lucia and Ella are right. He’s going out of his way to see me more often than he did before. More than he did when we were still firmly friendzoning each other—before the World Series.

We’re verging into territory that makes me want to do something foolish. It becomes even more tempting when I acknowledge that Cole might do something just as foolish in return.

I don’t think I can really keep this from Harlow any longer.

And since we’re grabbing dinner together at our favorite restaurant in Little Italy, now’s the perfect time to come clean.

“So, uh,” I stammer, already starting this conversation off strong. “Have you talked to Cole recently?”

Harlow smiles against her glass of Riesling. “Mhmm. Saw him for breakfast on Wednesday like usual.” Her tone turns a bit more mischievous. “Heard an interesting story then, too.”

I sigh. “I guess I should have figured he talked to you about that.”

“I got the briefest of overviews,” she replies, “and based on the way Cole was talking, that’s all I need or want to know.”

That pulls a laugh out of me. “Definitely for the best.” I take a sip of my Merlot, swirling the red liquid around my glass. “Things aren’t weird between us because of that, right?”

“Oh, God no!” Harlow exclaims. “You’re both adults—I’m not making this a big deal in the same way Cole didn’t make it a big deal when I started dating Knox.”

“I’m glad you guys don’t act like the siblings you see in romance novels. Best friend’s brother and sister are usually strictly off limits.”

“Best friend’s brother, huh?” She cocks her eyebrow at me suggestively.

“Shut up,” I chide before sighing. “You know I like him, right?”

“I figured it out months ago, babe. I was just never going to explicitly call you out on it before you told me. I wanted you to be sure it was something you’re comfortable sharing.”

“Thanks, Lo. I appreciate that.”

Harlow reaches across the table, laying her hand on top of mine. “That’s what best friends are for, Ror.”

“Love you, babe,” I smile. “So, you don’t think this crush is silly or anything?”

“Why would I? I think you’re both great people.”

“Because now you know how your best friend feels about your brother when I can’t act on it.”

“Is your dad the only thing stopping you?” she questions.

“No,” I admit, “he’s not. But he’s a large part of it. I’d never want Cole to risk his career. But I’m also sure as hell not his type.”

I can’t quite place the look on Harlow’s face right now. It’s like she wants to say something but doesn’t let herself speak the words. Like she knows something.

“I’m not sure Cole has a type,” she finally replies softly. “But who knows? If he does, maybe you’re exactly it.”

I eye her curiously. “What do you know, Lo?”

“Absolutely nothing,” she replies, a faux smile on her face as she throws her hands up in surrender. “I’m just saying.”

“Mhmm.”

“Anyway, what are you doing the rest of the night? Knox wants to play some cards tonight, and we need two more people for that.”

“Knox is the one initiating group plans? What the fuck did you do to that man, Harlow?”

Harlow’s laughter reverberates around the room. “I didn’t do a damn thing. That’s all him.” She smiles as she thinks of the formerly grumpy MLB pitcher she’s in love with. “So, you in?”

“Who else are you asking to come?” I ask.

Harlow doesn’t respond; she just smirks widely before sipping her wine.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what that means.

Knox throws his head back and groans, scrubbing his hands over his face. “Lo, I love you, but you have the absolute worst poker face.”

“I can’t help that!”

“No, she can’t,” Cole laughs, picking up the cards from the middle of the table. “She literally can’t lie.”

I know Harlow had ulterior motives for having both Cole and me over for cards tonight, but I’m not complaining. Cole is a hell of a Euchre partner. This is our fourth game, and we haven’t lost a trick yet. We dominated Spades, too.

“I never said I was any good at Euchre,” Harlow says. “I’m shit at card games in general.”

“You’re cute,” Knox smiles. “It makes up for it.”

“It is actually sickening to be around you guys anymore,” I laugh. “When does the honeymoon stage end, Cole?”

“Not soon enough,” he grumbles.

“Why don’t you both go find your own happiness, then?” Knox says slyly, and he and Harlow smirk at each other.

I caught the look, and I know Cole did, too. I can see the blush spreading across his cheeks the same way as mine.

They’re fucking tag-teaming their torture of us.

“I need a fucking beer,” Cole says, pushing up from the table and walking to their fridge.

“Get one for me,” I shout. “I need another if I’m going to put up with their lovey eyes on each other all night.”

“Damn,” Harlow says. “You’re both drinking a lot tonight. You’ve each had several beers, Rory had two glasses of wine at dinner, and Cole is the biggest fucking lightweight I know.”

“Fuck off,” Cole chides, sliding back into his chair and pushing my beer across the table to me. “I don’t drink much during the season, so when I do drink, it doesn’t take much.”

Knox laughs. “You’re going to be a great time at Garro’s bachelor party, aren’t you?”

“I’m always a great time,” Cole smirks.

“That so, Pierce?” I say, raising my brow at him.

He winks in response, and what do you know, there’s a pool forming between my legs.

Goddamn him, getting me turned on around his fucking sister.

And I think he knows exactly what he’s doing.

He certainly wins this round.

“Well,” Harlow says, stretching her arms above her head, “I think I’m done getting my ass handed to me in cards tonight.”

“I need a new card partner,” Knox says, walking over and wrapping his arms around his girlfriend.

“You’re stuck with me,” Harlow smiles, leaning back against his chest.

“Worth it.” He kisses the top of her head.

“Get a fucking room,” Cole groans.

“Our room is down the hall,” Knox smirks. “We can do that easily.”

“You two as well,” Harlow adds, her smile turning devious. “You’ve definitely had too much to drink tonight.”

“She’s right,” Knox agrees. “We can’t in good conscience let you leave.”

“We could always get an Uber home,” I reply.

“Yeah, I guess you could. But you don’t have to,” she smirks.

“What are you proposing we do then?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

I know exactly what she’s suggesting. If Harlow is going for subtlety, she’s entirely missed the mark. She might as well be waving a giant flag that says ONLY ONE BED.

“They’re saying we should just stay here tonight,” Cole answers.

“Exactly,” Harlow replies. “And oh no, we only have one extra bed.”

Called it.

“How convenient,” I say, shooting Harlow a look that says I know exactly what she’s doing.

“What?” she replies, trying to feign innocence. “You guys are friends. You can share a bed, right?”

“Yeah,” Cole sighs. “Won’t be a problem.”

I look down at myself, realizing I’m in jeans and a sweater. Not what I’d consider sleep attire. “Wait, I don’t have anything with me for bed. No clothes or toothbrush.”

“I always keep extra toothbrushes in the guest bathroom,” Knox says, smirking. They must have silently planned this set-up.

“And, Rory,” Harlow adds, “When we got ready here before the club over the summer, you left your original clothing in the guest bedroom. You’ve got a T-shirt and leggings in the closet.”

Of course I do.

“I guess that’s settled then,” I reply, voice wavering.

As Harlow and Knox clean up the deck of cards, Cole and I both down the beers we just opened. Might need a bit of liquid courage to get through the night.

When everything is put away, Harlow and Knox head to their bedroom while Cole and I make our way to the guest bedroom down the hall.

Cole slips out for a glass of water while I change into the clothing Harlow assured me was waiting in the closet.

Now that I’m dressed in leggings and a really old Stars shirt, Cole comes back in. He shed his hoodie while he was out there, leaving him in a long-sleeve tee and joggers—black this time, thank God.

“I can just take the couch,” he says.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I reply. “We’re adults—we can sleep in the same bed as friends.”

“Right,” he says as if he’s unsure. Like he’s unsure if he can share a bed with me in a friendly way.

I might not be able to have him in that way, but fuck, if that’s not a confidence booster, finding out he might want the same thing I do.

Cole sits on the edge of the bed, and I walk over to join him. “Hey, we don’t need to be weird about this.”

He sighs. “Nope, no need to be weird.” Cole smiles now. “I just hope you’re not a blanket hog, Starlight.”

I shove his shoulder. “I do not hog the blankets, Sparrow.”

I do. I totally do. But I’m absolutely not telling him that.

“Good,” he laughs. “But if you do, you should know I’m a cuddler. I’ll need you to keep me warm.”

Oh, I can keep you very warm, Cole.

In a way that doesn’t need any clothing but provides plenty of body heat.

No, Rory. Rein it in. You can’t jump his bones, no matter how badly you want to.

I take a breath as we both pick a side of the bed, sliding under the covers and turning away from each other.

“Good night, Cole.”

“Good night, Rory.”