Page 19

Chapter nineteen

Riley: The choice

I was juggling the usual chaos—doing inventory, half-listening to two volunteers arguing about leash placement, and trying (again) to get that stubborn shed door to open without swearing. I’d finally managed to wedge it loose when my phone buzzed.

I saw the headline. Skimmed the article. Sighed. Vanessa was reaching now, grasping at scraps, twisting old news into something worse. Colton can handle it. Colton would handle it. Of course, he would. I shoved my phone back in my pocket and stepped outside to check on the dogs.

And yet, ten minutes later, I was in my car, fingers tapping against the steering wheel as I pulled into the rink parking lot. I’d passed the post office without mailing the supply order, ignored the flashing gas light, and made exactly zero calls about the broken fence gate.

The reason for coming? Solid. Logical. Just checking in. Just making sure he wasn’t letting Vanessa’s nonsense get under his skin.

Total lie. And I knew it.

My pulse ticked faster as I stepped out, the sharp bite of the morning air cutting through my jacket. It wasn’t just about Vanessa. It was about that quiet tug in my chest. It was about him. About seeing him.

I hadn’t expected to see him outside.

And I definitely hadn’t expected to see this.

Across the lot, near the rink’s rear entrance, Colton stood facing a man in a sleek black overcoat.

They were far enough away that I couldn’t make out the words, but I didn’t need to.

The posture said it all. Colton’s shoulders were stiff, his jaw was tight, and the man’s hands were slicing through the air like punctuation marks in a fight.

It looked like an argument. A serious one.

I should’ve turned around. I should’ve gone inside like a normal person and waited in the lobby. Maybe even texted him. But instead, I kept walking—slowly—angling myself between the parked cars. Not hiding exactly, just... investigating. From a respectful distance. Like a responsible adult.

A responsible adult who just ducked behind an SUV. Not ducked. Just... paused. Strategically. Because I needed a better look.

And that’s when I saw him more clearly—the man Colton was arguing with.

Sharp suit. Silvering hair. Familiar scowl.

Oh no.

I knew that face.

I’d cyber-stalked that face.

Colton’s father.

I hovered behind a Prius, internally debating the ethics of what was now officially eavesdropping. Not that I could hear anything yet. So, is this really eavesdropping?

Perfect. Just perfect.

Because obviously, when your maybe-something is arguing with his powerful, land-grabbing father, the right move is to lurk behind a stranger’s hatchback.

I moved past the next row of cars and stopped.

Colton’s voice was low but clear. "Yeah, I was stupid."

My spine straightened.

"I don’t know why I let her twist everything. I gave her the quote—that’s on me. I’m just starting to turn things around. The team’s noticed. My coaches have noticed."

The older man didn’t respond right away. "Why does she think this story is so compelling?"

There was a pause. Colton shifted his weight. "I’ve started falling for someone. She’s smart, she’s sassy, and she’s passionate as hell."

The man’s arms dropped a little.

Colton went on. "But there’s one problem, Dad. She runs the dog rescue that your company wants to build on. Vanessa showed up chasing a scandal. Then she saw a better angle."

They stopped talking.

Their posture softened just slightly—shoulders eased, gestures stilled. They were still talking but now I couldn’t hear what they were saying.

A few moments later, Colton’s father reached out and gave him a brief, one-armed hug.

He turned, walked to a dark sedan, and drove off.

Colton stayed where he was, hands shoved deep in his jacket pockets, staring at the spot where the car had been.

I didn’t move. My pulse hadn’t decided if it should slow down or speed up.

He’d said it. Out loud. To his father.

I was the girl he was talking about.

Smart. Sassy. Passionate.

Beautiful didn’t make the list. Noted.

And I was absolutely going to bring it up later.

But that wasn’t the headline right now.

I’d just watched Colton Hayes stand there and own every piece of his past—and then hold his ground anyway.

I’d spent so long bracing for him to mess this up.

Preparing for the fallout. For the inevitable proof that leaving was his only option.

I realized I never considered what it would feel like if he didn't. What if he stayed?

It hit me like a slap.

I don't want him to leave

Without realizing it, I’d started walking toward him.

He turned when I was just a few feet away, his brows drawn together until he saw it was me. Then his whole face shifted.

He ran his hand through his hair. “How much of that did you hear?”

I didn’t answer right away. I crossed my arms, tilting my head. "Oh, just that you’re finally sticking up for yourself. That you’re trying to make peace with your father. That you’re taking control of your own narrative. And, of course, that you think I’m smart, sassy, and passionate."

I gave him a long look, then raised a brow. “But I didn’t hear anything about how I can rock a hoodie and jeans.”

Colton blinked. Then let out a low, rough chuckle.

He stepped forward, hands reaching for mine. I let him take them.

The hug came next. His arms wrapped around me. The way he held me felt right. Strong and steady. We’d finally landed in the same place at the same time.

He pulled back slightly, hands framing my face. His thumbs brushed along my jaw.

And kissed me.

Slow. Deliberate.

Forget what I said before, this is the perfect kiss.

But it wasn't just a kiss. It was a choice.

I leaned into him, my body syncing to his without a second thought.

This was the right choice.

His hands moved from my face, slowly down to my shoulders. He pulled his lips off mine and looked at me. There was a small curve to his lip, like he was trying to stop the famous Colton Hayes smirk from appearing.

"You are smart, sassy, and passionate. And about the most beautiful person I’ve ever met."

I should say something.

The words were right there, caught in the back of my throat.

If I were being honest with myself, I had been waiting for him to run. Letting him make the choice. So I didn’t have to risk making the wrong choice.

But now?

I had no excuse left.

I knew exactly what I wanted. The next step is simple. I have to let him know. Simple.

I stared into Colton’s unfairly blue eyes, and my brain had apparently decided to take a break.

Colton tilted my chin up. "What are you thinking?”

OK Riles. Next step. Simple, remember?

Deep breath. “I don’t want you to leave.”

His head jerked slightly. I saw it in his eyes—that moment of surprise.

I swallowed. Then forced myself to keep going.

“Stay. Tell the coach you don’t want to transfer. Tell him you want to stick it out, to get better and better.”

Say you’ll fight for this.

I didn’t say the last part out loud.

But I knew—deep down—that’s what I meant.

He kissed me again.

His hands slid to my lower back, pulling me closer.

My fingers traced up his chest. I could feel the steady rise and fall of his breath. One hand drifted to his neck, then to his hair, threading through the strands. My fingers curled tighter, drawing him closer.

Why had it taken me so long to decide?

Standing here, pressed against him, I knew one thing with absolute certainty.

I didn’t want this to end.

I wanted time to stop.

His hands moved to my waist. When he pulled back, his lips rested momentarily against my forehead. His voice was barely a breath.

“Riley.”

“Yes?”

His lips quirked at the edges. “I have to go to practice.”

I groaned. “Ugh. I always knew I hated hockey.”

He laughed, and this time, the kiss was softer.

I put my forehead on his chest. Then looked up at him “Go.”

He smiled.

Then he was gone, walking toward the entrance, leaving the air just a little colder without him.