Page 22 of Stay (Stay #1)

COLE

“ H i sweetie,” Mom calls out a greeting as I walk through the front door.

I pause, flooded with memories of what it felt like to walk into Cassidy’s house. The tone and feel of our houses couldn’t be more different. Even with no one there to greet us, the vibe had felt strangely tense.

“Hey, Mom.”

Even though I’m nearly twenty, she wraps her arms around me and pulls me in for a hug. Other guys might fight the intimacy or grumble under their breaths, but I don’t.

Honestly, I don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks.

I know what it feels like to lose a parent.

So, if the woman wants to give me a hug every once in a while, I’m cool with it.

My mind tumbles back to Cassidy and her father. The stilted awkwardness of their interaction had felt like a suffocating blanket. Even though part of me hadn’t wanted to leave her with him, it had been a relief to get the hell out of there.

His demeanor had been so cold and distant.

Angry .

I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on, and Cassidy has remained tight-lipped about the situation.

That’s an understatement. Cassidy is closemouthed about her past in general. Prying even the tiniest details from her is difficult. Other than she grew up playing hockey, I don’t know much else about her.

She’s a puzzle I want to solve.

All right, she’s a puzzle I need to solve.

I’m not proud of myself, but I’ve done a little online snooping, hoping to gather a little more intel on this girl. The only thing I’ve been able to uncover is a few newspaper clippings and website pictures of her playing youth hockey.

Championship photos.

You could tell from the set of her jaw and glint in her eyes that she was one hell of a tough player. She wore her confidence as if she knew exactly where she belonged. Even in a group of rough and tumble boys, she’d known she was accepted.

What the hell had happened to change that?

Where had all that certainty disappeared to?

Why wasn’t she still playing?

After being on the ice with her, I could tell she was good.

Talented.

I keep telling myself to be patient. That if I give her enough time, she’ll open up. That hasn’t happened. I’m beginning to wonder if it ever will. I’m not ready to give up on her yet, but the girl has to throw me a bone.

In every team picture I’d found online, her dad had been standing proudly behind her. He’d obviously been one of her coaches growing up. He’d looked different as well. Younger. Happier. Lighter.

It had taken a moment for recognition to dawn.

Whatever happened last year had affected both of them.

“That’s a pensive look.”

When my mom strokes a hand over my cheek, I snap out of my thoughts and force a smile. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get that girl out of my mind .

“Everything okay?”

There’s no way I’m discussing the Cassidy situation with my mother. There are just too many unknowns at this point. Half the time, I have no idea where I stand with her.

“It’s nothing.”

Plus, she’ll want to talk it to death and I’m not in the mood for that.

She slips her arm through mine as we move into the kitchen.

“It smells good in here. What are you making this time?”

My mother loves to cook and is always trying out new recipes. Added bonus—she’s really good at it.

“Braised beef roast, au gratin potatoes, glazed green beans with a freshly-baked rosemary infused bread.” She flashes me a smile.

That’s all it takes for my belly to grumble.

A full week of eating at school will make you appreciate a homecooked meal.

“That sounds amazing. If there are any leftovers, can I take them back for the guys?”

Sadistic as it sounds, I enjoy watching them fight like jackals over the prepared dishes. It’s the small things in life that you need to enjoy.

“You can invite them over any time. You know I don’t mind.”

I shrug.

She’s right, I could have, but…

“I needed a break from the chaos.”

Five guys sharing a house and playing hockey together is sometimes a little too much togetherness. Getting away for a few hours every Sunday is usually enough of a break before I head back to school for the week.

“That’s understandable,” she agrees.

I’m an only child. And while most moms feel a bit of relief when their children fly the coop, mine didn’t. Hell, I’d still be living in my old room if she had her way. So, we compromised when I left for college. I stayed local, and live near campus instead of at home .

I swipe a chocolate chip cookie from a plate on the counter. “Where’s Thomas?”

Mom waves a hand before glancing at the digital clock on the microwave. “He had an emergency at the hospital. Hopefully, he’ll be back before we sit down to eat.”

Thomas is an emergency department physician at the hospital in town.

He’s also my stepfather. Dad died in a car accident when I was ten years old.

It was a drunk driver who took him out. A fucked-up college kid driving home from the bar at two in the morning.

My father died on impact while that kid walked away without a scratch.

He sat his ass in jail for a couple years, but so what?

It didn’t bring dad back to us.

Mom married Thomas four years after that. He isn’t my dad, and he doesn’t try to be. What I will say is that he’s a nice guy who treats my mother well, which is all that matters. If I need to talk or blow off steam, he’s there.

It could be worse.

“That means I have you all to myself for a couple of hours,” she says with a smile.

My father’s death may have dampened her spirit, but over the years, it gradually returned and she persevered.

We both did.

“How’s the team shaping up this season?”

I plow a hand through my hair as I turn the question over in my mind.

“I think we’ll be solid. There are several strong players who’ve returned. Plus, we’ve got a tough defense and a fast offense. The freshmen and transfers we picked up seem to be talented, so that should help.” I shrug. “So far, so good.”

I open the fridge and grab a Gatorade before settling at the massive expanse of granite island as I twist off the cap. “You know, you don’t have to buy these anymore.”

That being said, I guzzle down half the bottle.

With a smile, she shakes her blonde head and continues to chop the green beans. “Of course, I’m going to buy the things you like. You’re my son, I miss having you around. Seeing them in the fridge reminds me that you’ll be popping home soon for a visit.”

I raise a brow as an unmanly lump gets wedged in the middle of my throat.

Even so, I can’t resist teasing. “Jeez, Mom. You’re getting sappy in your old age.”

A few seconds after the comment leaves my mouth, a dish towel hits me square in the face. No one can say that the woman doesn’t have great aim. Although, I guess that’s what happens when your dad dies, and your mother gets stuck pitching baseballs to you in the backyard.

“Have I taught you nothing?” Her voice turns sharp as her brows snap together. “Never call a woman old. Especially your mother.”

My lips curve as a chuckle escapes. “Lesson learned.”

Silence falls over us as she continues chopping and prepping the vegetables.

My gaze gets drawn to the window that overlooks the yard.

It doesn’t take long for my thoughts to circle back to Cassidy.

No matter how much I try to stop thinking about her, she’s never far from my mind.

It would be irritating, if I weren’t so into her.

Even though we haven’t been seeing each other long, I like her.

She’s a walking contradiction and I find that fascinating.

At first, she struck me as a bit of a tough girl, but the more I get to know her, the more chinks I find in her armor.

The vulnerability buried beneath that hard candy shell tears me up inside.

It makes me want to do everything in my power to protect her.

“All right,” Mom says, “who is she?”

My gaze snaps to hers. “What are you talking about?”

She gives me a patient smile as if I’m not fooling her for a moment. Already, I know she won’t be letting this go until I tell her what’s going on.

Whether I want to or not.

I clear my throat and glance away, attempting to downplay the situation. “It’s just a girl I’ve been seeing.”

One brow arches. “I didn’t even know you were involved with someone. ”

I jerk my shoulders.

Aw, hell.

When I remain silent, she continues. “I take it there’s a problem with this girl?”

I’m not even sure how to answer that question. For the life of me, I can’t figure her out. All I know is that I want to crack the Cassidy code. It’s just going to take some time to do it.

After mulling it over, I say, “She’s a very private person.”

“Umm hmm. Go on.”

I almost groan.

Not the go on .

I seriously hate the go on .

It feels like I’m reliving my middle and high school years all over again with things like open communication and dialogue, and, god help me, resolution .

It’s time to downplay the Cassidy situation before it spirals further out of control.

“It’s just really new.” I shrug, striving for nonchalant. “It might not even work out.”

Sometimes I wonder if that’s what Cassidy secretly wants. The girl has been dead set on pushing me away from day one. Five weeks later and she’s still trying to do it. The problem is that I’m not going anywhere.

Sooner or later, she’ll realize that.

“Nope, it might not.” She gives me a small smile. “It’s nice to see you back out there again after Jackie.”

That name has my muscles tightening as I run a quick hand through my hair. My ex is the last person I want to discuss. Especially when my mind is so full of Cassidy.

“Let’s not talk about Jackie,” I say more gruffly than I mean to.

“It’s important to talk about your feelings, Cole.”

I roll my eyes.

What is it about being back in your childhood home that makes you feel and act like a sullen fourteen-year-old ?

It’s frustrating as hell, and one of the reasons I don’t live here anymore.