Page 50 of Broken Hearts

The game ends with a triumphant victory, and the crowd erupts into a frenzy of celebration. Cole’s team is exuberant, their joy contagious. As we leave the stadium, the atmosphere is electric, full of adrenaline and euphoria.

We arrive at the after-party with Ethan, who has his arm lovingly wrapped around Poppy. I can’t help but notice the way he looks at her; like she’s the most precious thing in the world. It’s heartwarming to see them together, so obviously in love. It’s a reminder of what real, unselfish affection looks like, and for a moment, I feel a pang of longing.

As soon as we walk in, Cole and Liam appear out of thin air. His blue eyes light up when he sees me, and I think that maybe he missed me too.

Ethan grabs Poppy’s hand and takes her to the dance floor, but Nessa takes a sidestep until her arm brushes against mine.

I look at her. “I’ll stay by your side. Dickwad won’t get closer.”

Smiling at her, I shake my head. I’ve seen the heated glances she exchanges with Liam, and I would hate for my cowardice to affect another relationship. “Nah, I need to speak with Cole anyway.”

“Okay…” she trails off, her eyes narrowing as she looks at him. “If you need me, do this”—she raises her fingers in a V hand and slaps the back of the other fist—“and I’ll be right there. It means save.”

I chuckle but hug her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The atmosphere in the room shifts as Cole approaches me, his presence commanding and his cologne wrapping around me. The thrum of the music fades into the background as he stops so close I can see the faint scar at the corner of his left eye.

“Would you like to dance?” he asks, a hint of hope in his voice.

I shake my head, wrapping my arms around myself and feeling a familiar tension rise inside me. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

He leans in, his voice low. “We’re not enemies, Angel. You said it yourself.” He extends his hand.

“No, we’re not,” I agree, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. “But we’re not friends either.”

He hesitates, searching my face. “Why not try? For old times’ sake.”

“Because with you and me, it can never be just friendship,” I reply, the truth of my words stinging as I say them, but I still take his hand and follow him onto the dance floor.

He studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Is this your way of admitting you still love me?” he asks, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features.

Sighing, I feel a pang of regret. “You were my first love, Cole. You said it yourself; we never forget our first. But that doesn’t mean…” I stop, not sure I know what I want to say next.

“Why tell me you’re not seeing anyone then? Why tell me James Dean is not your man?” he presses, pulling me closer against his body. “You didn’t have to admit I was the only one. You had to know what it would spark in me.”

I did know and did it anyway. I am just confused about my reasons.

“Does it make a difference?”

He shakes his head. “No. You are mine. I agreed to give you space, but that doesn’t mean I am giving up.”

My heart is racing, and I want to change the subject. “I received a call from Dr. Mahoney’s office. I know you’re behind it, and I don’t want your pity.”

He looks taken aback. “Angel, it’s probably my father’s doing. I told him what happened to you because of me. And for the record, I could never pity you. I’m in awe of you. I can’t stop wanting you.”

“You need to move on,” I whisper, but as I say the words, I feel a stabbing pain in the center of my chest.

“Like you have?” he challenges.

“I’m trying,” I admit, my defenses crumbling. “It was all a mistake. I shouldn’t have—we shouldn’t have.”

He smiles, cupping my cheek. We’re just standing there in the middle of the dance floor. “I don’t want to just sleep with you, Eva. I want to make love to you. To be with you, but I’m okay with just taking what you’re ready to give me.”

“Until you aren’t,” I mutter and shake my head.

He softens, his eyes holding mine. “Will you come to Vegas? Please.”

“No.” Poppy had mentioned, albeit a bit awkwardly, that if the team won this game, they'd be off to some exhibitions in Vegas. She'd said she'd love to go there with her girls. Nessa had agreed enthusiastically, and I pretended to speak with the girl sitting on the other side of me.

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