Page 64 of Broken Hearts

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but he doesn’t press for details. Instead, he nods, acknowledging the complexity of what I’ve revealed. “That’s a pretty big thing to forget,” he says gently.

A guy a few stools away from me snorts. “I wish I forgot I got married too…”

Blaze glares at him before turning back toward me.

I let out a humorless laugh. “You can say that again. I thought it was a dream until his father mentioned it at the stadium today in front of everyone. I… I had to get out of there.”

Blaze listens, his expression empathetic. “Maybe you wanted that too, you know.”

I shake my head. “He tricked me,” I insist, but my voice lacks conviction. I know Cole; he’s pushy and obstinate, but this is insane even for him.

“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need,” Blaze offers, his tone warm and inviting. “This place might be for tough ex-military guys, but we’ve got a soft spot for lost souls trying to find their way.”

I smile, grateful for the sanctuary he’s providing. In this bar, surrounded by the silent strength of those who have faced their own battles, I find a moment of peace, a chance to gather my scattered thoughts and brace myself for the conversation I’ll eventually need to have with Cole.

Chapter 24

Cole

The moment I score, my first instinct is to look for her in the stands, to see the pride in her eyes. But she’s not there. My elation fades, replaced by a sinking feeling as I see my dad scowling and Eva rushing up the stadium stairs.

My heart drops. She knows. I don’t know how, but she does.

Ethan pats me on the back, concern etched on his face. “Are you okay?” he asks.

Glancing at the electronic board, I see we’re three goals ahead with only four minutes left, but my head is definitely not in the game anymore.

“She knows.” I say out loud.

“Knows what?” The question hangs in the air.

I shake my head, lost in thought. Ethan sighs, “Retreat back. I’ll take the leading striker for the few minutes left.” He runs toward the Westmont goalie, and I stand there completely useless, running aimlessly, trying to think about how it all happened and how I can fix this. The four minutes and the three additional feel almost like a whole fucking game.

Once the whistle blows, signaling our victory, I don’t join the team’s celebration. I bolt toward the stands, my mind racing.

“You married the girl!” I can hear the surprise in my mom’s voice as soon as I reach them.

“How did you—did you tell her?!” I ask, panic lacing my words.

My father glares at me, irritation and disappointment radiating from him. I can only imagine what he thinks. He asked me to slow down, and I went and married her. But frankly, I don’t care that much.

“Well, in our defense, sweetheart, how could we have known your bride was oblivious to her own wedding?” Mom replies with a wry humor that doesn’t quite mask her concern.

“Mom,” I say, more pleading than I intend. My world’s spinning out of control.

“She’s lovely and so very pretty,” Mom adds, trying to find a bright spot in the mess.

I can’t help but smile despite everything. “She is, isn’t she?” I admit, my heart aching.

Her look turns serious. “She is very angry. You can’t marry a girl without telling her.”

Before I can dash off, Dad grabs my arm, his grip firm. “We’re staying at the Regency Hotel. Presidential suite. You better come and bring the newly appointed Mrs. Westbrook with you. We need to talk.”

His words send a conflicting rush of panic and excitement through me. Mrs. Westbrook—the sound of it is thrilling, but the circumstances are a mess.

Without wasting another second, I head to the locker room while the team continues celebrating. The urgency to find her is burning inside me, but I force myself to take a quick shower. I can’t turn up looking like I’ve just run off the pitch—not when there’s already so much stacked against me.

As I’m toweling off, Ethan and Liam barge into the locker room, their faces etched with concern.

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