Page 80 of Broken Hearts

She leans against my chest. “We’re only here for one night. I need to spend it with my father.”

I brush my nose against hers. “What if I sneak in by your bedroom window in the dead of night like I used to? Do you remember how I would make you come? The thrill when you had to keep it quiet?”

Her cheeks turn bright red, and it takes all my willpower not to kiss her senseless, not when I know her father is watching us from the window.

Hesitation shines in her eyes, and I know she can see it as she turns redder. “No, don’t do that. I won’t be strong enough to keep you out, but I’m tired and with the surgery next week…”

That sobers me up. The surgery is on Tuesday, and I know how apprehensive she is.

I take her scarred hand and kiss it. “You’re right. Have a good night’s sleep. I’ll pick you up late morning.” I brush my lips to hers. “I love you.”

She smiles back. “I love you too.”

As I reluctantly let go of her, there’s a bittersweet feeling in my heart. I want to stay by her side, especially with the surgery looming over us, but I respect her need to be with her father tonight.

Driving back to my place, the car feels emptier without her presence. I keep replaying our evening, the conversation with her father. The laughter at the dinner table and the way she leaned into me. It’s these moments, however small, that keep reinforcing my decision—marrying Eva, no matter how impulsive it was, is the best thing I’ve ever done.

Pulling into the driveway, the familiar sight of my childhood home brings a sense of comfort. Stepping inside, I’m greeted by the warm, inviting atmosphere that’s always characterized this place. Mom is on the sofa watching TV, her legs on my father’s lap as he is reading a book.

She sits up when she sees me enter.

“Hi!” I nod to my father and kiss her cheek before settling into an armchair, leaning back with a sigh. “Dinner with her dad went well,” I start, breaking the silence.

“I presume you have not told Coach Sinclair you’ve married his daughter,” my father says as he rests his book on the console by the sofa.

I roll my eyes. “Not yet. We will, though, in time.”

My mom throws a stern look at my father. “Good to hear,” Mom says with a smile on her face. “How’s my beautiful daughter-in-law?”

“She’s good, staying with her dad tonight,” I reply, feeling a pang of longing at her absence.

Mom nods, understanding. “You two are doing alright, then?”

The corners of my mouth lift at the memory of the kiss we just shared. “Yeah, we are. It’s… different, but good.”

They share a look, one that speaks volumes of their years together, the challenges they’ve faced, and the love that’s grown stronger because of it.

“Cole,” Mom starts, her tone serious yet gentle, “marriage isn’t easy. It’s a work in progress, always.”

“I think it’s harder for her than it is for me. I just know.”

“There’s something I want you to have,” she continues, standing up. I follow her to the kitchen, where she points to a painting hanging on the wall. It’s one of her works titled “Love,” a beautiful, unfinished abstract piece with strokes of vibrant colors.

“This painting, it’s never really finished. Just like love, like relationships. You can’t become complacent; you always have to work at it.”

I study the painting, seeing it in a new light. “It’s beautiful, Mom.”

“I want you two to have it,” she says, her eyes meeting mine. “To remind you both that love is always evolving, always growing. It’s worth every bit of effort you put into it.”

I’m taken aback by the gesture, a lump forming in my throat. “Thank you, Mom. That means a lot.” I can’t help but yawn, the stress of the evening finally letting go and leaving in its place exhaustion.

Mom cocks her head to the side. “You better go to bed, baby; you have a hard week coming up. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Nodding, I go to my room, the painting securely under my arm. I set it down on my desk and look at it for a minute before I crawl into my bed, which feels too big without her. The sheets are cold, and there’s a kind of quietness that you don’t notice when someone else is there with you. Trying to sleep, I can’t help thinking about what’s ahead for us—the good times I hope we’ll have and the rough patches we’ll need to get through. As I start to drift off, it’s her face that’s stuck in my mind—her smile, the way her eyes light up. I fall asleep thinking about a future where we’re together, taking on whatever comes our way.

Chapter 29

Eva

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