Page 139 of Stealing Home

“Thank you, Officer Rowe. Anytime you want tickets, let me know.” Cole tells him.

“I might take you up on that if you get to the Championship game,” He says to Cole.

We hang up and embrace each other. This is what we needed. I know this makes me feel better. Dylan will not be around. I can only imagine the relief Cole feels, too.

“Let’s go to bed,” Cole says.

“I think that’s the perfect idea.”

Cole and I walk together hand in hand up to the bedroom.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Cole

Knowing that Crawford pled guilty and won’t be getting bond makes me feel better. After taking Adriana to bed, I was able to actually fall asleep without worry.

I’m driving Adriana and I to the stadium for therapy. Our appointments are back to back, so we decided to go and wait for each other. We park and head into the stadium.

“I didn’t ask yesterday, but is it hard to be here?” I ask Adriana.

“It’s weird. Easy though. I have too many memories that are good here for the one that was horrible.” She answers me.

I take her hand and kiss the back of it as we walk. We reach the therapist's office and sit outside of it. Dr. Jane comes out and tells me to come into her office. I kiss A’s cheek and follow her.

I talk with Dr. Jane about my fears and my feelings. She validates them all. As we talk about the events that have happened and I process them, I feel like the weight slowly lifting from my shoulders.

“Alright, Cole. Here’s the deal. I’m going to tell coach you can play, but once a week you have an appointment with me and if you guys are on the road, we will do a remote check in. Got it?” Dr. Jane asks.

“Sounds good to me. Thank you, I feel better already.” I say.

She walks me to the door and calls A in next. I wait the forty-five minutes for her to complete her session. She walks out with red eyes and I’m automatically on alert.

“Calm down, Casanova. They’re good tears. I promise.” She tells me.

“Okay. You ready to head home?” I ask.

“Yes. Dr. Jane, I’ll see you next week.” A tells us both.

We walk to the parking lot and get into my truck. The drive home is quiet. When we get home, I help A out and we go straight to the backyard.

I take a seat on a lounge chair and pull Adriana to sit in between my legs. She rests her back to my chest and just relaxes.

“So, Dr. Jane had an idea about a press conference.” I tell her.

“She told me the same idea. What are your thoughts?” She asks me.

“Honestly, I’d rather answer questions all at once instead of multiple times. What about you?”

“I agree. I don’t want to turn into a circus show.” She says.

“I don’t want that either.” I tell her.

We sit like this for a while longer. Enjoying each other’s company and the nice weather.

“Why don’t we have Ty and Heather over? We can order pizza and just hang out.” She suggests.

“Text Heather.” I tell her.

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