Page 77 of Friend Zone to End Zone

I searched his face for signs of betrayal, but yet again, just like last night, there was only a sincere understanding in his eyes, and also something that I was starting to wonder if it might be love.

Did Cole love me?

I knew he cared deeply for me as a friend. I’d never had to wonder how much he cared about me and our friendship.

But was it possible that the way he was looking at me—this look that I had seen a few times when I’d caught him staring at me—was something more than I’d ever thought?

Was it possible that my best friend was in love with me, and had been for much longer than I’d ever guess?

“I don’t feel betrayed.” He cleared his throat and gently tucked some hair behind my ear. “Do I wish you’d told me sooner? Yes. But that’s only because I wish I could have been there for you when you were having a rough time.” He pressed his lips together in a sympathetic smile. “But I understand. I’m just thankful you felt you could trust me with that part of you now.”

I nodded, and the sincereness of this sweet, gentle man brought tears to my eyes again.

The universe really had outdone itself when it created Cole.

“I wanted to tell you so many times,” I said, my voice coming out just above a whisper. “There just wasn’t really the right moment to talk about something like that. And I don’t know, I guess I just had bad experiences with telling people in the past and I didn’t want to make things weird between us since you’re kind of my best friend and I never want to lose you.”

He covered my hand with his. “You’re my best friend, too.” He gave me one of those soft smiles that made my heart twist. “You’re never going to lose me.” And when he lifted my hand to his lips to kiss it, my insides went all tingly. Because there was no one else in the entire world that I wanted to keep in my life more than him.

I wanted to keep him forever.

But he was going to visit with the 49ers in a few days so his future was still very much up in the air.

So even though it was the last thing I wanted to bring up, I asked, “Are you any closer to deciding what to do about your contract? Are you still considering switching teams?”

He breathed in deeply, his whole torso expanding. “It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “The contract is really competitive and the team has a good shot at making the Super Bowl next year, which is something I’ve dreamed of playing in ever since I was a kid.” He shrugged. “But my family and friends are here. And the Dragons is also a great team, and I think we could also have a good chance at the Super Bowl.”

I was just wondering whether I factored into any of the pros and cons of his decision when he caressed my cheek with his thumb and said, “And you’re here.”

“Yeah?” I asked breathlessly.

“Yeah.” His eyes darted back and forth between mine.

When he kissed my forehead, I wanted to beg him to stay and not even go on his trip.

“Anyway.” He rested his forehead against mine. “It’s a lot to consider. But I hope everything will be crystal clear in a few days.”

I sighed, knowing just how much his decision could affect me and what I was realizing I wanted more than anything. “I hope so, too.”

33

Cole

Arianna hadto be at the salon by nine o’clock for an appointment, so after she left my house, I got started on packing for my trip. I grabbed my suitcase from my closet and loaded it with all the things I’d need for my four-day trip.

At this point, it was probably a waste of my time to even go, since things here in Denver were looking so good—like things could actually work out between Arianna and me.

But they’d already made all the arrangements and I had already planned for some sightseeing while I was in the area, so I figured I might as well go.

And I did miss the ocean. Sure, San Francisco wasn’t exactly Hawaii, but it still had fishing, which I loved. Maybe Arianna would consider moving there with me. Her mom was doing a lot better these days and would still have Vincent and Emerson nearby if she needed anything. Plus, Arianna could do her social media stuff anywhere.

I zipped up my suitcase and set it on the carpet by my bedroom door. If anything, meeting with the 49ers would just give me an even better bargaining chip to go back to the Dragons with.

When I was done packing, I went into the kitchen to fix myself some lunch. And as I sat at the bar, eating the leftover steak and veggies I still had in my fridge from a couple of nights ago, I opened my phone up to see what I’d missed since yesterday.

After I finished going through the email from my agent with the details of my meeting with the 49ers, I switched over to Instagram to see what was going on over there.

I gasped when I looked at the first post that showed up on my feed.

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