Page 209 of Waiting Game

Not because I don’t feel them, but simply put, I still don’tdaresay them.

Not yet.

To say them out loud is for them to be real.

And for a little while longer, I want to exist in this cocoon that scents of us, where I feel safe. Replete. Happy.

For the first time in too long.

Until Curtis decides to live up to his name that is.

The demon who possesses him encourages Curtis to bound out from under the bed and swipe Cole’s ass before darting away with the speed of a rally car.

The best part?

It’s caught on camera.

CHAPTER 40

COLE

EARLY THE FOLLOWING WEEK

Jolene - Dolly Parton

&

Him & I - G-Eazy with Halsey

“You’re makingme look bad, Cole.”

“Fuck off, Callan,” I retort around a yawn. “I didn’t play that shitty tonight.”

“What’s with you and Colt?—”

“What about Colt?”

“He’s... been grumpier than usual. Think some chick rejected him. Not sure why he cares. They all want him.

“Remember when that model followed him here from Saskatoon and he had Mrs. Abelman get rid of her because she stuck around worse than cow shit on a boot?”

My smirk blossoms of its own accord. “Yeah, I remember.” Poltergeist Abelman would give Morticia Addams the heeby jeebies—you’d have to be an idiot to get on the wrong side of her. “That was fucking awesome. Who was this broad?”

“Mum asked that too. You’re both nosy.”

I snicker. “I spoke to her last night. She never mentioned Colt being down.”

“I called her before I rang you. Anyway, Colt hasn’t said. He looks… sad.

“Wonder why things didn’t work out. It’s not as if Colt’s cruel. He’s nothing like Pops. I bet he’d make a great partner.”

I yawn. “Tell him that. He’ll feel better about himself.”

“As ifColthas esteem issues.” The smattering of hero worship in that statement has me grinning to myself.

Seeing that we’re approaching Chuck’s, I add, “Everyone, even Colt, has self-esteem issues. Anyway, I gotta go, little bro. I’m sorry that my game performance embarrassed you. I’llendeavorto do better.”

His tone is sanctimonious. “I should hope so. Speak later, Cole."

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