Page 256 of Waiting Game

Colton: Hehe.

Colton: But no. Let’s torment him en masse. He deserves it. Not sure what for, but he’ll have done something.

Callan: You’re not wrong.

Cole: FML.

Cole: Okay, some of us don’t have ALL day to get railed on by their brothers, so…

Cole: It’s like this…

CHAPTER 48

MIA

Welcome Home, Son - Radical Face

I swear,since Cole came into my life, left is right and up is down.

When we travel via private jet to Canada, it’s already an out-of-world experience, but as cool as that is, what’s even better is flying over land that’s belonged to his family for generations.

It’s clear that he’s used to it—not the money but the standing that gives him all these privileges. While he’s cocky, he’s not arrogant. It’s more that he takes it for granted.

Still, I can tell he likes watching me experience it. That’s why I love him—he doesn’t shame me for having grown up with less, simply enjoys giving me more.

With a run of home games in New York, Cole decided to ‘commute’ via private jet. See what I mean? Privileged. But we get to spend a few days (my birthday included) in Canada which, for a noob, is awesome.

Pigeon Creek is cute as hell.

It belongs in a Canadian Hallmark movie.

It’s quaint and charming and I don’t understand why he doesn’t like coming home—I’d live here in a heartbeat.

Then, his father returns and suddenly, I get it.

Clyde’s creepy as well as cruel. He treats his sons like dirt and while Lindsay fights back now, where before I know she didn’t, it’s easy to see how their relationship would have such an impact on Cole.

Clyde’s attitude stinks.

Especially toward me.

He’s got more arms than an octopus and leers at me every chance he gets.

His mother, on the other hand, has been so kind and welcoming to me.

His brothers are wonderful too. Not that I’ve seen much of Callan, for obvious reasons. But he’s still sweet and I love the banter they all have with one another—it makes me wish I’d come from a big family.

It’s a damn shame that the prospect of running into his father keeps Cole out of the country.

“Are you cold?”

“Huh?”

"You shuddered.” Wrapping an arm around my shoulders, he hauls me into his side. “I’ll warm you up if you want.”

“I can’t handle that amount of heat and neither can Pigeon Creek.”

He smacks a kiss on my temple. “It’s what the place needs. Might liven it up.”