Page 32 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

“The next game is when everything went haywire. During warm-up, there was no force behind the pitch. I was benched and sent to have my elbow worked on.”

“Are you serious?” Noelle’s mouth drops open. “You don’t know what happened?”

“Just a pop, and then I couldn’t throw. It didn't affect anything else, just my pitching.” I roll my neck and shrug. “For months, everyone was trying to figure out what was going on, but every time they came up empty.”

I blow out a big breath and rub the back of my neck. “My father didn’t take it well. My mother was worried about me, but my dad was angry. I knew he liked to live vicariously through me, but I didn’t realize how much until this happened.”

I remember how my father’s disappointment affected me; it was almost as bad as the fact that I was injured and no one could help me.

“Cole, I’m so sorry.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Noelle reach her hand out only to pause before pulling it back. “Gran and I tried to figure out what happened, but there was so little news. You were on the top of your game, and then you were just…gone.”

My heart slams against my ribcage at her words. I take a deep breath, trying to relieve the pressure in my throat before sipping my hot chocolate.

“Some things just aren’t meant to last,” I lift a shoulder, praying I’m only referring to baseball and not Noelle and me. “In some ways, it worked out forthe best. I love what I do now, and I never would’ve even considered it if not for a freak injury.”

“Do you have any regrets about it?” She asks softly.

My gaze slams into hers, and my heart stops. Regrets? Yeah, one big one, and it isn’t about my baseball career being over.

“Many.” I look at her pointedly. A light shade of pink appears on her cheeks before she looks down at her cup, breaking eye contact. “But not about baseball. I had an amazing three years before that injury happened. I got to pitch in a World Series. I had a few no-hitters. It was almost better than I could’ve ever imagined.”

She tilts her head to the side, and a small smile lines her lips.

“What?” I ask, my brows pulling together.

“I’m just so impressed with you,” her smile widens, and I feel my lips tug up in response. “And happy for you. How did you end up becoming a firefighter?”

The quick topic change surprises me, but I go with the flow.

“Even though I knew I would be cut from the Tampa Bay Rays before the next season, it wasn’t final until right before Mike and Mel’s wedding. I knew that I didn’t want to stay in Florida, especially with my dadcontinuing to harass me about me not doing everything I could to ‘fix myself’.” I scoff, remembering my dad’s reaction. Even now, it’s hard for me to understand.

“Your dad did always have a way of sucking the fun out of things.” A chuckle escapes me.

“You can say that again,” I sigh. “But bringing it back to the firefighting. Mike kept hinting at his department needing men. Hinting is a kind word, actually. There was no hinting involved.”

“Mike trying to be subtle?” She tilts her head and narrows her eyes, making me laugh.

“Yeah, not subtle at all,” I grin. “It really was the best move, though, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I have any regrets about doing it. Plus, I love the town.”

“Except maybe the whole cat thing?” Her eyes light with mischief, and a smirk covers her lips.

“Yeah, the cat thing.” I snort, feeling my face heat up.

The light fades a bit, and I notice a swirl of emotions cross her eyes before she looks down and fiddles with her cup.

“Do you want more before we tackle the garland?” When she lifts her head and mug up, I notice the emotions in her eyes are gone. She pushes herself up fromthe table and heads to the stove. “I’m going to reheat the water.”

“You know I’m never one to turn down another cup of hot chocolate. Especially when there’s a blizzard.” A slight grin crosses her lips just before she bites her bottom lip and pulls her eyebrows together.

Immediately, I feel my stomach spin, and I start replaying every word of the conversation we just had.

There wasn’t anything I said, at least I don’t think there was, that could make a worried expression appear on her face.

She leans against the counter, continuing to spin her cup. I try to keep my breathing regular, but my pulse is picking up.

Noelle lifts her head, and her gaze locks on mine. My heart stops.

“I…” The words freeze before she looks away. Her focus returns to me again just as she blows out a breath. “When you got injured…”

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