Page 50 of Cross-Check

That has me giggling. He is adorable when drunk.

“I bet you would,” I tell him.

He sighs. “I can’t wait to be the big spoon and hold you against me all night.”

“Me neither.”

“The day I met you, I was so depressed. I feel like you are an anchor for me. You keep me grounded. Do you believe in fate? I think you are my fate.” His voice is a little more mumbly.

I think he is falling asleep.

“I do. I think that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes we aren’t meant to understand the reason.”

“Me too. I had to go through my dark year to see the light this year. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to appreciate you. I appreciate you so much. You’re so pretty. Sometimes I wonder if I’m dreaming when I look at you. How could someone be so beautiful? That’s why I gave you that name. You truly are the meaning of beauty. You know that, right?”

I only catch every third word of his ramble through the muffled sound of the phone being on the pillow, but I get the gist of it. It has my heart racing. He’s talking a bunch of nonsense because he is drunk, but could it be the truth? What’s that saying? Drunk words are sober thoughts? Does he even know he is talking to me anymore?

“I didn’t know you wrote poetry, hotshot.”

“I don’t. I love when you call me that, though. I know you meant it as an insult, but it makes me feel all gooey inside. Do you like me, Cora?”

His breathing is starting to get deeper. He won’t be awake much longer.

“I do, Kellan. A lot.”

“I like you too. So much. I want to marry you one day. You’ll be my wife, and I’ll teach our kids how to ice skate. I’ll teach you too. You’ll be the best ice skater there is. We will have the perfect little family.”

My eyes prick with tears at his words. I know how to skate, but that’s not important right now. Everything else he said is. He painted the perfect picture for me, one that I desperately want. It takes me a minute to be able to collect myself to speak to him again.

“I hope you do,” I breathe into the phone, only he doesn’t respond. Instead, I hear steady snores as he settles into a deep sleep.

I must be a fool because I sit there for at least an hour listening to them. When I finally settle back down to go to bed, my dreams are filled with him and the family we will have.

* * *

Meeting the guys at the rink this morning while being hungover wasn’t the most fun I have ever had, but it didn’t suck. It felt good to hang out with them again outside of practice. I feel like I’m back on track to the experience I hoped I would have last year.

Now showered, I’m standing outside of Cora’s dorm building debating whether or not I want to call and wake her up. I still feel bad that I called and rambled into her ear last night. I have no clue what I even said. I hope it wasn’t anything bad.

The door opens, and I wince when I see Monica step out. She keeps walking, but then stops in shock when she sees me.

“Are you here to apologize? It’s a year too late.”

I shake my head. “Nope. Waiting for someone.”

She scoffs, “Of course you’re dating someone in my dorm. Hope she knows what a lying snake you are. Whatever, I don’t need to waste any more time on you.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder, stomping away.

I really should probably apologize to her, but now doesn’t seem like a good time.

I need to make a list of people to make amends to. It seems my list keeps growing.

The door opens once more, and my heart skips a beat. Cora steps out in a sweatshirt and jeans, looking like an angel. I swear the light reflects around her the right way to showcase how beautiful she is.

You truly are the meaning of beauty.

I cringe as the drunken words come back. I mean they are true, but I’m sure I sounded like a sap. God, will she even want to talk to me?

“What are you doing here?” she asks with a smile.

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