Page 18 of Connected By Stars
“That’s the spirit,” Skye says, giving Emma a loud kiss on the cheek.
We get up to leave and say our goodbyes before Sophia and I head to my jeep. Spa day starts at eleven tomorrow, and the boys are teeing off at the same time.
Surely Maverick doesn’t have something too crazy planned, does he? You never know with him. That boy is always full of surprises.
Chapter Eight
Maverick
I drivethe golf cart behind James and Noah as we head to the main building to return the golf carts. It was a close game, but Cole and I have bragging rights now.
“I’m going to rub this in Noah’s face for the next four months as payback for what I’ve had to listen to every time we talk on the phone.” Cole laughs and takes a drink of his beer.
“He has it coming to him,” I agree. “So hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. It’s been on my mind lately.” I don’t know if it’s all the beer we have drank, but I feel the need to talk to someone.
“Fire away. You can ask me anything.”
“So you’ve dated Skye since senior year of high school?”
“Yep. Emma was the one who set us up. She was dating my best friend at the time, and arranged a blind date with the four of us.” He smiles at the memory.
“Do you ever regret settling down so early and not being able to explore other options?”
“Other options? As in other girls?”
“Yeah, I mean. You’ve been with one girl since you wereeighteen. Doesn’t being with one person for your whole life scare you?”
“I slept around with other girls before Skye, but once I met her, I knew I didn’t want anyone else.”
“But what if, down the road, you’re not enough for her? What if she leaves you after all this time and rips your heart out?”
“Geez, man, way to think of the worst-case scenario. Relationships are a two-way street. I could easily do the same to her, but we love and trust one another,notto hurt each other. She’s my person, just like Emma is Noah’s. It’s scary to feel so deeply for someone, but it’ll be worth taking the chance on. Are we talking about someone in particular here?” Cole looks at me and grins.
“I’m just curious and trying to figure some things out,” I answer, avoiding the question.
“You know…” he says, studying me for a second. “I wasn’t as single as long as you, but after a while, sleeping around gets pretty lonely. Having someone to come home to and spend your nights with is nice. Sometimes putting your heart out there and going for what you want can end up being the best thing that could ever happen to you.”
“What if there’s too much at stake if I mess up and it falls apart?” I ask him quietly. I couldn’t lose Noah and his family if this goes south. Hell, I can’t imagine not having Bell’s friendship in my life either if something were to happen. She’s one of my best friends too. There are so many people I care about who will be involved, and I don’t know if I can live up to it and be the guy she deserves.
“I’ve only known you for a short time, but I can tell you that you have so many people around you who love you. If things did fall apart for some reason, then I know for a fact your family and friends would still be there to support you no matter what.”
We pull up to the main building and park the golf cart. “Thanks for the talk, Cole.”
“Anytime. It’s not like you can talk to Noah about it, with it being his sister and all.”
He laughs at my wide-eyed expression. “How did you…”
“I figured it out the night we all went to Roxy’s. You gripped that beer bottle so tight I thought it would bust in your hand. When I saw it was because Bella was dancing with another guy, I put two and two together. There’s a fine line between wanting to protect her and being jealous. You didn’t blink an eye when Sophia danced with a guy.”
“Well shit, does everyone know but me? Emma cornered me by the bathrooms Wednesday night at Driftwoods.”
Laughing, Cole shakes his head. “Don’t worry. I haven’t said anything to Skye, and I’m guessing Emma hasn’t said anything to Noah because you’re still alive.”
“Very funny. I’m not saying or doing anything until after the wedding. Noah has too much on his plate now, and I don’t want to ruin anything. Plus, I’m not sure what I’m feeling or what I’m going to do about it. All these feelings snuck up on me like they were buried deep, and the wall just crashed down, letting them in all at once.”
“Bottom line, Noah wants you and Bell to be happy. If being together makes you both happy, he’ll get used to the idea. Man, would I love to be in the room for that conversation.”
“Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that talk if things move forward between us. I would also have to tell my sister and Noah’s dad. Can you see why this has me so fucked up in the head?”
