Page 136 of Don't Puck His Best Friend
I pull back to look at him. "Do you think he'll leave us alone now?"
"I don't know. But I told him if he contacts you again, he and I are done. Not just as friends, but as teammates. I'll go to Coach if I have to."
"Cole—"
"I mean it, Harper. I'm done letting him come between us. I'm done fighting for you while he tries to tear us apart. You're mine. And if he can't accept that, then he can fuck off."
The possessiveness in his voice should maybe bother me, but instead, it makes me feel safe. Chosen. Wanted.
"I'm yours," I whisper. "Only yours."
He kisses me again, and this time it feels like a promise. Like we're both committing to choosing each other, no matter what.
A knock on the door interrupts us. Maddie pokes her head in. "Everything okay?"
I nod, wiping my face. "Yeah. I'm sorry for freaking out."
"Don't be sorry." She comes in and sits on the bed beside us. "So... no date?"
"No date," I confirm. "That was stupid. I was angry and hurt and I said it to hurt him back, but I didn't mean it."
"Good." She looks relieved. "Looks like the nap helped you come to your sense."
I manage a weak laugh. "I came to my senses. Or... my subconscious did it for me."
Cole stands, pulling me up with him. "We should go home."
Home. Our home. The word settles something in my chest.
"Yeah," I agree. "Let's go home."
Maddie hugs me tight before we leave. "If you need me, call. Anytime. I don't care if it's three in the morning."
"I know. Thank you."
Sirus gives Cole a bro hug at the door. "You two good?"
"We're good," Cole confirms.
In the truck on the way back to our place, Cole reaches over and takes my hand. I look at him and grin, glad to not have another boyfriend. I shake the feeling. I can’t believe my mind went there and put me through that torture.
“I would never have a threesome,” I announce.
“Good,” Cole says as he looks at me.
“When we get home, can you make me an omelet?”
He nods. “I’ll make you whatever you want.”
When we get home, Rex nearly tackles me with excitement. I sink to the floor and let him lick my face, laughing.
"So excited. Who’s a happy boy? I missed you too, Rex," I tell him.
Cole watches us with a soft smile. "Don’t feed him any of your omelet. His farts are killer.”
I laugh, hugging him. “I love you, Rex.”
As if he understands me, he licks my cheek like he loves me too.
