Page 30 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

“So?”

“I figured he would’ve told you.”

“Told me what?” she whispers.

I sit up again and rest my elbows on the table, unable to get comfortable in this stupid chair. Then again, maybe it’s the conversation making me on edge.

I shove the thought aside and clarify, “About my dad and why I don’t play hockey anymore.”

“So you did play?”

“Cocky, hot, and competitive. Your words, not mine,” I remind her with a smirk. “I was good too.”

“I believe it,” she admits with the same shy smile taunting me like a carrot to a horse. “Why’d you stop?”

“Guess I learned it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

“And your parents? They were okay with it?”

It’s an innocent question, but the answer isn’t quite as simple.

“My dad died my senior year of high school,” I tell her numbly.

Her lips part, releasing a tiny gasp as the pen slips from her fingers and clatters onto the table. She recovers quickly and looks down at her closed laptop, probably trying to think of the right thing to say.

It’s funny, though. There is no right thing to say. If there was, I would’ve heard it by now. But no I’m sorry, or my condolences, or he’s in a better place, or give it time, you’ll feel better soon––none of it has ever done shit to make me feel better.

“I’m sorry,” she murmurs a few seconds later.

Ah, so she went with the classic choice. Interesting. I would’ve expected something a little more unique, but I guess I can’t blame her since I caught her off guard and all.

The same familiar numbness spreads through my chest as I answer, “Not your fault.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t be sorry it happened.”

I nod but stay quiet.

She wipes beneath her nose with her index finger and sniffs softly. “Seriously. It sucks donkey balls.”

I laugh, surprised. There’s the unique answer I’d been expecting. “Yeah, Ash. It does suck donkey balls.”

“What about your mom? How’s she?”

“She’s good, I guess. It would probably help if I got my head out of my ass, but the rest of my siblings are doing all right, so at least that’s something.”

She smiles and puts her hand on mine, squeezing softly. Her touch surprises me, but I try not to show it as she murmurs, “I don’t think you’re doing too bad, Colt.”

I look down at where she’s touching me. There are so many things I could do with her touch. So many places I could take her if she weren’t dating Logan. So many things I could do right now, if only…

I shake off the thought and pull my hand away from hers.

With the same shy smile, she tucks a few strands of hair that’ve fallen out of her ponytail behind her ear. “So…where are your siblings?”

“My oldest brother’s going to school to become a doctor, and my other brother’s in the military.”

“A bunch of boys, then? Must’ve been fun for your mom.”

“I have a little sister too. Blakely,” I clarify. “She’s going to school for sports medicine at LAU this fall.”

---