Page 88 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

“And, Ash?” she adds.

“Yeah?”

“I also think you should give Colt a chance to explain himself for whatever lie he might’ve told you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I deflect.

“I’m serious,” she returns. “Colt seems like a good guy. I don’t want your shitty past with Logan to taint what you could have with Colt if you gave him a real shot.”

Then, she heads toward her room, and I’m too dumbfounded to stop her.

38

COLT

Every muscle in my body aches as I trudge up the steps and knock on Ash’s door.

When it opens, she frowns, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“You invited me,” I remind her.

“Right.” With a weak smile, she glances over my shoulder and scans the sidewalk while opening the door the rest of the way. “Come on in.”

“Everything all right?” I ask as she folds her arms, rubbing her hands up and down them.

Looking small.

Fragile.

“Uh, yeah,” she lies.

Snaking my hand around her waist, I bring her closer and kiss her softly, melting a bit of the iciness between us.

“Missed you,” I murmur against her lips.

She closes her eyes and sighs. “Missed you too.”

There’s resignation in her words though.

I pause, pull away, and look down at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Talk to me, Sunshine.”

“It’s nothing,” she repeats, avoiding my gaze.

“Ash,” I warn.

“I…” She sighs and folds her arms again, putting some distance between us. “Can we talk?”

“About what?”

“About hockey?” she suggests.

I shake my head, ignoring the ball of lead in the pit of my stomach. “What about it?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re on the team?”

---