Except it doesn’t anymore.
Not even a little.
“It was supposed to be temporary,” I say quietly. “Just something we did for fun, you know? Maybe get a few good laughs. But then we went out once, and it felt…” I search for the word. “Easy.”
Not easy as in nothing is complicated. Easy as in being with Korie feels as natural as breathing.
“Then we went out again. And again. And somewhere along the line we slipped into something…” I trail off, emotion clogging my throat.
“Real?” Cole offers, his voice soft.
I nod. “This thing with Korie is the most real thing I’ve ever had. And I’m scared of fucking it up.”
He frowns. “Why do you say that?”
“Have you met me? I have a shitty track record.”
Cole ignores that, watching me for a second before asking, “Is it serious?”
“For me it is.”
The room goes strangely quiet around me as my brain sprints ahead to catch up to what I just said. My heart sinks.
For me it is.
Fuck.
Suddenly, I’m not so sure we’re feeling the same things anymore. Is that why they flinched this morning?
Cole straightens. “Well, if you want an outsider’s perspective? I’d say you’ve got nothing to worry about, Hold. They’re in it pretty deep too.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I saw the way Korie was looking at you. And trust me, you only look at someone like that when you love them.”
At his pained tone, I glance up, but Cole’s jaw tightens like he regrets letting that much emotion slip through.
For the first time, I wonder what happened before he moved here. What kind of experience puts that particular ache in someone’s voice.
Ellis knocks on the office door. “Cole? Your three o’clock is here.”
He clears his throat. “Be right there.”
The moment breaks apart.
I drop the resistance band back onto the hook and follow him out into the noise of the gym again.
Before we split off, Cole catches my arm briefly.
“You and Korie really are good together. I’m happy for you.”
The words hit me strangely.
Cole smiles faintly, oblivious to the sudden knot forming in my chest. “Seriously. You balance each other out. It’s nice to see.”
Then he heads toward the therapy room before I can answer.
I stand there, staring after him while the noise of the gym swells around me.
You and Korie are good together.
Our old swim coach used to say that all the time. Usually while timing our relay laps or watching us shove each other into the deep end between sets.
