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“To James. For taking in his delinquent kids and mostly not regretting it.”
“To James.”
He smiles at me, and I can’t help but return it before we begin our feast.
Hadley’s hand lands on my thigh as she leans into my ear. “I’m so proud of you.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s really not. What you just said made his entire year, not just his Christmas. I love you, Cole Jagger.”
“I love you, too, Little Dove. Now eat, before there’s nothing left,” I joke, turning back to the table and filling my plate.
Her stare remains on me for a beat before she follows my lead.
There’s no doubt about it, Hadley Dove Rexford saved my life this year. It might not all have been easy going, but she saved me, and I’ll spend every day for the rest of my life showing her just how much that means to me.
Epilogue
Cole
“You ready to party Heights style?” I ask, pulling Hadley into my side as we head toward Nate’s house where tonight’s party is being held. She looks a little apprehensive, but she doesn’t need to be. Heights might be a scary place to people who aren’t used to it, but she’s a Jagger now. No
one would dare say or do anything to her.
Just like at Halloween, there are kids everywhere, all more than ready to see in the New Year and put the old one in the past.
As relieved as I am to forget about the last few months, I can’t regret any of them. They’ve helped make me who I am today, with my girl at my side and a bright football future ahead of me.
Over the holidays, Hadley and I filled in her Colton U application. She’s still not one hundred percent on what she wants to do, but she’ll get there. All I know is that Colton would be stupid not to have her—not that I’m going to give them a choice, because there’s no way I’m spending another day without my girl at my side.
She’s spent the entire holidays at the house with us, but she’s already warned me that when school starts back up she’s going to be spending some time in dorms. I’ve told her I’ll allow it, but I must admit that I’m ready to lock her up in my bedroom to stop it from happening.
The front door opens and Nate, Levi, Jay and a couple of other members of the team come spilling out.
“Oh look, here he is, the newest Colt who’s going to take the NFL by storm one day.”
They all come over and pull me away from Hadley so they can congratulate me, although I don’t miss the jealousy in their eyes. Nate might be the only senior, but I can’t imagine him heading off to college at the end of the year. But then, I never really thought I’d get this opportunity, so I guess crazier things have happened.
I look back to check on Hadley and find her with Remi, Ace and Conner. Happy that she’s entertained, I turn my attention back to the guys to answer all their questions.
As we make our way inside, we turn toward the main living room while Nate tells the kids who are occupying the couches to fuck off so we can all get comfortable.
Hadley falls down onto my lap with her soda while I place mine on the coffee table.
I know I could handle a drink now without going off the deep end, but while I don’t feel like I’m missing out without it, I figure why bother. I’m more than happy to let Ace, Conner and the girls enjoy themselves tonight while I stay sober to drive us all home. I’ve told Hadley time and time again to have a drink, but she point-blank refuses, wanting to support me. I couldn’t love her any more for it, although I hate that she might be missing out on some fun because of my stupid decisions.
With my arm possessively wrapped around Hadley’s waist, I watch the others shoot the shit as the alcohol flows and they get more and more lit.
Everything is great, until a shadow falls over our group and the conversations pause for a beat.
Looking up, I find Warren Kraven glancing around us all with Kennedy Lowe tucked into his side. His arm is locked around her waist, clearly showing exactly who she belongs to. And there’s no question in my mind who that not-so-subtle message is for.
It’s the first time I’ve seen her since we left, and my eyes automatically find Conner on the other couch to see his reaction to her. As far as I’m aware, he hasn’t seen or heard from her either.
His eyes narrow on the two of them as the muscle in his jaw starts to pulsate.
Looking back, I immediately see what I missed the first time, a dark shadow beneath her eye which certainly doesn't look like it’s from a lack of sleep over the holidays.
