An older lady stops by our table. “Carla, you didn’t mention that your handsome grandson was in town this week.” Granny Mae’s friend, Denise, stops by our table. I remember her from all of my previous visits. She’s a regular at this club too.
“He doesn’t come to visit too often. When he does, I monopolize his time.” Granny Mae smiles back.
“You remember my granddaughter, Harper. She’s up here visiting from Duke,” she says proudly.
Her granddaughter smiles. She’s wearing a tennis skirt and a white tank top. Her hair is light blonde and her eyes are ocean blue and I should be digging her, only I can’t get a certain brunette out of my head.
“Hi! I’m Cole, nice to meet you.” I extend my hand to the granddaughter because Granny Mae values manners.
Harper shakes my hand. “Pleasure to meet you too. Are you here for the summer?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Just the week.”
“I was hoping to convince you to stay longer but we can talk about that later,” Granny Mae cuts in.
“Well, some of my friends are taking my granddaddy’s yacht out on the harbor tonight, if you’d like to join. . .” Harper says.
I look at Granny Mae, who is waiting for my answer intently. “Thanks for the invite but this week is going to be all about me spending time with Granny Mae.”
“How sweet,” Harper says.
“Told you he was a nice boy,” Denise murmurs quietly to her. “We will leave you to it then.”
“Nice to see you again,” I say to her.
“You too,” she smiles.
Harper smiles too.
They walk away and Granny Mae frowns. “What did I do wrong?”
Granny Mae laughs. “Not wrong, but Harper is a beautiful, intelligent girl. Why weren’t you interested in going out with her?”
“Wait a minute.” I pause eating. “Was that a setup? Did you and Denise plan that little meeting?”
Granny Mae pinches her lips and her brow furrows. She opens her mouth to speak, shuts it, and then opens it again. “Yes, that was a setup. You and Harper happened to be visiting the same week. She’s a lovely girl.”
“Who goes to Duke. That is way too far from Westfall,” I say.
“And if she went to Westfall, would you be interested?” Granny Mae asks and her brows lift and arch.
“I’m just not looking for a relationship.” I shrug.
“There’s nothing wrong with a relationship. How will you learn what you like and don’t like in a person? You do eventually see yourself getting married and settling down, don’t you?” she asks and the hope in her tone bleeds through. I don’t like disappointing my grandmother.
“I’m twenty-one,” I remind, as if it’s answer enough.
“I’m worried about you, Cole,” Granny Mae says.
“Why?”
“I just think a relationship is important. I dated a whole bunch of eligible bachelors, back in the day, before your grandpa moved in and swept me off my feet. I wanted him because I felt different about him than I did the others. You need a frame of reference.”
“I’m not a monk,” I say. How do I tell my grandmother that I test the waters often and know what I like and don’t like?
“I don’t mean meaningless sex,” she scolds.
“Granny Mae!” My cheeks heat. No one wants to be having sex talks with their grandmother at the club, or anywhere else for that matter.
“Oh relax yourself,” she snickers. “I may be old but I know the ways of the world. The fifties were a wild time.”
“I don’t know if I can handle hearing about it,” I mumble.
“You’re reminding me so much of your mother right now,” she says and like clockwork, every time she makes a comment like that, the knife slowly slices through my chest, leaving the same wound gaping open. “She used to get so embarrassed when I spoke to her about sex.”
“Can we change the subject?” I groan. “Let’s talk about all the delicious food you made or which horse I’m going to ride,” I suggest since Granny Mae has a ranch with horses.
“Black Thunder is waiting on you when you’re ready.” She nods. I’ve been riding that horse for years; glad to hear she is still doing well.
“Thank you,” I say.
“Now, tell me why you don’t want a girlfriend. You aren’t escaping this conversation.” She’s tried to initiate this talk over the phone but I always deflect. Now that I’m face-to-face with my stubborn, Southern gentlewoman grandmother I know there is no escaping.
I rub my eyes and take a breath. “I don’t see a point, okay? Where can a relationship go? People die, people move on. It’s meaningless. That’s what I think, and I know you’ll try to convince me otherwise, but don’t, because I feel strongly about this. I don’t ever want to get serious with anyone.”
Granny Mae’s lower lip quivers. “Cole,” she says on a shaky voice. Her hand reaches out to me then she pauses and places it back on her lap.
“I don’t want to upset you. I know you’re hoping for great grandchildren and whatnot. I just have no interest in ever settling down. I don’t want a family,” I say.
“My dear boy.” Her voice cracks. “You’re hurting. I know watching your dad move on with Amber has been a nightmare.”
“I don’t even recognize that man anymore,” I admit.
“He called me, Cole. Told me you haven’t seen him since Thanksgiving last year.”
“So?” I ask.
“He’s hurting. I’ve spoken to him. He won’t admit that he made a mistake by marrying Amber so quickly, but I can hear it in his voice. He still calls me every holiday, and he likes to reminisce about times with your mom,” she shares.
“He does?” I ask, feeling like it’s hard to believe.
“Yes, Cole, and it hurts him that you don’t come home.”
“I don’t go home because I don’t want to be accosted by my stepmother or controlled by my father. He wants me to give up on hockey when hockey is my life,” I say, gritting my jaw.
“I told him that,” she says.
“You didn’t.” I feel my eyes pop.
“He should know what he’s married too and he needs to respect your choices,” Granny Mae confirms.
“I never understood how he brought that woman to our home. To my mother’s room. Her clothes are in Mom’s closet, and about hockey, he’ll never give in,” I say, feeling the hurt and burn those words cause.
“Sweetheart. We are and will forever miss your mama, but remember that she wouldn’t want you to be unhappy. She would want you to find love. She loved your daddy so much. Watching her fall in love with him was amazing,” Granny Mae reminisces with a far-off look in her eyes.
“And it doesn’t bother you that he moved on so quickly? That she gave up on her career for him?” I ask.
“We are talking in circles, grandson of mine. Your daddy doesn’t love Amber like he loved your mother. Your papa probably doesn’t recognize the man he is today. He’s just trying to get by day-to-day. My days are hard too,” she says with a sniffle and lifts a tissue to her nose. “But I do my best too because I know Catherine wouldn’t want me lying in a bed being miserable. She’d want me to be happy and to make sure you’re happy.”
“You’re right,” I agree, exhaling and leaning back in my chair. I need to appease Granny Mae. I don’t want to stress her out, even if I don’t think I can be swayed on this matter.
“I’m always right,” she winks, “and she gave up her career to be a mother. She loved you so much. She wanted to be with you every waking moment. She made a choice and she didn’t regret it. She loved the work she did for your father and she loved you. Now, polish off your plate. I booked the court outside for a match.”
“You’re going to play tennis with me?” I ask surprised. Granny Mae usually likes to take cover in the shade with some sweet tea on days that are hotter than Satan’s oven.
“Oh no, I have a little Bridge session with my friends on the terrace. You’re going to
be playing tennis with Harper,” she says the words so innocently.
“You always get what you want, don’t you?” I laugh.
“Yes, and you would be smart to pay attention on just how I maneuver that.” She winks. “Now, let’s get going.”
Since I can’t say no to my amazing grandmother, I follow her out to the terrace and greet her friends. Then I play a few matches of tennis with Harper, who happens to be damn good. Harper flirts with me and normally I’m up for a fling, but for some reason my thoughts remain occupied by the beautiful brunette who saved my life.
Seven
Holland
I walk up to my father’s office door and knock, even though the door is open.
“Hey, honey, what’s up?” he asks, but he doesn’t lift his head from his computer screen.
“I need to talk to you about something important.” I look over my shoulder at the two suitcases lined up at the bottom of the staircase.
“I’m listening,” he replies. My frustration builds. He is a workaholic who spends most of his time at the hospital, and when he isn’t there, he’s in this office filing paperwork.
I blow out an exasperated breath. “I’m going to Cape Cod.”
I wait for recognition to strike. It takes a moment longer than it should because he isn’t interested in what I have to say.
“Aren’t you supposed to be leaving for the hospital in. . .” He pauses to look at the blue Apple watch on his wrist. “Fifteen minutes.”
“I asked Dr. Tahir if he wouldn’t mind if I started a couple weeks later,” I say.
My father’s attention is now zeroed in on me. He uses his index finger to push his glasses higher on his nose.
I swallow hard, knowing my father isn’t going to like my next words.
“Well, what did he say, Holland?” my father asks, irritation filling his tone.
“He said that it was a full summer program and that I wasn’t able to go and come as I pleased,” I say. Geez, why is my heart pumping a mile a minute?
“Okay,” my father says slowly. He’s been so wrapped up in work since Mom died, he doesn’t really see me or know me. We live under the same roof, but we might as well be strangers.
“I told him I would have to withdraw from the program,” I say, tilting my chin a little higher. I made the decision with my big girl pants on and I will stick by it. Everything about my life since freshman year of high school has been about getting into medical school, which I want to do, but I also want to live and have time to take some easy breaths without the pressure of everything in my life having to do with that one goal.
“Holland, you can’t do that. Do you understand what this means?” he asks, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Don’t speak to me like I’m some errant child. I know exactly what I did. I need a break. I’ve had enough of. . .” My emotions bubble inside me, feeling like a tsunami waiting to take out an entire island.
I stalk out of his office feeling overwhelmed. I already have my sneakers on and I’m dressed and ready to leave. Wolfe will be here any minute to pick me up.
“Where are you going?” My father stalks after me as I walk up to my suitcases.
“I told you I’m going to Cape Cod with Rebel and her boyfriend, Wolfe. They’ll be here any minute to pick me up,” I say and just as I do my phone pings, probably with a message from Rebel saying they are outside. “I have to go.” Walking over to my two suitcases, I lift the handles on them and roll them to the front door.
“Holland, you should stay. We need to talk about this. I can call Dr. Tahir and tell him that you want the position,” Dad mumbles as he follows me out the door.
“You don’t ever listen to me. Do you?” I stop on our front veranda and spin around.
His brows pinch together.
“I’m leaving now. I’ll be back in about two weeks. I’m twenty years old. I’m capable of deciding what I want and don’t want,” I say.
“So you want to give up on your chance of medical school?” my father asks. His voice cracks.
“No, I still want to become a doctor. I just want to live a little and experience life,” I explain. Something my father has clearly forgotten how to do.
“Can’t you take this trip at the end of summer, so it won’t interfere with your internship?” It’s his last-ditch effort to get me to stay with a poor-ass argument.
“I love you, Dad, but I’m leaving.” I reach up on my toes and give him a peck on the cheek.
I turn on my heel and wheel my suitcases down the front steps of our house. That’s when I notice it isn’t the Mustang waiting for me, which is Wolfe’s car. No, it’s a black Range Rover. Cole steps out of the driver’s side. “Let me help you with those.”
My father stands on the veranda with his arms across his chest. He looks confused and hurt.
“Thank you,” I say to Cole.
I look back at my father and he turns to walk back into the house.
Rebel and Wolfe are sitting in the back seat. They both say hi quietly, but I can tell by their somber tones that they heard the brunt of that conversation.
I sit up front with Cole. He pulls out of the driveway and we drive away from Westfall. I wish my father would understand me, that he could support me and love me, but he’s a cold man with one thing on his mind. Medicine. I realize I’m crying and wipe the tears from my eyes. This is so embarrassing.
“I thought you were in Georgia,” I say to Cole.
“Got back yesterday,” he answers, and I wait for some smart comment or jab from him but it doesn’t come.
“You want to talk about it?” Rebel asks quietly.
“Let’s just say Dr. Tahir didn’t let me go so I quit the internship,” I say.
Rebel’s hiss is heard from the back seat. “Shit.”
“Yeah,” I say, but I don’t elaborate. I just want to get to Cape Cod where I can smell the ocean and have time to think in peace and quiet.
Cole turns on Spotify as he heads toward the freeway. Just thinking of the disappointment that marred my father’s features hurts. I want to become a doctor, but there has to be some sort of balance in my life. I can’t just work, go to school, and volunteer at the hospital. It’s too much. Going to Wolfe and Cole’s house party showed me what I’ve been missing out on, but even more so, it showed me that I want to have a good time. I want to have experiences that don’t include school. I glance at the gorgeous hockey jock driving the car. I want to experience a night with him. One I can remember.
It’s a terrible idea.
We can’t just have sex.
If things blew up between us, who knows what kind of strain it would put on Rebel and Wolfe’s relationship. That means Cole Davis and I need to stay platonic on this beach vacation.
I shift in my seat and side-eye Cole again. He looks in his rearview mirror and says, “The lovebirds are out cold.”
I turn around to look at the back seat. Rebel has her head on Wolfe’s shoulder and Wolfe has his arm around her. It must be nice to have that kind of bond with someone. The minute I think that thought my mind shifts to my father. He was so in love with my mother. They used to love to tell me stories about how they met at Westfall medical school and fell in love. But when Mom got sick Dad shut down. I don’t even remember him visiting her that often. He became angry at the world. He’s become a controlling asshole and I hate it. Standing up to him was hard for me but I had to do it.
“Relationships stink,” I whisper to Cole.
“Totally,” he agrees.
As enticing as it is to want to feel what Rebel and Wolfe have, I’m not going down that road. It clearly only leads to heartbreak.
Eight
Cole
“Rise and shine,” Wolfe says, sounding too cheery.
“What the fuck?” I take my pillow but before I can cover my head, he whips open the blinds. I hiss, “I’m sleeping.”
“No, you’re getting your ass out of bed. I’m heading
to the garage and you’re holding down the fort here with Rebel and Holland. I explained this to you last night,” Wolfe says, referring to the fact that after we arrived last night he went over the menus, laundry, and cleaning we need to do while we are here.
“I seriously thought you were joking about that. I can pay to be a guest here. Leave me out of it.” I turn on my stomach like the spoiled ass I am and take a pillow and cover my head.
He pulls the pillow I’ve conveniently placed over my face off of me. “Hey,” I yelp, expecting to be hit by rays of sunshine but it’s pitch-black outside. “You do realize it’s nighttime, which is meant for sleeping.” Hiding my sarcasm is impossible when I am this pissed off about losing sleep.
“The guests have a 10 a.m. check in time. It’s going to be a full house. It’s just before dawn. We have to start getting ready if we are going to be on time. The only reason we didn’t arrive earlier was because we waited for you to get back from Georgia,” Wolfe explains.
“It was completely unnecessary. I told you to head out here without me,” I say yawning. I turn over and sleep beckons. My eyes lull shut.
“Dammit, Cole. I waited for you because I’m leaving Westfall and moving to New York. I thought this would be a fun time to spend together before I’m on the road for a long-ass time but I also…” His tone causes me to become more aware. I know my best friend and something is eating him.
I sit up in bed. Making sure to drape the sheet over my lower body. “What is it? You have my attention.”
“Holyfuckingluya,” Wolfe grinds, clearly unimpressed with my attention.
He walks over to a small desk, pulls the chair out, and sits on it backward. The room I got is simple and small, located in the inn’s attic. It has a double bed, a wooden desk and chair, a small dresser, and a little bathroom just outside the door with a shower the size of a shoebox that I have to share with Holland. It’s definitely nothing to be writing home about except for the view, which is spectacular. It has a large window that overlooks the ocean. I left it open last night and fell asleep to the sound of waves. That shit is relaxing.
Ruthless Player: A College Hockey Romance (Westfall U Series) Page 5