She absorbed everything he said as she observed the people around her. He introduced her to a number of people, some of whom were very famous. Though it was a challenge, she worked hard on keeping herself contained. She didn’t want to be the weirdo fangirling through the ball.
During their rounds, she got to meet the team’s owner and greet Caroline. The older woman looked stunning in a bold red gown. She seemed genuinely happy to see Everly again.
“There’s Abigail,” Cole said when they’d found their table, deposited her shrug, and had a couple more glasses of champagne in-hand. “You haven’t met Marshall’s wife yet, have you?”
“No. I’d like to, though.”
They approached a petite blonde female wearing a deep blue ball gown as she placed a wrap over the back of a chair at a nearby table. When she looked up and spotted Cole, a warm smile appeared on her lovely face.
“Uh-oh,” she said with a twinkle in her blue eyes. “Here comes trouble.”
“You’re not still holding the incident with the juggler against me, are you?” Cole asked as he released Everly’s hand and embraced Abigail.
“You’ll never live that one down,” she said.
Something about the look in Abigail’s eye when she backed away from Cole’s hug made Everly’s smile waver. Maybe it was just a little jealousy over the fact that they shared an inside joke she didn’t understand, she thought.
“Abigail, I’d like you to meet Everly Wallace,” Cole said, stepping back to her side and placing a hand on her shoulder.
Abigail’s cheerful gaze moved to Everly. “I’ve heard so much about you, Everly. Marshall told me all about your modeling experience.”
Everly blinked, not expecting the comment. “Oh. Thanks. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Where is Marsh, anyway?” Cole asked, glancing around.
“You know him. He’s off with the team, probably taking a shot to get him through the night.”
Cole laughed. “Can’t say I blame him.”
“Go on and hunt him down for me, Cole. I want to get to know Everly better, and women can never say what’s really on their minds with you guys around.”
When Cole looked down at Everly, she smiled. “Go on. Have fun.”
“All right. I’ll be back shortly,” he said. He leaned down to give her a quick kiss. “Make sure you say lots of great things about me. Feel free to embellish.”
She laughed. He kissed her again before he walked away.
“Would you walk with me over to the bar?” Abigail asked her. “I wouldn’t mind a cocktail.”
“Sure.”
Everly found herself floundering as the shorter woman fell into step beside her. She and Cole hadn’t discussed exactly what details they were going to share with people about their relationship. What if she said the wrong thing?
“There was a time when Cole would have headed right for the bar himself,” Abigail said. “He tends to spend more time with his teammates than with his dates. It was one of the reasons I decided we weren’t compatible.”
The implication that she’d dated Cole had Everly stumbling for words.
“Did he not mention that we dated before I met Marshall?” Abigail asked when she saw Everly’s expression. “Don’t worry. It wasn’t for very long. Like Rebecca, I didn’t like coming in second place to Cole’s career. Once the season starts, you’ll understand.”
Everly wasn’t sure why Abigail was saying such things. Was she trying to warn her off in some strange sense of female camaraderie because she felt that she and Rebecca had been burned? Why would that be the first thing she brought up? It certainly set the conversation off on an awkward note.
“I’m glad you found your match with Marshall,” Everly said at last, glancing back in the direction Cole had gone and wishing he’d return.
They reached the bar. “Cosmo, please,” Abigail told the bartender. Her gaze returned to Everly. “I’m glad, too. Marshall is very open and trusting. He treats me like royalty.”
Was she implying that Cole wasn’t like that? Everly didn’t know how to respond. When the bartender handed Abigail her drink and looked at her, Everly raised her full champagne flute and shook her head. They turned away from the bar and headed back to the tables.
“So...did you have a nice Christmas?” Everly asked, struggling for a good topic.
“We did, yes. Marshall’s family lives in the area, so we spent it with them. How about you?”
“It was great. Cole’s family is so nice. I love them to death.”
Abigail stopped walking. Everly couldn’t read her expression, but she thought the other woman looked surprised.
“You celebrated Christmas with Cole’s family?”
“Um, yes.”
Abigail sipped her drink. Then she said, “Everly, can I be frank with you?”
Not having much choice, she shrugged. “Sure.”
“Okay. I feel it’s only fair to tell you that Marshall and I consider Cole to be a part of our extended family. If we find out that you’re milking him for his money or trying to increase your social stature by sleeping with him and you then break his heart, we will hunt you down.”
Everly was sure her expression was rather comical. Since she would never do any of those things, the suggestion that she would left her aghast.
Eventually, she said, “I understand. I’m not like that.”
Smiling, Abigail took another sip of her drink. “I think I believe you. Well, I’m happy for you both.”
The tension in Everly’s shoulders eased. “Thanks.”
“Hopefully you’ll make a changed man out of him. I’d love nothing more than to have someone to do things with when Marshall and Cole are out with the boys.”
“That would be nice.”
Abigail looked to her left and smiled again. “Oh, look. My friend, Joan Shumaker. Come on over and I’ll introduce you.”
Glad to be off the subject of her relationship with Cole, Everly followed Abigail with more enthusiasm than she might have otherwise. She studied the female in Abigail’s sights with curiosity. She was tall and heavily curved with short dark hair in a classy cut around her face. Everly would describe her as intriguing, especially when her dark eyes zeroed in on her.
“Joan, so nice to see you,” Abigail said, approaching the woman and giving her an air kiss by her cheek.
“Nice to see you, too, Abby,” Joan said. Her gaze returned to Everly.
Everly watched the exchange in increasing puzzlement. Abigail had mentioned they were friends, but she made a face when Joan called her Abby. No one else had addressed Abigail by the nickname. Maybe the concept of friendship was stretched among the wealthy, she thought.
“I wanted to introduce you to Cole Parker’s date, Everly Wallace.” Abigail turned to gesture toward Everly with her martini glass.
Joan extended a hand. “Nice to meet you, Everly.”
Everly took her hand and gave it a firm shake. “Likewise, Joan. Are you with—?”
“Oh, goodness,” Abigail interrupted. “There’s Whitney Plouchard. Would you ladies excuse me for just a moment?”
Everly watched as Abigail made a beeline for another table. Then she looked awkwardly at Joan.
“Is it just me, or was that really strange?” Joan asked.
Laughing, Everly nodded. “Glad it wasn’t just me.”
“You get used to it with this crowd.” Smiling, Joan gestured at the seat beside hers. “Why don’t you have a seat? These events are nothing if not networking opportunities.”
“Oh.” Everly sat down, not wanting to be rude. “I’m going to admit that I don’t think I’ll have much in the way of contacts for you. This isn’t really my circle. I only know one or two of the people here.”
“Perfect,” Joan said as she sat down. “Quite frankly, most of the people here bore me. So, tell me...how did you and Cole meet?”
Chapter 49
Cole found Marshall and a number of his teammates gathered near a
buffet table and second bar on the far end of the ballroom. They greeted him with friendly enthusiasm. When someone offered him a shot, he turned it down. He wanted to be clear-headed later when he got Everly alone in that gown.
“Good to see you, man,” Marshall said. His eyes were already slightly glazed from a few too many drinks. “You know I hate these things.”
“We all hate them, Marsh,” Cole said, patting his tipsy friend on the shoulder. “Abigail sent me over here to get you. They’ll be serving dinner soon. You look like you could use a side of beef with that stuff you’ve been drinking.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going all church-proper on me, man,” Marshall complained.
“Nah. Just picking my battles. If I bring you back, I don’t have to listen to Abigail get on me for not doing what she said.”
“I hear that.” Marshall said. “Women nag, don’t they?”
“It’s a part of life.”
Someone handed Marshall another shot, which he downed before Cole could stop him. A round of raucous laughter ensued. Cole wondered if Caroline was anywhere nearby. The owner’s wife would have a fit if she saw the team blatantly getting intoxicated at a function like this.
Wait a minute, he mused. When had he become the voice of reason?
“Hey, man,” Marshall said, trying to clap a hand on Cole’s shoulder and missing. He righted himself with a laugh. “Whew. All right. You might be right about the drinks. Guess we should head to the table.”
Cole was all about it, but they were drawn into conversation by a couple of the players he hadn’t seen since the end of the season. Although he wanted to catch up with the guys, he kept looking across the ballroom. He wanted to get back to Everly.
“Hey, where’s Randy, anyway?” Marshall asked, referring to another of the pitchers in the starting rotation.
“Didn’t you hear?” Nick asked. “He tore his UCL in a game of football the day before yesterday. They’ve scheduled surgery for next week. He’s out for the season.”
“Holy shit,” Marshall said. He looked at Cole. “Jesus, that sucks.”
Cole frowned. He hadn’t yet heard the news. Randy was a pivotal part of their rotation, and a great guy to boot.
“He’s going to need some serious rehab,” Nick said. “He’s taking it pretty hard.”
“Oh, sure, Cole,” came Abigail’s voice. “I send you off to get Marshall and you end up joining the fun.”
Turning, Cole watched her approach and gave her an apologetic smile. He looked for Everly and didn’t see her. His smile faded.
“Sorry,” he said. “It proved a bigger task than I thought. Where’s Everly?”
Abigail walked up to Marshall and slid an arm around his waist. “She was having an intent conversation with Joan Shumaker. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I thought I’d see what you were up to.”
Joan Shumaker? Cole wondered what Everly could possibly want to talk about with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s top sports reporter.
“You brought your little piece with you to this thing?” Marshall asked. His voice had started slurring.
Cole stiffened. “Did you just call Everly my ‘little piece?’”
Marshall made a buzzing sound with his lips. “Sorry, man. That’s the alcohol talking. I’m sure she’s a great girl.”
“Yeah.” Irritation laced the word.
“Don’t be upset, Cole,” Abigail said, reaching out and touching his arm. “Marshall’s intoxicated, but I know he’s concerned about how quickly things are progressing between you and Everly. What do you really know about her, after all?”
“That’s none of your—”
“We’re your best friends,” she interrupted. “Of course it’s our business. On top of that, you’ve accused one of my oldest and dearest friends of harming Everly. I know Rebecca would never do something like that. Something isn’t right about the entire thing.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Abigail pursed her lips and studied him as though she was deciding whether to answer. Finally, she said in a low voice, “I don’t want to step on your toes or offend you, Cole. I’m just putting this out there in case it ends up being true. I’d hate myself otherwise.”
“Get to your point, Abigail.”
Marshall spoke up. “Man, who’s to say Everly didn’t do those things to herself?”
“Seriously?” Cole couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You think Everly beat herself up with a baseball bat?”
“Naw, man. But she coulda paid someone. You don’t think she knows anyone who can swing a bat?”
Cole blinked. “You’ve got to be kidding me right now.”
“There are some very accomplished actresses out there, Cole,” Abigail said, her voice pitched to reason with him. “I’m just asking that you consider every angle before you go getting too serious about this girl.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Cole shook his head. “I’m going to find her.”
He excused himself and headed back to the other side of the ballroom. Abigail and Marshall’s accusations blew him away. How could his friends think those things about Everly? An actress? Please.
Then his brain flipped to the scene where she said she skipped drama club on the day of Aiden’s suicide.
Shut up, he told himself. They don’t know Everly. You do.
He shouldn’t have left her alone, he thought as he scoured the ballroom for her red hair. She didn’t know anyone here and was probably feeling out of place.
When he didn’t find her at their table, he made his way back in the direction where he’d seen Joan earlier. He came to a halt when he saw Everly sitting with the sports reporter at her table. They really did look intent on their conversation. He eased closer as he tried to decide whether or not to interrupt.
“—to repair the damaged tissue,” Everly said.
“That long?” Joan asked.
“Yep. Without therapy, it will...” Everly trailed off when she spotted Cole. She exchanged a brief look with Joan before a smile touched her features. “Hi, Cole. Do you know Joan?”
A slew of questions ran through his head. They were on a first-name basis? How did they know each other? Who had they been talking about? Had she mentioned that she was a physical therapist?
“Yes,” he said out loud. “Hi, Joan. Great to see you again.”
“You, too, Cole. Everly here has been keeping me entertained while we await dinner.”
As if on cue, the loud sound of a microphone being pulled from its stand echoed through the ballroom. It was a clear sign dinner was about to be announced.
“On that note, you two enjoy your meal,” Joan said. “Perhaps I’ll see you later.”
“Sure thing,” Everly said, getting to her feet. She took Cole’s elbow. “Very nice chatting with you.”
Cole nodded at Joan and then started in the direction of their table. “I didn’t know that you knew Joan.”
“I didn’t. Abigail introduced us. She’s really nice.”
“Ah. What did you two converse about?”
“A little of this and a little of that. Mostly boring girl stuff.” When he didn’t respond, she asked, “Is everything okay?”
He looked down and saw the troubled look in her eyes. Was she distraught because she knew he’d overheard them talking? Or did she just sense his darkening mood?
And why was he overreacting to a simple conversation?
Seeing no reason to spoil the evening by jumping to conclusions, he forced a smile. “Everything’s fine. Let’s go and eat some outrageously overpriced food and then make fools of ourselves on the dance floor.”
“Only if we do something YouTube-worthy. Not worth it otherwise.”
“We’ll see what we can do.”
Chapter 50
A week after the ball, Everly headed to Cole’s after spending the day cleaning her grandpa’s house and doing laundry. She was looking forward to sharing the evening with him. Hopefully it would help reduce her out-of
-control stress level.
The biggest cause of her stress over the past week was her father. He’d approached her while she was grocery shopping the day after the ball. She’d been so shocked to see him that she dropped a carton of eggs.
“What are you doing here?” she’d asked, her voice trembling in anger.
“We need to talk,” he replied. “I want you to come to dinner with me. My treat.”
“I don’t want to go to dinner. We’ve said everything we need to say to each other.”
He sighed. “Look, Everly...I overreacted. I shouldn’t have done or said what I did. The truth is, I don’t know how to relate to you. I never have. But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying.”
For the first time, he looked at her with something besides disdain or indifference. Instead of giving her hope, it made her wary.
Was that sad, or just really wise of her? She couldn’t say.
“Try all you want,” she said at last. “I’m not asking Cole—”
“Hey, I know the plan with Cole changed from what it was initially,” he interrupted. “It’s come between us, and it shouldn’t have. I take responsibility for that. I didn’t foresee you getting emotionally entangled.”
She stared at him. What was he talking about? Did he know that she had started working with Cole because of his injury? Was he taking a stab in the dark in hopes she admitted it?
Knowing she was a terrible liar, she hesitated to respond. His wording confused her.
“You don’t know anything about my relationship with Cole, so don’t pretend to,” she said at last. “Now I’d appreciate it if you’d leave me alone to shop.”
“All right,” he’d said with another sigh. “I’m not leaving the country, though, Everly. Know that.”
She had watched him walk off and barely managed to get through the rest of the shopping trip. Just a few days later, he had called her on her cell. She wasn’t sure how he’d gotten the number at first. Her grandpa eventually admitted that her father had stopped by to apologize while she’d been at work. She reasoned that her father got her number off her grandpa’s cell.
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