“Lily! Sloan!”
The sound of her name had never shot her through with such crippling dread, but in that moment, as she watched Cole’s familiar silhouette jog over to them, she wished she were back in Willow Creek. The feeling intensified when he beamed at them like nothing had ever made him happier than to see them.
Unlike Sloan who was all muscle and height, Cole was slender and just brushing a comfortable five nine. His hair was the same sandy blond as his brother’s and they shared the same blue eyes, but Cole’s face was softer, rounder, and more boyish whereas Sloan was chiseled with sharp lines and hard grooves. It was evident that Cole was still just a boy on the cusp of manhood where Sloan was all man.
Lily dragged her thoughts away from that and focused on the words tumbling rapidly from Cole’s mouth.
“Can’t believe you guys are here!” he was saying around the widest smile she’d ever seen on his face. “Why didn’t you call? I would have taken the day off my classes tomorrow and we could have—”
“We’re not staying,” Sloan interrupted. “Lily wanted to see you.”
Those brilliant blue eyes darted from his brother to her, still dancing with so much happiness it hurt to look at.
“I talked to you just last night.” He laughed. “You never said you were coming.”
“It was a last minute thing,” she whispered.
He nodded like that made sense. Then his face sobered and concern darkened his features.
“Is something wrong? You said you weren’t feeling well. Did you see the doctor? Was it not a bug?”
Lily’s mouth opened and closed half a million times and still nothing came out, except the tears. They burned the back of her eyes and she had to grit her teeth to keep from falling apart.
“Lil?” Cole took a step forward, took her shoulders. “What?”
“It wasn’t a bug,” she croaked hoarsely.
“Okay…” He shot a glance from her to Sloan and back. “What was it? Is it serious?”
A broken laugh escaped her. “Kind of.” She wet her lips, hoping that would somehow make it easier. “Cole, I’m—”
His phone chirped, making her jump. He yanked it free, hit silence, then stuffed it back into his pocket without even checking the screen.
“What?” he pressed.
Lily glanced at Sloan, wishing he would say something, but he wasn’t even looking at them. He was a little too focused on something across the empty parking lot.
“Lily!” Cole grabbed and shook her gently. “How bad is it?”
She was saved yet again by his phone.
He jerked it out a second time, glowering. “Jesus Christ!” he swore loudly, twisting his wrist to peer at the screen. He swore again with frustration.
“What is it?” Lily asked, grateful for the lull to gather her thoughts, because apparently six hours hadn’t been enough time.
Cole sighed. “Just someone I was on my way to meet before you guys called.” He hurriedly texted the person back before shoving his phone back into his pocket. “But they can wait. I want to know—”
“Maybe we should go somewhere quiet for this.” Sloan spoke up for the first time.
Cole snorted. “Quieter than a deserted parking lot?”
Sloan scowled at him. “Somewhere we can sit down,” he clarified.
“Okay, well…” He bit his lip and did a little hop on the balls of his feet. “How about you guys join me? I want you to meet the person I was on my way to see.”
“Why?” Lily wondered.
Cole gave her a grin. “Because I really want you guys to meet her.”
“Her?”
She and Sloan fell into step on either side of Cole when he turned on his heel and motioned for them to follow.
“I met someone.” He was practically shivering with anticipation. “Her name’s Beth. She’s amazing. You’ll love her.”
“You’ve only been here two months,” Sloan muttered. “How the hell did you find someone that fast?”
Cole grinned at him. “We met at the coffee cart outside the dorms. We bonded over Manga and The Iron Maiden.”
“You’re supposed to be studying and learning things, not bonding with random girls over coffee.”
Cole rolled his eyes. “Lighten up! I can do both. Also, I don’t bond with random girls. Beth isn’t just any girl. I’m crazy about her.”
“You’ve known her a week,” Sloan pointed out.
“Eight.” Cole exhaled, the sound wistful and dreamy. “I’m completely in love with her. I’m pretty sure she’s the one.” He glanced from Sloan to Lily. “You’ll see once you meet her. She’s impossible to resist.”
He took them to a tiny coffee shop off a main street full of coffee shops and bistros. The rich scent of espresso and baked goods perfumed the air. The place was elegant with oil paintings hanging from the cream colored walls and soft lights mingling with equally soft music, something jazzy. There were only four round tables on the floor and four leather booths pushed against the far wall. A glossy counter stood at the back, attached to a gleaming glass case full of sweet decadents that made Lily’s insides whimper with longing, even though she knew she was too nervous to eat anything.
Lip caught between her teeth, she absentmindedly rubbed a hand over her empty gut, willing it to keep it together just a little longer, promising to feed it anything it wanted once this was all over.
Swallowing, she turned away from the display of cakes and cookies and found herself caught in Sloan’s watchful eye. His expression was carefully blank, but his eyes were saying too much. Their appraisal of her made her nervous, like he knew exactly what she’d been thinking.
“We still have a few minutes before she gets here.” Cole pulled their attention away from each other to focus on him. “Tell me your news,” he pressed Lily. “I need to know.”
Lily tried not to fidget. She ran the palms of her sweaty hands over the soft fabric of her dress. Sloan’s hoodie was suddenly much too big and thick and she couldn’t breathe. Her gaze shot to the few customers sitting at tables, working and chatting with friends and wondered if this was the right place to tell him. There were too many people and it would be hard enough talking in front of Sloan.
“Maybe this isn’t the right—”
“Jesus, just tell me!” Cole cried, throwing his hands up. “If you’re trying to build the suspense, it worked. I’m intrigued. Now just please tell me.” His brows drew together. “Is it cancer?”
“No!” she said hurriedly. “I’m fine. It’s nothing like that.”
Cole exhaled heavily. “Oh my God! Thank you!” He pressed a hand over his chest. “You scared the shit out of me.” He chuckled and threw an arm around Lily’s shoulders. He pulled her into his side. “As long as you’re okay, I don’t care about anything else.”
Lily swallowed audibly. “Cole, I still need to—”
“Cole!”
The bell over the door jingled wildly as a beautiful brunette hurried into the café. She smiled widely at him and waved.
“Beth!” Cole forgot all about Lily and Sloan as he hurried to the girl and swept her up into his arms.
She was stunning, small with a sweet smile that illuminated her green eyes. Her hair shimmered under the bright lights as she beamed and threw her arms around Cole’s neck. They kissed as though they hadn’t seen each other in years. It was the kind of lover’s lock that made onlookers uncomfortable, or want to buy tickets.
Lily averted her gaze, focusing instead on the ceiling fan over their heads.
“Guys, I want you to meet someone.” Cole and the girl had broken apart and he was leading her over by the hand. “This is my brother Sloan and my best friend, Lily. Guys, this is Beth.”
As she shook hands with Lily then Sloan, Beth kept one hand tightly clasped in Cole’s. She flashed them with perfect dimples on either side of her beaming mouth.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” she told them. “Cole has told me so much about you,” this
was said to Lily. “I won’t lie, I was jealous. He made you sound so pretty.” Her mouth dropped in horror at her own words. “I don’t mean you’re not. You are. You’re beautiful, actually. I just mean…”
Lily laughed. “It’s okay. I know what you mean.”
Beth had gone a frightening shade of crimson. “I am so sorry. I babble when I’m nervous.”
“It’s true,” Cole said, slipping an arm around Beth’s waist. “The first time we met, she dumped half her coffee down her front.”
If possible, Beth’s complexion darkened even more. She pressed a hand to her face. “You swore never to mention that again.”
Cole laughed and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “I thought it was adorable.” He turned to Lily and Sloan, who had yet to say anything. “How about we grab some coffee and you guys can tell me why you drove all the way down here.”
They found a booth tucked away in the corner next to the window overlooking the street. Cole took Beth’s order and left. Beth threw herself into the booth.
Sloan pinned Lily with those dangerous eyes. “What do you want?”
“I don’t think I can hold anything down right now,” she confessed weakly.
Sloan searched her face with the same intensity he’d been giving her all day, like he was trying to reach straight into her soul. His eyes narrowed slightly like he didn’t like what he saw, but he made no comment as he turned on his heels and followed Cole to stand in line.
Lily watched him go, watched the broad lines of his shoulders as he pushed his hands into his pockets. Cole looked up when Sloan joined him. He grinned and said something. Sloan shrugged and replied. Cole nodded. His mouth moved in speech, and whatever he said had Sloan’s head turning over his shoulder. His gaze met Lily’s. The hot force behind it scalded her even from that distance and her breath hitched in her chest. Her heart missed a beat the way it always did where Sloan McClain was concerned.
“So, Cole tells me you guys grew up together.”
Beth’s innocent question shattered the silent battle Sloan was unleashing upon Lily. It pulled her back to the quiet hum of sax and the sweet scent of powdered sugar. She drew in a long breath and let it out slowly before forcing herself to turn.
Beth smiled at her, oblivious to what she’d interrupted.
Lily slid into the booth across from the other girl. “Since we were in diapers.”
Beth chuckled. “I don’t know anyone from that far back. Well, except my parents and, well, my family. It sounds nice.”
“It is.”
Beth shot a glance to where the boys stood, placing their order. She fidgeted nervously with the silver charm bracelet around her wrist.
“Could I ask you something?” She turned those green eyes on Lily.
Lily shrugged. “Sure.”
Scooting closer to the edge of the table, Beth lowered her voice even though they were the only two within hearing distance. “There’s no girl back home, is there?”
Lily frowned. “Girl?”
“I mean Cole doesn’t…”
“Oh! No. He’s completely single. There was one girl, Stacey, but they broke up ages ago.”
Relief washed over Beth’s pretty face. “Oh thank goodness. He told me he was, but you never know, you know? He’s such an amazing guy and he makes me feel … so much! I just don’t want to be wrong.”
Lily shook her head. “No, Cole’s a great guy. He’s exactly what you see. That’s one of the things I always loved about him.”
Beth narrowed her eyes. “You and he aren’t…?”
“God, no!”
Grimacing sheepishly, Beth put her hands up. “Sorry! I’m sorry. He just talks so much about you. I thought maybe you guys had that unresolved feelings thing.”
Lily raised an eyebrow. “Unresolved feelings thing?”
“Yeah, you know? Like when you love someone, but you’re both too blind to see it.”
Lily snorted. “Oh, I can say with absolute certainty that Cole and I share no hidden feelings. We’re just really good friends.”
Beth glanced at the boys again. “So what’s wrong with him? There’s no such thing as the perfect guy. There has to be something.”
Lily burst out laughing. “I can give you a list. He snores like a foghorn. He flosses his teeth every time he eats popcorn, even in the movie theater. He has an obsession with Betty White that I find borderline disturbing. He has a ton of lame jokes that will make you want to face plant into a wall…” She broke off and shrugged. “He’s unnaturally selfless. He always tries to do the right thing, even if he’s the one who winds up getting hurt. He’s sweet and generous and is the best guy any girl could ever ask for.”
Beth’s eyes seemed to shine slightly in the light. “Wow.”
Lily only nodded, her throat tight. She bit the inside of her cheek to force back the tears. Beth also seemed to have run out of things to ask and the pair of them sat in silence as the boys returned, mugs of coffee and plates of cookies in hand.
Cole set a cappuccino and a brownie in front of Beth before taking the seat next to her. No sooner had he set his coffee and muffin down when she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with a passion that made Lily blush and look away. Thankfully Sloan took that moment to push in next to her, distracting her with the platter of oatmeal cookies and mug of hot chocolate he set down in front of her.
“What’s this?”
Content with a single cup of coffee, completely black, Sloan met her eyes. “You need to eat,” he said simply. “Just a few bites. Please,” he added when she frowned at him.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Fine, but only because you said please.”
He snorted and smothered his grin behind the rim of his mug.
Across from them, Cole and Beth had separated and were grinning foolishly at each other with swollen mouths and rosy cheeks. Lily watched them, the knot in her gut tightening until she could scarcely breathe. Under the table, her palms rubbed nervously up and down her thighs, dampening the fabric of her skirt with sweat. The soft hum of jazz faded as the loud thrum of her heartbeat took residency between her ears. It intensified when Cole and Beth finally remembered their existence and turned their way.
“So,” Cole said, setting his and Beth’s clasped hands on the table. “What brings you guys?”
“Lily—”
“Just wanted to see you.” Lily cut Sloan off. “It felt like ages before the next holiday. We didn’t want to wait.”
Cole beamed in pleasure at her response. Sloan turned narrowed eyes on Lily, but she ignored him.
“I love it here,” Cole said. “But I miss you guys.”
“Tell them about the team!” Beth urged, tugging on his arm.
“Oh yeah!” Cole straightened in his seat. “I got picked for the swim team.”
Lily frowned. “Swim team? You don’t swim. You play ball.”
“I know!” He laughed. “I know I got sent here on a basketball scholarship, but there was a spot open on the team so I figured … meh, why not.”
“He didn’t think he’d get in,” Beth chimed in. “But I told him to try anyway and he got picked.”
“That’s great!” Lily said, smiling widely at her friend. “Good thing they have those padded speedos now.”
Cole burst out laughing. Lily chuckled even when she didn’t have the heart for it. He was so happy. How could she take that away from him? He had worked his entire life for this opportunity, to get sent to a good school and follow his dreams of playing pro. Not many ever had that chance. He was the first in six generations to finally go to university. Not even Sloan had gone past high school. Lily certainly hadn’t. Her parents didn’t make enough to send her down the block, never mind to any school that wasn’t free. She knew the moment she told Cole he would drop everything. He would leave school, leave Beth, and move back to Willow Creek to help her. He would give it all up for her, because that’s the kind of guy he was. He wouldn’t shuck his responsibilities.
So why did the thought leave her feeling hollow and riddled with guilt? People did it all the time. There were hundreds of couples who were looking for babies to bring home. It would be hard, but it was for the best. It had to be.
“Lil?” Under the table, Cole nudged her foot, jolting her back to the table and the three sets of eyes watching her.
“What?”
Cole grinned, but it was hesitant and worry-filled. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she lied a little too quickly. “It was just a really long drive.”
Some of the tension seemed to lift from his features and his smile was genuine now. “When are you guys going back?”
“Soon,” Sloan answered. “It’s a long drive back and Lily needs to rest.”
Cole’s eyes widened even as Lily cursed inwardly. “You said you were okay.”
“I am!” Lily said quickly, before Sloan could think about interrupting. “I was complaining about my leg cramping while we were driving up that’s all.”
She had never told so many lies, and never to Cole. It only added to the weight crushing the life out of her.
“If you’re sure…”
Lily ignored Sloan’s glower as she nodded. “I’m sure. Everything’s fine.”
“Well, in that case, why don’t you guys join us for dinner?” Beth offered. “We were going to try this Thai place around the corner and it would be nice to have company.”
Lily looked to Sloan. It was his car after all. It was up to him to decide when they would go.
He met her gaze, frustration tightening his brow. “If you want to stay, we can stay,” he told her. “I won’t leave without you.”
Forever His Baby Page 3