Page 10 of Ice Cold Heart
I had to give him credit for not grabbing me. He’d managed to get me to stop without physical contact—a smart move on his part because I was just as likely to punch as I was to listen at the moment.
“Get out of my way, friend.” I growled the last word, uncaring if I destroyed the tentative connection we’d been dancing around.
“Talk to me, Avery.” His quiet plea cut through my anger.
The screaming muscles in my back relaxed, but I reached for the mask of bored irreverence I’d let drop over the last few days. Cole’s tense posture softened when I stopped trying to get past him.
“I have somewhere to be in a little bit, and I wanted some time to myself first. If that’s all right with you?” I shoved enough sarcasm into my last question to send most people fleeing the other direction.
Not Cole. The hint of a smile flirted with his lips. “Since I get to decide, I say you purge some of the anger coming off you in waves by talking to me. I can handle whatever you throw at me. Consider me a safe space. I’m sure wherever you have to be next will appreciate my efforts.”
My mouth dropped open a little at his audacity, and his gaze dropped to my lips. In an instant, the air between us ignited, burning away most of my ire. I snapped my jaw closed with a frown.
“What does it matter? I already said no.”
“Because no one should have to cry alone in an empty ice rink.”
As if he summoned them, tears pricked at the back of my eyes. Dammit, how did he know I wanted to be alone so I could purge my issues with a quick crying session?
Through sheer force of will, I maintained my composure. At a glance, Cole was a nice guy, the goodness practically oozed out of him, but I was still expecting him to transform into a monster at any moment. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Cole waited in the hallway, standing between me and the rink doors, and I had the distinct feeling if I pushed past him he’d just follow me. I could see it now. Me with mascara running down my face sobbing into Cole who sat next to me, letting me soak his shirt. The image was a little too cozy, and a little too apt.
I squared my shoulders and gave up on the idea. As much as I hated to admit it, Cole’s interference had probably saved me from being late. The faculty advisor of the TU Post was expecting me in twenty minutes, so I didn’t really have time to fix my makeup.
“Since I have no intention of crying in an empty ice rink, your white knight services are no longer needed. Crisis averted.”
Cole studied my face for a long beat, then nodded. “Can I walk you to your car before I ride off on my trusty steed?”
“I’ll bet you actually have a trusty steed, don’t you?” I countered.
He shrugged. “I have a horse on Grandpa’s farm. Max would probably take offense if you called her trusty. She likes to keep things interesting.”
I hiked my bag higher on my shoulder and started toward the outside doors. “You can follow along if you want, but I’m not going to my car.”
Cole kept pace next to me, close enough his hand almost brushed mine as we walked, but not close enough I felt suffocated. “Where are we going then?”
“The university newspaper office in the McFadden building.”
We exited into the crisp late afternoon air, and I had another set of second thoughts about taking the position with the paper. Yet another reason I’d wanted a few minutes alone. Dad had blindsided me with his request, but I’d already been worked up before I strode into his office.
I’d written for the newspaper at my last school, and I’d enjoyed it. One of the few things I missed from my life before. Unfortunately, the TU Post’s website left a lot to be desired for prospective writers. Eventually, I’d tracked down the faculty advisor after I finished my last remote final, and he’d been weirdly ecstatic to hear from me.
Professor Adkins taught several of the required classes for my journalism major, so I wanted to make a good impression. I didn’t think I’d last long if I showed up pissed off and horny. I shoved the animosity from my encounter with Dad into the recesses of my mind until I had time to process and breathed in the chilly air.
The faint scent of pine mixed with the distinct smell of guy soap. Not the bland cheap kind. The stuff that made me want to close my eyes and inhale until I filled my lungs. I leaned a little closer to Cole and took a tentative sniff. Yep. He smelled delicious.
Shitballs. I needed him to be less appealing.
I refused to watch Cole’s graceful stride next to me, despite the pull of my curiosity. He had to know he was gorgeous, and I wouldn’t contribute to his ego. Okay, I may have peeked at the way his shirt stretched across the muscles of his back when I’d first entered Dad’s office, but I was only human.
He rubbed his chin, and the faint rasp of his stubble nearly made me lose a step when my inner muscles involuntarily clenched. Cole’s eyes danced with mirth as he glanced my way, no doubt waiting for me to say something. I intended to walk the entire distance in silence, but I didn’t make it two blocks.
“Don’t you have little old ladies to help across the street?” I asked blandly.
“Nah, my shift doesn’t start until nine. How long do you think your meeting will be?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You are not waiting for me.”