Page 79 of Ice Rebel

“Maybe not, but it still couldn’t be worse. I think she hates me. She definitely doesn’t want to see me again.”

“And you want to see her again,” Pops said. For a guy who could be the life of a party just by the way he commanded the grill, he was also the master of being able to drag out whatever problem or admittance he needed from his children. Without being angry or demanding anything.

“Hell, yes, I do. There’s something very special about her. We had an amazing time together. Honestly, I can’t get her off my mind. She challenges me and the best part was when she didn’t really know me other than me bugging her to go out with me at the gym, we had fun just pretending to be someone else. I know that doesn’t make sense.”

“It makes perfectly good sense, son. You were never interested in the notoriety brought by playing hockey. I think when you had your injury a couple years ago, you actually breathed a sigh of relief not to face the constant scrutiny. While I couldn’t get you off the ice as a kid, as you grew older, it became apparent you wanted what your mother and I have, a family. But you were the kid who felt guilty, as if you were to blame because my career was cut short.”

“Is that what you think?”

My dad laughed, not in a way meant to criticize, but as a reminder he knew me far too well. “That’s what I know. As if giving birth to you years after my career ended was somehow your fault, which of course isn’t the truth. I’ve never been unhappy with making the choice of a family over my career. That’s what I wanted for me, not for anyone else including your mother. I’m happy. We’re happy and part of that reason is because we have a family. What I don’t want is for you to cut yourself short.”

“I’m not.”

“Yeah, you are. You’ve always compared every accomplishment against your brothers. Only when you stop doing that will you determine what’s best for Cole. No one else can do that.”

“You sound a little like Chelsea. I told you she was special, but she can’t stand the fact I’m a shifter.”

“Are you so certain about that? It’s entirely possible she is experiencing much of the same concerns about her future as you are. Being faced with questions about a relationship is tough on anyone, especially if it’s new. Plus, timing is important and you’re not a patient man.”

Now I was able to laugh, although the sound was hollow. “I got that from you.” I’d heard the stories about how he’d chased our mother relentlessly. “You refused to allow Mom to say no.”

“At a risk of losing her and I almost did. You know that. Are you telling me this girl is the one?”

My father had a way of stumping me with the simplest questions. “Physically, I can’t stop aching. All I do is think about her and I’ve only known her for a few days. Maybe it’s because we connected so deeply. I don’t know. It’s possible I could make a fool of myself to try and get her to go out with me again. Isn’t that ridiculous?” I pressed my fist against my forehead, willing the ache to leave.

My gut had churned since walking out of the theater. I’d lost track of time doing nothing more than driving around. For the second time. Lost in a fog. That wasn’t like me in the least.

“Tell me when you witnessed behavior much like you’ve described?”

Opening my eyes, I slowly lowered my hand. “Wait. Are you suggesting Chelsea could be my mate?”

“Stranger things have occurred. Haven’t they?”

Both Ford and Beck had turned into crazed males, possessive to the point they’d both come close to turning into stalkers. Because they’d found their mates.

My God. I’d read some of the headings on Instagram and TikTok about whether I’d found my mate. No wonder she’d wanted nothing to do with me. How could she?

“There’s no way she’s my mate, Dad.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Are your palms sweating right now as we’re talking?”

I opened my hand, easily noticing the shimmer of perspiration. “Maybe.”

“And your heartrate is elevated?”

“Yes.”

“You already said you can’t stop thinking about her. Has anything happened while the two of you were together to evoke your beast and I’m not talking about with your romance.” Pops’ way of talking about passion.

“Yeah, I wanted to crush a guy’s bones for thinking about hitting on her.”

“Then you need to face the possibility. Remember, neither Georgia nor Sloane were interested in anything long term with your brothers. They had to warm their way into the women’s hearts.”

“You mean worm, Dad. They were insistent.”

“Yes, they were. Just like I was with your mother.”

The coach was standing outside the bus, obviously looking for me. “I gotta go, Dad, but what do I do?”