##Chapter 12: ColeBook One: Stay"What's your problem, dude? We won!" Austin shouts from across the table in the noisy bar. "Fucking act like it."Before I can respond, his attention becomes ensnared by the curvy blonde perched on his lap. I'm surprised he even noticed me sitting across from him in the first place.With a grunt, I nurse my beer instead of replying, because what am I supposed to say to that?That I'm stuck on a gorgeous chick with the most beautiful ebony-colored hair I've ever seen. Or the biggest, clearest blue eyes I've had the sad misfortune of gazing into.Fuck.I'd get the shit kicked out of me if I said something like that.And you know what?I'd totally deserve it.Hell, I probably deserve it for even thinking along those lines.I'm so screwed.Even worse than that?I'm not sure if there's anything I can do to salvage whatever Cassidy and I have going between us. Maybe I've only known her for a week, but she's all I think about. That's not a good sign.She'd j

##Chapter 14: CassidyBook One: StayIt's not quite seven in the morning as I run through the sleeping streets of the small-town Western University calls home. The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, washing everything in a soft pink glow. The air is crisp, the leaves overhead vibrant in their orange, red, and yellow colors.After the hockey game last week, I made the decision to slowly start incorporating exercise back into my routine again. In high school, I'd spent a ton of time working out and skating. After failing out last year, that had been another thing that had fallen by the wayside. I've decided to run three times a week. Okay, so maybe it's more of a jogging/speed walking type of thing but still...I'm out there, doing it.I'm pretty sure that counts for something. Not working out six days a week for the last nine months has taken a toll on my waistline. I used to be muscular and toned all over. Now, not so much. I'm a lot softer than I once was.One side benefi

##Chapter 16: CassidyBook One: StayFor the next couple of hours, we listen to the band. They're a local group who play at a lot of bars around town. They also perform exclusively at the hockey parties, since the lead singer knows one of Cole's teammates. Before I realize it, I'm dancing with Cole, Austin, and Brooklyn. After a while, Alex joins in. In a shocking twist, he turns out to be smooth on his feet.A few drinks later, he sidles up to me like a puppy dog with its tail tucked between his legs and apologizes for grabbing me a couple of weeks ago. Even though I'm pleasantly surprised by the olive branch, I can't help but wonder if Cole put him up to it.Once we've exhausted ourselves from dancing, we stand near the front of the makeshift stage, listening as the band finishes up their last set. By now, the crowd has thinned, and the atmosphere is mellower. I stifle a yawn. As awesome as tonight has been, it feels like it's time to head home.My gaze coasts over the crowd, searchi

##Chapter 18: CassidyBook One: StayMy brows are knit tightly together as I glance suspiciously around before asking, "What are we doing here?"It's a few minutes before five o'clock in the morning, and the ice arena is closed. The lights are off, the concession stand is locked up tight, there's not even a maintenance guy on duty to question our presence.Even though this isn't the first time I've posed the question, Cole remains tight-lipped. The only thing he said is that it's a surprise.The first wave of questions fell from my lips as we stood outside the arena, and I realized it wasn't open. That's when Cole had produced a key. I'm not going to lie, it had struck me as a little bit sketchy. The last thing I need is a police record to go along with the other crap I put my parents through. They'd probably disown me.Officially.But I trust Cole.I do.He doesn't strike me as a guy who engages in criminal activity. Right now, I can only hope I'm not wrong about that. Then again, he

##Chapter 20: CassidyBook One: Stay"It's nice to see you looking so happy. Things must be going well," Dr. Thompson says with a smile as she continues to study me.Her thin black framed glasses are perched on the bridge of her nose. Every hair of her blonde, shoulder-length bob is in perfect place. Her beige suit is carefully tailored and form-fitting. A thick strand of creamy pearls clasped around her slender neck completes the picture. She sits back, looking pleased with my progress.I have to admit, I'm happy with it as well.Her comment has a small smile blooming across my face. I can't remember the last time I've felt this good. Even thinking back to before my life imploded, I'm not sure I was happy. I spent my high school years stressed out. There was always another game to excel at. Another test to ace. Scouts sitting in the stands that I needed to perform for like I was a circus act.There's no longer the same pressure to succeed.But it's more than that. A lot of my happines