Awk-Weird (Ice Knights, #2)(79)

…

Cole had played in sixteen playoff games, ten game sevens, and two Stanley Cup finals, and none of them had been as nerve-racking as walking into Tess’s neighborhood bar and grill, Moretti’s, with Blackburn, Christensen, and Petrov. It wasn’t until they walked through the door that he realized it was karaoke night. The man caterwauling up onstage was bad enough that Cole’s head was hangover aching and he hadn’t even had a beer yet.

“This is a bad idea,” he said, looking around, his gaze lingering on every blonde in the room, half hoping it would be Tess. “I’m leaving.”

Blackburn’s giant hand landed on Cole’s shoulder. “Simmer the fuck down and have a beer. She’s not gonna be here.”

“How do you know?” It wasn’t like Tess kept to a certain schedule, and this was her neighborhood bar and grill.

“Do you really think she’s knocking back shots in her condition?” Petrov shook his head in disgust as he sat down at the bar, holding up four fingers to let the bartender know their order.

Cole claimed the next seat, his gut churning at both the idea that he might run into Tess before he had figured out how to get her back and that he wouldn’t. “So this is really just a planning meeting?”

“Yeah,” Christensen said while scanning the bar, no doubt for hot chicks. “We’re starting a new club called Phillips Is a Pussy.”

“Watch your stupidity, Christiansen,” Fallon said, sliding up beside them at the bar before anyone had even realized she was approaching from behind. “A woman’s vagina is stronger than a pair of balls any day.” She leaned into Blackburn and gave him a quick kiss before turning to glare at Cole. “Speaking of balls, you’ve got some, showing up here.”

It wasn’t a shiv to the neck, but it wasn’t friendly, either. He couldn’t blame her. He was the one who knocked up her friend. And what was he gonna do about it?

“Is Tess here?” Was it possible for him to equally want the answer to be yes and no? Because he definitely did.

Before Fallon could answer, the world’s worst karaoke singer finished his song and handed the mic over to Tess, who walked onstage, her hands shaking and her cheeks flushed pink.

Cole couldn’t look away. How in the hell had he let her get away? He’d been an idiot, a total moron.

“Oh my God. This is awful,” she said, her eyes wide. “There are so many of you. I know they say to picture everyone naked and you won’t be as nervous, but oh my God, I am visualizing that and not only has it made me extremely uncomfortable, but I am still freaking out.” The crowd chuckled, but if Tess noticed, she didn’t let on. Instead, she used her hand to shield her eyes from the spotlight and looked out into the bar.

If he could have moved, he would have stood up or waved to her, but there was just no way. He was frozen to his barstool, afraid that if he even blinked, she’d disappear and he’d miss his chance to get her back.

“And if I’m doing this and Cole isn’t even out there, I might just die of embarrassment,” she continued, her words coming out faster than Christensen on a breakaway. “Lucy and Gina promised he was here and Fallon said she’d work her magic to make sure he stayed, so that means she could have kneecapped him or something.”

Another laugh from the crowd as Tess started to pace the small stage, so obviously nervous, it was a miracle she didn’t spin herself up into the air.

“So why am I crashing karaoke night? Because I fell in love with a guy and, well, that’s never been something I’d ever expected to happen—especially not with someone like him. He’s smart and sexy and could be mistaken for Thor, minus the accent of course, because he doesn’t have one.” Everything started coming out in a rush. “He grew up all over, his dad’s job had them moving a lot but not because he’s a hit man. His dad has specialized skills but not that kind and oh my God, this is why I should never be given a microphone. Also, I have no idea what to do with my hands. Anyway, Cole, are you here?”

He got up and started toward the stage, his heart processing her words before his head had managed to do so. “Yes.”

She looked this way and that into the crowd, the spotlight obviously too bright for her to see him. “To be honest, I’m not sure if that’s good or bad because I am about to pass out from being in front of all these people.”

“Do you want to come down?”

“No, I have to do this, and it has to be like this.”

“Why?”

“Because you have to know what you’re in for if you say yes.” She let out a deep breath and pushed up her glasses. “I know we got weddinged and that you never had plans for us in your life, but I love you, Cole Phillips, and I’m really hoping you can give me a second chance. So I know I said some horrible things. I’d take it all back if I could because you were right. I never gave us a chance and I should have. There are a million other people out there who—”

He jumped up on the stage. “Stop talking, Tess.”

Her chin trembled. “Why?”

Unable to go another second without touching her, Cole pulled her into his arms, relishing the just-right feel of her against him. “Because I love you, too.”

“Even though I’m the weirdest person in the room?” she asked with a sniffle.