Fall Back Skyward (Fall Back #1)(118)

I have been putting off packing up Josh’s clothes for a while now because I feel like if I do that, I’m getting rid of him, pushing him out of my life. But at the same time, I can’t postpone it any longer. After grabbing some boxes from the basement, I drag my feet up the stairs and inside my room. I open the door on Josh’s side of the closet and stand there for a few moments, twirling the ring on my finger around.

You will always be here with us. Always in my heart and thoughts, Josh.

One hour later, I finish taping up the last box containing Josh’s things. I glance at the top of the dresser where I put a few things I wanted to keep to remember him by and my chest hurts just taking in the last of what belonged to him. I’ve been holding back tears for the past two hours. Finally, I let go and crumple on the floor. I’m crying for my best friend and the man who had become a very big part of my life. Our lives. Our relationship had begun as a way to save us, but ended up being the best of friendships with no strings attached.

Taking in deep breaths, I carry them down to the basement one by one until everything is gone. I haven’t decided what I will do with them, but I want to check with Cole and his parents if they would like to keep a few things.

Speaking of Cole. . .I have been thinking about telling the girls that he is their father. I have no idea when would be the right time to do this and I have no idea how they will react. They adore Cole, but watching his face fall every time they call him, ‘Uncle Cole’ is tearing me apart. His name is on their birth certificates, which was the first thing I told the doctor to do once my daughters were born.

I pull my phone from the pocket of my jean shorts and open a new text.

Me: I’m planning on telling the girls tonight.

My phone buzzes immediately. Oh, that was fast.

Cole: Telling them what?

Me: About you. It’s high time they knew.

His reply doesn’t flash on my screen immediately. Minutes later, when I don’t hear from him, I inhale deeply, my fingers poised on the screen.

Me: I know this is awkward and not easy. I’ll understand if you think we should wait—

The screen flashes with a text, momentarily blocking the one I was typing.

Cole: I’m outside. Open the door.

What? I spin around, rush to the door and swing it open.

He must have been leaving the shower when I texted him. His hair is still wet. His hands are tucked inside the pockets of his faded jeans and he’s wearing a gray Henley shirt that clings to his toned body perfectly. His jaw is covered with light scruff.

He scans my face intently until I feel heat fill my cheeks. I wet my lips and his gaze drops to my mouth, following my tongue but then goes further and drops to my chest. There hasn’t been any other incident since the “haul-me-over-the-shoulder-toss-me-on-the-couch” move he pulled when we last went out for dinner. As much as his behavior infuriated me, it was also the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a very long time. It was such a huge turn on.

Shit. My nipples are hard just thinking about that night.

He lifts his eyes to mine, his eyebrows raised as if to ask me, “Are you going to let me in? or what?”

I stumble aside and sign, “Please come in.”

He brushes past me, his scent wrapping around me.

I need to keep my tingling lady parts in check.

After closing the door, I lead the way to the living room, absorbing the heat from his body on my back.

“The girls?” he asks when we reach the living room.

I turn to face him, watching as he lowers his long frame on the couch. “Upstairs.” I’m extremely nervous so I opt to remain standing. “Thank you for coming.”

He nods, eyeing me as I continue to pace and wipe my hands down my jean shorts.

“I’ll go upstairs and get the girls.” I turn and go for the stairs.

“Nor.” His voice stops me. I whirl around and, as always, my heart is beating hard in my chest. “I’m here. I’m always here for you and the girls.”

I nod, spin around and start to climb the stairs. I pause, turn and walk back to stand in front of Cole. I take a deep breath and exhale the little pride left in me because I’m about to beg. Badly. Sometimes your first love comes back to you and you get a second chance. “If there is a second chance for us, no matter how small it is, I’ll take it. Love is what makes people fight harder for something they want to hold on to. I’m ready to fight for us. Whatever it takes. I will do anything to show you that you and I are not coincidental. We are more than that. We are Cole and Nor. Us.”

He cocks a brow and signs, “Aren’t you concerned about what people will say?”

I raise my chin, look him in the eye. “I don’t care what people will say. Everything you said. . .you were right.”

His arm lifts without warning and he wraps his fingers around my thigh, burning me with his touch. He drags me to stand between his legs and cups my backside firmly in his hands. He yanks me forward at the same time he leans his forehead to my body and kisses the tiny slip of skin peeking out between my T-shirt and shorts.

He tips his head up, meeting my gaze. “You and I are far from coincidental.”

He drops his hands from my body, leaving me tingling with need and hungry for more than a touch.

Framing my heated cheeks with my hands, I turn around and head for the stairs. The girls are not in their rooms, so I follow their voices to my room and stop to stare as Cora ties a knot on the blanket fort made of white bed sheets, with strings of lights dangling around it.