Page 94 of Scoring Chances

Regardless of how difficult it might make things.

Cole considers it. He rubs his chin like I just did. Also staring at the engine bay like it’s a problem to solve.

“Would you let me get my permit?”

Air escapes my throat. I know what he’s going to ask next.

“With your car?”

I scratch the back of my neck and look at him.

“You get one dent on it… One dent! And no more permit for you.”

He smiles. Cole freakin’ smiles. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Cole smile.

“I won’t dent it,” he insists, reaching a hand out for the key.

I dig it out of my pocket reluctantly and hand them over to him. He stares at the keys in his hands and looks up at me.

“Where you go, we go,” he says.

And there goes any shred of dignity I have, because at that moment a sound bubbles up out of my throat. It’s a mix between a gurgle and a sob.

Cole looks at me like a just vomited. “I mean don’t get all weird about it.”

I laugh, shaking my head and reaching for the hood of the car. “Come on. Let’s see what you can do behind the wheel.” I shut it and look over at him.

“Now? Like right now?”

“I’d rather you learn here than in the streets of Savannah. At least I know these streets.”

I shoot Keelan a text that we’ll be back. He’s been playing uncle to the kids since Cassidy left. The best part of having him as a pseudo-nanny is that there’s no temptation to want anything more from him.

Jokes aside, it’s been a good distraction from him. He’s surrounded by kids.

He shoots me a text back.

Keelan

“Izzy’s in labor!”

My eyes widen at the text and Cole watches me go still.

“Uh-oh. What is it?”

“Um… I think we just got a change of plans.”

Keelan comes running out the front door with Parker on his hip and Maddie following close behind him as he pulls her with him.

He stops at the window of the Mustang and I roll it down.

“Ryker just called… she’s… her water…” he’s trying to catch his breath as he talks.

“Calm down, Lando. This is all very normal.”

He takes a deep breath and sets Parker down.

“What’s wrong with him?” Maddie points to Keelan.