It made Cole want to shake the world until everything fell into place just the way she wanted. “Text me her number, and I’ll make sure Hailey gets it. They can talk.”
“Sounds good.”
“Okay, well, we’ve got to get to the rink.” Jaime gestured to Cole’s knee. “You going to be okay?”
Hailey shook her head, her cheeks turning pink. “Look at me going on and on about some stupid news report. I’m so sorry. Come on. Let’s get you off your feet.” Hooking her arm through Cole’s, she led him to the couch.
He glanced behind to find his friends smirking. Okay, sure. Maybe hecouldget around just fine on his own, but he sure didn’t mind Hailey fussing over him.
Once the guys reached the door, Jaime called, “You need anything, let us know.”
“It’s a good thing it happened over Christmas.” Hailey beamed a warm smile. “We plan on staying home and making cookies and all that good stuff.”
“Cole Montgomery, domesticated.” Jaime nodded. “It’s a good look, my man.”
“I’ll text Cole the link to the Petticoat Rulers, so you can check it out. Might be good for you.” And then, Declan closed the door behind them.
“They’re nice.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I guess I am. I never really thought about it, but looking back, I think I lumped you all together.”
Carefully, he lifted his leg and set it on a corner of the coffee table. He winced at a shock of pain.
“Here, let me grab you an ice pack.”
“I’m fine, Hailey. Really. I can get it myself.”
“That’s the painkillers talking. Once they wear off, you’ll be blubbering and moaning.” She grinned. “For my sake, let’s get ahead of it.”
Evvie came up to him. “Look I made.”
It was a sticky jumble of red and white pom-poms, green and silver glitter pipe cleaners, and plastic snowflakes. “Prettiest ornament I’ve ever seen. Want to go hang it on the tree?”
“No. For Cole.”
“I get to keep this? Man, I’m a lucky guy. Thank you.”
“You gots a boo-boo?” She patted the bandage wrapped around his knee.
That got Paisley’s attention. “Why are you wearing shorts?”
“Because I had surgery on my knee this morning.”
“What happened?”
“I had a tiny tear, and they made a little cut right here.” He pointed to the hidden incision. “And put in the smallest camera you’ve ever seen. Then, they snipped the tear right off. Simple.”
“Does it hurt?” Paisley asked.
“Not a bit. I have to stay off it for two days, but I’ll be rarin’ to go by Christmas.”
Hailey came back into the room. “Here you go.” She set the ice pack on top of the thin bandage. “Thirty minutes.”
“Okay, nurse Casselton.”
“Excuse me for looking it up.” She rolled her eyes. “What did you think I’d do when you told me you were havingsurgery? It should be a quick recovery, but—FYI—your thighs are going to look like these popsicle sticks if you don’t exercise them.” She grinned. “Just saying.”