Page 95 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

Our accident trauma bonded us something fierce. The only other person in the car with us was dead, and for a while, it felt like no one understood us. How it felt to have to learn to walk again. Fighting opioid addiction, but being in debilitating pain.

Cochise and I spent hours on the phone, every day for months. I recovered in Northupton, while he recovered here, but we never went more than an hour without speaking, especially since neither of us really slept. He and Set were the only two people I told about wanting to go to rehab the first time. After I was back in the city, he was the first person I saw.

I guess I like men whose interior is nothing like their exterior. Cochise is massive in both height and muscle mass. Beautiful dark skin that resembles marble, from the ritual he did that carved intricate scars into his skin. Deep, deep waves, and a full two-inch long beard. The makings of at least a player, at most a menace.

And yet, Cochise Beverly is one of the most genuine, soft-spoken men I’ve ever met. An accident like we had, where he was paralyzed for the better part of a year, would have made anyone mean and resentful. He was only in the car with us because we were going to hook up, otherwise he would have stayed at the party. But he never blamed me, or brought that up, even in the ugliest argument.

In another life, one where I’d never met Rico, I would have been his wholly.

“Hey, Coach.”

Cochise’s lips twitch, before he sighs. “There’s something I gotta tell you… I’m, uh, engaged.”

“Engaged?” I parrot like an idiot.

He bites the corners of his mouth before sighing again. “It’s such a long fuckin’ story, but basically–”

“Your dad?”

“My dad.” He chuckles mirthlessly. “It’s been six months, and we haven’t killed each other, even though I’ve come close. And get this; she’s a slob.”

“No!” I breathe. Years of being around the guys means I picked up a few words, so I know Cochise means his fianceé is a blood. “I would have thought Apache would set you up with an Italian beauty.”

“Oh no, she’s Italian, too. And Black. And has roots here, too. She’s… everything.”

I feel like he didn’t mean to say that, because he averts his eyes to gain some composure.

I fold my arms. “You like her, huh?”

“I don’t hate her,” he volleys, but I can read between the lines. “She’s not who I would have picked for myself, by far, and I know for a fact Pops would have rather you than her. But, I mean, I knew one day I would have to bend the knee, and shit’s calmed down from the first uproar, so…”

He’s doing that thing where he rambles, so I cut in. “I get it, Coach. Seriously. I’m okay.”

“I just don’t want you to think I forgot about you, or that I wasn’t waiting for you. I was, Wyn.”

I take a few steps until I'm right in front of him. “Don’t feel guilty about getting engaged. Like you said, we both knew one day you’d have to do it, and we both knew I wasn’t trying to be First Lady of the First Nations. Besides, I… I, uh, I guess he’s not new but–”

“Set?”

“No,” I say, maybe a little too harsh. But, knowing Rico, I don’t need that in the air at all. “No, it’s um, someone else. My first boyfriend, actually.”

“He’s gon’ be cool with you in the Land?”

I smirk. “If your fianceé gonna be cool with me being here?”

“Man, cuz,” Cochise chuckles, “hell naw. Especially after I went hard about her exes still having access to her. But, the way I gotta be cool about her lame ass play brother, she gon’ be cool about you, too. Not like I’ma be around too much after Pops passes the torch.”

“She sounds strict. I like her already.”

We both do that weird awkward laugh that tapers off, before we’re just staring at each other, smiles just as shy as they were the first time we met.

“We’ve held onto each other since the accident, Coach.” I unfold my arms and take one of his hands, feeling his tribal scars under my thumb. “It’s okay to let go now. We’ve landed on our feet.”

“Funny you say that… I hardly ever use my cane anymore.”

“See?” I blink away tears, before meeting his gaze again. “Don’t go making problems. Marriage is for life, you know. Don’t feel guilty about leaving me behind. Put your all into it. Be the lover boy you try to hide.”

“Did you?” he blurts, before combing his bottom lip with his teeth. “Did you… care about me? I know it’s some simp shit to ask, but it’s just us, and I wanna know.”