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Back The Sweet Spot Save as PDF
Chapters (50)
  1. TITLE PAGE
  2. COPYRIGHT PAGE
  3. DEDICATION
  4. CONTENTS
  5. CHAPTER ONE PALMER
  6. CHAPTER TWO PALMER
  7. CHAPTER THREE COLE
  8. CHAPTER FOUR PALMER
  9. CHAPTER FIVE PALMER
  10. CHAPTER SIX PALMER
  11. CHAPTER SEVEN COLE
  12. CHAPTER EIGHT PALMER
  13. CHAPTER NINE PALMER
  14. CHAPTER TEN PALMER
  15. CHAPTER ELEVEN COLE
  16. CHAPTER TWELVE PALMER
  17. CHAPTER THIRTEEN PALMER
  18. CHAPTER FOURTEEN COLE
  19. CHAPTER FIFTEEN COLE
  20. CHAPTER SIXTEEN PALMER
  21. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN COLE
  22. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN PALMER
  23. CHAPTER NINETEEN PALMER
  24. CHAPTER TWENTY COLE
  25. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE PALMER
  26. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO PALMER
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE PALMER
  28. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR COLE
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE PALMER
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX COLE
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN PALMER
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT PALMER
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE COLE
  34. CHAPTER THIRTY PALMER
  35. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE PALMER
  36. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO COLE
  37. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE PALMER
  38. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR COLE
  39. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE PALMER
  40. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX COLE
  41. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN PALMER
  42. CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT COLE
  43. CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE PALMER
  44. CHAPTER FORTY COLE
  45. CHAPTER FORTY-ONE PALMER
  46. CHAPTER FORTY-TWO COLE
  47. CHAPTER FORTY-THREE PALMER
  48. EPILOGUE PALMER
  49. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  50. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“You know, you’re right. I should’ve told you about your dad. I’m sorry.” I smile at him. “It’s always going to be me and you, kid.”

His grin is brilliant and warms my heart. “You better believe it.”

I collapse into the recliner, too exhausted from the conversation to even pick up the dishes right away. Instead, I close my eyes and listen to the faint sound of Ethan yelling into his mic in his room.

As if on autopilot, I pull my phone from my pocket and send two quick texts.

We’re home and he’s fine. Love you, Val.

I smile as I type out the other.

Sorry that I had to cut that short. All is well now. (Mostly.)

The response comes back instantly.

Cole:

I’m glad to hear it. Been wondering.

Me:

A mom’s duty never ends. He also saw the pizza and plates and put two and two together. imageImage

Cole:

Shit. Is everything okay?

Me:

He just thinks I’m SUPER COOL now.

Cole:

He’s right. imageImage How’d he take me being over there? I know you were worried about that and I feel guilty for not picking up the evidence now.

Me:

He took it well. He’s upset he wasn’t involved.

Cole:

Well, my mom is making her famous roast and potatoes on Sunday. She would think that I’m SUPER COOL if the two of you joined us. (No pressure at all.)

I take a deep, shaky breath. Eating with his family? I already know his mother vaguely, and she seems nice. But wouldn’t eating with them . . .

Cole:

You’re overthinking things.

Me:

How’d you know?

Cole:

Because you’re breathing.

Me:

Ha.

Cole:

Just think about it. Let me know tomorrow. No rush.

Me:

Okay. Going to go clean up this mess now. Talk to you tomorrow.

Cole:

Thanks for having me over.

Me:

Thanks for coming.

Cole:

*ignores the joke on the tip of my tongue*

Me:

*ignores the joke about the tip of your tongue*

I turn my phone off before we banter back and forth all night. And then I get up, gather the pieces of dinner, and take them upstairs.

CHAPTER TWENTY COLE

CHAPTER TWENTY

COLE

Saturdays aren’t as exciting as they used to be.

I stretch my arms overhead. A pop sounds loud enough in my shoulder that I lie perfectly still and wait for the pain.

A burst of fire streaks across my shoulder and down my arm. It burns across the top of my back and bleeds into my spine. The pain radiates into my ribs. I cringe, holding my breath, and wait for relief.

“Fuck,” I groan, hissing through my teeth. The discomfort worsens before it gets better. “Ugh.”

I focus on my breath. My chest rises and falls, unsteadily at first. But as I concentrate on the rhythm, it evens out.