Agony(Entangled Hearts Duet #1) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,16

and if he, whoever it might be in your future ever forces you or tries to hurt you….” My words trail off.

“I’m a big girl, Coop.”

She is, but she’s mine. Not in the intimate sense of the word, but she’s my best friend, and it’s my job to look out for her. Sometimes I wish things were different between us. I wish that… I could have been her first, that she was not just my best friend cuddled up in my bed, but my girl. I’ve never done the serious-relationship thing. I’m not a cheater, but I don’t know how I would be at it. I’m sure I would fuck it up, and then I’d lose her, and that’s just not going to work for me. So, no matter how badly I wish that I was her first and she were mine, that’s just not how our story ends.

“You wanna go back out?” I ask her.

“No. I’m tired.”

“Okay.”

“You go,” she says, snuggling in close. I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight.

“Nah, I’m good right here.”

“They’re going to ask questions.”

“Let them. I’ll unlock the door. They can check on us, like you know they will, and see that we’re just friends. We’ve got nothing to hide.”

“Thanks, Coop.”

I kiss her forehead, then release her, rising out of bed to unlock the door. I grab us each a bottle of water and set them on the nightstand. I know she gets thirsty in the middle of the night, especially after she’s been drinking. Climbing in beside her, I pull her into my arms and close my eyes.

I wish things were different, but I’ll take this moment and cherish it with all the others.

Chapter 6

Reese

I’m pretending to be asleep when I hear Nixon and Tessa outside Coop’s door. They’re debating on if they should come in and check on us. Nixon tells her to leave us alone, and Tessa, being the great friend she is, insists that she make sure I’m okay. I pull the blanket up over my face and lie as still as possible.

“Reese,” Tessa whispers. “You awake?”

“Babe, they’re sleeping.”

“I just… hold on a second.” I hear the door creak, and I assume she’s pushed it open to get a better look. “Oh,” she breathes.

“Oh? What, oh?” Nixon asks, keeping his voice low.

“Look at them.”

“Let me see,” he tells her.

I can picture him, with his hands on her hips, using any excuse to touch her, and leaning around her to see what she’s talking about. “He’s an idiot.”

“Why do you say that?” Tessa asks.

Their voices are low as I strain to hear them. “He’s in love with her.”

“They’re just friends.”

“Tell me you think she’s not in love with him,” Nixon says.

I wait for Tessa’s reply that never comes. Hot tears prick my eyes. I thought I was hiding it better. I thought I was doing a good job of not letting on that I love Cooper, not just as my best friend, but as the gorgeous, tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed man that he is. I know we can never be together. I’m not willing to risk losing my best friend. Besides, I’m not Janie or any of the other girls I’ve seen him date. I’m not even close to being in their league. They’re all tall, long legs, dark hair, exotic-looking beautiful women, much like Tessa.

I’m just me.

Just Reese.

“Is he in love with her?” Tessa questions.

“He’d never admit it,” Nixon answers. “Come on, you checked on her. Let’s go to bed.” There’s a soft click followed by the sound of their voices as they carry down the hall.

A tear slides down my cheek as my heart feels more exposed than ever before. No matter how much I wish that life was different, it’s not. No amount of wishing is going to change the outcome. Cooper nuzzles closer. His hold on me is tight as he sleeps peacefully beside me. He had no problem falling asleep next to his best friend.

I don’t know how long I lie here, listening to him breathe while his hot breath caresses my neck. Minutes, hours, I’m not sure. One thing I do know is when I finally drift off to sleep, it’s with the dream of the two of us together, as more than just friends.

The sun shines brightly through the blinds on Cooper’s bedroom window. It’s silently telling me with its blinding rays of heat that it’s time to drag my ass out of bed. I’m awake, but my eyes are still closed. I