Agony(Entangled Hearts Duet #1) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,25
her hand gripping his tightly. She gives me one of those looks that says “don’t fuck with me,” before plastering on her fake girl smile. I fight to roll my eyes until my back is turned to them. Then I let it loose, and Dustin chuckles under his breath.
Busted.
Dustin leans his shoulder into mine as we stand side by side at the stove.
“What are you two doing over there?” Cooper asks.
I keep stirring the beef and let Dustin answer for us. “Our girl is trying to teach us how to cook.”
I know the “our girl” comment was a dig at Cooper, although he doesn’t take the bait.
“It smells great.”
“Duh, Reese is cooking.” This comes from Tessa. I turn to look over my shoulder, and she gives me an exaggerated wink as she leaves Nixon’s side and comes to stand next to me at the stove. “You’re making me hungry, and we just had ice cream.”
“That’s fine,” Nixon tells her. “I can eat.”
“Told you,” Levi says. My back is to him, but I can only imagine that his shoulders are squared, and his chest is puffed out. Proud of himself. “There’s plenty,” he tells Cooper. “I figured everyone would end up here eventually.”
“Done.” Hank slides the diced-up tomatoes from the cutting board into a bowl. “Anyone want a beer?” he asks. I hear the refrigerator door open as everyone calls out that they want one. “Tessa?”
“Sure.”
“You staying here?” Nixon asks her.
“Yes, dear,” she says sweetly.
“What about you, Reese?” Trey asks.
“No. I have to drive home.”
“Why don’t you just stay here like you always do?” he asks. The room falls silent, other than Trey’s muttered, “Shit.”
“You can stay with me,” Levi says. “I have plenty of room.”
“That’s okay,” I say, the same time Cooper says, “No.”
I whip around to look at him. He’s watching me. Those brown eyes of his stare me down. His look is almost pleading. I start to soften, then I see Sasha pull on his arm. He ignores her, but the trance is broken. There is nothing wrong with me staying over with a friend. He gets to live his life while I pine away for him. This has to stop. I have to move on. There will never be a great Cooper and Reese romance.
“Are you sure you don’t mind, Levi?” I ask him.
“Reese.” Cooper’s tone is full of warning.
“Hell no. That’s the least I can do for you coming over here to cook for us.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“Bottoms up, Reese’s Cup.” Trey hands me a beer.
I make a show of placing the bottle to my lips and tilting my head back. I let the cold liquid pour down my throat. “Everything’s done. You guys can dig in.”
“You first,” Hank says.
“I’m just going to run to the restroom.” I set my beer on the counter and slip out of the room. There is a half bath just off the kitchen, but I need a little more space than that. I just need to get my head on straight. Instead, I take the stairs to the basement. There is a common area with a pool table, two bedrooms off it, and a bathroom. Luckily, the guys are fairly clean, so I have no worries when I lock myself inside. I take care of business, wash my hands, and stand with my hands on the counter, staring into the mirror. “Get it together, Reese.”
Taking a deep breath, I open the door to find Tessa standing there. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Reese.” Her voice is soft, but I can hear the warning for me to be honest with her.
“I’m good. I promise. I just need to… move on, and that hurts my heart a little. I’ve known for a long time.”
She pulls me into a fierce hug, one only a best friend can pull off. “I’m here if you need to talk, or get drunk.”
I laugh. “Thanks, Tess. Come on. I’m starving.”
The kitchen is noisy when we enter. Everyone is eating, laughing, and having a good time. Tessa and I make our plates, and instead of squeezing in at the table, I place my plate on the counter next to my beer and try to jump up on the counter.
“Hold on, shorty. I’ve got this.” Levi sets his plate down where he was coming back for what I assume is a second helping. He places his hands on my hips and lifts me up to the counter with very little effort. He goes right back to making his plate. My cheeks are