flushed as my eyes dart around the room. They land on Cooper as he stares at me.
Once everyone has had their fill, we move to the living room. “Cooper,” Sasha whines. Yes, it’s a whine, and it’s annoying as hell. How does he put up with that? “Let’s go to your room.”
“No.” He doesn’t even entertain the idea or try to reason with her. He just flat out turns her down.
She leans over to whisper in his ear. “How about that?” she asks where we can all hear her.
“No.” Again, he blatantly dismisses her.
“Anyone need anything from the kitchen?” I ask, standing. I can’t sit here and watch her. He can do so much better. I don’t know why he doesn’t see that. I get a yes to a couple of beers and a bottle of water for Tessa.
“I’ll help.” Cooper stands to follow me.
“Are you kidding me? Why are you following her?” Sasha says snidely.
“Because that’s a lot for one person to carry.”
“Why does it have to be you who helps her?” She says the word her as if I’m a snake that could strike out and bite her at any second.
“The her you are referring to is my best friend.”
“I’m your girlfriend.” She stomps her foot like a toddler.
I know because I’m watching this all unfold like a train wreck that I can’t look away from. “Coop, it’s fine. I’ve got this.” I turn on my heel and start for the kitchen. I stop just inside the door and listen.
“Come on, let’s go upstairs.” Sasha tries again.
“No.”
“I bet if she wanted to go, you would,” she sneers.
“You’re right. I would. Do you know why?” He doesn’t give her time to finish. “She’s my best friend. The most important person in my life, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you treat her like she’s anything less than that.”
“Are you fucking her?” She gasps.
Cooper heaves a sigh. “No. I’m not fucking her. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“We’re dating.”
“We were dating. Now we’re just acquaintances. If you can’t respect Reese, you’re not welcome here.”
“Are you serious right now? You’re never going to meet someone who’s going to put up with her place in your life. I was willing to overlook it, but I deserve better.”
“How exactly is giving her dirty looks and being a bitch to her overlooking it? And I don’t want someone in my life who doesn’t accept my family. Reese is family.”
“Fuck you, Cooper Reeves. I can have any man I want.”
“Then go find him. Because this one doesn’t want you.”
“Tell him.” I hear Sasha say. “Tell him that I’m better than her. That she’s going to hold him back.” The room is deathly silent. “Fine, who wants to go get drunk and laid?” Again, she’s greeted with more silence. “Fuck all of you.” She storms off—if the pounding of heels against the hardwood floor is any indication.
I scurry to the fridge and gather what I need. I feel him before he speaks. I’ve always been able to tell when he’s near.
“Hey. Sorry about all that.”
I turn to face him. “It’s not a big deal. We knew this would happen, right? People don’t understand our friendship.”
“I don’t need anyone in my life who is not going to accept you.”
“You prepared to be a single man for eternity?” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.
“Reese.” He reaches out and pushes my hair off my shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
I shrug. “I better get these out there.”
“Let me help you,” he offers.
“No.” I spin away out of his reach. “I’ve got it.” I rush back to the living room and pass out drinks, taking a seat on the floor and propping my back against the love seat where Tessa and Nixon are cuddled up. Hank puts on a movie, and we all settle in. I can feel Cooper’s eyes on me, but I refuse to look at him. I’m not mad at him, but he confuses me. He’ll stand up for me, put me before anyone else. While I appreciate that, my fragile heart, the one that belongs to him, takes it as a mixed message. That’s on me, not on him, and I get that. However, it doesn’t make it any easier for me to handle.
When the credits roll, Nixon stands. “We’re calling it a night.” He offers Tessa his hand.
“Come on, party poopers. Watch another one with us,” Trey says.
“Nope.” Nixon picks Tessa up, tossing her over his shoulder. Her laughter fills the room as