he takes her upstairs.
“My room’s ready for you whenever you’re sleepy,” Levi says. “I even put clean sheets on this morning.”
“Reese.” Cooper says my name reverently. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.” I shrug like it’s not a big deal. It shouldn’t be. My heart just didn’t get the memo.
He stands from the couch and offers me his hand. I take it, letting him pull me from the floor. “Let’s go to my room.” I don’t say a word as I allow him to lead me upstairs to his room. “I’m sorry,” he says once the door is shut.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I hate that she talked about you, about us like that. I know she wasn’t nice to you. I saw the looks.”
“It’s fine, Coop. We’ve been defending our friendship for years. I’m used to it.”
“No. It’s not fine. I should have kicked her ass to the curb a lot sooner.”
“You’re allowed to date.”
“I know, but that person will respect you and who you are in my life, or it’s not going to work out.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Is that all you have to say?”
“I don’t know what you want from me, Cooper.”
He sits on the bed next to me. His arm settles around my shoulders, and he pulls me into his chest. “I want you to tell me that we’re okay. I can’t lose you over this.”
“You’re not going to lose me.”
“Promise.”
I hold up my pinky finger. “Pinky promise.”
He smiles, linking his pinky with mine as there’s a knock at the door. “Come in.”
“Hey,” Levi says, his eyes only on mine. “You ready for bed?” Cooper tenses beside me.
I look up at Cooper, and he shakes his head. “Stay, we have a lot to talk about.”
“Thanks, Levi, but it looks like this one plans on being chatty Kathy tonight.”
He nods. I see understanding and maybe… pity in his gaze. “If you change your mind, I’m just down the hall.” With that, he closes the door.
“You were going to share a bed with him.” It’s not so much a question as a statement.
“Yes. He’s a good guy.”
“I don’t like it.”
“You got your way.”
“This is the bed you sleep in when you’re here.”
“And the Sashas of the world?”
“They’re not you.”
My heart flutters in my chest as the butterflies swarm, and I have to remind myself that it’s our friendship he’s so vigilantly honoring. Not love. Sure, he loves me, but not like I love him. He couldn’t possibly. It’s a love so deep, I’m scared to death that I’ll never love another.
Chapter 9
Cooper
College: Junior Year
We made it to the playoffs. For the third year in a row, Central University is going all the way. Our team is undefeated this year, just like last year, and we’re so close to another championship I can taste it. We didn’t win it my freshman year, but we made it to the final game. Last year, even with losing the seniors, we rallied and pulled off a win. I want to do it again. Not just because it looks good to scouts to be on a winning team.
But I like to win.
It’s hard work to put your heart and soul into a game, practice every day of the week, deprive your body of the delicious foods that surround you, give up beer at parties, and miss out on so much because you’re in the gym or traveling to a game. No, you do it for the win. For the high that you and your team are the best.
“This blows,” Hank says from beside me.
“The win will be worth it,” I tell him.
“This is our party, and we can’t even enjoy it,” Trey grumbles.
“Do you really need alcohol to have a good time?” Nixon asks them. He’s listening to our conversation, but his eyes, like mine, are glued to Tessa and Reese, who are currently shaking what their mommas gave them in the middle of our living room floor.
“No, but it helps,” Dustin chimes in.
“Think about the end game,” Levi tells him. “We’re bringing home another championship for CU, and that looks hella good on your stats.”
“Hey, Hank. Wanna dance?” A short redhead saunters up to him, batting her eyelashes.
“Thought you’d never ask,” he tells her. She latches onto his arm, and off they go.
“See, his mood brightened. Just go find you a co-ed to hang all over you,” I say to the others.
“You’re right,” Trey agrees. “I think I’ll go ask Reese.” He takes a step forward, but my hand on his shoulder stops him.
“Fuck off,” I grumble,