Agony(Entangled Hearts Duet #1) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,3
to accept that we’re just friends. It’s as if a guy and a girl having a platonic relationship is unheard of. We’re not abnormal. High school was hard, and I’m hoping college is better. Partly, because I was planning to let Coop do his thing, I’ll do mine, and we can meet in the middle as time allows. My best friend apparently didn’t get my mental memo, which is why I’m walking through a dark field about fifteen miles from campus.
“You sure this is school-sanctioned?” I ask him as I grab ahold of his arm to keep from tumbling over on this rough terrain.
“I might have stretched the truth just a little. Coach won’t be here, but he knows about it. He says it’s good team-building. He would have found out if I had bailed, and he needs to know I’m a team player.”
“Do you not already show him that when you’re out on the field?”
“Loosen up.” He throws his arm over my shoulders. “Don’t take a drink from anyone but me.”
“You lied to me.” I ignore his statement about a drink. I’m not stupid, and I’m also not drinking. I’d rather have my wits about me. Besides, I’m sure Cooper will have a few, and one of us needs to make sure we get home safely.
“No, I added elements to the story to convince you to come with me. Come on, Reese. I don’t want to be known as the guy on the team who doesn’t socialize.”
“You don’t need me here to do that.”
“I would feel guilty all night long. How am I supposed to have fun when I’m worrying about you?”
“It’s not your job to worry about me,” I say the words, but I don’t mean them. I like that I know I have him to lean on, no matter what’s going on in my life.
“That’s what I do. What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t?”
Right. Best friend. He’s more than that to me, but he’s never led me to believe we could ever be more. No, that’s just my traitorous heart falling for him when he’s off-limits. I think I was maybe thirteen when I first felt… something. Something other than friendship with my best friend. We were at the Valentine’s Day dance, and I was sitting on the bleachers, just taking it all in. My friends Janie and Beth were with me. Anyway, Janie and Beth were both asked to dance, so I was sitting alone. Cooper and a few of his friends were close by, and I tried to sink into myself. I should have known better. Coop noticed and left his friends standing mid-conversation and came to me.
He held his hand out for me, and I could feel my face heat with embarrassment. Not wanting to make a scene, I took it. He led me out onto the gym floor and put his arms around me. By this point, we’d hugged hundreds of times, but this time, it felt… different.
That was the moment that my heart began to wish he was more than just my best friend. That also triggered the rumors that we were more than just friends. It’s a battle we’ve fought since the day we met, but at thirteen, girls are cruel and full of jealousy. Coop has that tall, dark, and handsome thing going for him. He attracts female attention wherever he goes. However, I’m the only one who gets it unconditionally.
Hence the yearning from my heart. No matter how many times I try to stop it.
“There he is!” a loud voice calls out. “Our freshman running back. Get your ass over here, Reeves,” the very large, very loud guy orders.
Cooper, with his arm still around my shoulders, guides us to the group. At first glance it’s obvious they’re all football players. Tall, large, built guys surround the entire right side of the huge fire. When I say huge, I mean huge. It has to be at least fifteen feet wide.
“’Sup, rookie.” The large guy who called us over holds his fist out for Cooper.
“He’s hardly a rookie,” another one adds. He too offers Cooper his fist in greeting.
“This your girl?” the big one asks.
“This is my best friend, Reese. Reese, this is Levi.” He points to the big one. He’s by far the tallest guy here. “And this is Dustin.”
“Hi.” I wave awkwardly.
“Just friends, huh?” Levi asks, raking his eyes over my body. I can’t help the blush that I feel creeping across my cheeks