on that field in your Defenders gear. You’ll know I’m there. I’ll be cheering the loudest. I have to make sure I’m living up to my title of Cooper Reeves’s number one fan.”
“You’ve proven that to me hundreds of times. But I’m not going to turn down your cheers or you being in the stands. The first home game I need you there. Will you come?”
“Yes. I’ll work it out, and I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she says as we pull into the diner.
For the next two hours, we sit and talk and laugh, and we’re just… us. Just Reese and Cooper. Two best friends enjoying time together. It’s been too damn long since it’s been like this, just the two of us. There is always someone tagging along, and I didn’t realize how much I missed time with her. How much I miss her. Miss us.
Mentally I’m kicking myself in the ass for not doing more of this sooner. Now, I’m leaving. The new tenants are taking over the house tomorrow. We all have to be out of there today. My life is about to flip upside down, and she’s not going to be there.
“You need help packing?” Reese asks when we pull back into the house.
“No. I’m all set. I do have a bag for you, though. You want to come in while I get it?”
“Sure.” Together, we exit her car and head into the house. “I’ll just wait here,” she tells me. I nod and race up the stairs taking them two at a time.
My room is packed, the bed is stripped, and most of the boxes are already loaded into my Jeep. Grabbing the CU backpack off the bed, I throw it over my shoulder and head back downstairs.
“Here. This has all of your stuff from my room.”
“Thanks.” She takes the bag and places it on her shoulder. “Why does this feel like we’re breaking up?” she asks. She’s looking at the floor, and I see her wipe her eyes.
“Come here, Reese.” I don’t give her a chance not to. I step into her space and wrap my arms around her. “This is not a breakup. This is a see you soon. This is not goodbye. You are my best friend, and I don’t care what I have to do, I will be seeing you. I’ll spend every dime of my contract to make it happen.”
“You can’t do that. You have a plan, both professional and financial. You have to stick to it.”
“There is nothing that could keep me away from you. You know that, right?”
“I do.” She lifts her head, and her green eyes are swimming with tears. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
My chest heaves as I fight back my emotions. “I’ll call you when I get there. I’m leaving as soon as I round up the guys to say goodbye. Maybe you can come home, or I can come back for a weekend before I move?”
“We’ll figure it out. You need to go be the incredible running back that you are. Show those Defenders that you’re money well spent.”
I smile at her. “You’re going to have to drive up to help me decorate my new place.”
“I can definitely make that happen. We both know you need my help.”
I pull her back into my chest for one more tight hug. “Promise me if you need me, you call me day or night. I don’t care if you need to tell me that you stubbed your toe. You call me. No matter what.”
“Come on, Coop. You’re going to have better things to worry about.”
“Never anything more important than you.” I realize as I say the words, that it’s the truest statement I’ve ever spoken.
“I should go, so you can get on the road.” She pulls away and wipes at her cheeks. “Bye, Coop.”
“Bye, Reese.” With my hands fisted at my sides, I watch her walk out the door. I rush to the window and stare after her until I can no longer see her car. I’ve never been in a relationship to experience heartbreak, but if it’s anything like this, I don’t plan on finding out anytime soon. There is one word that can describe this moment.
Agony.
Chapter 22
Reese
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three weeks since everyone left. Work keeps me busy during the day, and at night, Hunter and I usually have dinner and hang out. The more time we spend together, the more he cements how