friends? Grabbing my phone, I flip through pictures of us, and my heart begins to gallop in my chest. Is it finally time for me to admit that I’m in love with my best friend?
Chapter 26
Reese
It’s Super Bowl Sunday and the Defenders are playing. I’m bursting with pride for Cooper and his team. They’ve fought hard this season, and they deserve to play this game. They’re playing the Georgia Panthers. Both teams have gone undefeated this year, and it all comes down to tonight’s game. I called Cooper earlier to wish him good luck, but he didn’t answer. That’s why I’m packing my phone like a pistol waiting for him to call me back.
“Waiting on a call?” Hunter asks.
We’re sitting in my parents’ basement with Cooper’s parents and mine, waiting to watch the game. There are a few other friends of our parents who are here as well. The small kitchenette is covered with food and flows over to a small folding table. There are coolers full of beer and any other drink you can think of. My mom and Ann really went all-out to celebrate Cooper’s first Super Bowl. “Yeah, I called Coop, but he didn’t answer. Just wanted to wish him good luck, you know?” I say, smiling up at him.
“I’m sure he’ll call.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips and goes off to talk with Dad and Cooper’s.
Glancing at my phone, willing it to ring, I sigh and slide it in my pocket, but as soon as I do, it vibrates. I can’t contain my smile when I see it’s him. “Hey, you. I was a little worried I wouldn’t get to wish you good luck.”
“Nah, we had a team meeting. You should know I never miss a chance to talk to my good luck charm.”
“You ready for today?”
“Yeah. I wish you were here, and my parents, but I’m ready.”
“I know. You should see my parents’ basement. Our moms went all-out.”
“I wish my parents could have been here.”
“I know your mom was really upset that they couldn’t make it either. They wanted to be there… but your grandma.”
“Yeah, I know. They’re where they need to be. Close to her. How is she? Have you heard today?”
“Yeah, I went to visit her at the hospital with your mom. There’s no change, really. She’s pretty much out of it. I’m not sure she even realizes that we’re there.”
He sucks in a deep breath and slowly exhales. “Thank you for going with her. I’m going to catch a flight this week and come out to visit. Will you be there?” There’s hope in his voice.
“No. I have to go back to work on Tuesday. Hunter and I both took tomorrow off. We knew we would be here late.”
“Hunter’s there?”
“He is.” Silence greets me. “Good luck today, Coop. Not that you need it. You all have kicked ass all season.”
“Thank you. The season’s over, so we need to plan some time to visit. Maybe a long weekend or something.”
“Sure, we can probably make that happen. I have to give two weeks’ notice for time off at the office, but that shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Reese, I—” He stops. “There are a lot of things that I need to say.”
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a few things I need to get off my chest.”
“Sure, I’m all ears. Kick ass out there. I’ll talk to you after?”
“Definitely.”
“Bye, Coop.”
“Bye.” He sounds subdued. I don’t know what’s bothering him, but whatever it is, I’ll be there to help him work it out. I’m sure this year has been full of changes and he just needs to talk about them. I mean, he’s in the freaking Super Bowl. He’s living his dream, and I’m sure that comes with a whole host of emotions.
“Hell yes!” Trevor, Cooper’s dad yells as he stands from the couch as we watch Cooper run in his fifth touchdown of the game. With twenty seconds left on the clock, this run secures the win for the Defenders. My best friend is a freaking Super Bowl Champion.
The basement erupts in cheers, and we’re all being so loud I’m surprised it’s not rocking the foundation of the house. He did it. The Defenders did it! Gah! I can’t wait to hug him and tell him how fucking proud of him I am.
“Can you believe it? He won!” I cheer, leaping into Hunter’s arms. He catches me easily and spins me around.
“Like there was ever any doubt,” he says, smiling down at me.
“You’re