to. Do we have a deal?” She holds her hand out for him to shake it.
He nods, and bypasses her hand, opting to lean in and kiss her. “Love you,” he whispers.
My eyes water. I want what they have. I want someone to call my own. Someone that will be there for me in good times and in bad. Someone I can share that intimacy with. I bite down on my bottom lip to keep the tears at bay when I think about that person not being Cooper.
It’s time for me to gather the broken pieces and glue them back together. It’s time to move on.
A few hours later, Tessa and I are walking into Bob’s. It’s a local bar that has a designated dance floor. There’s a jukebox in the corner, and on Friday and Saturday nights, they have live bands. We come here a lot, mostly with the guys in tow, but tonight, it’s girls’ night.
“Thank you for this,” I say once we’re seated at the bar.
“You ready to tell me what happened?” she asks.
“Not really, but I know you’re going to keep giving me that look, the one that says that you and I both know I’ll tell you eventually.” Tessa is the only person I’ve ever told my true feelings about Cooper. “We kissed. There was some… touching, and then he reminded me we’re just friends and that he didn’t want to go too far and not be able to come back to that.” Sure, I’m leaving out some details, but that’s the gist of the story. Besides, it’s still too raw, too painful to relive the entire night all over again. I’m just not there yet.
“This is the PG-condensed version, but I can work with this. How are you feeling?” she asks me.
“Broken,” I say as I blink back tears. “He has no idea, so I need to hide it. He would feel guilty, and I don’t want him with me out of guilt. I’m a big girl. I can handle this. I just need to pick up the pieces and move forward.”
“I’m so sorry, Reese. I could have sworn that he was in love with you.”
“He loves me.” I nod. “He’s protective like a big brother. As close as we are, and since we’re not really related, I could see how it would appear that way.” I had hoped that his love for me was more too.
“Well, you know what they say.” She grins. “The best way to get over a man is to get under another one.”
I can’t help but laugh at her. “I’m pretty sure I’m not ready for that. Casual has never been my thing.”
“Of course it’s not. You’ve been in a one-sided relationship for years. Your heart doesn’t know anything else.”
Her words sting, but they’re true. “One step at a time. I know I need to put myself out there. You’re all leaving. All of you are moving on to bigger and better things. I’ll just be me, sitting on the couch on Sundays, hoping to catch a glimpse of my best friends.”
“Your ass is going to visit, and I promise I’ll come visit too. Have you decided if you’re moving back home or staying here?”
“Not yet. I guess it all depends on if I get that job with the county that I applied for.”
“How does your mom and dad feel about that?”
I shrug. “I’m sure they wished I moved closer to home, but this is a really good opportunity, and would afford me the luxury of taking over our apartment. I wouldn’t have to move, which is a plus.”
“Well, regardless, you better tell them that you are best friends with several pro-football players and their wives and that you’re going to be taking lots of long weekends.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works. And wives?” I raise my eyebrows in question.
“Sure, eventually those knuckleheads are going to get married. Levi is getting pretty serious with his girl.”
“I guess you’re right.” The thought of Cooper moving on and getting married has my stomach twisting. My heart is so entangled with his, I don’t know how I’ll ever make it through that. I’m sure with time I’ll be okay. I just need to get past the hurt of his initial rejection of… more.
“What can I get you ladies to drink?” the bartender asks.
“Two vodka cranberries,” Tessa orders for us.
“Reese?” a male voice asks. I feel a warm hand settle on the small of my back. Turning, I see Hunter smiling at