“Yes.” There is no hesitation, only absolute certainty, in his voice.
“Okay.”
“Okay you won’t let someone else take you away from me or okay I’m going to fight for you?”
“Both.”
He exhales loudly. “Good. I’ll let you get back to what you were doing. I just wanted to hear your voice. If you change your mind about me being there, let me know. I can be on the next flight out.”
“You don’t know where I am.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’d be there.” We’re both quiet for several heartbeats. “I love you, Reese. Tell Tess I said hello.”
“I will.”
“Bye, baby.”
“Bye,” I say, and hit End on the call.
“Well?” Tessa asks.
I relay my brief conversation to her, and she smirks. “Told you so.”
“We’ll see.” I say the words, but inside, I’m screaming that I want her to be right. I want Cooper to fight for me. For us. I want to see this is more to him, that he really does love me. Not just the thought of me, or the me he thinks he can’t have. I want him to love all of me. One thing’s for sure. Tessa’s right. Only time will tell. I need to give him the chance to prove it to me and still hold on to the few shreds of my heart that are remaining.
Chapter 5
Cooper
Tossing my phone on the bed, I stare up at the ceiling of my childhood room. I left for college five years ago, and it still looks the same as the day I left. I wonder when Mom is going to change it? I checked out of the hotel yesterday, and this is where I ended up. Nixon and I hung out for a couple of hours before he decided he was going home to Louisiana. He offered for me to go with him, but I knew that both my parents and Reese’s had questions. I owed them answers.
It was late when I got in, I texted my parents that I was headed their way, and they left the front porch light on for me, just like they did when I was a kid. Using my key, I snuck inside a little before midnight and went straight to my old room. I’ve been hiding here ever since. I’ve been up since six, and I’ve called Reese a few times. Okay, more than a few since then. I’m surprised she answered. I needed to hear her voice. Not just that, but I needed her to know I’m going to fight for us. I’ve done nothing but think since I woke up in that hotel room all alone, and it’s a feeling I never want again.
I know Reese better than she knows herself, and I understand she’s scared. I meant what I told her, that I’m going to fight for her. For us. Whatever it takes for her to be by my side, I’ll do it. Tossing the covers off me, I stand. It’s after ten. It’s time for me to face the music. Grabbing some clothes, I take a quick shower, and head downstairs.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Mom says from her seat on the couch.
“Morning.” I take a seat next to her. Resting my elbows on my knees, I rub my hands over my face. I have no idea how this is going to go, but I have to do it.
“Rough night?” Dad chuckles.
I lift my head to look at him. “Rough year.”
“Tell us all about it.”
“I will. However, I think Eve and Garrett need to hear it too. Do you know what they’re up to today?”
“No, but we can call them.” Dad reaches into the pocket of his jeans and pulls out his phone. “You want them to come over?”
“Yes.”
“Wait.” Mom holds her hand up, and Dad stops what he’s doing. “Tell us what this is about.”
“Reese.”
“Is she okay?” Mom asks. There is true concern in her voice. She loves Reese like her own. They both do. If I have my say about it, she will be mine, ours, a part of this family for the rest of her life.
“I’m in love with her.” I blurt the words, needing to get the truth off my chest. The room is silent as my eyes dart between my parents. “Say something.”
They look at each other and at the same time say, “We know.”
“What do you mean, we know?” I ask.
“We’ve known for years. It wasn’t our place to interfere, so we kept it to ourselves,” Mom explains.
“Son, it was something you needed to realize on your own. You needed to feel it here,” he says, laying his hand over his chest.
“Everyone keeps saying they knew,” I mutter under my breath, causing them both to laugh.
“I take it you have something to do with Reese running out on her wedding yesterday?” Mom asks gently.
I nod. “I told her that I’m in love with her at the rehearsal.”
Dad whistles. “Talk about timing.”
“Yeah. Anyway, I know Garrett and Eve have questions, and I feel as though I owe them answers.”
“Does Reese know you’re going to talk to her parents?”
“No. She’s… out of town with Tessa.” Mom nods, which tells me she already knew.
“You know what? I’m just going to go over there.” I stand and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans.
“What exactly are you going over there for?” Dad asks.
“I need to explain why she walked out, that should fall on me. I’m the one who dropped this on her the day before her wedding.”
“Reese is her own person, Cooper. You didn’t make her walk out of that banquet hall,” Mom says gently.
“No. You’re right. I didn’t make her, but I’m damn glad she did. I think they need to know that as well.” Dad nods, and Mom has a small smile tilting her lips.
“We’re proud of you, Cooper.”
“For destroying a wedding?” I ask.
“No. For following your heart.”
“I love her. I’m going to fight for her.” It feels good to say it aloud.
“Show her, son. That’s all you can do is show her,” Dad says.
“That’s the plan.” I give them a wave before heading out the front door and across the yard to Reese’s parents’ place. I march up the steps and knock on the door, not giving myself the chance to change my mind.
“Cooper,” Eve says, opening the door. “We didn’t know you were home. Come on in.” She pulls the door open wider. “You know you don’t have to knock. You’re always welcome here.” She smiles warmly. “We just had a late breakfast. Are you hungry?” she offers.
I’m starving but didn’t come over here to eat. “No, thank you,” I say politely, following her into the living room.
“Look who I found,” she tells Garrett.
“Cooper, good to see you. How long are you in town?”
“A while,” I say vaguely. I don’t want to leave until she’s home and I have a chance to see her. Hell, I don’t want to leave her at all. Technically I don’t have to. I have a few engagements with the team I have to go back for, but it’s a three-hour drive, so that’s manageable.
“Not that we’re not happy to see you, but what brings you by? I’m sure you know that Reese isn’t here. She and Tessa went to Mexico for a week,” Eve says, not knowing that I didn’t know where she was.