“I get that. I would never hold her back, but she’s also the love of my life. That makes her mine. Yes, I’m aware she’s not a possession, but she owns my heart.” I shrug.
“There, you should have started with that.”
“Is there something in the water? You and my dad both have cornered me, and we haven’t been back an hour.”
“Usually we get the gossip from our wives, but they’re slacking in that department lately. Glad to see Trevor agrees with me, and it was time to just find out for ourselves.”
“Is there anything else that you want to know?” I ask.
“No. I know you, Cooper. I know you’re a man of your word, and I know you love my daughter. I’ve seen it for years. I’m just glad you finally pulled your head out of your ass.” He grins.
“You and me both, Garrett. You and me both.”
Chapter 14
Reese
Mom ended up calling Ann and asking her if she wanted to ride with us. I assumed that meant they were both going to grill me about what’s going on between Cooper and me. I was shocked, though, when neither one of them mentioned him, or our current situation. They talked my head off about the party they’re having tomorrow night, and that they’re glad Cooper and I could make it, but that was it.
The fact they didn’t mention it made me want to. Sounds crazy, right? It’s not even that I want to talk about him or us, because I don’t. I know how I feel about it. I know that even with the best of intentions, and wonder woman efforts, I wasn’t able to keep my heart from latching on to hope. The thing is, he’s still holding strong on his declaration that he’s in love with me. He’s touching me and kissing me, and in front of our parents, and that’s not who we are. Well, that’s not who we were. This is altogether different, and I don’t hate it.
Not even a little.
“So, I know that you don’t want to talk about it,” Mom says as we pull into the driveway. She glances at the passenger seat at Ann. “We both made up your rooms. We know you and Cooper are adults, and we don’t care where you sleep, our place or theirs. We’re just glad the two of you are home, and well, we’re glad you’re together.”
“Th-anks,” I say slowly. “Cooper will be staying with Ann and Trevor, and I’ll be staying with you and Dad. He sleeps in the spare room at my apartment,” I say again, even though I know they don’t believe me.
“Oh,” they both say at the same time. I’m in the back seat, but I can picture both of them with their mouths forming the perfect Os. These two have been best friends just as long as Cooper and me. In fact, so have our dads. Our families just hit it off, and the rest, as they say, is history. Well, it was until Cooper and I decided to complicate things. However, I must admit, our parents seem to be on board. I make a mental note to tell Cooper about this conversation.
Mom and I help Ann carry her items to her place and then unload ours. “How many people are coming to this party, anyway?” I ask.
“Well, we combined it again this year, so between the two houses, probably a hundred or so,” Mom says nonchalantly.
“Do you know that many people?” I ask.
She laughs. “Yes, and that’s combined. Your dad and Trevor are manning the grill over at their place, and Ann and I are doing the sides and desserts here. We plan to meet in the middle in the tent between the yards so everyone can gather together.”
“Sounds like a lot of work.”
“Parties usually are, but it’s fun to catch up with people. Life seems to keep too busy during the year. Besides, you and Cooper are home for the first time since you left college for Memorial Day. We’ve stepped up our game, as you kids would say, since you’ve been gone. I’m sure everyone will be glad to see the two of you.”
“Mom,” I groan. “Please tell me that you didn’t tell everyone we were dating. We don’t even really have a name for what we are right now. We don’t need all that added pressure.”
“No. I didn’t tell anyone, but, honey, one look at the way the two of you look at each other, and everyone is going to figure it out.”
“Good to know. I should avoid Coop as much as possible tomorrow.”
This time her laughter is loud and boisterous as she throws her head back. “Like that boy is going to let you avoid him.”
“He’s not a boy,” I say, feeling my face heat. I know all too well that Cooper is all man.
“That—” She points at me with a huge grin on her face. “That look right there is going to give both of you away.” Her comment is smug, and I don’t reply because I have a feeling she might be right.
“You sure you want to do this?” I ask Cooper as we pull into Bill’s Billiards.
“Are you kidding? I had to get out of the house. I love my parents, but I’m used to being on my own.”
“To be honest, that’s the only thing that got me here. I feel the same way,” I confess.
“Come on. Let’s go have a drink and catch up with some old friends.” He pulls the keys from the ignition, and begrudgingly, I climb out and meet him in front of his truck. With his hand on the small of my back, he leads me inside.
My eyes scan the room, and I spy a small table in the back. Perfect. We can people watch, and hopefully not be seen. It’s not that I don’t want to see my old friends. It’s more that I know what my mom said is true, and there is no way I can hide what Cooper means to me. The more I think about it and worry, I wonder why I need to? We’re adults. We can do as we wish, with whomever we wish. My shoulders relax as we reach the table and take a seat.
“What do you want to drink?”
“Surprise me.”
He winks, gives my shoulder a squeeze, and heads off toward the bar. I watch him until he gets lost in the crowd, and then I fight the urge to pull out my phone and scroll through random apps and my emails. My theory is if I don’t make eye contact, then they will not engage. I’m being ridiculous, and I know that, but it doesn’t stop me from reaching for my phone just as someone slides into the seat across from me.
“Reese!” Janie Henderson, my best friend in high school, says, wearing a grin. “I didn’t know you were in town.”
She didn’t know because we lost touch when Cooper and I left for college. I also still have a hard time with the fact that she and Cooper slept together. She was his first. It’s irrational, but it should have been me. More than that, she knew how I felt about him, and she was my best friend. It’s wrong and petty, but I’ll never forgive her for that. I’m well aware that if it wasn’t Janie, it would have been someone else, but for me, she was my best friend. That made Cooper off-limits.
“Janie,” I greet her.
“Are you here alone?” she asks.
Before I have a chance to answer, Joey Patrick, who coincidentally was my first, takes the seat next to her. “Reese Latham.” He grins. “Didn’t know you were back in town.”
“I’m not. Just for the weekend visiting my parents.”
“You should have called,” Janie says, faking a pout.