What had I just agreed to?
***
Levi had gone to his bedroom to finish his movie while Cooper and I dined on shrimp fajitas. After we finished eating, I shooed Cooper away from cleaning up. He’d been avoiding the text messages on his phone all evening out of politeness, saying he’d call Zoey later, but he’d been preoccupied ever since so I told him to go call her, make sure everything was okay. It was the only way he’d ease his own mind.
He had already done enough for us; he didn’t need to put off his own life and responsibilities for us, too.
As I was cleaning up and putting the dishes into the dishwasher, my phone started to ring. Drying my damp hands on a towel, I picked up the phone and saw Ethan’s name lighting up the screen.
Great. What does he want?
“Hello?” I knew my tone wasn’t the most pleasant, but to be fair, it was because I was so used to being let down by him that every time he called I assumed that was what was about to happen.
“Hey, I was just calling about tomorrow night.”
I knew it, the prick is going to cancel again.
“What about it?” I bit out, rage already bubbling in my veins.
Cooper had come back into the apartment, and Levi laughed as he held him in his arms, whooshing him through the air like one of the action figures.
“Faster, Cooper! Faster!” Levi yelled at the top of his lungs.
“Can’t, buddy. My arm’s not up to it quite yet,” he reminded the young boy. “But soon, I promise.”
My stomach dropped, knowing Ethan must’ve heard the exchange.
He cleared his throat. “Who’s Cooper?” I could tell by his tone that he was holding himself back from blowing up at me.
“A friend,” I lied. “So, what about tomorrow?” I asked again, quickly redirecting him from the topic as guilt began to crowd my stomach.
“Right. Well, I’m going to be a little late picking him up tomorrow night, and I just wanted you to know.”
“And you had to call and tell me that?” I asked through an irritated sigh.
“I’m really trying here, Sam.” Ethan’s voice grew firm, but I just rolled my eyes.
“So what time should I be expecting you? I have plans.”
“You have plans?” The condescending jerk put emphasis on you because I wasn’t a woman that ever had plans outside of him, Levi, and work. I’d never gone out with the girls from work, and after having Levi, I’d lost touch with a lot of my friends from high school as they weren’t parents yet.
“Yes, I have plans.”
“With who?” I could hear the jealousy breaking through his teeth as the question slowly and firmly spilled from his mouth.
“Does it matter? What do you and what’s-her-face have planned with Levi tomorrow?” I tried to keep my tone hushed, tried not to raise my voice. I didn’t want Cooper to know I was having a spat with Ethan. But, most of all, I didn’t want Levi to hear a word of it.
“You’re right, it doesn’t matter. Sorry for asking.” Ethan’s voice was laced with thinly veiled hatred.
I ended the call, a small grin of satisfaction tugging at my lips. It seemed that the playing field between us had been levelled a bit, and I had to admit, I kind of liked the idea that it’d taken him completely by surprise.
He didn’t like any of it much, but I couldn’t decide which part Ethan disliked more—that I’d moved on, or that I’d risen from the ashes of what we’d once been, becoming someone he didn’t fully recognize.
***
The bright sun shone through the blinds of my bedroom, waking me. I turned to find Cooper sleeping soundly, the sunlight stretching across his bare chest, his dark hair a complete mess I wanted nothing more than to tangle my fingers in.
I’m in love with him.
The realization hit me with the force of a tsunami. This is the man I want to wake up to every morning.
Sneaking out of bed, I slipped into my fluffy pink slippers and threw my hair into a big, messy bun, then headed down the hallway toward the kitchen. I set up the coffee pot to brew, then sought out the box of pancake mix I knew I’d purchased, with every intention of cooking Cooper and Levi a decent breakfast while I enjoyed my first cup of the day.
Warm breath graced the nape of my neck, startling me, and Cooper’s fingertips traced down the bare skin of my throat, all the way to my arm, causing goosebumps to rise in its wake.
“Good morning, pretty lady. You’re up awfully early.” His voice was raspy from just waking up, and it did something to my insides.
I flipped one of the pancakes over, then turned to face him. He drank me in from head to toe, his gaze finally focusing on my eyes. I’d realized I was still in pajamas, hair tousled, no makeup, and had splatters of pancake mix on my t-shirt. I was a complete mess, yet the way he looked at me made me feel like I was dressed to the nines.
“Good morning to you, too. I know, I woke up before my alarm even went off.” I smiled coyly.
A moment of comfortable silence came over us, but Cooper’s face slowly shadowed into a more serious expression. “Can I ask you something?” His voice softened, but his gaze grew stronger.
“Isn’t that what you just did?” I winked, turning to face the stove again, afraid the pancakes would burn if I got distracted for much longer. And afraid of what he might say next.
“Cracking jokes at this early hour. And here, I thought you weren’t a morning person.” Cooper’s hand gripped my hips again and he nibbled at my sensitive earlobe, causing a soft giggle to escape me as I tilted my head, shooing him away.
“Okay, okay. I’m going to burn breakfast if you don’t stop. What’s the question?” I turned the stove off, facing him again.
His hand reached out to caress my cheek, and he brushed his palm against it lightly before pulling me in for a kiss. Resting his forehead to mine, I could tell he was trying to muster up the courage to speak.
“What is it?” I whispered, concern bubbling within me.
“I love you, Samantha.” He cupped my cheeks in his hands and stared deeply into my eyes. “I want you, all of you. Levi, too. I want us.”
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
“I want to be with you. To take this to the next level,” he continued. “I love Levi as if he was my own son, and I love you like I’ve never loved anyone else before. I want you to be in Tommy and I’s life. I want you to meet him, because I think you’d be good for him, too. Just like you’re good for me.”
My breath caught, and I swallowed hard past the lump in my throat. I could feel tears brimming my eyelids. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious about what he said, but I felt the same way about him, too.
That feeling created vulnerability, though, and I hated it. I trusted Cooper, but I’d once trusted Ethan as well. I wouldn’t be able to handle another heartbreak. Especially not with our children involved.
Cooper must have seen the uncertainty in my eyes. “We can take it slowly,” he promised. “Just one step at a time, I’m okay with that. But I want to be with you in every sense of the word, Sam, no matter how long it takes us. I’m in this with you and Levi one hundred percent, okay?”
The man exuded confidence in every word he spoke, and I had no doubt in my heart or my mind that he meant everything he said.
I inhaled deeply, slowly and softly pressing my lips to his before responding. “I want the same thing, Cooper. I do. And I’d be honored to meet Tommy, I would. Just...one step at a time. I can’t go through another heartbreak any time soon.”
“You won’t have to. Mark my words, I will never break your heart.”
A loud, exaggerated yawn pulled me out of the moment, and both Cooper and I turned to see Levi, stretching his arms above his curly bedhead.
“Good morning, Spidey!” Cooper ducked down to scoop him into a hug.
“Morning, Superman.” The boy’s voice was still thick with sleep. He reached his arms up toward me and I reached down to pull him into m
y arms, earning myself a bear hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Morning, Mommy.” He rested his head on my shoulder, still groggy.
“Good morning, sweetheart. Ready for some pancakes?”
Levi’s head shot up, looking at me with widened eyes as he nodded his head emphatically. I lowered him to the floor, and he ran to the table without another word. You’d have thought I rarely fed the boy.
Cooper dished up our plates and I poured us some milk. Warmth filled my chest as I took in the scene around me, the simplicity of us waking up together and sharing a breakfast so comfortably, like we’d done it a thousand times before. I was excited for our future. And moments like this were something I would continue to look forward to.
After breakfast, Cooper took over with the cleanup so I could get ready before Ethan came to pick up Levi, glancing sporadically at the clock while I did so. He would arrive within the next hour and a half, but it would take that long to steel myself and mentally prepare to be face to face with the man.
I hurried to get ready, throwing on a red blouse and black pants, then pulled my hair into a slick bun.
“Levi, come here! Your daddy is going to be here soon,” I hollered down the hallway.
He immediately came running. “I don’t get to stay with Cooper today?” He puckered his bottom lip out in disappointment.
“Not today, buddy. I’m sorry, but you’ll have lots of fun with Daddy, okay?” I tried to reassure him, but I knew, just as he did, that he would have had much more fun with Cooper since he actually paid attention and played with him.
Cooper snuck down the hall and wrapped Levi in his arms again, surprising him enough to make him squeal shrilly. “I’ll be here to watch you in a couple days. Sound good? Maybe you can help me take care of my little boy, too.”
“You have a little boy?” Levi’s eyes widened yet again.
“Sure do.” Cooper grinned. “And I need you’re help teaching him all about Spider-Man.”
“I’m an expert.” Levi’s smile was huge. “I can teach him lots.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind, believe me.”
I grabbed his toothbrush and put toothpaste on it, then handed it to him. The little boy knew the drill, and when Cooper released him, he stepped up onto the stool by the vanity and began to brush his teeth. I knew that would keep him occupied long enough for Cooper and I to sneak out of the bathroom and exchange our goodbyes.
“I’ll be seeing you later.” Cooper growled the words against my ear, kissing my neck lightly enough that I could tell he was holding himself back.
“We’ll see,” I teased.
His eyes narrowed, but he knew I was kidding. “I’d better get out of here so your drop-off with Ethan goes smoothly.” Cooper arched his brow, shrugging. “Or, I could hang out and introduce myself?”
“Definitely not. Get out of here,” I laughed.
He pulled me against his chest, hugging me to him as he leaned his head down, pressing his lips to mine. We pulled away reluctantly, and he held me there. I watched as his eyes flitted between my gaze and my mouth.
“I love you.” He brushed his fingers from my temple, down my cheek, and jaw, sending chills down my spine.
“I—”
Cooper’s finger pressed gently against my lips, and he shook his head. “One step at a time,” he whispered, smiling coyly. He let his finger trail across my lip as he pulled away, then left.
I was left standing there, my body screaming for one more touch.
I was about to say those three words out loud, damn it!
I sighed, dreading the fact that he wouldn’t be here with my little boy today, making him happy and having a blast with him. Instead, Levi would probably be told to go watch TV because Ethan had work to do, like always.
Real quality time, I thought drily.
I finished getting Levi ready. Shortly after, a loud knock announced Ethan’s arrival.
It never failed, every time Ethan came to pick him up, my mind usually flooded with all the awful things he’d done to our family behind my back.
But, today was different. Today, I didn’t care.
***
Entering the apartment building again after getting Levi safely tucked into the backseat of Ethan’s car, I was experiencing mixed feelings. Sadness tugged at my heart because I wouldn’t be coming home to Cooper and Levi playing together. But I was anticipating some much-needed alone time with Cooper tonight.
Almost at the top of the staircase, I stopped dead in my tracks. I could faintly hear Cooper’s voice.
And the voice of a woman I didn’t recognize was responding to him.
“We were so good together,” was all I could hear her say, which was more than enough.
I slowly and quietly made my way up the stairs, making sure Cooper couldn’t see me. My heart dropped to my feet, my stomach churning wildly as rage pooled in my veins. Shock and disappointment crept up into my throat at the sight down the hallway, only mere feet from my doorway.
The woman leaned in, kissed him. And Cooper came forward, leaning into the kiss, too.
He didn’t back away.
The fucking asshole kissed her. And, to make matters worse, she looked a whole lot like me from what I could see. Dark, auburn hair, curvy body, roughly the same height.
If that’s not a slap in the face, I don’t know what is. Hell, maybe her name is Samantha, too.
I looked away, ducking into my apartment so I didn’t have to bear witness to his blatant betrayal. I heard the door close behind the two of them in Cooper’s apartment as well.
Tears burned my eyes as I fell against the door, sliding to the floor. With my head in my hands, I ripped the elastic from my hair and let the dark strands topple over my shoulders. I ran my hands through it, pulling harshly, just to feel some kind of pain other than the betrayal searing my veins.
I’m a fool. I knew it was too good to be true, and I still let myself fall for the him. I knew better.
CHAPTER EIGHT
COOPER
Everything had changed, and it was all thanks to Samantha and Levi moving in next door. I had to admit, when I met her that first day in the stairwell, when she’d snapped at me for trying to help her pick up the items she’d dropped, I never would have believed that introduction would lead us to here.
To now.
Because the now between us was good. Really good.
And maybe that’s why I should’ve known Zoey would show up here and try to destroy the little life I’d managed to find.
The knock on the door had been a surprise in itself. I knew it wasn’t Samantha because she always texted or called first—her own personal habit, I guess. And if it’d been a delivery guy or something, they wouldn’t have made it into the building without buzzing my apartment doorbell first and waiting for me to let them in. And, in all the years I’d lived in this building, not once had any of my other neighbors come to my door asking for favors. Hell, I barely knew them.
Which was why I should’ve known Zoey was on the other side of that door, and yet my chest had constricted, immediately convincing myself it had to be Samantha because, well, everything I said, did, and thought about had to do with her these days.
“Hello, Coop.”
I would’ve slammed the door in her face if I hadn’t been so completely shocked by her unplanned presence without Tommy in tow. “Zoey?”
“Hey,” she said with a coy grin. “I know it’s been a while since I stopped by on my own, but—”
“Is Tommy okay?” I asked, my eyes flitting down the hallway as though I’d see his carrier or something. “What’s going on?”
The edge in my voice must have caught her off guard, because I saw her smile falter slightly. Just as quickly, it was back in place. “Tommy’s fine, don’t worry. Can I come in? Just for a bit.”
Her hand reached out to rest on mine, which I’d placed on the trim of the doorway, blocking her entry to the apartment.
My apartment now, no
t hers.
I flinched, immediately pulling it away from her grasp. “There’s no reason for you to be here, Zoey. Not without my son. We’ve been through this, and I’ve said everything I wanted to say.”
“Well, I haven’t.” She pushed out her bottom lip. “I’ve missed you, Coop.”
Funny, until that moment, I hadn’t realized that Samantha didn’t call me Coop. Not once. It was always Cooper on her tongue, not the short form. And until then, I hadn’t realized that was okay, because I wasn’t Coop anymore, anyway. Coop was gone, and he’d left the same time Zoey had decided to walk away from me.
That left only Cooper Henley, the man I was now.
And that man was content and happy with the pretty lady down the hall, the woman who’d shown me there was more to life than regretting the past.
Samantha was my life now, and Levi and Tommy. Not Zoey. And Samantha had opened her heart up to me—to Cooper. The woman standing in front of me didn’t have a hope in hell of undoing that.
“I can’t say the same,” I said, my voice low. “And I’d apologize for that, but I can’t really say I’m sorry, either.”
It may have been a trick of the lighting, but I swore I saw her eyes roll slightly. “Oh, you always were so dramatic.” She pushed against my arm, intent on pushing past me to come inside the apartment, but I locked my elbow despite the fact it was my weaker arm, letting the muscles in my forearms bunch. I winced, just she didn’t seem to care that I refused to let her through.
Zoey pushed herself up against my arm, her breasts pressed against me. She didn’t try to force herself completely through again, but she stayed in place, turning her face to mine, a war of wills battling silently.
“No, Zoey,” I repeated, knowing damn well she could count on one hand how many times she’d heard me refuse her anything in the time we’d been together. “I mean it. There’s no place for you here anymore.”
“You don’t know that,” she said a little too seductively for my liking.
“I know it for a fact. You should go.”
Finally, her eyes narrowed, the unspoken truth sinking in. “You’ve got someone else?” Her eyes flitted past me, as though I had someone hidden within the depths of the apartment.
Defensive Daddy: A Bad Boy Hockey Romance Page 7
