Agony (Entangled Hearts Duet Book 1)

by Kaylee Ryan

  It’s early afternoon. I’m still in my pajamas, and I have no shame. I’ve enjoyed lying here on the couch, listening to it rain while I get lost between the pages of a good romance. I just finished Pants on Fire, and just like Tessa said, I loved it. I’m trying to decide what to eat for lunch before I dive into another book when my phone rings. Glancing at the screen, I see Levi’s goofy face.

  “Hey,” I greet him.

  “Reese,” he whines. “Where are you?”

  “Um, I’m at home. Why?”

  “Because I’m starving. It’s been forever since you’ve cooked for us.”

  “It has not.” I laugh. “I was there last week with Tessa. We made chicken stir fry.”

  “Last week. That’s a whole seven days.”

  He’s right. I’ve been spending less time at the house than usual. Cooper started seeing this Sasha girl a few weeks ago, and I know she’s not a fan of mine, so I’ve been trying to give them space. That, and it’s just easier for me. It hurts my heart to see him with someone else. I know that’s my issue and I need to get over it. I was hoping a little distance might help with that.

  “I think you’ll live.”

  “No. I. Won’t,” he sighs dramatically. “What are you doing today?”

  “Nothing much. Just lounging.”

  “Come feed us.”

  “You know you sound pathetic and desperate, right?”

  “Can you hear my stomach growling through the phone?”

  “Surely between the five of you, one of you can cook.” In fact, I know they can.

  “We can, but it’s not as good as yours. Come on. You’re just hanging out by yourself. Come over. Text me what you need and I’ll run to the store.”

  “I’m not alone. I just spent several hours wrapped up in a handsome man named Rueben.”

  “W-What?” he stutters. “Who is this Rueben? Has Reeves met him yet?”

  “Nope,” I say, popping the P. I’m barely holding in my laughter.

  “Bring him. We need to meet him.”

  “Yeah, no, that’s not happening.” Although my Kindle does go with me everywhere I go, so I guess, technically, I am bringing Rueben and all my many other book boyfriends with me.

  “Damn it, Reese. He’s going to be pissed.”

  “Who?” I smile to myself. He’s too easy to mess with.

  “Cooper.”

  “All right, you’re talking crazy. Is that lack of food?” I tease him.

  “Yes,” he says, deadpan.

  “Fine. I need to shower. I’ll text you what to get. How many are there?”

  “The six of us, Sasha, and Tessa.”

  “Everyone is there?” I try to hide my disappointment.

  “Well, no, but I’m sure they will be.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you soon.” I end the call, not waiting for him to say goodbye, and fire off a text. I’m craving tacos. My stomach growls just thinking about it. Tossing my phone on the couch, I rush down the hall to the shower.

  An hour later, I’m pulling my car into the driveway. It’s full, which means everyone is here. I don’t see Coop’s Jeep, and I’m thankful. Spending the rest of my day fielding mean girl looks from his new girlfriend isn’t exactly my idea of a good time.

  “Finally,” Hank says when I walk right in without knocking.

  “Not you too.” I laugh.

  “Levi said you were making tacos.”

  “I’m going to teach you boys how to cook.”

  “Who are you calling boys?” Dustin asks.

  “Well, you’re acting like boys. Seriously? You can’t make yourself lunch?”

  “You spoil us, Reese. Tessa too. We would have asked her, but they’re out on some date, and Nixon threatened us to leave them be.”

  “Aw. He’s so good to my bestie.”

  They all nod their agreement. I have a feeling I could get them to agree to anything about now. “I’m putting you all to work.”

  “As long as we start cooking now. I might die of malnutrition,” Trey says dramatically, holding his stomach as if he’s literally in pain.

  “Come on.” I playfully roll my eyes and offer Trey my hand to pull him off the couch. Four very loud sets of footsteps follow me into the kitchen. “Okay. Hank, you’re on tomato duty. Trey, onion duty, Levi, lettuce, and Dustin, you’ll help me with the beef and the chicken.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Hank says in his southern drawl.

  I get to work, and we fall into easy conversation. The guys talk about the upcoming season, and I chime in here and there. “I’m really excited for Nixon to get some playing time this year,” I say, adding in my two cents.

  “Right?” Dustin agrees.

  “It sucks he rode the bench most of the year, but that’s the hierarchy of being a freshman with an upperclassman who matches your skillset.”

  “Can I just say it’s hot as fuck that you know so much about football?” Hank says, making me blush.

  “That—” Levi points at me. “—that little blush ranks up the hotness factor.”

  “Right? She has no idea she’s beautiful,” Dustin agrees.

  “Stop. If you want dinner, you’ll hush.”

  “Coop’s a fucking moron,” Hank grumbles under his breath, but we all hear him.

  Even Cooper.

  “Why exactly am I a fucking moron?” Cooper asks, walking into the kitchen. Sasha is at his side, her hand gripping his tightly. She gives me one of those looks that says “don’t fuck with me,” before plastering on her fake girl smile. I fight to roll my eyes until my back is turned to them. Then I let it loose, and Dustin chuckles under his breath.

  Busted.

  Dustin leans his shoulder into mine as we stand side by side at the stove.

  “What are you two doing over there?” Cooper asks.

  I keep stirring the beef and let Dustin answer for us. “Our girl is trying to teach us how to cook.”

  I know the “our girl” comment was a dig at Cooper, although he doesn’t take the bait.

  “It smells great.”

  “Duh, Reese is cooking.” This comes from Tessa. I turn to look over my shoulder, and she gives me an exaggerated wink as she leaves Nixon’s side and comes to stand next to me at the stove. “You’re making me hungry, and we just had ice cream.”

  “That’s fine,” Nixon tells her. “I can eat.”

  “Told you,” Levi says. My back is to him, but I can only imagine that his shoulders are squared, and his chest is puffed out. Proud of himself. “There’s plenty,” he tells Cooper. “I figured everyone would end up here eventually.”

  “Done.” Hank slides the diced-up tomatoes from the cutting board into a bowl. “Anyone want a beer?” he asks. I hear the refrigerator door open as everyone calls out that they want one. “Tessa?”

  “Sure.”

  “You staying here?” Nixon asks her.

  “Yes, dear,” she says sweetly.

  “What about you, Reese?” Trey asks.

  “No. I have to drive home.”

  “Why don’t you just stay here like you always do?” he asks. The room falls silent, other than Trey’s muttered, “Shit.”

  “You can stay with me,” Levi says. “I have plenty of room.”

  “That’s okay,” I say, the same time Cooper says, “No.”

  I whip around to look at him. He’s watching me. Those brown eyes of his stare me down. His look is almost pleading. I start to soften, then I see Sasha pull on his arm. He ignores her, but the trance is broken. There is nothing wrong with me staying over with a friend. He gets to live his life while I pine away for him. This has to stop. I have to move on. There will never be a great Cooper and Reese romance.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind, Levi?” I ask him.

  “Reese.” Cooper’s tone is full of warning.

  “Hell no. That’s the least I can do for you coming over here to cook for us.”

  “That’s what friends are for.”

  “Bottoms up, Reese’s
Cup.” Trey hands me a beer.

  I make a show of placing the bottle to my lips and tilting my head back. I let the cold liquid pour down my throat. “Everything’s done. You guys can dig in.”

  “You first,” Hank says.

  “I’m just going to run to the restroom.” I set my beer on the counter and slip out of the room. There is a half bath just off the kitchen, but I need a little more space than that. I just need to get my head on straight. Instead, I take the stairs to the basement. There is a common area with a pool table, two bedrooms off it, and a bathroom. Luckily, the guys are fairly clean, so I have no worries when I lock myself inside. I take care of business, wash my hands, and stand with my hands on the counter, staring into the mirror. “Get it together, Reese.”

  Taking a deep breath, I open the door to find Tessa standing there. “You okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “Reese.” Her voice is soft, but I can hear the warning for me to be honest with her.

  “I’m good. I promise. I just need to… move on, and that hurts my heart a little. I’ve known for a long time.”

  She pulls me into a fierce hug, one only a best friend can pull off. “I’m here if you need to talk, or get drunk.”

  I laugh. “Thanks, Tess. Come on. I’m starving.”

  The kitchen is noisy when we enter. Everyone is eating, laughing, and having a good time. Tessa and I make our plates, and instead of squeezing in at the table, I place my plate on the counter next to my beer and try to jump up on the counter.

  “Hold on, shorty. I’ve got this.” Levi sets his plate down where he was coming back for what I assume is a second helping. He places his hands on my hips and lifts me up to the counter with very little effort. He goes right back to making his plate. My cheeks are flushed as my eyes dart around the room. They land on Cooper as he stares at me.

  Once everyone has had their fill, we move to the living room. “Cooper,” Sasha whines. Yes, it’s a whine, and it’s annoying as hell. How does he put up with that? “Let’s go to your room.”

  “No.” He doesn’t even entertain the idea or try to reason with her. He just flat out turns her down.

  She leans over to whisper in his ear. “How about that?” she asks where we can all hear her.

  “No.” Again, he blatantly dismisses her.

  “Anyone need anything from the kitchen?” I ask, standing. I can’t sit here and watch her. He can do so much better. I don’t know why he doesn’t see that. I get a yes to a couple of beers and a bottle of water for Tessa.

  “I’ll help.” Cooper stands to follow me.

  “Are you kidding me? Why are you following her?” Sasha says snidely.

  “Because that’s a lot for one person to carry.”

  “Why does it have to be you who helps her?” She says the word her as if I’m a snake that could strike out and bite her at any second.

  “The her you are referring to is my best friend.”

  “I’m your girlfriend.” She stomps her foot like a toddler.

  I know because I’m watching this all unfold like a train wreck that I can’t look away from. “Coop, it’s fine. I’ve got this.” I turn on my heel and start for the kitchen. I stop just inside the door and listen.

  “Come on, let’s go upstairs.” Sasha tries again.

  “No.”

  “I bet if she wanted to go, you would,” she sneers.

  “You’re right. I would. Do you know why?” He doesn’t give her time to finish. “She’s my best friend. The most important person in my life, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you treat her like she’s anything less than that.”

  “Are you fucking her?” She gasps.

  Cooper heaves a sigh. “No. I’m not fucking her. Not that it’s any of your business.”

  “We’re dating.”

  “We were dating. Now we’re just acquaintances. If you can’t respect Reese, you’re not welcome here.”

  “Are you serious right now? You’re never going to meet someone who’s going to put up with her place in your life. I was willing to overlook it, but I deserve better.”

  “How exactly is giving her dirty looks and being a bitch to her overlooking it? And I don’t want someone in my life who doesn’t accept my family. Reese is family.”

  “Fuck you, Cooper Reeves. I can have any man I want.”

  “Then go find him. Because this one doesn’t want you.”

  “Tell him.” I hear Sasha say. “Tell him that I’m better than her. That she’s going to hold him back.” The room is deathly silent. “Fine, who wants to go get drunk and laid?” Again, she’s greeted with more silence. “Fuck all of you.” She storms off—if the pounding of heels against the hardwood floor is any indication.

  I scurry to the fridge and gather what I need. I feel him before he speaks. I’ve always been able to tell when he’s near.

  “Hey. Sorry about all that.”

  I turn to face him. “It’s not a big deal. We knew this would happen, right? People don’t understand our friendship.”

  “I don’t need anyone in my life who is not going to accept you.”

  “You prepared to be a single man for eternity?” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Reese.” He reaches out and pushes my hair off my shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

  I shrug. “I better get these out there.”

  “Let me help you,” he offers.

  “No.” I spin away out of his reach. “I’ve got it.” I rush back to the living room and pass out drinks, taking a seat on the floor and propping my back against the love seat where Tessa and Nixon are cuddled up. Hank puts on a movie, and we all settle in. I can feel Cooper’s eyes on me, but I refuse to look at him. I’m not mad at him, but he confuses me. He’ll stand up for me, put me before anyone else. While I appreciate that, my fragile heart, the one that belongs to him, takes it as a mixed message. That’s on me, not on him, and I get that. However, it doesn’t make it any easier for me to handle.

  When the credits roll, Nixon stands. “We’re calling it a night.” He offers Tessa his hand.

  “Come on, party poopers. Watch another one with us,” Trey says.

  “Nope.” Nixon picks Tessa up, tossing her over his shoulder. Her laughter fills the room as he takes her upstairs.

  “My room’s ready for you whenever you’re sleepy,” Levi says. “I even put clean sheets on this morning.”

  “Reese.” Cooper says my name reverently. “Can we talk?”

  “Sure.” I shrug like it’s not a big deal. It shouldn’t be. My heart just didn’t get the memo.

  He stands from the couch and offers me his hand. I take it, letting him pull me from the floor. “Let’s go to my room.” I don’t say a word as I allow him to lead me upstairs to his room. “I’m sorry,” he says once the door is shut.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

  “I hate that she talked about you, about us like that. I know she wasn’t nice to you. I saw the looks.”

  “It’s fine, Coop. We’ve been defending our friendship for years. I’m used to it.”

  “No. It’s not fine. I should have kicked her ass to the curb a lot sooner.”

  “You’re allowed to date.”

  “I know, but that person will respect you and who you are in my life, or it’s not going to work out.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay? Is that all you have to say?”

  “I don’t know what you want from me, Cooper.”

  He sits on the bed next to me. His arm settles around my shoulders, and he pulls me into his chest. “I want you to tell me that we’re okay. I can’t lose you over this.”

  “You’re not going to lose me.”

  “Promise.”

  I hold up my pinky finger. “Pinky promise.”

  He smiles, linking his pinky with mine as there’s a knock at the door. “Come in.”

  “Hey,” Levi says, his eyes only on mine. “You ready for bed?” Cooper tenses beside me.

>   I look up at Cooper, and he shakes his head. “Stay, we have a lot to talk about.”

  “Thanks, Levi, but it looks like this one plans on being chatty Kathy tonight.”

  He nods. I see understanding and maybe… pity in his gaze. “If you change your mind, I’m just down the hall.” With that, he closes the door.

  “You were going to share a bed with him.” It’s not so much a question as a statement.

  “Yes. He’s a good guy.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  “You got your way.”

  “This is the bed you sleep in when you’re here.”

  “And the Sashas of the world?”

  “They’re not you.”

  My heart flutters in my chest as the butterflies swarm, and I have to remind myself that it’s our friendship he’s so vigilantly honoring. Not love. Sure, he loves me, but not like I love him. He couldn’t possibly. It’s a love so deep, I’m scared to death that I’ll never love another.

  Chapter 9

  Cooper

  College: Junior Year

  We made it to the playoffs. For the third year in a row, Central University is going all the way. Our team is undefeated this year, just like last year, and we’re so close to another championship I can taste it. We didn’t win it my freshman year, but we made it to the final game. Last year, even with losing the seniors, we rallied and pulled off a win. I want to do it again. Not just because it looks good to scouts to be on a winning team.

  But I like to win.

  It’s hard work to put your heart and soul into a game, practice every day of the week, deprive your body of the delicious foods that surround you, give up beer at parties, and miss out on so much because you’re in the gym or traveling to a game. No, you do it for the win. For the high that you and your team are the best.

  “This blows,” Hank says from beside me.

  “The win will be worth it,” I tell him.

  “This is our party, and we can’t even enjoy it,” Trey grumbles.