by Kaylee Ryan
“You good?” he asks.
“I think so. I really need a shower.”
“I’ll go grab your bag.” He releases his grip on my hair, gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze, and leaves me alone.
I manage to fall back on my ass and lift his T-shirt and pull his sweats away from my body. I heave a sigh of relief that my undies not only match but were sexy. Not that it matters to him, but like I said, it makes me feel better.
“Reese,” he calls through the closed door. “Okay if I come in?”
“Yeah.”
He smiles when he sees me with my back resting against the tub. “Here.” He steps into the small bathroom and hands me a bottle of water and two tablets.
“My hero.” He just shakes his head.
“Here’s your bags.” He sets the bag I packed with clothes and the toiletry bag I leave here for nights I stay over.
“Thanks, Coop.”
“You good? You need me to help you?”
I wish. “No, I’m good. Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“I’m going to go see what I can wrangle you for breakfast that won’t sour your stomach. I’ll be downstairs.”
“What are we doing today?”
“What do you want to do today?” he counters.
“A whole lot of nothing.”
He laughs. “We can make that happen, Reese’s Pieces. I’ll be downstairs. Oh, I almost forgot.” He pulls my phone out of his back pocket. “Here. Call if you need me.” With that, he turns and walks out.
I remain where I am on the floor, propped up against the tub until I feel like I can actually move. Slowly, I climb to my feet. Reaching out, I lock the door, and then strip out of his clothes, but not before smelling them. They smell just like him, and well, alcohol, so sadly, they must go.
I wish I could remember more of last night. He’s seen me in bathing suits, but what I had on last night left little to the imagination. Did he like what he saw? I mean, he is a guy, but apparently not enough to act on it. Sure, he wouldn’t take advantage of me, but today… today he could have acted on it. That’s merely wishful thinking on my part.
I spend some time in the shower, just standing under the hot spray. It helps to wake me up and wash away the fog of my hangover. I can’t believe I drank that much. Never again. I’m never drinking that much ever again. I hate feeling like this. What’s worse is what could have happened had Cooper not been here to take care of me. Then again, I wouldn’t have even considered it if he weren’t. I knew he had me, just like he knows I always have him. That’s what best friends are for.
Thirty minutes later, I’m making my way down the stairs to hear the guys and Tessa in the kitchen.
“There she is,” Levi calls out.
I wince at his loud voice. “I’m right here,” I tell him.
He grins and comes to me, throwing his arm over my shoulders. “How you feeling, slugger?”
“Like death.”
“Here.” Cooper hands me a plate with a plain bagel with cinnamon cream cheese icing.
My favorite. Both of them. “Thanks, Coop.”
“He made a special trip,” Tessa speaks up.
I look over at her, then my eyes slide to Cooper. “Thank you.”
He nods.
“So, Reese, we were thinking about having another party tonight.” Hank grins as he says the words, unable to keep a straight face.
“You do that. I’ll be at my apartment, curled up on the couch, far, far away from the alcohol. I can’t believe I drank that much.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I feel just as bad as you do,” Tessa adds.
“It was good to see the two of you let loose for once,” Nixon says, kissing her on the cheek.
“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. I hate feeling like ass,” I mutter.
“You and me both,” Tessa agrees.
“For real, though, what’s going on tonight?” Hank asks.
“I have a date.” Trey’s wink is exaggerated.
“Oh, yeah? Who with?” Dustin asks him.
“Cute little co-ed that was here last night.”
“Nice.” Dustin holds his fist out for a bump, and Trey knocks his fist in reply.
“I’ve got nothing,” Levi announces.
“There’s a party over at that baseball house. You in?” Hank asks.
“Sure.” Levi shrugs.
“Me too,” Dustin tells them.
“You know, if Coach catches you partying a week before the big game, you’re toast, right?” Nixon asks them.
“Who says we’re drinking? I’m just going for the ladies.” Dustin smirks.
“What about you guys?” Hank asks Nixon.
“No. We’re just going to lay low,” Nixon says, pulling Tessa close to his side.
“Reeves?” Hank looks over at Cooper.
“Nah, I’m going to stay in and take care of this one.” He points toward me. “Her mom and mine would have my ass if I didn’t.”
“I don’t need a sitter. You can go. I won’t be drinking again for a long time. A very, very long time,” I say, popping the last bite of my bagel into my mouth.
“Nah, I’m good. I’m not willing to risk the wrath of Coach. One night is enough for me.”
“Pussy,” Hank taunts.
“I’ll remember that when Coach lays into your ass.” Cooper points at Hank.
“Nah, I’m not going to get into any trouble, unless you know, it’s the sexual kind.” He gyrates his hips, and I can’t help but laugh at him.
“Well, don’t be bringing said ladies back here. We don’t want to spend our night listening to you and your harem,” Nixon tells him.
“Hey.” Hank holds his hands out at his sides. “I can’t help that the ladies love Hank the Tank.”
“Oh, God.” Tessa rolls her eyes. “You’re calling yourself that now?”
Hank is a defensive lineman for the CU Tigers. The nickname actually suits him. At six foot seven, he stands tall over the rest of the guys in the house, and most of the guys on the football team. He’s wide, so wide in fact, that Tessa and I both can stand in front of him, and there are still inches to go. Inches. I know this because we’ve tried it on multiple occasions. He’s that big. However, he’s not mean. Not like you might think with a nickname like Hank the Tank. It’s merely just from his size and his actions on the football field. Off the field, he’s a giant teddy bear and a huge flirt.
All three of them, which excludes Nixon and Cooper, are huge flirts. I used to think it was to make Cooper jealous, but as time went on, his threats to kill them for touching me wore off, and they still continue to flirt with me. Just another reminder that he doesn’t see me that way. He was just being a good best friend, kind of like a brother, and looking out for me. They know that if any of them were to ever hurt me, he would kill them. Okay, maybe kill is too strong of a word, but he would certainly rough them up. Of that, I am certain.
“Well, if you change your mind, you know where we’ll be. I’m going back to bed for a few hours.” Hank stands and leaves the room.
“I’m hitting the gym. Levi?” Dustin asks.
“I’m with ya.” He downs the rest of his glass of milk and rinses it out before placing it in the sink.
“Look at that. My boy’s all grown up,” Tessa coos.
I chuckle. The guys always grumble about dishes and especially getting milk out of the bottom of the glass with their big hands. It’s taken us years to convince them that if they just take the time to rinse it out, that problem goes away.
Levi bends and kisses Tessa on the cheek. “What would we do without you?”
“You’re not going to be alive to find out if you don’t get your lips off my girl.”
Levi shrugs and comes to stand in front of me. He bends and kisses me on the cheek as well. I feel nothing but friendship and brotherly love from him. “You too,” he says, rising. In the past, when he would do this, I would look at Cooper to gauge his reaction. Tho
se days have long since passed. I know his jaw is going to be set, and there will be a warning glare in those brown eyes. I also know that it’s for his best friend. No matter how badly I want it to be more, it’s not.
“Me too.” Dustin shoves a donut in his mouth and stands.
“I’m going to head home, get a few more hours of sleep. I’ll be back later,” I tell anyone who’s listening.
“Just go back upstairs and sleep,” Tessa says.
My eyes scan to Cooper. “I don’t want to cramp your style today.”
“Never.” He, too, rinses out his glass and holds his hand out for me. “Come on, drunk girl.”
I stick my tongue out at him, and he laughs. Placing my hand in his, I let him lead me upstairs to his room. Once inside, I go to his bed and burrow under the covers. It’s a dreary fall day, and sleeping in is just what the doctor ordered to help cure this hangover. Cooper pulls the curtains closed, and I shut my eyes, assuming he’s going back downstairs. A few minutes later, I feel the bed dip, and his body moves in settling next to mine.
“You good, Reese? Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine.” I don’t turn to look at him. I know he’s close because I can feel the heat of his body.
“Get some rest.” He places his hand on my hip and doesn’t move it. I lie still, waiting to see what happens. Nothing. A few minutes later, his light snores greet me. I relax into the mattress and eventually drift off to sleep, tethered to my best friend. Not just by his hand, but my heart. In more ways than one.
Chapter 11
Cooper
I wake with a jolt. My eyes spring open, and I take in my current situation. I’m warm, not unreasonably so, but warmer than usual. I look to the woman lying in my arms and smile.
Reese.
She’s sound asleep, but it’s her ass, her perfect round, gorgeous, now pink-thong-wearing ass that woke me up. It’s currently pressing against my cock. She’s covered, fully dressed in her own clothes, but I now know what lies underneath. I saw it in her bag, and I can now after last night get a clear visual in my mind of how she looks in it. I have a clear image in my head. My arms are around her, holding her close to my chest. We’ve ended up like this a few times; it happens when two people who are as close as we are share a bed. However, this time it’s different. This time all I can think about is stripping her out of her clothes and tracing her curves with my tongue.
I’ve always known that my best friend was gorgeous. Hell, I’ve warned off plenty of assholes—some of which are my closest friends. She has the kind of beauty that’s understated. She’s genuinely a nice person. She very rarely has a bad word to say about anyone, and she’s loyal to a fault. Her green eyes are captivating, only adding to her beauty.
It’s more than just that, though.
She’s easy to talk to and a blast to be around. She’s not full of drama, and she’s one of those people that what you see is what you get. She’s real, and that takes her appeal and hotness factor up about a million points. I’ve always known that, and she deserves a man who notices that about her. Someone who knows she’s one of a kind. I’ll continue to run them off until he shows himself.
Then last night happened.
Last night, I saw all of her. Sure, she was covered in sheer black fabric, but it left nothing to the imagination. No, my mind is clear, and I can pull up the mental images of her pert nipples and perfectly sized tits, and that ass…. They’re all stored away as a moment in life that I will never forget.
I know I should pull away. I’m wide awake. I should slip out of bed and let her sleep, but I can’t do that. I physically can’t make myself pull away from her. Instead, I’m going to lie here with her in my arms, her perfect ass nestled against my cock, and pretend like this is us. That this is the new us. I’m going to soak up this moment for all it’s worth. Then, when it’s gone, I’ll have the memory of what could have been. When I think about my life, there is not a minute of my future that I don’t see Reese in. I need it to stay that way. She’s my rock, and I’d like to think that I’m hers as well. As bad as I want her in this moment, I’m not willing to risk losing her, losing what we have just to get my dick wet. Not saying that’s all she would be. Even I know that sleeping with Reese would change things. The problem is that it’s a risk, one I’m not willing to take. So instead, I’ll lie here and soak up her warmth and the feel of her in my arms. Then later, I’ll take matters into my own hands, at the vision of my best friend. It’s not the first time, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Not when it comes to Reese.
My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I curse under my breath. Reese stirs. Her arms stretch out above her head, and she rolls over to face me. “Hey.”
Has she always looked this beautiful when she first wakes up? “Hi. Feel better?” I ask, faking a yawn. The last thing I need is for her to know that I was being a creeper and holding her close, just because I could.
“Much better. Remind me to never drink like that again.”
I nod. Although, I don’t know that I’ll have the willpower to stop her, knowing how the night might end. My phone vibrates again. Reaching over, I grab it and look at the screen. It’s my mom. I show Reese the screen, and she props herself up on her elbow. “Hey, Mom,” I greet her.
“Cooper, are you still sleeping? It’s one o’clock on Saturday.” There’s humor in her voice.
“Yep. It was a… long night,” I say, glancing at Reese and winking.
“Cooper Reeves, is there a woman in your bed?” Mom scolds me.
“Yep. Want to see her?”
“No. I do not want to see her, Cooper,” she sighs.
“Mom, you’ll love her. I promise.” I switch the call to video chat and hold it between us.
“Hey, Ann,” Reese says.
“Reese?”
We both laugh. “Yep.”
“Oh,” Mom says, and I can hear the excitement in her voice. It’s no secret that our mothers think we are just perfect for each other. Their words, not ours. Although they keep them to themselves. I’ve just happened to overhear them a time or two.
“What are you kids getting into today?”
“Just hanging out.”
“You were sleeping?” She tries to keep her question nonchalant, but Reese and I share a look, that ends with us both shaking our heads.
“Yes. We had people over last night. Reese stayed instead of going home late on her own.”
“Where’s Tessa?”
Have I mentioned that our parents are very involved in our lives? “She stayed here with Nixon.”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, it’s nice that you were there for Reese to stay with you.”
I read between the lines. So does Reese. Which is why I assume she changes the subject. “How have you been?” Reese asks.
“Good. Good. Your mom and I are going shopping in a while. It’s been too long since I spoke to my son, so I decided to call.”
“Cooper,” Reese scolds. “You need to call your mother more.”
“Me? What about you? When was the last time you called Eve?” I ask, talking about her mom.
“Yesterday,” she says smugly.
“See, Cooper, you should follow Reese’s lead,” Mom says, barely holding in her laughter.
“It’s been like three days,” I counter.
“Three days without talking to my only son. Just wait, one day when you’re a parent, you’ll understand where I’m coming from.”
I sigh loudly. Dramatically. They both laugh. “Where are you ladies going today?”
“To the mall. Your dads are building a workbench or something in Garrett’s garage.”
“Dad’s sprucing up the mancave again?” Reese asks.
“I guess. You know your mom, and I try not to ask questions,” Mom tells her. “That’s her. Hold on a sec.” We hear her shuffling and then opening the door and greeting Eve. “I’m talking to the kids.”
“Hey, kids,” Eve says. You can hear the smile i
n her voice. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, they were sleeping,” Mom says. Her tone is telling as she makes it out to be a bigger deal than what it is. At least, more than what I want her to think that it is. Even Reese doesn’t know what this little nap did for me. Or my thoughts about her.
“We were up late,” Reese tells her mom.
“I see. Well, what are you two getting into today?” Eve asks.
“Nothing,” Reese answers. “Not a single thing.”
Eve chuckles. “Enjoy the break. Cooper, you ready for the big game?”
“You know it. We’re bringing home a win,” I tell her.
“We’re cheering for you. I got my jersey packed and ready,” Eve assures me.
“You guys are coming?” I don’t know why I’m surprised; they’ve always supported me.
“Of course, we are.”
“No pressure,” I say, and all three ladies in my life laugh.
“You know you’re going to kill it out there,” Reese says. “You’ve been on fire all season.”
“She’s right,” Mom chimes in.
“Reese, I sent you a package today. Great Aunt Edna made you a sweater,” Eve says, barely holding in her laughter.
“I wonder how big this one will be?” I muse.
“She does know I’m an adult now, right?” Reese asks her mom.
“Come on, Reese’s Pieces. You should be flattered.”
“It was for a toddler, Coop. In fact, I’m not sure even a toddler could fit into that thing.”
“She was so mad when you didn’t send her a picture of you wearing it,” Eve comments.
“Yeah, Reese. You’ll have to model it. Eve, I’ll take the picture myself,” I offer, because it’s sure to be a good laugh, but also, seeing Reese in a skimpy state of undress is high on my list of priorities all of a sudden.
“Perfect. Reese, you can take Cooper’s too,” Eve says, throwing me off guard.
“What does that mean?” I groan.
