by Kaylee Ryan
“We fucking did it, Reese. Another championship.” His deep timbre is in my ear, and my body shudders. I can usually hide my reaction to my best friend. In fact, it’s become a talent of mine, but in this moment, with the happiness and joy radiating from both of us, his deep voice just for me in a stadium full of people who want his attention, well, today is not one of those days.
I wrap my arms around his neck, and my feet lift from the ground as he hugs me so tight I lose my breath.
“Cooper Reeves, Natalie James from The Times. How do you feel after another win?” she asks, shoving the microphone in his face.
Cooper takes his time to set me back on my feet, and just like before, his arm goes around my shoulders, and he holds me close to his chest. “Like all the hard work paid off. We had a great team all season. The CU Tigers put the work in, and this is our reward,” he says dutifully.
“Any word on your going into the draft?” she asks.
“No, ma’am. I’m going all the way with my CU brothers, with my team. We need another championship under our belts.” He winks at her, and I swear she blushes.
“Do you have any big plans for celebrating your win?” she asks, her eyes darting to me.
“Celebrating with my team and my loved ones.” His arm squeezes my shoulder, and any hope of the reporter missing the action is gone when her eyes dart to where his hand is and then back to Cooper.
“My man!” Trey comes rushing toward us, and to my surprise, picks both me and Cooper up in a hug.
We’re all laughing hysterically by the time he puts us down and takes a few steps over and does the same thing to Nixon and Tessa. He’s pumped up, as he should be. They all should be. They kicked ass this season. Their hard work and dedication on and off the field are shining through.
Cooper keeps me close to his side throughout the celebration. He even drags me on stage when it’s his turn to address his team and the reporters. I try to pull away, but he’s not having any of it. One arm is slung over my shoulders while the other hoists the trophy in the air. The cameras flash, and I don’t even have to try to remember to smile.
I’m happy for my team.
For my best friend.
For my friends.
They deserve this win, and I couldn’t be happier for them.
Chapter 13
Cooper
College: Senior Year
In two hours, I could play my last game of football in front of a crowd. I’ve been playing since I was five years old, and now, it all comes down to this. This one night, in a stadium that will no doubt be packed full of fans. Not just fans, but family. My parents, as well as Eve and Garrett, are both coming. Reese will be here as well. She and Tessa insisted that they sit as close to the field as they can. Nixon and I hooked them up. As seniors, our seat choices are better. Bottom row, right on the fifty-yard line. Of course, it helps that we’re both slated to be drafted to the professional football league.
That’s what makes this game so bittersweet. It could be my last ever or just the last of my college career. Time will tell, but regardless, I’m staying right here in this moment as long as I can. I want to soak up the feel of the lights, the noise of the crowd, and the rush of the moment when the pigskin falls into my hands, and I run into the end zone. I fucking love this game, and all I can do is send up a silent prayer that this one won’t be my last.
“Yo, gather round,” Trey calls out in the locker room. We amble to our feet and make a circle around our quarterback. “Four fucking years,” he says, his voice eerily calm. “We’ve had each other’s backs not just on the field but off. For some of us, tonight is the end. There will be no more running out of the tunnel and waving to the crowds, no more passes, no more plays. For others, this is just a stepping stone. A placeholder in time until you move onto bigger and better things. Here and now, you are my brothers.” He closes his fist and bumps it against his chest. “Much love,” he says, before his cocky grin that we’re all used to slides into place. “Now, let’s get our asses out on that field and bring CU another trophy home.”
The entire locker room erupts with cheers and words of encouragement and a whole lot of profanity. “Quiet down,” Coach says, moving to stand on a chair in the middle of the circle to gain our attention. “I’m damn proud of you. All of you. From the freshmen to those of you leaving this year, every single one of you has brought something to this team. I’m damn proud to be your coach. No matter what happens out there on that field tonight, you are winners. Another undefeated season. That’s something to be proud of.” He leans over and holds his hand out. “Tigers on three!” he shouts, and we all pile in. Arms flail around while we all join in the huddle. “One. Two. TIGERS!” The sound is deafening and does the trick to get us all pumped up.
As soon as we make it out on the field, the crowd goes crazy. Like always, I glance up and scan, looking for Reese. This year she’s easier to find. I give her a wave and then go about my business.
Twenty minutes later, I go stand beside Nixon on the sidelines. “What’s up with you? You’re quiet.”
“I’m going to do it.”
“Do what?” I ask, confused.
“I’m going to ask Tessa to marry me.” A slow grin tilts his lips.
“Married, huh?” I don’t know if he expected me to be shocked, but I’m not. They’ve been together for four years, and I know without a doubt how much he loves her. We all do. Hell, all you have to do is watch the two of them together, and you can see it.
“Yep. Picked up the ring yesterday.”
“When are you popping the question?” I ask him.
“After the game. Win or lose, I walk away a winner. That is as long as she says yes.”
“You know she’s going to.”
“Yeah,” he says wistfully. “I know.”
“Big steps, my man.”
“Yep. I already know it’s going to be the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“What about the draft?”
“She’s graduating. I’m hoping she’ll come with me. I mean, we’ve talked about it, so that’s the plan,” he says more confidently.
Leaving. That’s the only downside of this new career I hope to be venturing into. It’s not the moving that bothers me or the traveling for games. No, what bothers me is that my best friend isn’t coming with me. Not that I’ve asked her to, but how could I do that? She already has a job lined up, and I can’t take that away from her. Besides, what’s she going to do in a new city? Sit around and wait for me to have time to hang out with her? It’s going to suck, and I’m going to miss her like crazy. Every time I think about it, my chest aches. I’ve been doing good, keeping it in the back of my mind. But this conversation with Nixon brings it front and center.
I have no choice but to leave her behind.
Sure, we’ll talk and video chat, but that won’t be the same. My biggest fear, which I know is going to be my new reality, is that nothing between us will ever be the same. The thought of Reese not being in my life terrifies me.
“You know if you keep staring at her like that, she’s going to get a complex.”
Pulling out of my thoughts, I turn to look at Nixon. “What?”
“Reese. You were just staring at her with this lost look on your face. From the look on hers, she’s worried.”
I whip my head back around the stands, and sure enough, she’s standing from her seat. Her eyes are locked on me, and her teeth are torturing her bottom lip. “You okay?” she mouths.
I nod and smile, then give her a shrug. “You ready?” I ask, pulling my eyes from my best friend to look at Nixon.
“You know you’re my best friend, right? I mean, aside from Tessa. I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but you’re an idiot.”
“What?” I ask in confusion. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“Reese.”
My heart pounds just from the sound of her name. “What about Reese?”
“You’re in love with her.”
/>
“Of course I love her. She’s my best friend.”
“That too, but that’s not the kind of love I was talking about.” He gives me a pointed look.
“Nix, we’ve been over this. I feel like it’s a broken record at this point.”
“One day, Reeves… one day you’re going to wake up, and she’s going to be gone. Not gone from your life but gone, and you’re going to regret this ‘she’s just my best friend’ bullshit you’ve been spewing all these years.”
The announcer asks everyone to rise for the national anthem, which saves me from having to reply. I can’t tell him that I think about us being together more each day. I can’t tell him that I’m scared as hell because losing her as a part of my life is not something I’m okay with. I can’t tell him that I already feel like I’m going to lose her, so it’s a moot point. No, I can’t tell him that. Instead, I line up with my team, place my hand over my heart, and stand tall for the anthem. I need to push Reese and what my future looks like without her out of my mind and play this game. I plan to leave it all out on the field. If this is my last game, it’s going to be one for the record books.
We did it. Twenty-eight to fourteen. We brought home another CU championship. My eyes get just a little bit misty as I stand in the end zone. I just caught the final pass from the final play of the night. We have four touchdowns and all of them were mine. Sure, it was a team effort, but it was my legs and my hands carrying the ball that led us to victory. Hank’s cannon of an arm, and the entire O-Line blocking, and the defense kicked ass. Hell, it was all of us combined, but the stats show those four passes landed in my hands, which resulted in numbers on the scoreboard. And Nixon with that fucking leg of his making all four field goals. We were on fire tonight, and the end result shows.
If this is my last game, what a way to go out.
My teammates attack me in the end zone, and we’re a pile of black and red as we jump up and down and hug, and yes, there are some tears and a whole hell of a lot of yelling.
“We fucking did it!” Nixon screams as he barrels into me. We hug it out, and we’re both wearing cheesy fucking grins. “Three years in a row, baby!” he cheers.
It’s chaos, pure chaos on the field. Staff, players, media, families. Confetti, streamers, hats, and T-shirts are being passed out. It’s absolute madness, so much so I can barely hear myself think.
“Cooper!” I faintly hear my name being called. I turn to look but don’t see anyone. I hear it again, and that’s when I see her. Reese. I should have known it was her. She’s probably the only person other than my parents that I could hear in this loud-ass stadium. That doesn’t even make sense when I think it, but it’s the truth. She comes rushing toward me. I open my arms, and she jumps into them. Her legs lock behind my back, and her arms grip me around the neck. It’s awkward with pads on, but it’s perfect. In this moment, Reese and her hug are exactly what I need.
“Hey, Reese’s Pieces,” I whisper in her ear.
She pulls back, her green eyes are bright and filled with excitement. “I’m so damn proud of you. You killed it, Coop. You fucking killed it.” She leans in close and gives me another squeeze before her legs release, and she slides down my body. Even with all the gear, my body still ignites from the contact. That’s been happening more and more lately. It’s been a struggle the past few months to not look at her and see the beautiful woman that she is. We’re no longer kids, and my cock is all too eager to notice.
Once her feet are planted on the ground, I sling my arm over her shoulder and bend my lips to her ear. “Watch.” I point to where Nixon and Tessa stand. They’re huddled close together, both wearing matching smiles. One of the assistant coaches walks up to Nixon and shakes his hand. I see it, the exchange of the ring, but I would have missed it had I not been looking for it.
Reese looks up at me. “What’s going on?”
“Just watch.” I keep my arm around her and hold her close to my chest. She gasps, and her hands fly to her mouth as Nixon drops to one knee and stares up at Tessa. “Oh my God,” Reese breathes.
The media catches on, as does everyone else in the stadium and out on the field. Suddenly, the jumbotron is displaying the proposal, and I’m sure that everyone watching at home is seeing this as well. You can’t make this shit up. It’s good TV, and I know we’ll be seeing highlights not only from the game but from this moment for weeks to come, especially as Nixon and I enter the draft.
Tessa nods as tears stream down her face. Nixon slides the ring onto her finger before standing and kissing her. “She said yes!” he shouts, pulling out of the kiss.
“I’m so excited.” Reese shimmies in my arms.
“I’m happy for them,” I agree. Before I can say anything else, a female reporter steps in front of us.
“Cooper, good game out there. How does it feel to bring home your third championship for Central University?”
“Incredible. My teammates and coaches were on point again this year. It’s a great feeling to go out on top.”
“You and Nixon Barnes are good friends. Any plans to follow in his footsteps? Is there a proposal in your future?”
“We’re just friends,” Reese and I say at the same time. I smile down at her, and she playfully rolls her eyes.
The reporter asks a few more football-related questions and moves on to the next guy. That’s how the next hour goes. Finally, when the dust has settled for the most part, I need a shower and out of these pads. “You and Tessa going to meet us outside the locker rooms?”
“Yeah. Our parents want to do dinner.”
“I figured. Hotel lobby?”
“I’ll tell them.” She gives me another hug, and steps away. I watch her as she loops her arm through Tessa’s, and they walk toward the tunnel. Spying Nixon ahead, I take off running to catch up with him. As soon as the locker room door opens, Levi is standing there, his smile a mile wide.
“Hell fucking yes! Three in a row.” He’s already got his arm around Hank’s neck. “The three of you are unstoppable. If any team is lucky enough to get all three of you… that’s a lethal combination.”
“That’s highly unlikely,” Nixon speaks up.
Levi shrugs. “Yeah, but it would be badass. Where’s the party?” he asks.
“Not until we get back home,” Hank tells him. “We didn’t want to plan it here and lose, and that would suck balls. So it’s for when we get home. We figured it would be either a celebration or a goodbye to the season kind of party. We all agreed that no one would have felt like it tonight if we lost.”
“That would have sucked.” Levi chuckles. “I can’t stay anyway. I’m heading out tonight. I have to catch the redeye. I have a game tomorrow.”
Levi was drafted to the Dragons last year. He hasn’t got a lot of playing time this year, but his time is coming. He’s too good to just sit the bench. “Thanks for coming out, man.”
“And miss this? Never. You guys take care. I’ll catch up with you soon.” He walks away with his phone at his ear.
“Where’s he off to in such a hurry?” Hank asks as the three of us watch him leave.
“Reese says he’s dating. Some model or something. My guess is that he’s going home to her.”
“Fuck, that’s us in just a matter of months. I can’t fucking wait.” Hank slaps Nixon and me on the back and walks away.
“That gonna be you, Coop?” Nixon asks, raising his eyebrows.
I roll my eyes and groan. “Not this again. Come on. Leave it alone already.”
“Your loss, my man. It’s your loss.” He heads toward the showers.
I want to scream after him that I know it’s my loss. That I feel that weight of that impending loss as it sits heavy on my chest. I’m trying to hold out hope that maybe just maybe things might be different from how I imagine them to go.
Maybe.
Chapter 14
Reese
We’ve been back at campus for almost a week, and the student body is still flying high and ce
lebrating the win. The entire football team has pretty much reached full-on celebrity status. There have been news crews driving around looking to interview the players about what their next steps are, and even a few that have been snapping pictures of Nixon and Tessa, and her shiny new diamond ring.
My best friend is glowing. I’ve never seen her smile this much, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Nixon is a great guy, and they deserve nothing but the best. I’ve been teasing her about putting my name on their wedding invitations as the responsible party for their nuptials.
“Hey, what about me?” Cooper asks. “I was there for this arrangement.” He points his french fry at Tessa and Nixon before popping it in his mouth.
“When we get to that step, we will definitely discuss it,” Tessa says to appease us.
“So, you ladies ready for this epic party tomorrow?” Hank asks, sliding into the seat next to me.
“Epic, huh? You sure you’re at that level?” I tease him.
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s going to be legendary. Students for years to come are going to hear about this one.” He winks.
“I’m going to pick up the kegs when we’re done here,” Nixon tells him.
“Reese and I are going to stop and pick up some cups, chips, and maybe some dip or some brownies or something.”
“You two”—Hank points at me then Tessa—“have been stingy on the brownies lately. What’s up with that?”
“Well, you see, it’s this little thing called college. We’re trying to finish it. Not to mention, we’ve traveled to more of your away games this year,” I defend.
“Because these two are pussy-whipped,” he quips.
“Watch it,” Cooper growls.
“Yep,” Nixon says, not a care in the world. I love how much he loves Tessa. It gives me hope to find a love like that one day. To find a man who’s not afraid to tell the world what you mean to him. As for Cooper, he’s just being the protective best friend he’s always been. If anything, he’s consistent.
