by Kaylee Ryan
We’re all laughing by the time he stops spinning us in circles. We’re led to a different room, leaving Hank and Nixon behind. I know this is Cooper’s journey, but it feels like mine as well. I know how hard he worked to be here. I’ve been to the games, stayed after for the practices, and watched as he fought the grueling classwork, practice, and game schedule in college. I’m so incredibly proud of him.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and check the screen. It’s a message from Hunter.
Hunter: Second overall pick. Tell Cooper congrats.
Me: Thank you. I’ll tell him.
Hunter: Is there something going on with the two of you?
I look around to see if anyone is standing close and reading over my shoulder. Cooper does this a lot. With our height differences, it’s easy for him.
Me: What? Why would you ask me that?
He replies with a screenshot of Cooper and me on his TV screen, and it’s the exact moment he pressed his lips to mine. It was mere seconds, but the fact remains that we kissed.
On national television.
Shit.
Me: He was caught up in the moment. We’re just friends.
Hunter: Okay.
That’s it. Just okay. I was expecting a fight, but it appears as though Hunter isn’t into that. We’re still learning each other, so I don’t really know what his one-word answer means.
“Reese, you coming?” I look up to find my dad waiting with his hand out for me. I nod and slide my phone back into my pocket. I’ll call Hunter later and explain.
The next two hours, we watch and listen as the draft moves on. All four of my guys went in the first round. All. Four.
Cooper is going to Indianapolis, Nixon to Louisiana and is taking Tessa with him. Trey is going to Houston, and Hank is heading to Atlanta. My friends, my people are going to spread out all over. And me, I’ll still be here in Ohio. Sure, Cooper is just a three-hour drive from me. That’s wonderful, and can be an easy weekend trip. But he’s not going to have time for that until after the season is over. Between training camp and the season starting, he’s going to be engrossed in all things Defenders. He’s not going to have time for random visits from me. However, if I’m wrong, it will be easy to get to him.
I hope I’m wrong.
After congratulations are said, and hugs are passed around, we leave the hotel as a party of six. Two rows, three wide, leading us back to our hotel. We decided to eat there. It’s late, and although Vegas never sleeps, we do. Cooper insisted we all get some rest; he slept like shit last night—his words not mine—and he’s exhausted. I don’t think he’s going to do much better tonight. I’m sure the excitement will keep him wired.
“Thanks again, Reese, for being here,” he says, walking me to my room.
“I wouldn’t have missed it. I’m so excited for you, Cooper.”
“Thanks.” He reaches out and tucks a stray hair behind my ear. “Tomorrow, we’re sight-seeing all day. If the parents don’t want to go, we’ll leave them here. But you and me, we’re painting this town.”
I laugh. “Sounds like a plan to me. Night, Coop.”
He leans in, and my heart skips a beat thinking he’s going to kiss me, but at the last minute, his lips veer and press to my cheek. “Night, Reese.”
Chapter 21
Cooper
This is the last night in the house. The guys and I are all moving away. We’re going home to spend some time with our families before we have to report to training camp. We also need to find places to live in our respective new cities. So, that means tonight we’re having a party. Not your typical party. No, this one is more low-key. Now that we have four professional league contracts to maintain, we don’t need any crazy shit happening. We sure as hell don’t need any fucking cleat chasers. They’ve been following all four of us all over campus. Hell, graduation last week was a nightmare. No, tonight is just going to be our core group of friends. One last hurrah, if you will, before we all go our separate ways.
“I’m going out to get the alcohol. What does Reese want?”
“She said she would bring her own.”
“You sure?” Dustin asks.
“Go ahead and grab her some White Claw.” I reach into my pocket and pull out some money and hand it to him.
“Nix said that Tess and Reese are making dinner. We need anything else?”
“No,” Tessa says, walking into the room. We’re all set. Reese is just waiting on Hunter to get to her place, and they’re heading over.”
Fucking Hunter. I want to hate the guy, but from what I can tell, he’s good to her. He’s not jealous of our relationship. Not that he should be. Hell, I feel as though I’ve barely seen her these past few weeks. Life is passing by at a rapid rate. I was hoping he wasn’t coming with her. I just wanted a night to chill with my best friend, and our other best friends, before I leave and life gets even crazier.
“All right, well, if that changes, just text me,” Dustin tells her. Out of the five of us that live here, he’s the only one that didn’t declare for the draft. He’s always said that wasn’t his end game. Turns out, it’s nice to be able to send him on runs. Sure, the cleat chasers try to latch on, hoping to get an invite, but Dustin is a big dude, and he can be scary as hell if you don’t know him. He doesn’t get approached nearly as often as we do.
It’s just here on campus and around town where we’re noticed all the time. I’m sure when I head to my parents’ tomorrow, it will be that way with people that recognize me, but when I get to Indy, I’ll just be me—Cooper Reeves, running back for the Indianapolis Defenders.
I still can’t fucking believe it.
“You going to behave tonight?” Tessa asks me.
“What?”
“You heard me, Reeves.” She plants her hands on her hips and gives me her best “mom” look.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I do, but I’m not going to admit that to her.
“Hunter,” she sighs. “You need to be good.”
“Aren’t I always?”
“No. You’re an idiot most days. You let the best thing that ever happened to you slip from your fingers because of fear.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I stand from the couch to head to my room to finish packing.
“I do know what I’m talking about. You might have everyone else fooled… hell, you even have her fooled, but I see you, Cooper. I see the way you watch her. The way no other woman gets your attention. Just her.”
“You have my attention,” I counter lamely.
“I do. Because I’m talking about her.”
“No. It’s because you are my best friend’s fiancée and my other best friend’s best friend.” Yeah, it’s a complicated mess. “For that, you have my respect and my attention.”
“Well then, since I have your full attention, let me tell you this. One day, Cooper Reeves, you’re going to wake up and realize that she’s gone. You’re going to regret your choice to push her away.”
“I didn’t push her away.”
She gives a “don’t lie to me” look. “I want you to promise me something.” She waits for me to agree, but I don’t. Instead, I just stare at her. “When that day finally arrives and you pull your head out of your ass, if she’s happy, you need to promise me you will let her be happy.”
“That’s all I want for her. I want her to be happy.”
Again, she hits me with a look that tells me she doesn’t believe me. “Cooper.” Her tone is a warning.
“Babe, have you seen my shoes?” Nixon calls down the steps.
“Be right there,” Tessa calls back. She turns back to me. “You’re a great guy, Cooper. You might not agree to it now, but I know you’ll do the right thing.” With that, she walks away from me.
I plop back down on the couch and think about what she said. I just want Reese to be happy. She deserves to be treated right, and no matter how badly I wish I was the man, I just can’t do it. I kne
w the consequences of my actions. I knew stopping us that night was my one and only shot. I passed. It was the right thing to do.
Two hours later, we’re all sitting around with our stomachs full and drinking a few beers. Reese and Tessa made pulled chicken tacos, and there’s not even the smallest shred of chicken left. We devoured it.
“Thanks, ladies,” I tell them. “Dinner was great.”
“That’s probably one of the biggest things I’m going to miss about college. Reese and Tessa’s brownies,” Trey comments.
“Don’t worry, Trey. I’ll send you some brownies. Not that you need me to. You can afford a chef.”
“Not yet I can’t, but that’s the plan. I’m going to invest first, spend later.”
“Me too,” the three of us all say at the same time. Trey, Hank, Nixon, and I have talked about this many times. We want a stable future, and with the professional league, you never know where you’re going to end up or if your contract is going to get renewed. You never know when or if you’re going to get injured. It’s the nature of the beast. While we all have degrees to fall back on, we all strive for financial security as well.
“If you need any help with that, I’m happy to guide you.” Hunter jumps into the conversation.
“Hunter’s an actuary. So he contemplates risks for investments and things like that,” Reese explains.
Hunter reaches over and places his hand on her thigh. I stare at it, willing him to move, but he must not get the memo. No, he doesn’t move it. Instead, he begins to draw lazy circles with his thumb. I grip my bottle tighter, so tight in fact, I’m worried I might shatter the glass. Not wanting to cause a scene, I drain the bottle and place it on the table next to me.
“Might just take you up on that,” Trey tells him. “That gives me an excuse to come back and see our girl anyway.”
Hunter doesn’t seem the least bit fazed that Trey said “our girl.” He should be. He really should be. I mean come on, if Reese were mine, no way would I let another man have a claim to her.
“Sure. I’m happy to help,” Hunter replies.
“You staying in town?” Nixon asks him.
“Yes. I have a job at Southern and Hampton. It’s the top accounting firm here in the city. I did my internship with them.”
“They hired him without question,” Reese fills in for him.
“Good for you, man. I’m glad,” Hank says. “We were worried about leaving our Reese here all alone.”
I watch him and nothing. No flinch. No fisting his hands. Not one little move to show he’s uncomfortable with their claim to her. Is this guy for real?
“Yes. I’m glad too.” He gives Reese a smile, which she returns. It’s not her “I’m happy” smile, or even her “excited” smile. It’s just… a smile. A kind one. Not the kind she should be giving the love of her life.
Is Hunter the love of her life?
No. He can’t be.
Can he?
I need another beer.
The night moves on. The alcohol is flowing, and there are a lot of laughs. I’m really going to miss this. Miss these people. “Guys,” I say, slightly slurring my words. “We have to do this as often as we can. I know it might have to be in the off-season, but this—” I lazily wave my hand around the room. “We must keep doing this.”
The room erupts with murmurs of agreement as we hold up our beers for a salute to our new pact. I just hope that when we’re sober in the light of day, and as life begins to take us in different directions, that we remember this day. That we remember to make time for those who are important to us. Like Reese.
I’ll always make time for Reese.
We tell stories about our shenanigans while at CU and our time on the field. Tessa and Reese were there for all of it. Hunter wasn’t, but he sits and listens, laughing and chiming in where he can. All the while, his hand is on her thigh or holding hers, or around her shoulders. He’s always fucking touching her.
It’s just after one in the morning when Tessa bows out. “It’s been fun, but we still have some packing to do tomorrow before we hit the road.” She stands, and Nixon follows her. She gives Reese a hug and waves to us as they head upstairs.
“You ready?” Reese asks Hunter.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“You’re not staying here?” Through my alcohol-fogged brain, I know that I already knew that she wouldn’t be in my bed, not with Hunter by her side. I guess I had hoped that he would leave and she would stay. Like old times.
“No.” Her reply is soft, and is that regret I hear?
“You’ve been drinking.”
“She has. I haven’t. No way I would risk her or me, or anyone else for that matter,” Hunter says. His voice is calm with his reply, but it screams sincerity.
“I’m leaving in the morning.”
“I know.” Reese looks down at her lap.
“Will I see you before I go?” This is fucked up. Her boyfriend is standing here, and I’m pleading with her, but I can’t seem to help myself.
“What time are you leaving?”
“Sometime before noon. Maybe we can get breakfast. You know, just the two of us for old times’ sake?” I toss that out there. I don’t want my last minutes with her to be filled with Hunter’s hands all over her.
“Sure. I’ll text you.”
“Just come by. When you’re up and ready, I’ll be ready.”
“You sure about that?” She gives me a teasing look to match her tone.
“I’m positive.” No matter the alcohol coursing through my veins, my mind still knows that I’m leaving her tomorrow. Every trip I’ve ever made home since we came to CU, she’s been with me. Life is changing rapidly, and I hate it. I just… need some time with her before I go. I need to make sure we’re on the same page. That no matter the distance, she’s still my best friend and the most important person in my life. I’ve let this divide between us take root, but I’m fucking chopping that shit down. It ends now.
“Okay. See you tomorrow, Coop.” She stands, as does Hunter. With a wave to the room, they leave quietly.
“You good?” Dustin asks.
“Nope,” I admit. I’m sure if I weren’t buzzed, I would never have spoken the truth, but I can’t seem to fight it right now.
“Didn’t think so.” Dustin empties off his beer and sets the bottle on the table. “Want to talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Didn’t think so.” He stands and stretches. “When you do, you know how to reach me. I’ll see you before you leave tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’ll make sure I say goodbye.”
“Good.” He claps me on the shoulder as he passes by me to head to his room in the basement.
I sit here for hours, just staring off into the distance. This is supposed to be the happiest time of my life. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration. It was, but it was also a huge reality check for me. I’m leaving her. I knew this day was coming, but it’s just finally hit me. I can’t call her and ask her to lunch. I won’t get to see her every day in the flesh. I knew it was going to be hard, but this… this vise squeezing my chest. I didn’t expect that.
I slept like hell. As soon as the sun began to peek through the blinds, I was up and moving. I downed two bottles of water, and some Tylenol, took a shower, and finished packing my shit. I’m grumpy as hell, and there is no need for me to try and figure out why. I know why.
Just after ten, the front door opens. I turn to see Reese walking in. “Hey, you.” She smiles, and it’s her happy smile.
“Hi. You hungry?”
“Starving, actually. I slept in a little.”
Did he stay with her? I mean, of course he did, right? She’s his girlfriend and she’s Reese. She’s a fucking knockout. Of course he stayed over. I clench my fists. “I’m ready when you are.” I stand and shove my hands in my pockets.
“You driving?” she asks, tossing her keys in the air toward me.
I have t
o scramble to pull my hands from my pockets to catch them. “You know it.” In two steps, I’m standing next to her. I place my hand on the small of her back and lead her out to her car. “I was thinking we could go to that little diner the next town over? Maybe hopefully try to avoid being recognized.” I don’t want to be recognized, but also, I don’t want any of our friends or her boyfriend crashing our time together. This is it for a while, and I need my Reese time.
“Sure. I’ve got nothing going on today.”
“You plan on coming home to visit your parents anytime soon?” Like before I leave for Indy.
“No. I start my new job next week. I might make it up there for a weekend visit. They talked about coming up here to stay with me for the weekend. Now that I have an extra room and all. I just need to get a bed for it.”
“Are you excited about your new job?” I ask, pulling out onto the road.
“Yes. I already know everyone from my internship, so that’s helpful, and I’m excited to make a difference. It might be a small one, but that’s why I chose social work. It doesn’t matter how small the difference, just that I’m making one.”
“You’re going to do great.”
“Thanks. It’s surreal that this is all happening. Look at us, college graduates about to be thrust into the world of adulting.”
I laugh. “We’ve been adults since we left for college. Technically,” I add.
“You know what I mean.” She swats playfully at my shoulder. “What about you? Are you ready for everything headed your way? Fortune, fame, playing football with the big boys.”
