by Kaylee Ryan
“Oh.” Her face falls, her beautiful smile disappearing. “So that means?”
“That I won’t be home this weekend. I have to report tomorrow. I just got off the phone with my agent. Something about PR training for the rookies.”
“I understand,” she says, but I can tell she’s disappointed too.
I nod. My throat is tight with the emotions not seeing her evokes in me. I was really looking forward to this trip. “I’m sorry.” I push the words past my lips.
“It’s okay. This is your job, Coop. There will be other weekends.”
“I wanted to see you.” I need to see her to keep my sanity. Missing her is all I can think about.
“I know. I wanted to see you too.” She tries to smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She might be able to pull that shit with Hunter. Not with me.
“Don’t. Don’t pretend this doesn’t suck.”
She chuckles softly. “Fine. It sucks. But this is how things are going to be from now on. You have a career that is going to pull you away more often than not. You knew that. We knew that. We knew this was how it was going to be.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I didn’t know this is how it was going to be. I didn’t—” I stop, debating on what to say, and decide to just throw it out there. She’s my best fucking friend, and I can tell her anything. “I didn’t know I would miss you this much. I mean, I knew I would miss you, but this…” I rub my chest, over my heart. “It’s more than I thought, Reese.”
“So, it’s not just me?”
“No. It’s not just you.”
“Okay. Well, I guess family day of training camp is when I’ll see you.”
“That’s like three more weeks.” I’m whining and don’t give a fuck.
“I know.” Her reply is soft, and sadness hangs in her voice.
“I have to be on during camp. I need to focus, and you’ve always been good at helping me do that.”
“Well then, we better make tonight count. We’re going to both order pizza, the same kind, and do you have a TV and Netflix at this fancy new pad of yours?” she teases.
“That’s about it, but yeah.”
“Good. Then grab your cell phone charger; it’s going to be a long night.”
“What?” Is she saying what I think she is?
“You and me, we’re hanging out tonight. Dinner and a movie. It’s the next best thing to being there.”
“Don’t you have plans with Hunter?” I try hard not to grimace when I say his name.
“I’m texting him now and telling him I have to cancel. Tonight, it’s just you and me, Coop.”
I should feel like a dick that she’s canceling on her boyfriend for me, but I can’t seem to find it in me to care. I want this time with her. No, I need this time with her. “Deal.”
“I’m going to take a shower and change into some other clothes, and order my pizza. Call you back in thirty minutes?”
Is it wrong that I almost ask her to take me with her? “Sure. Thirty minutes,” I say instead. Doesn’t matter, though. Images of her naked body are already front and center in my mind. Who am I kidding? That’s pretty much where they stay. And the distance, well, that doesn’t help matters any.
“Deal. Get ready. I’m picking a chic flick,” she teases.
“We could watch paint dry and I’d be good with it. Now, go get ready so we can get to it.”
She smiles, waves, and ends the call. While it’s not her here where my arms can wrap around her in a hug, she’s right. This is the next best thing. I’ll take what I can get when it comes to Reese.
Chapter 24
Reese
This year is flying by. It seems like graduation was just last week. How it’s already Thanksgiving, I have no idea. The summer seemed to drag on, but then work got busier and busier as more cases were assigned to me, and bam, it’s already November. Hunter and I are going to my parents’ for Thanksgiving, and it’s going to be weird not having Cooper and his family there. They won’t even be next door. The Defenders play today, so instead of him sitting at the table with us, we’re going to be watching him on TV. It’s surreal to think that not only us, but millions of people will be watching him. I’m so proud of him and all the hard work he’s put in to get to this place in his life.
Speaking of Cooper. My phone rings. I glance over at Hunter and show him the screen before standing from the couch and disappearing down the hall to my childhood room. “Hey,” I greet him.
“Reese.” His tone is full of relief.
“Coop? What’s wrong?”
“I wish you and your parents would have let me fly you out here.”
“Cooper, we’ve been over this. You can’t spend your money on flying us to see you every single game.”
“It’s my money. I can do what I want with it,” he grumbles.
“Invest and save. Think about your future.”
“All I can think about is how long it’s been since I’ve seen you.” He heaves a heavy sigh into the phone.
He’s not the only one. I went to the family day at training camp with his parents and mine. I got a few hugs and “how have you beens,” but there was so much chaos that we didn’t really get to chat. I haven’t seen him since. Not in person. Video chats, text messages, and phone calls sum up the relationship I have with my best friend.
“We knew it would be like this,” I remind him. I’ve been saying that a lot lately. I think it’s a reminder to both of us. I did know, and I knew it would be hard, but some days it’s harder than others.
“Yeah,” he agrees, but his one-word reply isn’t convincing.
“What are you doing calling me anyway? Don’t you play in like an hour?” I look around my room until my eyes land on an alarm clock. Sure enough, game time for the Defenders is less than an hour.
“Are you going to be watching?”
“Of course, I am. What kind of question is that? We’re all watching. Me, Mom, Dad, and Hunter. We just finished dinner and are waiting for when the game starts to eat dessert.”
“Good.”
“Did you really think I wouldn’t watch you? You know I watch all of your games.”
“Not all of them,” he mutters under his breath.
“One time, Cooper Reeves. That was one time and I recorded it. I can’t help it that Hunter’s parents decided to drop in on Thursday night.”
“Yeah.” Again with the one-word answers that are not convincing.
“Good luck today, Coop.”
“Thanks, Reese’s Pieces. I’ll call you after.”
“You don’t have to. I know your parents are there and you’ll be celebrating a win.”
“You think we’re going to win?”
“You’re on fire, Coop.”
“I spend a lot of time on the field, staying after practice, things like that.”
“Why? Is your coach suggesting you do that?”
“No. Keeps my mind busy.”
“Well, don’t overdo it. Don’t make me come up there and kick your ass.”
“In that case, I’m going to sleep on the field. When can you be there? I’ll fly home tomorrow.”
“I was kidding.”
“Just my luck,” he teases.
“Stop. Go do your thing, Reeves. I’ll be sitting on the couch cheering you on.”
“I needed to hear that. I’ll call you after.”
I don’t bother to tell him not to again. Cooper has a mind of his own. “Sounds good.”
The call ends, and I take a minute to myself. My heart still aches for him, but with each passing day, I also fall a little more for Hunter. He’s incredible. He never questions my relationship with Cooper, not that he needs to. We’re just friends, and he accepts that. He’s supportive of my work, and we have fun together. He’s told me he loves me so many times I’ve lost count, and if I take the time to look past Cooper and what I thought would be our future, I can admit that I love him too. It’s not the all-consuming love that I have for Cooper. I�
�m not sure I’ll ever be able to love that deeply ever again. However, I do care for him, love him in a different way.
Opening my bedroom door, I run into Hunter. “Hey,” I say, my hands resting on his chest. His arms wrap around my waist.
“Everything all right?”
“Yes. Cooper was just saying Happy Thanksgiving.”
He nods. “Your mom is slicing up pie.” He grins.
“I swear you and my mother’s apple pie.”
“What? It’s the best I’ve ever had.”
“I’m going to tell your mother you said that.”
“Go ahead. She already knows.” He leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Come on, you. You’re going to miss the game.”
I’m not. We still have plenty of time, but I pull out of his embrace and lace my fingers through his, allowing him to guide me back out to the living room. Mom already has four pie plates of her homemade apple pie sitting on a tray on the coffee table.
“Dig in,” she says, handing Dad a plate and then one to Hunter.
The four of us get settled and enjoy our pie while we wait for the game to start. When Cooper takes the field, my eyes are glued to the screen. Luckily, my love for the sport hides the fact that it’s Cooper who holds my attention. Will it ever not be like this? Will there ever be a time I’ll just say, “Oh, there’s my best friend?” Will my heart ever stop aching for him?
I guess only time will tell.
“I’m glad we decided to spend the night instead of driving home,” I tell Hunter. We’ve just got back to our hotel room.
“It’s what, an hour and a half? We could have done it, but I’ll never pass up a chance to stay in a hotel with you.” He wags his eyebrows. He’s a flirt, and while sex is off the table, there is lots of touching and kissing and more kissing.
“I know, but I knew it would be a long day after staying for the game and hello, turkey coma,” I say, rubbing my belly that’s way too full. “I ate way too much.”
“You and me both. And to think we have another dinner on Sunday.”
“Does your mom and dad go all-out like mine?”
“Yep. And my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins… everyone will be there.”
“Really? You didn’t tell me that.”
“Why? Is that a problem? You’ve met a lot of them already.”
“I know, but a little warning would have been nice.”
“I’m sorry.” He’s quick to say. “Next time I’ll give you lots of warning.”
“Thank you.” I smile sweetly, exaggerating it and making him laugh. “I’m going to go change.” I grab my clothes and disappear into the bathroom. I don’t know why, but I still don’t change in front of him. He’s seen me, obviously, but I just… don’t do it. He’s never mentioned it, and honestly, I’ve never really thought about how it might appear to be odd until this very moment.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I wash my face, brush my teeth, and change into my pajamas. We could have stayed at my parents’—they offered—but it feels weird sleeping in the same bed as Hunter under my parents’ roof. So, yeah, we opted for a hotel.
Opening the bathroom door, I see Hunter sitting on the edge of the bed with a phone pressed to his ear. My phone. He turns to look at me when he hears the door. “Hey, she just came out. Here she is.” He stands and walks toward me, handing me the phone. “It’s Cooper.” He leans in and kisses me. “Be right back.”
“Okay.” I nod and place the phone to my ear. “Hey, Coop.”
“Did he have to let me hear him kissing you?” he says hotly.
“I’m good. Thanks for asking,” I bite back. “Good game.”
“Thanks.” He exhales loudly. “I’m sorry. It’s still hard for me to get used to the two of you.”
“It’s been almost a year, Cooper.” Sure, in only about nine months or so in reality, but close enough to a year that Cooper should be thoroughly desensitized to the fact that I have a boyfriend who, yes, kisses me. The horror!
He’s quiet on the other end of the line, and I hate it. I hate there seems to be this divide between us, and for the life of me, I don’t know how to fix it. I guess the theory that nothing ever stays the same is true. I never thought there would be a day there was silence between Cooper and me, yet here we are.
“You had a good game,” I finally say to break the awkward silence.
“I knew you were watching.”
Woah. That’s… not what I expected him to say. “I always watch your games.”
“Yeah. I know you do, Reese. It motivates me to play better.”
“Really? Well, you can tell your coach I said you’re welcome,” I tease, trying to lighten things up between us.
“Hey.” Hunter’s whispered voice greets me. “I’m going to go grab some ice. You need anything?” He holds up the empty ice bucket.
“Yes. Some Reese’s Pieces.” I smile, and he returns his.
“Got it.” He leans in and kisses me, grabs the hotel key, and walks out of the room.
“Where are you?”
“A hotel.”
“A hotel?” he repeats, choking on the words. “I thought you were at your parents’ place?”
“We were, but we left after the game, and we’re staying here tonight and driving back in the morning.”
“You’re staying in a hotel with him?” he asks again, repeating what I just said.
“Yes.”
He mutters something that I can’t understand. “I need to go,” he says abruptly.
“O-kay.”
“I just wanted to talk to you. Tell you Happy Thanksgiving. I forgot to do that earlier.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Coop.”
“I miss you, Reese.”
“I know. I miss you too.”
“I-I gotta go. I’ll talk to you soon,” he says, and the line goes dead before I even have the chance to say goodbye. Before I can think too much about his change in demeanor, the door to our room opens, and Hunter comes in carrying a bucket full of ice, a couple bottles of root beer, a bottle of water, and several packages of candy from the vending machine. Among them a pack of Reese’s Pieces. My heart stutters in my chest. This is what Cooper would be doing if he were here with me. The only difference is that he never would have had to ask what I wanted. He would have just known.
Chapter 25
Cooper
This week’s game is a home game, and my family will be here. Reese will be here. Finally, I get to wrap my arms around her. This has been the longest six months of my life. The longest. I talked to her last night, and she said that she and Hunter were riding up with her parents to watch the game. I hate that he’s coming with her. However, I’m not going to let that stop me from hugging the shit out of my best friend. Boyfriend be damned. It’s going to happen.
This week is also Christmas. Well, the week before but close enough. If we win today, we play next week in the playoffs. I’m glad to be able to spend a few days with my parents. They’re staying until Tuesday. Reese and her parents and the boyfriend are all driving back to her parents’ place tonight. I’m going to get a few hours with her at best, but at this point, I’m going to take what I can get and cherish every fucking second. Fuck, I’ve missed her. I had no idea it would be this bad.
At least we have the early timeslot today. We’re all going to dinner after. My parents are staying with me, and I offered the other spare room to Garrett and Eve. I figured Reese could room with me like old times, but then she threw Hunter into the mix. He can take the couch as far as I’m concerned. Of course, I kept that to myself. I had to bite my tongue when she told me they were heading back home tonight. Apparently, all four of them have to work tomorrow. I get it, but I don’t like it. My phone vibrates, pulling me out of my thoughts. Grabbing it from the bench beside me, I see a message from Reese.
Reese: Hey! Just got to the stadium. Can’t wait to see you out there.
Me: I’m glad you’re here.
Reese: Aw, a
re you missing me, Reeves?
Me: Yes.
More than you know.
The distance my career has put between us weighs heavily on me. So much, in fact, it has me wondering if pushing her away was the right move. I thought it was what was best for her, but then if I hadn’t, she would be here with me. I would have made certain she was by my side. I let my mind wander back to that night in my room. She wanted me. Fuck, I wanted her, but I stopped us. I was scared to death it would ruin our friendship. I had no idea the divide, or hell, even the void I would feel without her every day. It’s not something I was prepared for. It’s not something I know how to handle. I keep thinking that I need to get some time with her in person. Sure, I love our nights we hang out and watch the same movie, and eat the same food, but it’s not the same thing. I just need some time with my best friend for everything to feel right. To feel normal again.
Reese: I missed you too, Cooper.
Her reply has my chest inflating. Reese has always been able to make me feel as though I’m ten feet tall. Knowing she’s here, not just at home on the couch, that gives me drive. It motivates me to kick some ass and takes some names. It’s always been like that, though. If she’s here in the crowd, my game is on point. My missing piece is in the stands, and I’m not about to disappoint her. The agony of not seeing her, not feeling that connection we’ve always shared, loosens its grip around my heart. Today, I get to lay my eyes on her in the flesh. But first, I need to win this game.
“Reeves!” Coach Freeland calls after me as I’m jogging to the locker room. I stop to look over my shoulder, and he’s waving off a reporter and headed my way. When he reaches me, he snakes his arm around my neck and pulls me into him. “Damn fine playing out there, son. Six touchdowns! I don’t know what got into you, but keep it coming.” He releases me and jogs off down the hall toward the locker room.