He tugs my arm and grins. “I’ve always been this way. You were just looking at another man. I’ve been biding my time.”
Huh. Who would’ve known? Not me. I clearly missed all the signs.
“And,” Cooper tacks on, “I never liked *NSYNC.”
“Sure, buddy. Whatever you need to tell yourself.”
A throaty chuckle escapes him. “There’s a lot we know about each other, and even more that neither of us has a clue about. All I’m asking for is a chance to talk, to get to know you. There are a lot of subjects I’d like to touch on.”
“I bet.” When his eyes drift to my chest, it’s clear that the subjects he wants to touch on aren’t fishing or sports, but I let that go. I don’t need to think about him touching me. “Go put a shirt on,” I shake my head.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” Cooper gleams.
“Nooo. ”
Yes.
“Uh-huh.” His eyes brighten and he gestures to the house. “Come on inside. I’ll get the mystery package our mothers concocted to get us together.”
I nod and thank God that Cooper let me out of this very uncomfortable exchange. Yet, it isn’t so much that I feel awkward. It’s that these are unfamiliar waters. Cooper is right. I don’t know what he’s like as an adult.
After Presley left for college I still saw him, but we never spent any time together. When we did see each other, our conversations were casual. I don’t know why he stayed in Bell Buckle or why he stopped working on cars or at the rodeo. I have no clue if he still likes rock music or if he’s more of a country guy now. Clearly, he doesn’t like boy bands anymore, but the truth is . . . I know nothing about the man that Cooper has become.
The reality that Cooper is a mystery comes crashing around me. From one step to the next, I realize I have never really looked at Cooper as if he were an adult. My eyes flick to the sculpted flex of muscles as he walks and then to the two dimples on the small of his back. A flush crawls up my neck, and I focus on the ground in front of me instead of the man. Cooper is all grown up.
We get inside and head to the kitchen. “Here.” He extends the envelope.
“This is what she needed me to get right away?”
“I’m thinkin’ it was more about who would hand it to you,” he suggests. “And I’m not a man that lets opportunities like this slip away.” Cooper moves closer.
Oh shit. I’m not ready for this. I don’t know how I feel about anything. It’s been two weeks, well, technically three weeks since I ended things with Trent, but still! I know deep down in my heart that while I may think Cooper is hot, I don’t feel like that for him, at least not right this moment. My heart is still very deeply attached to Trent. I may wish I could’ve severed that tie completely when I decided to end things with him, but that was impossible. It’s been years that my heart has been forging that bond. It’s strong and requires time to loosen its resolve.
It wouldn’t be fair to Cooper—or me.
“Cooper,” I warn. “Listen, I appreciate that you’re being very . . . forthright in your advances. I really do. It’s nice being around a man who knows what he wants for once, but I have to be honest with you.”
He takes another step closer as I step back. “I know what the next words out of your mouth are gonna be.”
“I doubt that.”
“You’re going to say that you’re still in love with Trent. That it’s too soon and that you’re not ready for anything new. Am I close?”
Yeah, you could say that. I nod.
“I know all this. I know you’re scared—”
“Hey, now! I didn’t say I was scared.”
He smirks. “You don’t have to say it.”
He has some nerve. I’m not scared. I’m doing the right thing. It isn’t fair to string someone along, I know all about that. Plus, there are a lot of moving pieces in this possibility. It would be foolish to think people wouldn’t get hurt if things went bad. Not to mention I have friendships I could lose, just like he does.
So, now, being sensible is being scared?
I don’t think so.
“You know what?” I huff. “I’m doing the right thing here. You like me, or at least I think you do. And I’ve been the person on the receiving end of lovin’ someone and not having that feeling reciprocated. I’m not scared. You don’t scare me, Cooper Townsend.” I jab my finger in his chest as the words tumble out. “What scares me is the idea of hurtin’ you. Makin’ you think there’s a chance when my heart is so badly broken I don’t even know if I can ever care about another man again. I’m being kind. I’m being a friend. I’m doin’ the right thing for both of us.”
“I’m not lookin’ for a friend,” Cooper grips my arms. “I’m not askin’ for fair or right. I’m askin’ for a chance to show you that your heart isn’t broken. I know you loved Trent. I’m not deluding myself by thinking otherwise.” I shake my head as his eyes hold mine captive. “I know it’s still tearing you apart inside, but you can let him go. You deserve more than what he gave you. We have somethin’ between us. I know you feel it.”
“It doesn’t mean we need to act on it, Coop.” His grip loosens, and my traitorous hand moves to his chest. “The truth is that I don’t know what I feel. I’ve been upside down for so long that I don’t know what right side up is. Can you understand that?”
I wait for my words to settle in, because the last thing I want to do is hurt a friend. Life is short, and the people around you are everything. Cooper has been a part of my extended family for as long as I can remember. I don’t know if what I feel for him is more than loving him like I always have, and until I figure it out, I can’t move forward.
“I’m only askin’ for a date. One that you promised to think about. One that you owe me for writing that crap about me on the wall.”
I sigh and shake my head.
If there’s one thing I know about the men around here, it’s that they don’t quit. Hell, I’m not even sure it was my mama who orchestrated this. For all I know, it was Cooper. The war inside me battles as I try to decide what to do. Do I go out with him? Do I hold my ground and say no?
Then I wonder, why should I say no? Cooper is single, attractive, and Presley has already given me her blessing. Because of Trent? If I’m as done as I say I am, why do I let that man still dictate my happiness?
“One date?” I ask, hesitantly.
“One date.”
“As friends?”
His free arm hooks around my back. “Good friends.”
Oh, Jesus. Okay, one date as friends, which is what I need this to be, and then we can move past this ludicrous idea.
“And then you’ll be patient and give me some time?” I press, needing confirmation.
“And then you’ll want another.” Cooper’s eyes gleam with victory.
“Don’t get yourself too excited about this, Coop. I’m agreeing to a friend’s night out.”
His lips move closer to mine, and my heart races. He can’t kiss me. No way am I ready for that.
“Relax, I’m not going to kiss you,” he reassures me. His lips touch the side of my cheek, and I release a deep breath. “But if you call it a friend’s night out then I’m going to assume you’re refusing to call it a date because we agreed to one and you’re saving it.”
I rear back and yank my hand free. “Fine, a date it is. That way, we can get this over with, and you can see you don’t really like me.”
“Or you can see there’s possibility here.”
He’s freaking relentless.
“We’ll see.”
Needing to make my exit before he convinces me of some other crazy idea, I push him back, grab the envelope, and walk out. Cooper being who he is doesn’t let me leave in grand fashion.
“Oh, Grace?”
I turn to look at him.
“I’m workin’ the next two weekends, so I’ll see you in three weeks.”
“All right.”
“No backin’ out, because I won’t giv
e up that easily.”
Unsure of what to say, I shake my head. I think this is going to be a disaster. My mind spins with all the things that could go bad, and there’s a hefty list. But as I look at Cooper, I see how excited he is. So maybe I’m wrong. Maybe there’s a possibility of something between us, and I really was wasting my time with Trent.
Maybe Cooper has been in front of me, but I was too blind to see him.
There’s no way to know unless we try.
Cooper’s grin grows as if he can read my mind.
“I’ll see you soon for that date.”
He nods, and I walk out the door, hoping I didn’t make the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter 3
I stand at the counter inside my family’s general store. I thought I could run in and grab a few things for the weekend, but Mama is here with a basket of bones to pick. Thankfully, none of them are for me, but I still have to listen.
My best friend, Emily Young, arrived in town after her last music tour. She’s visiting her parents, and instead of heading to the local bar, we’ve decided to swear off any chance of seeing Cooper or Trent. My house is the only safe place.
After scouring my kitchen for supplies, I realized I was all out of junk food, and that won’t do. I need all the saturated fat and calories I can get to deal with my life.
However, Mama doesn’t appear to be running out of steam regarding her issues with the clan of meddling women in our town.
“Are you even listenin’?” she asks as I watch the clock ticking.
“I heard you. Mrs. Hennington didn’t call you back, and Mrs. Townsend picked an awful hymn for church on Sunday.”
“Good.” She sighs.
I start making a plan of the fastest way to get what I need and get home within fifteen minutes as my mother prattles on about Mrs. Kannan cheating during their last game of cards. I don’t know why Mama’s surprised by this, she does it every week. “And then, she had the nerve to tell me that I cheated at Bingo. How do you even claim such blasphemy?”
“I don’t know, Ma.” I try to move away to get what I came for, but she doesn’t let up.
“You know, I have half a mind to go over there and demand she gives us our money back.” She nods once in agreement with herself. “And after that, I’ll let Vivienne know that her singin’ needs to be louder when we’re rehearsing. The Lord can’t understand her mumblin’.”
Oh, yeah, that’ll work out great.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Y’all have been friends a long time, but tellin’ Mrs. Townsend her singin’ isn’t good enough for the Lord isn’t going to go over well. Now, what really has you upset?”
My mother loves those women more than she loves my father or me. There’s no way she’s going in there with guns blazing over a few bucks. Mrs. Kannan cheats, Mrs. Hennington bakes, Mrs. Townsend runs the music, and Mama is the trip planner. All of them have their place and each is very passionate about what they do.
She sits back in her chair and huffs.
“Mama?” I push her.
“Your father has lost his damn mind!” She stands and throws her hands in the air. “I’ve had it with that man. If I didn’t think he’d starve to death, I would’ve thrown his sorry behind out of my house a long time ago.” Daddy is always on her list, but he must’ve really upset her this time. “He told me that if I wanted to lose weight, I should stop eatin’ pie. Can you believe that? Maybe he’d look like he did when I married him if he stopped eatin’ everything in my house.”
Maybe my father has become suicidal, because no man should ever say something like that. Especially, when my father could be Santa’s less gray haired brother. His belly is filled with more jelly than a donut.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that.”
“Always takin’ his side.” Her eyes narrow on me. “By the way, what is this I hear about you and Cooper? There’s a rumor goin’ around that you’re going out with him soon?”
That’s my cue to get the hell out of here. “Emily should be at the house in a few. I need to get back, we’ll talk more later.”
“Avoidin’ it now doesn’t mean it won’t come up later!” she yells as I move to the back of the store.
“Okay,” I reply and get to work putting different things in my basket. I need to be out of here in two minutes if I want a chance of not having to talk about this.
Chips.
Cookies.
Beef Jerky.
M&M’s.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
A jar of Nutella.
I know I’m missing a lot more. I plan for her to have to roll me to bed. I have a lot of feelings that need to be eaten, but when I reach the spot where my go-to snack is usually stocked, I find bags of dried fruit. Grimacing as I put the offensively healthy food back on the shelf, I turn and yell over my shoulder. “Ma! Where are the—”
“You lookin’ for these?” A deep voice vibrates from behind me as my favorite candy appears before my eyes.
The hair on the back of my neck raises and my pulse quickens. I haven’t seen him in weeks. I’ve done well at avoiding him, and four words was all it took for my body to respond.
“Thanks.” I take the bag of black licorice from him, keeping my back turned. “I couldn’t find them.”
“Emily’s in town, I saw her car and figured what you might be up to,” he explains.
“Yeah?” I don’t want to look at him. I don’t need to because I see him perfectly in my head. My unwillingness to face Trent doesn’t stop him from moving closer to me, and I know that if I lean back a little . . . just a smidge, I would feel all of him. But we’re done, and that would be irresponsible. My hand clutches the wooden shelf in front of me, and I tighten my grip. I need to hold on to something that isn’t Trent.
“I know you can’t be without your licorice.” His lips graze my ear when he speaks, and my grip tightens.
“I’m surprised you remember.”
Trent laughs and the sound travels through me. “I know everything about you, sweetheart.”
My eyes close and I force my knees not to give out. I’ve missed him. I hate that I’ve missed him.
He makes me weak.
He makes me stupid.
He makes me love him.
I turn slowly to see Trent looking at me with an unreadable expression. “You know my favorite candy; I’m not sure that counts as everything.”
Trent’s hand rises as he pushes the hair off my forehead before moving to cup my cheek. “I know much more than that, Gracie.”
“Like what?” Part of me wants to challenge him because he doesn’t know me. Or if he does, he doesn’t care about me.
“I know that you love me.”
“Wrong. Try again.”
He gives me that crooked grin I love so much. It’s a little cocky and a lot of sexy. It makes me do dumb things like think about his lips on mine, which would be really bad.
“I know that you hate the word marshmallow,” Trent says, making me shudder. I really hate that word. “I know that you do that each time someone says it. I know you talk in your sleep, you hate spiders, and you write in your journal but pretend you don’t. I know you claim you didn’t keep your Miss Bedford County tiara and yet it’s on the top shelf of your closet. I know that you wear it when you feel like you’ve eaten too much food, but I don’t know why. One day you’ll tell me, though.”
Asshole .
“I know that when you’re tired or feel like punching me in the face you bite your lip.” His thumb pulls on my bottom lip. “I know when you’re nervous, you do this.” He brings my hand between us. “You dig your thumb nail into your palm.”
I tear my hand away and try not to let his touch affect me. My skin burns where we had contact, and I crave more. “You forgot the part about where I want to be someone’s world.”
His eyes soften, and his hand moves down to hold my neck. I feel his thumb on my jaw, the way the callous rubs back and fo
rth causes the pit in my stomach to grow. His body closes in, but he doesn’t look away. “You forgot the part where you already are.”
I shake my head, trying to make this stop. “Not yours.”
Tears burn in the backs of my eyes. This is what I can’t do anymore. He does this, comes to me and makes me think I’m crazy and it’s all in my head. He touches me as if he’s the only person that should. Trent gives me a sliver of hope that I’m what he wants. I hate him for it.
“You know that isn’t true,” he whispers, moving closer to me.
He’s going to kiss me, and I’m going to love every damn second. But when he walks away, I know exactly what will happen.
He’ll break my heart.
“Don’t do this,” I beg. It’s my last effort to hold strong.
“I’ve missed you, Gracie.”
“You only miss me because you don’t have me,” I somehow manage to say.
He lets out a low chuckle before his mouth brushes against mine. “I miss you because I hate bein’ away from you.”
I lock my body so that I don’t push forward and kiss him, which is exactly what I want to do.
“I wouldn’t have left if you didn’t push me.”
Trent pulls back a little and his eyes stay glued on mine. “Give me another chance, darlin’. You need me as much as I need you. Stop pushin’ me away and come back where you belong.”
That does it. Something inside me snaps. I turn my head quickly, and his mouth touches my cheek. I shove him off me and try to get a hold of my breathing. When I finally feel in control, I stand strong.
He doesn’t see what he’s done to me, and him thinking I need him is half the problem. I need a fresh start. Someone who doesn’t think they can play games with my heart. Cooper may not be that guy, but he could be. He doesn’t want to prove a point, he genuinely likes me—or so he says.
And I’m not pushing Trent away. He’s the one who let me walk.
I owe it to myself not to fall backward. It’s time to move forward. And Trent Hennington is now in my rearview mirror—where he belongs.
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