Intercepting Love

by L. P. Dover

  His uncle’s house?

  “I didn’t know you had family in North Carolina? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because,” he murmured softly, “it’s not something everyone needs to know. I’m only telling you because I trust you.”

  “What is he? Our mayor or something?” I teased.

  “No, he’s much closer to you than that … he’s our coach. Joel is my uncle.”

  Eyes wide, I stood there and stared. I definitely didn’t see that coming.

  “So now that you know I’m sure you can figure out the rest. Needless to say, my career was over until my uncle pulled some strings and got me on the team. Without him, I’d be sitting on my ass drugged out of my mind and drunk.” He paused for a second and blew out a sigh. “Also, without him, I would have never met you. I owe him so much.”

  Taking his face in my hands, I kissed his lips softly and felt his arms snake around my waist, his deep blue gaze melting me where I stood. “I owe him a lot, too. I’ll be happy to go with you tomorrow, not only because you asked, but because I want to. Your parents may not see all of your accomplishments and support you, but you’ll never have to worry about that with me. I’m on your side … always.”

  His lips turned up into a devilish smirk. “That’s what I like to hear. All right, love, we need to get back before our dates come searching for us. Lara and I will follow you and Luke back, and then I can come stay with you if you want.”

  “I’d like that,” I said as he opened the door.

  But first, I needed to talk to Luke.

  Luke was quiet the whole car ride home and I knew it was because Cooper and Lara were close on our tail. It almost felt like something was going on that I didn’t know about. It wasn’t until we pulled into my driveway that Luke finally spoke, “Tonight wasn’t exactly what I thought our date would be like. There’s no use in fighting, is there?”

  Luke turned his emerald green gaze my way, and for the first time ever I didn’t see any humor in his expression. “I’m so sorry, Luke. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”

  Sighing, he leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “Are you absolutely sure this is what you want? You don’t even know this guy. You’ve known me for years.”

  “It’s not always about that,” I said. “Sometimes things just happen.”

  He scoffed, “Yeah, and sometimes things change.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Luke shook his head and sighed. “Nothing, Kate. I’ll get over it eventually.” Taking my hand, he kissed it and let go. “I’ll be around if you ever need me.”

  My heart ached for him because he was my friend and I’d hurt him. He was Luke Collins, though. He’d be back in the playing field before tomorrow.

  Each second we got closer to my uncle’s house, the more I regretted ever even considering letting Kate join me. She already knew a lot from what she’d read in the papers, but there was so much more that only certain people knew … those people happened to be my family, especially my parents. They had no qualms about rehashing them all with me, but I could only pray they showed some manners with having Kate there.

  My family had always been accustomed to money and success. One way or another, whether it be in business or sports, each generation had all excelled in something. I was the first one to put that legacy in jeopardy.

  “Cooper, are you okay?” Kate asked, placing her hand on my leg.

  Taking her hand, I lifted it to my lips and kissed her knuckles, one by one. “Yeah, I’m fine. You know, it’s not too late to take you back home.”

  She scoffed, “Please, I can handle your parents, Cooper. Honestly, how bad can it be?”

  “You have no idea,” I grumbled.

  If she only knew how fucked up they were. Other than my uncle, I didn’t really know much of my family on the eastern side of the United States. They were scattered from Virginia all the way down to Florida.

  “Well, if it gets too bad we can tell your parents to go to hell and leave, right?” she asked. “They can’t expect to make you feel inferior and you sit there and take it. I’m sure you love your parents, but I for one am not going to listen to them downgrade you.”

  “So you don’t care if they approve of you or not?” I asked curiously.

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t. The only person that I want to approve of me is you. Would you care if my parents didn’t like you?”

  “Actually, I would,” I replied. “If they didn’t it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it’d be nice to know they thought I was worthy of you. Do you think you’ll ever introduce me to them?”

  Smiling, she tilted her head the side and bit her lip. “Hmm … we’ll see. I’ll think about it and let you know. They retired and moved to a cabin in the mountains, so it’s not like I get to see them that much. I’m pretty sure they’d like you.”

  Kate looked amazing in her little blue sundress and her golden hair in waves down her back. As far as looks went, she would definitely be accepted by my family, but Kate didn’t come from wealth. My mother would see Kate as being after only one thing … my money. The only woman they’d ever accepted was Claire. Then again, I’d never been serious about another woman since her; hence, the reason why they’d never met anyone else.

  When we pulled up to my uncle’s house, there were about fifteen cars parked in and around the massive sized yard. I could hear them all laughing in the backyard, so after taking a few deep breaths, Kate and I walked down the path that led straight to them.

  Please don’t let my family screw things up, I mumbled silently to myself.

  Opening the gate, I walked through first with Kate following along behind me. Joel had a massive sized pool where a handful of kids and teenagers, who were most likely my cousins, were swimming while the adults all congregated on the deck, eating and drinking.

  My mother was up there chatting away with a lady who I had no idea who she was. In fact, I didn’t recognize anyone other than my parents and my aunt Sadie; she was my uncle’s wife, and she always reminded me of Catherine Zeta-Jones. She used to love it when I’d tell her that.

  “Are all of these people your family?” Kate asked.

  Putting my hand on her back, I slowly led her across the yard. “I think so. I don’t recognize a lot of them, but then again I hadn’t seen my family on this side of the country in years.”

  “Which ones are your parents?”

  I pointed in the direction of my mother and father. “Okay, the woman with the short, brown hair and wearing the yellow top is my mother. She may look sweet, but she’s not. My father is the man beside her with the gray hair, wearing the green polo shirt. As far as sports go, his father was the grandfather I told you about that got me into football. My father, on the other hand, pursued a career in golf. It’s strange because I can’t play golf worth a damn.”

  “Well, if it makes you feel better I can’t play it either,” she laughed. “Both of my parents play, but I was never coordinated enough to get it. The only sport I was good at was track. I love to run. Now is your uncle Joel your mom’s brother or your dad’s?”

  “My dad’s,” I told her. “Can’t you see the resemblance?”

  “Cooper, darling,” my mother interrupted, holding out her arms to give me a hug.

  She wrapped her small arms around me and squeezed tight. “Mother, it’s good to see you,” I lied. “How long are you in town for?”

  She smiled and glanced over at Kate. “Your father and I will be here until tomorrow night. Who’s your lady friend?”

  Before I could introduce Kate, she did it herself. Holding out her hand, she grinned and said, “Hi, I’m Kate. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “A friend, huh?” my mother chimed, taking her hand. “Well, Kate, my name’s Jackie. Joel told us Cooper was bringing a friend, and I must say I’m kind of shocked because he doesn’t really do the friend thing.” She batted her eyes and glanced up at me smugly. “Shall we go say hello to everyone
else?”

  “Lead the way,” I told her through gritted teeth.

  Kate squeezed my arm and leaned in closer. “Just breathe, Cooper. I’m not taking anything she says to heart.”

  Everyone up on the deck smiled and greeted us warmly as we approached, including my father. “Son, it’s good to see you. You were amazing in the game yesterday. ”

  “Thank you, but the majority of the success was with the whole team.” Putting my arm around Kate, I nodded over at my father. “Kate, I’d like you to meet my father, Richard.”

  Kate smiled and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Davis.”

  “Likewise,” he said, taking her hand, “but please … call me Richard.”

  “All right, everyone, the food’s ready,” Joel shouted, taking the chicken and steak off of the grill. When he saw me and Kate, he waved the tongs in the air. “Thank you for coming you two. It’s been a never ending party here since last night after the win.”

  “I’ll bet,” Kate shouted happily. Starting the season out with a win had to be a good feeling for him. With Evan and the other members of the team, I was surprised they hadn’t had much success with winning; they were all great athletes.

  At the tables, I pulled out a chair for Kate to sit and took the one beside her. My parents both sat down across from us, staring curiously back and forth. “So, Kate what do you do for the team? Joel didn’t specify. Are you one of the cheerleaders?” my mother asked.

  Kate smiled even though I knew she hated it when people thought she was one of the cheerleaders. “No, I’m not a cheerleader. I’m one of the team physicians, Mrs. Davis. I’ve been working with Cooper to help manage his shoulder injury. I think he’s one step away from being perfectly healed.”

  Lifting her brows, my mother pursed her lips and glared at me. I knew exactly what she was thinking, and by the look in her eyes she assumed I was up to my old tricks.

  “And you and my son are just … friends? Is there not a policy about relations between the staff and the players?”

  Before Kate or I could say anything, Joel took a seat at our table and cut in, “Actually, I’ve never enforced such a thing because I feel my staff and my players are adult enough to handle their own personal lives. Second, Kate has been helping Cooper by doing physical therapy exercises for his shoulder. It’s not what you’re thinking.”

  “So it’s not like last time?” she asked, glaring at me.

  “No, it’s not,” I hissed low. “Things aren’t like that here.”

  “Well, I sure hope not. I would hate to see you ruin someone else’s life. Hopefully, this one is smarter than the other.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, Kate’s head immediately turned my way. Her unease was palpable, and I could feel a black cloud settling over me. I thought my parents would have seen the change in me, but obviously they were too oblivious. Why the hell did I even try to make them happy, to make them proud of me? It was never going to be enough.

  The truth is … I honestly didn’t give a fuck anymore.

  Rising from my seat, I didn’t say a word as I took one last look at my mother and father before turning my back on them. I wasn’t going to argue, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to fight with them. I was done hoping they’d somehow see the good in me. I had changed for the better, and it was all because of Kate … and being away from them. Joel was my family now, and as long as I had Kate, I had everything I needed.

  My parents could go to hell.

  After what Cooper’s mother said, I literally thought he’d lose it, especially after the week he had with lowering his pill dosage. Instead, he stood up quietly and turned his back before walking out of the gate and up to the front of the house.

  “Cooper! Come back,” Joel shouted, getting up from the table. Cooper kept going, so I took that as my cue to leave as well.

  “Kate, I am so sorry for this,” he apologized. “I’m the one who thought he should come. I should’ve known better.”

  Jackie scoffed, “Please, he’s just sulking. He’ll come back.” She smiled over at me as if she didn’t just put down her own son right in front of me; like it was no big deal. “Do you mind bringing him back, dear? I’m sure he’ll listen to you.”

  All manners aside, there was no way I could be civil to that woman after what she just did. Scooting the chair back, I got to my feet and glared at her. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Davis, but I’m not going to do that. Cooper’s a great man and he works hard. I’ve seen some of the struggles he’s gone through, and I’ve been watching him work past them. The last thing I’m going to do is sit here and listen to you belittle him.”

  To Joel, I turned and smiled. “Thank you for letting me come, Joel. I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer.”

  Joel nodded, and turned a lethal glare to Jackie. “I understand Kate. Next time, I’ll invite you and my nephew over when we have fewer guests.”

  Turning on my heel, I stalked off toward the gate. “Don’t you even want to know what happened to the last doctor my son screwed around with?” his mother yelled.

  I almost faltered—my heart thundering in my chest—but my pace didn’t slow and I kept going. “No, I don’t,” I shouted back. “And if did, I wouldn’t want to hear it from you.”

  What the hell was she talking about?

  As soon as I stormed through the gate, hidden from prying eyes, Cooper pulled me into his arms and crushed his lips to mine. I melted into his embrace and held on tight, but when he let go, his gaze was unsure, guarded.

  “I’m so sorry for bringing you here, Kate. Thank you for what you said. I just wanted to make sure I kissed you before I took you home.”

  “Why is that?” I asked. “You couldn’t wait that long?”

  He held my face in his hands and sighed. “No, it’s because there’s something I need to tell you and I don’t know how you’re going to handle it.”

  “Is it about what your mother just said?”

  Nodding, he took my hand and led me up the path to his car. “It’s not something I’m proud of, and I had hoped you wouldn’t find out this way.”

  The look in his eyes scared me. I knew he had skeletons in his closet, just like everyone, but something in his gaze had me worried. It couldn’t be that bad, could it?

  “Okay,” I drawled out slowly, “but let’s get out of here. I really don’t want to see your mother again because if I do I’m liable to lose the southern charm you love so much about me.”

  “I think I’d like to see that,” he admitted with a gleam in his eye. “My mother hasn’t had someone put her in her place in a really long time. Not even my father stands up to her. I wanted to tell her to fuck off so bad, but I didn’t.”

  Quickly, we both got into his car so we could leave before anyone tried to stop us. “Why not?” I asked. “If my mother talked to me like that just to be a bitch, you better believe I’d put her in her place. There’s such a thing as equal respect. You’re an adult and you need to be treated as such. Just because she’s your mother doesn’t give her the right to treat you as someone of less importance.”

  As soon as Cooper backed out of the driveway, we both breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be away from there. Every time I tried to say something, his phone would ring. Obviously annoyed, he shut it off and angrily threw it in the backseat. “Kate, before I tell you anything I want you to do something with me. It’s something that I should’ve done from the beginning.”

  “Sure,” I replied nervously. He wouldn’t look at me, which made me even more nervous. “It’s not that bad, is it?”

  He nodded and finally glanced over at me. “Kind of. There are a lot of things I’ve done that I shouldn’t have, and I regret every single second of what I did. I just don’t want you to see me differently, and I’m so afraid you will.”

  “Cooper,” I whispered, taking his hand that was balled in a tight fist. “It’ll be okay. Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes. I don’t scare so easily.”

  Ten minu
tes later, Cooper turned down our street. Instead of taking me home, he stopped at his house. He didn’t say a word as he opened his garage and pulled his car inside. His garage had a bunch of boxes piled in the corner, but other than that there wasn’t much else. Since he hadn’t been in town long, I figured he hadn’t had time to unpack.

  When I got out of his car, Cooper saw me looking at the boxes and said, “I haven’t really spent much time unpacking. You’ll see what I mean when you come inside. One day I’ll get to it.”

  “Yeah, if you stop spending all of your time with me,” I teased. “Do you want me to help you?”

  Before he opened the door, he turned to me and placed his hand on my cheek. “I would love for you to, but first you need to decide if it’s something you want to do.”

  The door he led me through opened up to his kitchen, which seemed to be fairly unpacked. There were boxes stacked on one side of the counter, but he at least had a basket full of fruit and some of his appliances set out on display. His living room was the same way, with boxes here and there, but he didn’t stop to let me see. Instead, he led me up the stairs on down the hallway until we reached his bedroom.

  Inside, he had a king-sized bed with a navy blue comforter and pillows, and the room smelled just like him, all masculine and woodsy. “Okay, what I’m about to show you is going to come as a shock, so please don’t freak out on me.”

  Hesitantly, he walked over to a set of dressers and pulled out one of the drawers. Carrying it over to the bed, he flipped it upside down. I couldn’t even begin to describe what I felt in that next moment. I was confused, shocked beyond belief. Bottle after bottle of painkillers toppled out of the drawer and onto his bed; it had to be at least a hundred bottles or so of nothing but little white pills.

  “Oh my God,” I choked, putting a hand over my mouth. “How did you get all of this? Or better yet, why do you have all of this?”

  I picked up one of the bottles; it was filled to the hilt with hundreds of pills. There had to be thousands among thousands of them in his grasp. Cooper picked up one of the bottles and took it to his bathroom. Breathing heavily, he opened it up and slowly tilted it, letting each and every pill fall into the toilet.