by Megan Smith
No sooner do I get upstairs and start to undress so that I can jump in the shower, than my cell phone rings. I run out of the bathroom in nothing but my panties and bra.
“Hello?” I say after snatching it up from one of the pockets in my purse.
“Hey,” Cooper says.
My heart skips a beat at the sound of his voice, “What’s up?”
He’s in his truck; I can hear his turn signal. “You have plans tonight?”
I shake my head, “No. I was just about to jump in the shower.”
“Alright, I’m going out to dinner with Eli. I wanted to see if you wanted to come out with us.”
He hasn’t wanted anything to do with me since the shower incident, so why now?
“Um, no I’ll just hang out around here and watch a movie or something. Have fun, I’ll talk to you later.”
I hang up before he even has a chance to respond. I don’t want to hear him say ok. I don’t want to hear him say anything right now, unless it’s yes.
My phone rings again as soon as I toss it on the bed. I peek back over at it and it’s Cooper calling back. I ignore it and go back to taking my shower. I stand under the spray for a while, letting the hot water loosen the tight muscles in my legs. I massage the shampoo into my hair and then rinse it and put my new coconut conditioner in.
I’ve just finished shaving my legs when I hear my name being yelled from downstairs. It’s Cooper and he sounds pissed. Oh well. I wash off the shaving cream and start to rinse my hair out when the bathroom door bangs open.
I groan inwardly. He could have at least knocked first. What if I had been standing here naked? Not that I would have cared, he’s seen me naked a number of times, but still, it’s the principal that gets my back up. I continue to rinse my hair and ignore him until the glass door slides open and Cooper’s stormy blue eyes glare at me. His jaw is set and he’s gripping the door.
I bring my hands down and cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to cover myself up. “I’m almost done, can this wait please?”
I shiver from the storm brewing in his eyes and from the cold air that’s being let into the bathroom. I know I’m going to have a fight on my hands but I don’t understand why. He’s the one that has been ignoring me.
“Cooper?” I repeat myself.
He shakes his head and closes the shower door. I wait to hear the bathroom door shut before going back to what I was doing, but it doesn’t. I look up to the ceiling, willing for the strength to get through this fight without showing Cooper that my feelings have been hurt.
Ten minutes have passed and I know it’s been more than enough time and I’ve got to face the music. I slide the door open just a bit and reach out for my towel that’s on the hook. I dry off quickly and wrap the towel tightly around my body before getting out of the shower.
Cooper is leaning up against the sink doing something on his phone. He looks up at me and I see his face soften, it’s just a little bit but it’s enough for me to know that he knows he’s in the wrong and I’m on to his avoidance.
“Come to dinner with me?” Cooper asks me again.
I shake my head and hold the towel a little tighter.
Cooper takes a few steps in my direction then he reaches out with his big callous hand and tips my chin up. “Please?”
My eyes close briefly. “I’m really ok, Cooper. Just go out with Eli and have a good time. I’m going to grab some ice cream from the store and maybe see if one of the girls wants to watch a movie or something.”
“Jay…” Cooper says in a warning tone. I watch as he works his jaw back and forth.
“Go live your life, Cooper.” I say with a chill to my voice.
His eyes go wide in surprise. I’m hardly ever cold with him but it’s come to that point now. This is what he gets for ignoring me. He did this, not me.
Cooper grips my upper arms and pulls me closer to him. He bends down so his mouth is close to my ear. “You are my life. You’ve been my life for longer then you realize.”
I gasp and feel my legs go weak. He can’t mean those things. “Don’t lie to me, Cooper. Remember our rule? No lies, no matter what.”
Cooper pulls back and stares intently into my eyes, “No lies, ever.”
We stand there in the chilly bathroom, both looking into each other’s eyes. There are so many emotions, feelings, and yet, nothing is voiced. I know I mean something to Cooper, he’s shown me time and time again. We’ve been friends for years and I’ve had a crush for a long time but I never said anything because I didn’t think Cooper was interested in me that way. Plus I didn’t want things to get weird if I told him how I felt, so I stayed in the batter’s box and never stepped up to the plate. After that night back in Boston, Cooper and I talked for hours; he knew I needed a distraction. The timing of the conversation was all wrong but is there ever a good time for confessing your feelings? He told me that he’s always had a crush on me but knew Hunter would have a problem with it so he stayed away. He also said he stayed away because he, like I, thought that I didn’t like him that way. I confessed to Cooper that I followed him to school because I wanted to see if things could work out between us without the rest of the family around. I could have gone to school with my brother, Hailey, and MacKenzie, because I was offered a soccer scholarship as well, but I didn’t want that.
“Promise?” I ask, finally finding my voice. “Promise you’re not lying?”
Cooper replies back immediately, “Promise.”
“Why have you been avoiding me?” I steel the walls around my heart, preparing for the blow.
Cooper looks away for a second before answering, “I’m sorry.” He sighs, still not looking at me. If I had to guess I’d say that he’s afraid to look at me right now. “I’m just trying to get everything handled before pre-season starts. And yes, I have been avoiding you a little bit after that dirty trick.”
I roll my eyes and push Cooper back a step. “There was nothing dirty about it. I knew what I was doing and I knew the consequences.”
Cooper chuckles and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I thought you would have been in here doing it again. That’s why I came barging in.”
I shake my head and walk out into the bedroom, instantly the mood between us shifts and I’m more comfortable. I walk over to the closet that holds the few outfits of mine that I have here. I really need to get back home to my mom’s. I’ve been spending more and more time here and maybe that’s what’s shifting in our relationship. Maybe tomorrow I’ll actually go to my mom’s and stay there for a little while to give us some space.
Cooper walks up behind me and places a hand on my hip. “Get dressed up. We’re going out and Eli’s going to be there.”
I turn to glare at Cooper and he winks at me. Jerk. My walls tumble knowing I’m giving into his request. Plus it wouldn’t hurt to be able to hang out with Eli for a little while, right? You know, just to look at him. That will distract me for a little while at least.
An hour later I’m dressed in my favorite skinny jeans with the fancy designs on the pockets, a hot pink off the shoulder sweater and my grey high heeled boots. I grab my grey shawl to match my shoes and I switch out my purse for my pink clutch. I’ve styled my hair into a high messy up do because I know having my neck exposed will drive Cooper crazy. I can’t help but want to tease him a little more. Just to add smoke to the fire, I’ve done my make-up a little darker; I hardly ever wear make-up but I know that making myself look sultry will get to Cooper.
I hear him barreling up the stairs, probably to tell me to hurry the hell up. I grab my clutch and meet him at the door before he can even say anything.
Cooper takes in my appearance and I watch him swallow hard a few times. “Damn.” He says under his breath.
I smile sweetly, “Guess I’ve got your stamp of approval?”
Cooper rubs at the scruff on his face and a smile breaks across his beautiful lips. “Yeah, I guess you do.”
Cooper turns the light off as I walk p
ast him and down the stairs. He’s already got the truck running and cleared off. I hadn’t even realized it was snowing.
I turn to look at Cooper, “Should we still go? It’s coming down pretty hard.”
Cooper shrugs, “Yeah we’ll be fine. We aren’t going far.”
We climb into the truck and buckle ourselves in. “So where are we going anyway?”
“Oceans,” Cooper smiles. “Cole’s back in town.”
I smile brightly. I love Cole’s music and he’s an overall good guy. I even overlook the fact that he was involved with Lily. The drive to Oceans is slow but we make it safe and sound. The parking lot is full, which doesn’t surprise me. Cole’s band knows how to draw a crowd.
Cooper finds a parking spot and when we pull in I reach down for my purse and place a hand on the door handle but he stops me. “I’ll come around and open the door.”
I smile and nod. He’s being sweet and trying to make up for being an ass these last few days even though going out to a place like this bothers him. Going out with Cooper is sometimes an arduous process - since he’s a hometown player he gets recognized a lot and he doesn’t really like the attention. Well at least not anymore. Mason and he used to eat that shit up.
Cooper wears a simple pair of stone washed jeans that hang perfectly on his slender hips. Under his jacket he’s got a black polo, the sleeves of which strain against his bulging biceps, paired with his black Nikes and his black New York Yankees hat pulled down low. He’s handsome; I watch as he rounds the truck towards me and I get little butterflies in my stomach. I’m one lucky girl.
Cooper opens my door and holds a hand out for me. “Thanks.”
We walk hand in hand up to the door where a bouncer sits just inside. “What’s up Manny?” Cooper greets the man that’s sitting on a stool, dressed all in black with the club’s logo on the front of his shirt.
“Nothing much,” Manny looks in my direction and gives me a smile. “Eli’s already here. He said to tell you he’s waiting for you in a booth near the club.”
Cooper shakes Manny’s hand in that guy hand shake way that they do.
We weave around the crowd and spot a drop dead gorgeous Eli sitting in the booth by himself, looking all mouthwatering. When he spots us he tips his beer towards Cooper and me, and then stands to greet us. He shakes hands with Cooper, “’Bout time you showed up.”
Cooper laughs and pulls me closer to him. “Waiting on this girl, you know how they are.”
I jab Cooper a little with my elbow and he chuckles. Eli looks in my direction and I know when he recognizes me. His lip pulls up in a half smile. I divert my eyes towards the stage, looking for a distraction and to keep the blush at bay. I swear I hear Cooper growl and Eli chuckles.
“What’s up Jaylinn?” Eli’s raspy voice wraps around me and it feels like I can’t breathe.
I look up to Cooper who’s trying his hardest not to let on that he hates the fact I think Eli’s hot. When you’re in the presence of the guy it’s like he’s got this confidence about him that just draws you in. He’s tall, handsome, with a beautifully proportioned body. His olive skin contrasts pleasingly with his white teeth and his compelling blue eyes, and he has the perfect smile. His short brown messy hair gleams in the dimly lit bar. There is not a damn thing wrong with this man.
I lick my lips and Cooper reaches over, gripping my hand tightly in his. I raise an eyebrow at Cooper and give him a pointed look. He wants to stake his claim on me in front of Eli but when I want him to commit to me I get the ‘I’m keeping you at arm’s length’ speech.
I focus my attention to Eli, “Nothing much. How are things with you?”
He shrugs, “Good. Cooper and I are working hard to get this new club up and running.”
I nod because I know they have been. Eli takes a seat and Cooper nudges me to slide into the booth and then he takes a seat next to me. The waitress stops over and Eli orders another drink while Cooper orders one for him and me. I send a silent prayer up that she doesn’t ask for I.D. but sitting with these two is a sure distraction, especially with Eli eye fucking her.
“So I spoke to that real estate agent when I stopped home to change.” Eli says to Cooper. “The building’s ours if we want.”
Cooper nods, “That’s great. It’s going to be a good location. It’s close enough for the college crowd and the summer crowds.”
Eli takes a swig of his beer and looks out over the crowd. “Yeah, man. You think we should jump on it?”
Cooper looks over at me and I give him a little smile. I have no idea where this place is that they were looking at, so I have no feedback.
“Let’s do it.”
Eli nods his agreement, “I’ll call her first thing in the morning.”
The waitress comes back over and places our drinks down at the same time the crowd starts cheering and the band walks out on stage. I watch as a confident Cole saddles up to the mic. “How’s everyone doing?”
The crowd all whoops and hollers.
“Well I hope you all enjoy the show tonight.” Cole scans the crowd and spots Cooper and I and he nods his head in greeting.
Cole sits on the stool and the crowd quiets. He strums his guitar, testing it out. “I’m going to start off with a popular cover song. Sound good?”
Everyone cheers and a girl screams that she loves Cole.
Cooper reaches over and pulls me a little closer to him. Eli catches him and winks at me. I bite down on my bottom lip and try to focus back on Cole singing.
After a few songs, Cooper excuses himself to use the bathroom, leaving me at the table with Eli. When Cooper disappears into the crowd Eli asks about our relationship. “So…you and Cooper?”
I shrug, not really sure how to answer that question so I answer it the best way I know how. “It’s complicated.”
Eli laughs bitterly, “Aren’t they all?”
I sense a bit of hostility in his tone. I wonder if Eli’s been burned, and then quickly dismiss that idea. There is no way that could happen. Who in their right mind would walk away from him?
“You guys were always close, huh?” Eli asks.
“Yeah, we’ve got a lot of history.”
Eli brings his beer to his lips but before he takes a sip he says, “And he hasn’t put a ring on that finger yet?”
I’m thrown off guard a little bit by his question. “Um, no.”
He mumbles something that sounds like ‘stupid move’.
I look towards the bathrooms, hoping Cooper would be coming back in our direction but no such luck. I feel slightly awkward sitting here with Eli, feeling like he wants to say more about my relationship with Cooper. With each song that Cole plays the beat picks up. The crowd is eating it up and really enjoying themselves.
Eli stands and holds a hand out, “Dance with me?”
My eyes go wide in surprise. I don’t think this is a good idea but for some reason I do it anyway. I place a hand in Eli’s and let him lead me off towards the dance floor and I pray Cooper doesn’t freak the fuck out when he finds us.
When I come back to the booth it’s empty. I scan the crowd and spot Eli and Jaylinn dancing. I can tell it’s friendly by the way Jaylinn is keeping a safe distance but it pisses me off anyway. Who the hell does Eli think he is asking my girl to dance? She’s not your girl Cooper.
As Jaylinn dances seductively around Eli’s body, her eyes connect with mine and it strikes something in me. My stomach clenches and my hands ball into fists. I stalk off towards them, ready to claim my girl back. Eli had asked me about Jaylinn earlier when I’d mentioned that I was going to bring her tonight and I told him that things were complicated but I really didn’t think he’d try and make a move on her. I know he was kidding around and shit when he said he bang her but maybe it wasn’t so much of a joke after all.
Jaylinn’s eyes follow my every movement, all the while keeping up with Eli’s dance moves. I’m just about to them when Jaylinn stops right in front of Eli and places a hand on his ches
t and sways her hips all the way down his body without sitting on the ground. Suddenly it feels like my body is scorching,pumping hot lava through my veins.
I stop directly where I am and watch as she sways those perfect hips back up his body. Her eyes are still fixed on me, even when Eli puts his hands on her hips and pulls her body closer to him. His head turns towards her ear. He must say something because Jaylinn licks her lips and nods her head. Eli turns in my direction, giving me a head nod and acknowledging that he knows I’m aware of their dancing and then he spins Jaylinn gracefully into my direction. My arms open and Jaylinn lands right up against my chest. I inhale deeply as the smell of her perfume swirls in the air around us.
“Jay,” My voice comes out husky.
“Baby,” Jaylinn purrs.
Her body starts to sway to music and I feel myself doing the same. The song slowly comes to an end. Cole stands and walks to the mic, “We’re going to slow things down for a few minutes and play a favorite song of mine. There’s a couple in the house that knows this song fairly well and I think it’s appropriate that I play it for them.”
Jaylinn’s head snaps to the stage, seeking out Cole. “Are Mason and Hailey here?” She asks, standing on her tip toes and looking around.
I cup the side of Jaylinn’s face, completely forgetting the fact that I was beyond pissed seeing her dancing with Eli. While I was gone I had walked over and asked if Manny could get a message to Cole for me. I requested that he play the song that meant just as much to Jaylinn and I as it does Mason and Hailey. I know Jaylinn was upset that I was blowing her off but it’s what I needed to do, I just have to make sure she knows she a huge part of my life and always will be.
A piano is rolled out on the stage and Cole takes a seat behind it. He hits the first few keys to “Changed By You” by Between the Trees, and Jaylinn looks to me with a sea of emotion in her eyes and I’m drowning in it.