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“I think you’ll live.”
“No. I. Won’t,” he sighs dramatically. “What are you doing today?”
“Nothing much. Just lounging.”
“Come feed us.”
“You know you sound pathetic and desperate, right?”
“Can you hear my stomach growling through the phone?”
“Surely between the five of you, one of you can cook.” In fact, I know they can.
“We can, but it’s not as good as yours. Come on. You’re just hanging out by yourself. Come over. Text me what you need and I’ll run to the store.”
“I’m not alone. I just spent several hours wrapped up in a handsome man named Rueben.”
“W-What?” he stutters. “Who is this Rueben? Has Reeves met him yet?”
“Nope,” I say, popping the P. I’m barely holding in my laughter.
“Bring him. We need to meet him.”
“Yeah, no, that’s not happening.” Although my Kindle does go with me everywhere I go, so I guess, technically, I am bringing Rueben and all my many other book boyfriends with me.
“Damn it, Reese. He’s going to be pissed.”
“Who?” I smile to myself. He’s too easy to mess with.
“Cooper.”
“All right, you’re talking crazy. Is that lack of food?” I tease him.
“Yes,” he says, deadpan.
“Fine. I need to shower. I’ll text you what to get. How many are there?”
“The six of us, Sasha, and Tessa.”
“Everyone is there?” I try to hide my disappointment.
“Well, no, but I’m sure they will be.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” I end the call, not waiting for him to say goodbye, and fire off a text. I’m craving tacos. My stomach growls just thinking about it. Tossing my phone on the couch, I rush down the hall to the shower.
An hour later, I’m pulling my car into the driveway. It’s full, which means everyone is here. I don’t see Coop’s Jeep, and I’m thankful. Spending the rest of my day fielding mean girl looks from his new girlfriend isn’t exactly my idea of a good time.
“Finally,” Hank says when I walk right in without knocking.
“Not you too.” I laugh.
“Levi said you were making tacos.”
“I’m going to teach you boys how to cook.”
“Who are you calling boys?” Dustin asks.
“Well, you’re acting like boys. Seriously? You can’t make yourself lunch?”
“You spoil us, Reese. Tessa too. We would have asked her, but they’re out on some date, and Nixon threatened us to leave them be.”
“Aw. He’s so good to my bestie.”
They all nod their agreement. I have a feeling I could get them to agree to anything about now. “I’m putting you all to work.”
“As long as we start cooking now. I might die of malnutrition,” Trey says dramatically, holding his stomach as if he’s literally in pain.
“Come on.” I playfully roll my eyes and offer Trey my hand to pull him off the couch. Four very loud sets of footsteps follow me into the kitchen. “Okay. Hank, you’re on tomato duty. Trey, onion duty, Levi, lettuce, and Dustin, you’ll help me with the beef and the chicken.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Hank says in his southern drawl.
I get to work, and we fall into easy conversation. The guys talk about the upcoming season, and I chime in here and there. “I’m really excited for Nixon to get some playing time this year,” I say, adding in my two cents.
“Right?” Dustin agrees.
“It sucks he rode the bench most of the year, but that’s the hierarchy of being a freshman with an upperclassman who matches your skillset.”
“Can I just say it’s hot as fuck that you know so much about football?” Hank says, making me blush.
“That—” Levi points at me. “—that little blush ranks up the hotness factor.”
“Right? She has no idea she’s beautiful,” Dustin agrees.
“Stop. If you want dinner, you’ll hush.”
“Coop’s a fucking moron,” Hank grumbles under his breath, but we all hear him.
Even Cooper.
“Why exactly am I a fucking moron?” Cooper asks, walking into the kitchen. Sasha is at his side, her hand gripping his tightly. She gives me one of those looks that says “don’t fuck with me,” before plastering on her fake girl smile. I fight to roll my eyes until my back is turned to them. Then I let it loose, and Dustin chuckles under his breath.
Busted.
Dustin leans his shoulder into mine as we stand side by side at the stove.
“What are you two doing over there?” Cooper asks.
I keep stirring the beef and let Dustin answer for us. “Our girl is trying to teach us how to cook.”
I know the “our girl” comment was a dig at Cooper, although he doesn’t take the bait.
“It smells great.”
“Duh, Reese is cooking.” This comes from Tessa. I turn to look over my shoulder, and she gives me an exaggerated wink as she leaves Nixon’s side and comes to stand next to me at the stove. “You’re making me hungry, and we just had ice cream.”
“That’s fine,” Nixon tells her. “I can eat.”
“Told you,” Levi says. My back is to him, but I can only imagine that his shoulders are squared, and his chest is puffed out. Proud of himself. “There’s plenty,” he tells Cooper. “I figured everyone would end up here eventually.”
