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“Done.” Hank slides the diced-up tomatoes from the cutting board into a bowl. “Anyone want a beer?” he asks. I hear the refrigerator door open as everyone calls out that they want one. “Tessa?”
“Sure.”
“You staying here?” Nixon asks her.
“Yes, dear,” she says sweetly.
“What about you, Reese?” Trey asks.
“No. I have to drive home.”
“Why don’t you just stay here like you always do?” he asks. The room falls silent, other than Trey’s muttered, “Shit.”
“You can stay with me,” Levi says. “I have plenty of room.”
“That’s okay,” I say, the same time Cooper says, “No.”
I whip around to look at him. He’s watching me. Those brown eyes of his stare me down. His look is almost pleading. I start to soften, then I see Sasha pull on his arm. He ignores her, but the trance is broken. There is nothing wrong with me staying over with a friend. He gets to live his life while I pine away for him. This has to stop. I have to move on. There will never be a great Cooper and Reese romance.
“Are you sure you don’t mind, Levi?” I ask him.
“Reese.” Cooper’s tone is full of warning.
“Hell no. That’s the least I can do for you coming over here to cook for us.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“Bottoms up, Reese’s Cup.” Trey hands me a beer.
I make a show of placing the bottle to my lips and tilting my head back. I let the cold liquid pour down my throat. “Everything’s done. You guys can dig in.”
“You first,” Hank says.
“I’m just going to run to the restroom.” I set my beer on the counter and slip out of the room. There is a half bath just off the kitchen, but I need a little more space than that. I just need to get my head on straight. Instead, I take the stairs to the basement. There is a common area with a pool table, two bedrooms off it, and a bathroom. Luckily, the guys are fairly clean, so I have no worries when I lock myself inside. I take care of business, wash my hands, and stand with my hands on the counter, staring into the mirror. “Get it together, Reese.”
Taking a deep breath, I open the door to find Tessa standing there. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Reese.” Her voice is soft, but I can hear the warning for me to be honest with her.
“I’m good. I promise. I just need to… move on, and that hurts my heart a little. I’ve known for a long time.”
She pulls me into a fierce hug, one only a best friend can pull off. “I’m here if you need to talk, or get drunk.”
I laugh. “Thanks, Tess. Come on. I’m starving.”
The kitchen is noisy when we enter. Everyone is eating, laughing, and having a good time. Tessa and I make our plates, and instead of squeezing in at the table, I place my plate on the counter next to my beer and try to jump up on the counter.
“Hold on, shorty. I’ve got this.” Levi sets his plate down where he was coming back for what I assume is a second helping. He places his hands on my hips and lifts me up to the counter with very little effort. He goes right back to making his plate. My cheeks are flushed as my eyes dart around the room. They land on Cooper as he stares at me.
Once everyone has had their fill, we move to the living room. “Cooper,” Sasha whines. Yes, it’s a whine, and it’s annoying as hell. How does he put up with that? “Let’s go to your room.”
“No.” He doesn’t even entertain the idea or try to reason with her. He just flat out turns her down.
She leans over to whisper in his ear. “How about that?” she asks where we can all hear her.
“No.” Again, he blatantly dismisses her.
“Anyone need anything from the kitchen?” I ask, standing. I can’t sit here and watch her. He can do so much better. I don’t know why he doesn’t see that. I get a yes to a couple of beers and a bottle of water for Tessa.
“I’ll help.” Cooper stands to follow me.
“Are you kidding me? Why are you following her?” Sasha says snidely.
“Because that’s a lot for one person to carry.”
“Why does it have to be you who helps her?” She says the word her as if I’m a snake that could strike out and bite her at any second.
“The her you are referring to is my best friend.”
“I’m your girlfriend.” She stomps her foot like a toddler.
I know because I’m watching this all unfold like a train wreck that I can’t look away from. “Coop, it’s fine. I’ve got this.” I turn on my heel and start for the kitchen. I stop just inside the door and listen.
