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“Toss me that pillow,” Reese tells Tessa. Somehow, all of the pillows have ended up on the couch. Reese catches it easily and pulls the cover off the back of the couch. She and Reese insisted that we keep covers down here for nights like this. Otherwise, you’d never see a cover in this house. Nixon and I take turns making sure they’re clean, because our roommates bring home random girls quite often, and well, that’s just nasty to think about Reese or even Tessa wrapped up in… that.
Ten minutes into the movie and the music starts to change. It’s not only louder, but it’s daunting, warning you, building the intensity that something’s about to happen. When a guy in a mask steps out of a hall closet and captures the female lead from behind, the girls scream. Reese jumps into my lap and buries her face in my chest. I wrap my arms around her, comforting her just like I have since we were kids and watched scary movies. She settles against me and doesn’t even attempt to move.
I thought a scary movie was the way to go, and although now for a different reason, I know I was right. I’ll take these moments with her. I’ll bottle them up and keep them close for times when I’m away from her. If I get drafted, like I hope that I do, that’s going to change our relationship. Not a day has gone by since I was eight years old that I haven’t seen her. The draft, my career is going to change that. Maybe she’ll come with me? No, I can’t ask her to do that. I can’t ask her to give up her life. It took her some time, but she now has her heart set on being a social worker. She wants to make a difference, and I have no doubt in my mind that she will indeed make a difference in so many lives.
Just look at what she’s done for mine.
I’m a better person because of her. I find myself doing things that I know will make her smile or be proud of me. She brings that out in me. Hell, she brings it out in my roommates. This house was party central my freshman year. Nixon and I move in, the girls with us, and things calm down. Sure, we still party, but they’re tame compared to what they used to be. That’s her influence. I strive to be better. For her. I never want her to be embarrassed that I’m the guy she chooses to spend all of her time with. One day when we’re older, and we have families of our own, I want her to be proud to introduce me to them as their pseudo uncle and her best friend. Then again, what I really want is to be the man who stands tall next to her, even though I know that can’t happen.
Reese jumps in my arms, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I’ve got you,” I whisper in her ear. I’ve always got you.Chapter 12ReeseToday is Cooper’s last game of the season. It’s hard for me to believe that we only have one more year of college, and then it’s mundane days of adulting. Well, for me anyway. Cooper is destined for bigger and better things. I can feel it.
It’s not just me. There have been scouts coming to his games and trying to convince him to enter the draft this year. I could have told them that they were wasting their time. Cooper promised Ann he would graduate with his degree before pursuing a career in the professional football league. She wanted him to have a safety net to secure his future. I happen to agree with her. It’s a career that takes a toll on your body, and you don’t know how long you’ll be able to play. Having a backup plan as a professional athlete is always a good idea.
There is no doubt in my mind he’s going to get drafted. He’s too good at what he does. Cooper shines on the field, and the scouts and teams would be blind not to see that. I love it and hate it all at the same time. I’m happy for him. I know he’s going to be amazing and kick-ass for whatever team picks him up, but I’m also sad because he’s going to be moving away. It will be the first time since we became friends that we’ve been apart for any period of time, really. Sure, he’s gone for his away games, but that’s days. This could be weeks and even months at a time before we see each other. It hurts my heart to think about us drifting apart. I know it’s inevitable. I’d like to think that even with the distance, we can remain close. I guess only time will tell.
