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A slow smile crosses Eve’s face as she looks over at Garrett. “She’s been waiting since the day we moved in, and you and Reese hit it off, for you to say those words.” Garrett chuckles.
“That’s my mistake too. I was blinded by our friendship. I didn’t want that to change, but it did anyway. I was losing my best friend regardless, so I thought it was time to tell her how I felt. This past year, being away from her, it’s been hell,” I admit.
“So, what are you going to do?” Garrett asks. “What are your intentions with my daughter?” He grins cheekily. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”
The fact he’s making jokes has relief washing over me. “Did you not say that to Hunter?” I ask, barely able to say his name. He did nothing wrong, but in my eyes, he’s still the enemy.
“No. Hunter didn’t talk to us before he asked Reese to marry him.”
What a douche. “I love her.” My voice is steady and calm. “I want to spend the rest of my life showing her. I hope I have your blessing.” It’s not a question.
“And if you don’t?”
“I’m going to love her anyway. That’s what she deserves. Nothing less.”
“Of course you have our blessing.” Eve reaches over and lightly smacks Garrett on the arm. “He’s messing with you, Cooper. We’ve always known the two of you had deep-rooted feelings for each other.”
“My parents said the same thing. Why didn’t I see it sooner?” I ask myself out loud.
“You did,” Eve assures me. “But the fear of losing your best friend kept you from naming it and letting it grow. The separation did the two of you some good.”
“Yeah, except she ran to another country.”
“Oh, hush.” Eve waves her arm in the air. “She just needed some time to get her head together and work it all out. You know Reese. She’s a thinker. This is what she does.”
“I’m glad Tessa is with her.”
“We are too. I was relieved when she told us.”
“So, what now?” Garrett asks.
“I don’t know. I’m going to stay here until she comes home from Mexico, and then take it day by day. I love her.” I look him in the eye when I say this. “I love her, and I’m going to fight for her. I’ve pushed her away for years.” I gloss over the hottest night of my life in college, that was up until our night together in the hotel. “I’m going to show her what she means to me.”
“You sound determined,” he observes.
“I am.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have your work cut out for you,” Eve chimes in. “She’s loved you for years, Cooper. She was sure there would never be anything between the two of you. I don’t know what happened to make her think that. Give her some time, and please don’t give up on her.”
“Never.” The conviction in my voice is unmistakable.
We spend the next hour catching up on life. Garrett and I talk about my first year of playing in the league, and Eve asks about living in Indy. I’ve missed them. They were such a huge part of my life growing up. It’s been nice to catch up. I just wish Reese could have been here too.
“I should get back.” I stand. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I never meant for it to turn out this way, but I’m glad that it did. Watching her walk down the aisle to him… it broke me. I never want to feel that way again.” They don’t say anything, and they don’t need to. I said what I needed to say. The looks on their faces tell me more than words can.
They’re rooting for us.
Walking back to my parents’ place, I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Our families know where I stand. Now I have to decide which course of action to take. How am I going to prove to her that she’s all I want?
Making my way into the house, I find it’s quiet. Mom left a note on the counter telling me that there are leftovers in the fridge and that she and Dad ran to the hardware store. Grabbing the plate from the fridge, I pop it in the microwave and pull my phone out of my pocket. There is a two-hour time difference in Mexico, which means that Reese and Tessa were on the beach bright and early this morning. She’s always loved the ocean. I wish I could be there with her. I decide to send her a text.Me: Hey. Just had a visit with your parents. I told them you calling the wedding off was my fault.Her reply is immediate.Reese: It wasn’t your fault, Cooper. I just realized I wanted something different.Me: Does that something rhyme with Trooper?
