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More than that, I begin to believe he’s really in this for me. For us.Chapter 15Cooper“School has only been out for two weeks, and already the kids are going stir crazy. I just wish there was funding to take them somewhere, like the zoo or COSI or something. Things are tight at the state level, and honestly, they just worry about keeping the kids fed, clothed, and a roof over their heads. I guess I just feel like I know what they are missing out on, you know?”
“Is there anything we can do?”
“Fundraising is difficult, and many forget we even have a children’s home. It makes me realize how fortunate we were growing up. I mean, some of these kids come to the home with their meager belongings in trash bags, some worse off come with nothing. It’s heartbreaking.”
“Come here.” I pull her closer to me and kiss the top of her head. Since that weekend at her parents’, I’ve been sleeping in her bed every night. We’re still taking it slow, so no sex. But there has been a lot of kissing and touching. My hands have memorized every dip and every curve of her body.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re probably tired of hearing about all of this.”
“No. I want to be the person you can turn to. I don’t care what you have to say. I’m going to listen.”
She rolls over to face me. “I love having you here. Not just here in my bed, but in my apartment and in my life.”
I don’t hide my grin. She’s still kept her feelings tight to her chest. I’m still waiting for those three little words, but I’m not worried. I know they’ll come. “There is nowhere else I’d rather be.” I kiss the top of her head. “Speaking of, I need to go to Indy next week. I have to meet with my agent to sign a couple of endorsement deals. Do you think you could get off work on Friday? We could spend the weekend at my condo. If not, we can just leave when you get off work.”
“You don’t have to wait on me, and I don’t have to go with you.”
“Yes, I do. Yes, you do. I have training camp in a little over a month, and I’m going to be leaving. That means I need all the time with you that I can get.”
“Are you excited for the season?”
“Yeah, I think we’re going to go far this year.”
“Of course you will,” she says, quick to support my team and me.
“You going to be at some of my games?”
“I’ll try.”
I want to tell her to quit the damn job and come with me. She could come to all the games, but I don’t. I have plans in the making, and I need to time it all just right. I haven’t brought up me leaving football again, but I would for her, and I wouldn’t think twice about it. No regrets.
“Well, I’m just going to throw this out there so that there is no confusion. I want you there. I want you at as many games as possible. I’ll fly you there, and I’ll have a seat for you at every stadium.”
“Okay.” One word, but I can tell by the tone of her voice that she’s pleased. “I should get some sleep.”
“I love you.” I kiss the top of her head again. She doesn’t reply, but she snuggles into my chest. I feel her love. She doesn’t have to say it, although I’m dying to hear those three little words from her, I feel them every single day. That’s enough for now. We’ve come a long way in just a couple of months.“Have a good day, baby.” I press my lips to the corner of her mouth and open the door for her. I need to give her some time to get to work to know the coast is clear, so I grab a quick shower before setting my plans in motion. I can’t call until eight anyway.
After a quick internet search, I have a name and number to call, so I dial the phone and wait. “Mr. Garcia, this is Cooper Reeves.” After answering questions about the Defenders, and promising an autograph, I get to the reason for my call.
“Mr. Reeves, that’s very generous of you. If you don’t mind me asking, what prompted all of this?”
“Reese Latham is my girlfriend. She expressed how the kids don’t get to go out and do much, and I’d like to help.”
“Certainly,” he agrees, just as he did a few minutes ago when I laid out my plan.
“I’d like to make this happen as soon as possible.”
“Well, we have plenty of workers at the home. We should be able to arrange this whenever you want.”
“Today. I also would like for Reese to be able to attend with us.”
