I know. The broadcasters tell us each game
Maybe instead of listening to them, you should come to a game? I can get you tickets
His text confused me. It almost sounded as though he wanted to see me again, but was it because he felt bad for me, or did he want to hang out as friends? I couldn’t imagine he wanted to rekindle things between us. Our circumstances hadn’t changed, and all the reasons he had for breaking up with me last year hadn’t disappeared.
Still, I wanted to take him up on his offer:
I’d like that. Might even get myself a Cooper jersey this time
I can just give you one. I’ll even sign it
I may have thought watching him on TV was torture, but chatting with him like this hurt even more. Still, I couldn’t put a stop to it.
I’d like that too
Want to come get it now?
My lungs must have stopped working because suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. Did I want to go to his apartment and see him, even though I knew it wasn’t a good idea? The answer was simple.
Yes
As I ordered a rideshare,my nerves twisted and turned in my stomach. Yes, I wanted to see Coop, but was going to Coop’s apartment on the spur of the moment the right decision? Was it wise to subject myself to another round of heartache and longing? I knew deep down, it wasn’t a good idea. Yet, there was nothing else I’d rather do.
With a shaky exhale, I grabbed my jacket and headed out into the crisp autumn night. The ride to Coop’s high rise only took fifteen minutes, and I was grateful because I didn’t need any extra time to freak out about what I was doing.
The doorman greeted me with a smile as I stepped into the lobby. Once the attendant inside confirmed with Coop over the phone that I was an expected guest, I headed to the elevator and pressed the button. My heart pounded in my chest as I approached his floor until finally, the doors slid open, and I stepped out.
When I reached Coop’s apartment, I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether this was really what I wanted. But I knew my desire to see him outweighed any reservations. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly.
Seconds later, the door swung open, and I had to take a second to appreciate the sight in front of me. There stood Coop, looking casual but still unbelievably hot. He was dressed in a fitted black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, his dark hair damp and messy as though he’d just stepped out of the shower. The sight of him took my breath away, reminding me of all the times we had shared ... and all the love.
“Hey,” he greeted, a grin spreading across his face. “I wasn’t sure if you would actually show up.”
I mustered up a small smile. “Honestly, I wasn’t either.”
He took a step back and gestured for me to come inside. As I entered his apartment, the memories hit me hard. The late nights after work as we talked about our day. Ordering Chinese and reading our fortunes as though they would come true. Falling asleep in his arms. Those were the good memories before everything went to shit. It didn’t take long for the bad ones to resurface and taint all the wonderful things that had come before. This was the place where Coop broke up with me, and it was also the place where I’d come back hoping we could have another chance together, only to leave with my heart broken again.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” he asked as we made our way to his living room.
“Water would be great.” I removed my jacket.
He headed toward the kitchen, and I took a seat on the familiar leather couch. He returned a few seconds later with two water bottles and handed one to me before he sat at the other end. His gaze met mine as we both took a cautious sip of water. The awkwardness between us was unsettling, and I didn’t think either of us was sure how to act around the other anymore.
When the silence had stretched on long enough, he finally spoke. “Let me get the jersey for you.”
I watched as he went to the bedroom and returned with a black and gold jersey in his hands.
“Thanks.” I took it.
“You’re welcome,” Coop sighed. “You may not believe me, but I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I admitted, wondering if he could hear the vulnerability in my voice.
He moved closer, his arm resting on the cushions behind me. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately, about?—”
I crashed my lips against his before he could say anything else. My heart couldn’t handle listening to him talk about how he’d been thinking about me, but I needed one more moment with him.
The minute our lips touched, all other thoughts left my head.
