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“Of course. Thank you.” I chuckle. “It feels pretty good to talk about.”
“Guys have feelings too, Coop. Gender doesn’t matter when it comes to mental health and talking things out. It doesn’t emasculate you to talk about them.”
“Yeah. Thanks for listening.”
“Always.”
My arms tighten around her. It’s getting harder to think about letting her go when all I want to do is hold on like this forever.
THIRTY-FOUR
TATUM
Ever since Cooper’s confession at the party two weeks ago, I’m hyper aware of asking too much of him, limiting our lessons with excuses that I need to study for midterms this month. He swore he didn’t think of what we’re doing that way, and I’m determined to keep it that way. I never want to hurt him by treating him like an object. The look on his face after we left the party haunts my thoughts. I never want to see that wounded expression on his handsome face again. It makes my heart ache just thinking of using him the way others have.
We’ve been so good at faking it that I forgot we aren’t real. Well, on my end things have become hard to separate. I don’t know what this is for him other than me helping tame his image. I ignore the twinge that thought causes in my chest. He deserves a girlfriend who will see everything I do about him, not his best friend’s sister helping him out as a cover.
Another heart-shaped sticky note from him shows up on the message board of my dorm when I get back from my afternoon class. The sight chases away the cloud hanging over my head. If my feet move a little faster down the hall to get it, that’s my business, not anyone else’s. I’m already smiling before I finish reading the note.
Miss you, overachiever. Wear this and be ready by 6pm. Can’t wait to see you in it.
The arrow points down to the bag hanging on the doorknob.
Oh my god. My smile falls, overtaken by shock. Did he get me lingerie and leave it out in the hallway for everyone in my dorm to see? I picture the message in his seductive croon and heat floods my face.
Peeking inside, I find the unmistakable SBC school colors, light blue, navy, and red. The wad of fabric is shiny and definitely not lace or silk. My lips roll between my teeth. That rules out lingerie.
I can feel the attention from other girls on the floor waiting for me to open it, especially from the girls across the hall who follow Cooper’s TikTok. They all know he’s the one who leaves me notes. Is this another surprise he’s sprung on me? I want to check his account to scope out new posts for a clue, but I can’t do it with anyone watching.
Whipping out my phone, I shoot him a text while I take the bag inside my dorm room.
Tatum:Dude. Everyone thinks you left a naughty gift with this suggestive note.
Cooper:Good idea. I’ll keep that in mind for next time [smirk emoji] Did you open it yet?
A pleasant, aching heat lances through my stomach at the thought of wearing something sexy he picked out for me, and my mouth curves as I type out a reply.
Tatum:Not yet. What are you up to?
Cooper:You’ll see, babe. See you soon.
Tatum:I was going to study tonight.
Cooper:Nah. Boyfriends take their girls out on dates. You’ll like this. Go with the flow. Besides, you’ve been cramming hard and deserve a break.
Holding back a smile is impossible because I hear the response in his lazy, confident tone, complete with one of his heart-obliterating winks. The studying excuse was a weak one. He knows I’ve been on top of my midterm prep regimen and one night off isn’t going to make or break my exam scores. Opening what he left for me, I find a South Bay basketball fan jersey just like the one I know he has.
An idea pops in my head to get him back for making everyone on my floor jump to conclusions about the bag’s contents. Stripping out of my jeans and shirt, I pull on just the jersey and hold my phone up for a selfie. I’ve done this hundreds of times since the summer, practicing it so often it feels natural to give the camera a flirtatious smirk as I kneel on my dorm bed. I tug the material suggestively between my legs to show off a hint of side boob, then attach the picture to our message thread and shoot it to him with a sly grin.
Tatum:Is this what you had in mind?
His reply comes back seconds later.
Cooper:Damn it, T. Now I have to leave the gym with a boner. Fuck, you look good like that.
I fall back against the bed with a laugh. Another message comes through.
Cooper:Wear a shirt under that. I don’t want anyone else seeing what’s mine at the game tonight.
