AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I finish packing, my phone vibrates in my back pocket. I tug it free from my jeans and grin at the photo of the note I left on Cooper’s door.
Cooper:I’m rubbing off on you.
Tatum:Don’t say it.
Cooper:[angel emoji]
Tatum:I mean it [laughing emoji]
Cooper:Can’t help it. I could be rubbing off *on* you [smirk emoji]
Tatum:Dude!
It’s impossible to tame my grin. I zip up my bag, texting Alison and Simone to let both of them know I’m going off campus for the weekend. My roommate messages back to ask if I mind if her friend spends the weekend while I’m away, and my best friend sends a bunch of emojis only I can decode as her excitement for my impromptu plans.
Cooper:All packed. What am I packed for?
Before I respond, I take a photo of myself wearing one of the shirts he gave me. It’s a concert shirt for the band we’ll see live this weekend. I remember when he and Jackson went to one of their shows while they toured the country last year.
Tatum:You’ll see. I promise to show you a good time.
Cooper sends back a voice message. His smoky tone stirs heat between my legs when I play it.
“I love it when you say that.”
THIRTY-SIX
COOPER
When I got behind the wheel yesterday, Tatum told me to drive. I never expected we’d end up in L.A. for a music festival. I saw the announcement on Phantom Knockout’s Instagram that they’d be playing at the beginning of the semester, but I forgot all about it. My girl went big with this surprise, and I’ve enjoyed it so much, keeping a dopey ass grin off my face has been impossible all day.
Phantom Knockout’s set is the last one of the night on the main open air stage. I rest my chin on top of her head, my arms tightening around her. She leans back against me, whooping with the rest of the crowd hanging in front of the band’s stage when they come out to greet the fans.
“Thank you for this.” She twists to give me a smile and I kiss her temple. “This weekend’s been one for the books.”
“I’m glad you liked the surprise. You’ve done so much for me, so I wanted to do something for you.” The opening notes of one of the band’s most popular hits starts up and she sways. “I really like this song.”
Something expands inside my chest. “Yeah? Me too.”
“I totally need this one on my playlists. It’ll make me think of you.”
The expanding sensation grows. I forget to pay attention to my favorite band, too focused on her singing along.
“This is it, take a chance. Your first ride, flying high. Don’t forget—you promised all your lasts to me,” she belts out.
Fuck. I love her. Sometimes it slams into me by surprise, reminding me how deeply she’s imprinted on my heart. Being with her makes me feel like I’m constantly riding a wave, an endless, exhilarating rush.
I’ve had so many of her firsts. I want to be all her lasts, too.
Releasing her, I shift to the side to record her singing one of my favorite band’s songs so I’ll always remember today. I’ve taken dozens of photos of her. Every time she smiled today, I’ve needed to capture every one.
“Want me to take a photo of both of you?”
I glance at the couple who’s been hanging out beside us for the last two sets at the main stage. Both of us arrived around the same time to get a good spot to see Phantom Knockout.
“Yeah, thanks. I can get one of you both, too.” I hand off my phone and pull Tatum into my arms. “Smile, baby.”
Tatum throws her hands up with a cheer and I catch her wrists, sliding her arms around my neck.
