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Big guys. Sexy guys. All of them overly interested in our conversation, and I have no problem glaring at each and every one of them.
I recognize his friend Linc from the few times I’ve met him before, but I guess the rest of the guys are members of his team.
A guy with shaggy auburn hair and a barrel chest covered in aTexas Forevert-shirt steps forward. “Ain’t ya gonna introduce us, Sinclair?”
Cooper throws his elbow back into the guy’s gut. “Nope.”
“That’s not very nice, Cooper.” I reach my hand out to the dude with the Texas twang. “Hi. I’m Carys. Great shirt. Classic show.”
“Marry me?” he asks as he brings my hand to his lips. “Wait... don’t answer that yet. Movie or show?”
Cooper groans, but I play along.
“Hmm.” I put my finger to my lips and pretend to think about it for a minute. “Show all the way. Tim Riggins was my first love.”
“Sinclair, man. Where you been hiding her?” he taunts Coop with a smile on his gorgeous face.
Cooper gives the dude a glare that would scare the shit out of most men, but not this one.
“Well, future wife, I’m Axel. But you can just call me ‘future baby daddy.’”
A very unladylike snort creeps up my throat. Mom would be ashamed of me. “Wow. Does that usually work for you, Axel?” My playfulness comes easily with the comfort that comes from being around Cooper.
Axel’s lips tip up in a crooked, cocky grin as he smiles, and I move down the line and offer Linc a big hug before I’m introduced to the rest of the guys. Standing in the middle of this group should be intimidating, but the smile on Cooper’s face puts me at ease.
Emerson pats the stool next to her for me to sit down as I catch Cooper out of the corner of my eye, taking his phone from his pocket. His fingers fly over the screen, and the cellphone in my pocket vibrates. My eyes connect with his, and he flashes me his panty-melting smile as he holds the phone in front of his face.
My cell vibrates again. Then again and again.
Guess he just activated the family phone tree. When my mom married Cooper’s dad a few years ago, they started a group text. It includes the two of them, my older brother, Aiden, Cooper’s twin sister, Nattie, and their older brother, Declan, his wife, Belle, and me. We’re a bit of a motley crew.
Well, truth be told,theymainly are.
I was always the younger one.
A little on the outside, looking in, I guess.
Envious of the friendships they had.
Wishing I was included.
I tug my phone from the pocket of my skirt, and sure enough, the text notifications are lighting up my screen.
Coop:Finally got back to Cali today.
Aiden:What? Like we missed your ugly face or something?
Nattie:You seriously couldn’t text one damn time in the last three weeks, Cooper Sinclair?
Declan:Don’t give him shit, Nat. He’s texting now.
Nattie:Bite me, Dec. You try sharing a womb with someone for nine months and then be expected to go without talking to them for weeks at a time. It blows.
Coach:I don’t want to hear about what blows or who bites, Natalie Grace. Give your brother a second to breathe.
Coach:Glad you’re home safe, son. FaceTime tomorrow?
Coop:Yeah, Dad. I’ll call tomorrow. Love you guys.
