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“Are you lost in a corn maze out there?” Cooper chimes in.
So they’re together. Great.
“It’s not corn season, dipshit, and yes, I’m alive.” I turn down the main street, now able to make my way through town without GPS. “You guys heading to work out?”
“Yeah, you know whereyourass should be,” Cooper says. “You better be here in two days. We’re not going to win the bowl again this coming season if you’re not training.”
“Don’t worry about me. You throw the ball, I’ll catch it.”
Cooper groans. Usually I’m all his during the offseason to practice whatever he wants. We probably won last season because we put in so much effort during the offseason.
“How’s the pregnancy?” Miles asks.
“Jesus, you’re such a woman,” Cooper tells Miles.
“Great, how’s engaged life?” I ask him.
“I’m done hearing about all this baby shit. And now Miles is talking about wedding shit. What happened to my single friends?” Cooper asks.
“What the fuck happened with Ellery?” I ask, knowing this has to be the reason for his sour mood.
“She went on a date last weekend,” Miles says as I make a right.
“And I don’t give a shit. That’s not why I’m pissy. I’m mad because the two of you need to get your heads out of your asses. I refuse to be a one-time winner. I’m chasing dreams here.” Cooper sounds passionate.
I’m sure some of what he just preached is true, but Ellery going on a date has something to do with his mood, I know it does.
“I’m chasing my dream too,” Miles says.
“I’m talking about filling my hand with championship rings, not an engagement ring.”
“I told you I’ll be there, and I will,” I say. “I won’t miss it unless she goes into labor. Okay?”
“So, should we rent out your apartment?” Cooper asks.
“No, I’ll be back before the season starts.”
“I thought Cavanaugh was whipped, but I think you’re worse.” Cooper continues on with his sour attitude that I’m not really in the mood for. “I mean, I always thought I’d have you, Siska. A perpetual bachelor.”
“First of all, I’m still a bachelor. Second of all, Adeline’s having my baby, and the press keeps posting updates like I’m some celebrity, and the women are being brutal in the comments. I’m taking care of my own.”
“And I couldn’t be prouder of you,” Miles says.
I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me. “Go to hell.”
They both laugh.
“Well, we were just making sure aliens didn’t abduct you.” Cooper laughs at his own joke. “Maybe one day we can actually meet her. More than just the brief introduction we had the day you guys hooked up.”
“Maybe if you’re lucky.”
“You’re being so protective,” Miles says. “We’re your friends.”
“I just have to handle this.” I should tell them the truth at this point. “Honestly, I’m not sure what it is, but I feel as though this is where I should be. I get that I got here by fucking up, but I want to be a part of my kid’s life, and to do that, I need to know his or her mom. I want us to co-parent well together.”
“Damn, I got a tear,” Cooper says, and I wish he was in front of me so I could flip him off. “I’m kidding though. It’s hard when parents don’t get along, when they use the kid against the other one. Keep doing what you’re doing, but you better make it to my workouts. Otherwise, I’m gonna surprise you in that town and make a spectacle of myself.”
I chuckle and shake my head as I pull into the gym parking lot. “Deal. Thanks, guys.”
