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He stands. “Go to New York. We waited ten years. What’s a little more time?”
“Cooper,” I say, walking toward him, but he puts his hand up in the air.
“I can’t do it, Elle. I can’t come second. Not when I’d put you first every damn second of my life. I want to share my life with someone, not feel like I’m dragging them along for the ride.” He turns to leave.
“I never meant…”
He opens up his apartment door and shuts it quietly. He might as well have slammed it shut because it feels like the finality of our relationship.
Chapter 28
Cooper
Maybe I’m an idiot. I’ve never been so mad and disappointed in my life, and never would I have thought it’d be directed at Elle.
Jogging down the stairs, I zip up my jacket and push through the iron gates. Instead of heading to Peeper’s Alley, I walk down the block to one of the trendier bars.
I saddle up to the bar and ask the bartender for a shot of whiskey and a beer.
He nods and does me a solid by not saying he recognizes me.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it, continuing to drink and mindlessly watch the television that’s replaying some show about the stupid shit that people do.
A woman saddles up next to me. “Cooper Rice?”
I glance over at her. She’s a cute brunette dressed in jeans and a short crop top that shows off her stomach. Her hair is braided to the side. I remember when Elle used to do that with her hair. Back when she wasn’t mine, but I wanted her to be.
“Yeah.” I sip my beer. No reason to deny it.
“You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?” She circles on the stool.
“It’s not my bar.” I lift the shot glass, and the bartender brings the bottle down. I slide my credit card over to start a tab.
“I’m Flora,” she says, jutting her hand out.
I shake it and return my hand to my beer.
“You want to talk about it?”
“No.” I down the shot.
“Want to talk about anything?”
“No.” I keep my gaze on the TV.
“You certainly aren’t showing me a side that would make me want to cheer for the Grizzlies.”
I swivel in my stool to face her. “Listen, I’m having a real bad fucking day. The last thing I need is some girl hitting on me. I plan on drinking until I’m numb, so I’d go find some other guy to hit on tonight.”
She stares at me for a beat. “You know the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Why don’t we go back to my place, and I promise you I can make you forget all about her.”
I used to be surprised by these advances, but not so much anymore.
“That’s not my style.”
She shakes her head. “Of course, the one player I meet isn’t into fucking around.”
My phone vibrates again, and I pull it out just to get away from this woman.
