Page 2 of Cooper & Jake (Gomillion High Reunion #2)

COOPER

Oh my god, no. Of course, this is my life. Have you ever watched those movies where a clumsy person trips, falls, and everything appears in slow motion?

Yep, that’s exactly what this feels like.

After walking in with Taylor, I had this feeling that someone was watching me.

I glanced over at the table a few spots away from us and saw this cute guy staring at me.

I went to smile at him when movement next to him caught my eye.

Looking at the bulky man next to him, my heart dropped to my stomach when I saw who was sitting there.

Jacob Ward.

My high school sweetheart.

I didn’t think he was actually going to come. Of course, I knew it was a possibility, but I figured he wouldn’t want to step foot back in this small town. I thought he’d be traveling the world or married and settled down with a nice man or woman. Oh shit, maybe the man with him is his husband.

“Damn, little dude, are you okay?”

I open my eyes to see the guy who was seated with Jake standing over me, a worried expression on his face.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Embarrassed but fine.” I tell them, sitting up and wiping off my slacks.

“Coop?”

His voice still sends shivers through my body as though no time has passed at all. I give him a small smile, saying, “Hi, Jake. Back in town for the reunion?”

“Yeah,” he replies, tilting his head to stare at me. “Do you still live here, or are you back?”

“I’m just back for the reunion, too. But, uh—I’ve got to go. Taylor and I have something to get to.”

“Maybe we can catch up sometime?”

“Yeah, maybe,” I rush out, wanting to get away as quickly as possible. Of course, the first time I see my ex-boyfriend, I fall flat on my ass in front of the entire coffee shop.

Jake and his friend…partner both back up, and I stand to my feet. Taylor comes straight up to my side, the very best friend I could have ever asked for. “Come on, sweetie, we’re gonna be late.”

Taylor and I head back out the door we just came in, and trust me, I realize how pathetic I look right now. Running away. I guarantee he knows what I’m doing, but I’m not ready to see him. Especially him and his gorgeous husband.

Nope. Nuh-uh.

“So, I take it that was ‘ The Jake,’ huh?” Taylor asks as we walk into the bright light.

“What gave it away? The fact that I fell on my ass or that I said, ‘ Hi, Jake ?’”

“Hey, don’t be snooty with me. I just saved your ass. Figured you might need a minute to get yourself together before talking with him again. You know, since you could barely string two words in a sequence.”

“What the hell? I could string sentences together. I was just surprised, that’s all.”

“Oh, I got that when you went face-first down on the ground.”

“First time I’ve seen the man in twenty years, and I land on my ass.” I groan loudly, leaning my head toward hers when she locks her arm through mine and places her head on my shoulder.

“No one could have pulled that off better than you. But maybe next time you should stay on two feet when you run into him again. Hey, let’s go in here. I still want my coffee.”

Taylor pulls open the door to another bakery, and I follow her inside the shop. “I don’t know why I came back here, Taylor. There’s nothing for me in this town anymore.”

“Don’t do that. You have earned the right to come back to your hometown and see how things have changed. You haven’t been back here for years. Fuck, Coop, you’re doing amazing in life. You deserve to flaunt it a little.”

“I’m doing okay.”

“Cooper Dalton, don’t you ever try to downplay how amazing you are. First off, you’re a vet who takes care of animals; could you be any more swoon-worthy? Plus, you’re the best friend I could have ever asked for. Hell, if I weren’t married to Jared, then I would be married to you.”

“You mean if you weren’t married, and I were into women?”

“Nah, just if I weren’t married.”

We both laugh hard, Taylor curling into my side.

I first met her when we were both working at the vet clinic in our town.

She worked behind the desk as a receptionist, and I assisted the veterinarian while I was in school.

We became inseparable pretty easily, not going more than two days without seeing one another.

When I received the invitation for the reunion, I wasn’t going to come until she convinced me I would regret it if I didn’t.

Her husband, Jared, wanted her to have a small vacation, so she came with me to my little hometown.

I’m not sure how much of a holiday she’s going to get, but I’m thankful to have her by my side. Especially right now.

I sit down at the table while she walks up to the counter to order.

I close my eyes, my mind going straight to Jake.

Fuck, he looked good. Really damn good. He has short, black hair and a bulkier build, but he’s still just as sexy as before.

His blue eyes shone brightly as he stared down at me with concern etched on his face.

He was so damn close to me, and yet he seemed so far away.

I’ve dated plenty of men since Jake, but he’s always been the one man I’ve compared everyone else to. Why? I have no damn idea.

Which is stupid, right?

We were teens when we were together. We didn’t even know what it was like to experience life. And yet, he’s crossed my mind throughout the years. Far more times than he should have, if I’m being honest.

Maybe it’s because I had every intention of following him.

My plan was to attend the same college as him, but the accident stopped me from leaving.

I never even told him what had happened.

I just disappeared from social media, abandoning it all.

Back then, I had bigger worries. And now that I’ve seen him, emotions have flooded back.

Bringing me back to how I felt twenty years ago when he first left.

“What should we do today?” Taylor asks, taking the seat across from me. “Wait, when do the official activities start?”

“Most things start tomorrow. So we’re free to do anything we want today.”

“Hiking?”

“You’re speaking my love language. Yes, let’s go hiking.”

An hour later, Taylor and I are pulling into the parking lot at the entrance to Yellow Branch Falls.

This scenic spot has a waterfall and offers the most spectacular views.

And back in high school, it was the ‘ it ’ spot for drunken parties and make-out sessions.

Jake and I may have come here a few times, but luckily, we were never caught in a compromising position.

I wonder if Jake is still into public sex.

Shaking my head, I scold myself. Don’t worry about what type of sex Jake is into, Coop. It doesn’t affect you. Not anymore.

“Okay, I knew this place was going to be amazing, but hell, this is beyond what I imagined. How much further are we from the waterfall?”

“About fifteen minutes, if I remember correctly. Once we hear the splashing of the water, we’ll know we’re close.”

“Splashing, rushing water equals a waterfall… what a concept.” Taylor snarks, smiling as she pushes past me.

“Hey, no need to be bratty.”

“If I’m not bratty, then I’m not Taylor.” She turns around, walking backward, and sticks her tongue out at me.

We’re quiet as we finish the walk up to the waterfall.

My gaze is constantly looking around, remembering the last time I was here.

It was graduation night, and Jake and I had had sex under the stars as we did many nights.

I was lying on his chest, and we were talking about the future.

Yellow Branch Falls was one of our favorite places to go.

It’s hard for teenagers to find private places to sneak off to, so this was ours.

As we round the corner, indistinct voices hit my ears.

“Fucking fuck, fuck, fuck . What the hell, Jake? Why am I wheezing?”

“You’re such a damn baby. It wasn’t even that bad of a hike.”

Taylor and I enter the clearing to see Jake and the man he was with standing in front of the waterfall. Jake is rubbing the other guy’s back while the man is bent over, his hands on his knees as he’s breathing heavily.

“Seems we had a similar idea,” I say, wanting them to know they’re no longer alone.

The bent-over man looks up at me, a grimace on his face as he keeps trying to catch his breath. “How are you two not out of breath? That hike was a trek! Jake-O said it’ll be simple. Simple, my ass. I am not out of shape, but fucking, fuck, fuck!”

“Please excuse my friend, the baby.”

Friend.

Not his husband. Not his boyfriend. His friend .

Which doesn’t matter at all.

Except inside, I might be doing a little happy dance.