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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

COOPER

I missed my boyfriend, but this week was going to give me the life I wanted with him. After days of tests on the field, in the weight room and with doctors, I fell onto my back on my hotel room bed and sighed. My roommate, a Purdue tight end, was out for a while.

I’d had a few meetings with the Seahawks staff and coaches, my new agent, Mel Dirkson, and I’d done my best to let them know I was all in for Seattle. But the Minnesota Vikings were showing interest as well. I hated being so far away from Myles. I rubbed my eyes and sat up.

The draft was next month and, on top of my studies, there’d be media interviews and probably more team meetings to deal with. But through it all, Myles would keep me grounded. Thinking of which, I should probably call him.

I rose from the bed, stepped to the modern gray desk against the wall and snatched my phone.

Everything in this room was gray or white.

Funny, given the rest of the hotel had an old world feel to it, with fancy arches and ornate moldings.

As I paced to the window, I drew the curtains aside, looking into Lucas Oil Stadium where the combine was being held.

The place shone brightly, contrasting with the overcast night .

I FaceTimed Myles. The call rang once, and he came into view.

“Hey, Coop. How’s it going, eh?” He smiled at me as he walked through our home and dropped into my old couch.

“It’s been exhausting, but good. My stats are great, and I’ve had a few meetings with the agent my dad got me.” I stepped from the window and sat on the edge of the bed, raking my fingers through my hair. “And with the Seahawks.” I puffed my chest.

“Yeah? So, what do you think?” He gave me a broad grin.

“I think I’ll be in the first round of the draft next month, but Minnesota is also interested in me.” I blew out a breath. “Here’s the thing. The Vikings didn’t have as good a season as the Seahawks last year, so they’ll be doing their draft picks before Seattle.”

“Shit, so you think you’ll get picked by the Vikings?” He furrowed his brows.

“Maybe. That’s what my agent is for. It’s going to be close.” I worried my lip. “But I tried being sort of a dick when I met with them, so maybe they won’t pick me, and they’ll leave me for Seattle.” I’d hoped to hell I was playing my cards right.

“Are you shitting me?” Myles chuckled. “I can’t believe it.”

“I don’t want to be in Minnesota while you’re in Seattle, Myles. It would kill me.” As my chest pinched, I clutched my athletic shirt over my heart. I was doing this all for him and he was worth it. “Draft day will be a nail-biter. Just beware.”

“It’s broadcast on TV, isn’t it?” He huffed.

“It is, but the teams usually call the players right before announcing the pick.” I sucked in a calming breath. It would be hard to sleep until this was over.

“Okay. Well, I guess all we can do is wait.” He sighed. “We’ll have a draft party and all watch it together.”

“The first day is on a Thursday. I’ll have to check my class schedule.” There was so much to do before graduation. “Myles, I miss you.” I gazed into the phone at his stunning face, the brown eyes I’d grown to love so much.

“I miss you too. You come home tomorrow night, right?” His forehead lined.

“Yeah, I do. I’ll see you then, babe.” I might miss him even more when I was on the phone with him. “Anyway, I should get some rest. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”

“Sure, love you.” He kissed the screen.

“Love you too.” I pressed my lips to his through our connection. “Bye.” I ended the call. It was time for bed.

A month later, I was sitting on the couch next to Myles along with Ace and Zoma, all of us glued to the television while the draft played, each of us holding beers. This was not for the faint of heart. My life was riding on this day.

“This is nerve-wracking.” Myles squeezed my thigh under my athletic shorts. “Will your friends be going through this next year?”

“Yeah, JJ will.” I sipped my beer.

“JJ?” Myles cocked his head. “You know I saw him holding hands with a guy on campus yesterday?”

“You did?” I peered at him. “I haven’t seen him much now that I’m not playing with the team anymore.” In fact, since I’d moved in with Myles, I’d become closer to Myles’s friends. What a crazy year.

“Well, I think he has a boyfriend with the way they were acting.” Myles gave me a sly grin. “I haven’t seen the guy around, so I don’t think he’s a football player.”

“Hush now.” Ace leaned forward. “Minnesota is about to pick.” He grabbed Zoma’s hand. “I don’t know how you guys do it. I’m having a nervous breakdown for you both.”

“Oh, Ace. You care so much for your friends.” Zoma leaned into Ace’s side .

I grabbed my phone from the coffee table. If they were going to pick me, they’d be calling. My phone lit up. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Myles glared, wide-eyed, at my phone. “Is it them?”

“I don’t know.” I answered the call. “Hello?”

“Cooper Hayes?” The caller held a faint accent I couldn’t place.

“Yes?” I fisted my free hand and tightened the hold on my beer can. Could I say no? I’d be fucked.

“Your car insurance has expired. Can I interest you in?—”

“Son of a bitch.” Barking out a laugh, I ended the call. “What a time for a fucking spam call.”

Everyone blew out a breath and sighed.

“Fuckin’ A, man, you almost gave me a heart attack.” Ace leapt from the couch and jogged into the kitchen.

“Look, they picked some other guy from Purdue.” Zoma pointed at the TV.

“Oh, that was my roommate. Good guy.” I narrowed my eyes at the screen. “What’s his name, Trent Watt?” I could barely remember it. This last month had been a blur.

Ace returned with a bottle of bourbon and some short glasses. He set them all on the table. “Since they picked the other guy, I think we need to prepare for a celebration.” He unscrewed the cap on the bottle.

“Wait…” Myles stuck his hand out. “Don’t pour it yet. You don’t want to jinx it.”

“Oh, yeah.” Ace screwed the cap back on.

Hockey players and their superstitions. I smiled to myself. But maybe they’d given me their good luck with all the crazy shit they did.

Another half hour and Seattle was coming up. “Fuck, here we go.”

My phone buzzed on the table. “Oh, shit.” I scrambled for it, almost dropping it on the floor, and put the phone on speaker. “Hello? ”

“Hi, is this Cooper Hayes?” A man’s voice asked.

“It is.” I held my breath, my pulse pounding in my temples.

Myles squeezed my free hand, and his gaze locked on mine.

“This is Rodger Minson with the Seattle Seahawks. We’d like you to know we’ll be announcing you as our pick in the draft.”

I shook the hand Myles held, my pulse pounding harder. “That’s great news, Mr. Minson. I can’t wait to be a Seahawk.” Holy fuck!

“Welcome to the organization, Cooper. We’re glad to have you aboard. I’ll be sending along the contract to your agent, Mr. Dirkson, and we’ll see you in training camp.”

“Thank you so much, sir.” The call ended, and I stared at my phone. “I did it. We fucking did it, Myles. We’re moving to Seattle. Together. ”

Myles squealed and bounced on the couch.

“Hell yes.” Ace poured bourbon into the glasses and handed them out. “It’s not a fuck U of A shot, but this’ll do.”

We all held up our drinks, tapped them together, and downed them. The oak-flavored liquor burned down my throat.

“I love you so much, Cooper. I can’t believe what you did to stay with me.” Myles’s eyes glittered in the afternoon light, streaming in from the patio doors.

“Myles, you’re worth it. Where ever you go, I’ll be right next to you. I promise.” I pressed a long kiss on his mouth as he hooked his arm around my neck. Breaking the kiss, he buried his face in my neck and sniffled.

“Love you,” I whispered.