Page 12

CHAPTER 12

COOPER

A s I drive home from Scarlett’s, my mind keeps replaying moments from our evening together. The way she comforted me after the game, our easy conversation over tacos, and especially our walk on the beach. I can still feel the warmth of her body against mine as we strolled along the shoreline.

I shake my head, trying to clear these thoughts. This arrangement with Scarlett is just for show. I can’t let myself get too invested. But there’s no denying the connection I feel with her. It’s more than just physical attraction; she understands me in a way few people do.

When I get home, Cassie is curled up on the couch, watching TV. She looks up as I walk in.

“Hey, bro. How are you holding up after that tough loss?”

I shrug, dropping onto the couch next to her. “It sucks, but it’s not the end of the world.”

Studying me carefully, she asks, “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”

I laugh. “I’m not happy about the loss but it’s only one game.”

“I was surprised when I got home and you weren’t here. I thought you’d be drowning your sorrows in ice cream or pizza. Where have you been?”

“Drowning them in tacos,” I say, smiling.

“Huh?”

“I was over at Scarlett’s house, and she made tacos for us.”

“How nice.” She grins knowingly.

“What’s that look for?”

“Nothing. It’s just great to see you have someone in your life who’s not family supporting your career.”

I open my mouth to reply, and she holds up her hand. “Don’t come back at me with some bullshit about your arrangement. You two are friends at the very least, and possibly more.”

I sigh, knowing there’s no point in arguing with my sister when she gets like this. “Look, Scarlett and I are friends.”

But is that all it is? There were a couple of moments tonight where we were on the precipice of more and we both pulled back.

Cassie raises an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. And friends regularly make each other dinner after a tough game and go for romantic beach walks?”

I feel my cheeks heat up. “It wasn’t romantic. We were just talking and... Wait, how did you know about the beach walk?”

She grins triumphantly. “I didn’t. But thanks for confirming my suspicions.”

I groan, realizing I’ve fallen right into her trap. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“I prefer the term perceptive,” she replies, smirking.

“So I enjoy spending time with her. That’s all it is.”

Cassie raises an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. And that’s why you’re sitting here with a goofy smile on your face after losing a game?”

“I’m not—” I start to protest, but I can feel the corners of my mouth turning up. “Okay, fine. Scarlett has a way of cheering me up. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“If you say so,” she says, clearly unconvinced. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

I nod, appreciating her concern. “Don’t worry. She and I both know what this is and what it isn’t.” Pushing off the couch, I stand. “I’m going to bed. Night, sis.”

“Night.”

I head up the stairs to my room and then sit on the edge of the bed, cradling my phone in my hand. Should I thank Scarlett once more? Or should I leave it alone for tonight?

After a couple of minutes of deliberation, I decide to text her. It feels like the right thing to do, and I forgot to mention a charity event that’s coming up this week.

Hey, thanks again for dinner and the walk. I had a great time. It was just what I needed.

You don’t need to thank me. And I had fun too.

I forgot to ask you if you’re available Wednesday night. There’s a charity event I need to attend at eight o’clock.

I’m free. What’s the dress code for this one?

It’s a gala. I’ll give you my credit card to shop with.

I’ve got plenty of dresses. Do you need to wear a tux?

Yep. Unfortunately, the penguin suit is necessary.

Now that’s something I can’t wait to see.

If you change your mind about getting a new dress, let me know.

I won’t. I already have one in mind.

Already?

Yep. That’s how fast a woman’s mind works. Be scared.

I laugh as I type out my reply.

Oh, I am. So I’ll swing by around seven and pick you up.

Sounds good.

See you then.

You bet. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

I’m about to set my phone down when I get a notification from the chat I’m in with Rogan, Thor, and Griffin.

Thor: Fuck you, Griffin.

Griffin: What did I do?

Rogan: Did you forget about jinxing us before the game?

Griffin: That’s not why we lost.

Thor: The fuck it wasn’t.

Rogan: Let’s focus on the next game and not worry about this one.

Me: I agree with Rogan. We can’t undo the loss.

Thor: Maybe not, but I can kick Griffin’s ass.

Griffin: You can try.

Rogan: Guys, that’s enough. I’m sure Griffin won’t make the same mistake twice.

Thor: Don’t be so sure. He did Annie Johnson twice.

Griffin: Your jealousy is showing.

Thor: In your dreams.

Rogan has left the chat.

Griffin: Look what you did.

Thor: I’m not the reason. You are.

These two are being ridiculous. Rogan had the right idea. I remove myself from the chat, knowing one of them will just add me back in tomorrow, and get ready for bed.

I’m about to knock when the door opens and Scarlett’s standing in front of me in a shoulder-baring red dress. For a second, I lose all capability of speaking, and when I finally grasp on to something to say, all that comes out is a hoarse, “wow.”

She smiles. “Wow yourself. You wear a penguin suit well.”

Her compliment snaps me out of my Scarlett daze. “Thanks. You look beautiful. Every man at the gala is going to envy me.”

“Aww, thank you. That’s so sweet.”

“I mean it.” She’s literally breathtaking.

“I’m ready to go, unless you want to come inside for a few minutes.”

“No. We should leave in case we hit traffic.”

She locks up and then takes hold of my arm as I escort her to my car, her high heels clicking against the pavement. I open the door, and she slips inside, thanking me. She gathers the material of her long skirt, allowing me to close her in. While I make my way around to the other side, I try to slow my breathing. Since I set eyes on her in that sinful red dress, my heart’s been racing like a quarter horse about to be let out of the gate. I draw in a final long, slow breath before I get behind the wheel.

As I drive away from Scarlett’s house, I steal another glance at her. She catches me looking and gives me a warm smile.

“So, are you ready for this gala?” I ask, trying to focus on the road ahead.

Scarlett nods. “I think so. I’ve been to a few of these with my parents, but I’m still a little nervous. These fancy events aren’t really my scene.”

“Mine either,” I admit. “But we’ll get through it together.”

“My hero,” she says in a playful tone.

“How has your week been going?” I ask.

“My next podcast aired, and I’ll start working on planning next week’s tomorrow. What about you?”

“Practice has been tough. Coach came down hard on us after the loss.”

“That has to suck.”

“Yeah, especially when he pulls out film from the game, highlighting all the errors we made.”

She sits up and turns toward me. “Wait. He actually calls out the players who made mistakes?”

“Yes, he does, and it fucking sucks.”

“Did you get called out?”

I nod. “Yep.”

“But I don’t remember you dropping any passes,” she says.

“I didn’t get open on a couple of plays.”

She gasps. “How is that your fault?”

I smile at the outrage in her voice. “It’s my job to make sure I’m open.”

She relaxes back into her seat with an audible huff. “Your coach sounds like a jerk.”

“While I appreciate you having my back, he’s only doing his job. He’s the boss holding us accountable for how we play. And don’t forget we make a lot of money to do so.”

“Yeah, that’s true. But I don’t think I could handle someone publicly calling me out like that. I’d tell them to fuck off.”

“Then it’s good you don’t play a sport,” I reply, laughing.

“Pfft. I’m not coordinated enough to be an athlete.”

“I don’t know about that. I’ve seen your cornhole skills,” I say, reminding her of a cookout at Rogan’s house where she and Autumn decimated Rogan and me at that game.

She laughs. “Was that the first time you and I met?”

“It was, and you still didn’t go easy on me.”

“Hey, all’s fair in love and cornhole.”

I grin. “I’ll have to remember that the next time we play.”

She rubs her hands together. “Maybe we can finagle an invite over to Rogan’s and have a rematch.”

“I’m ready when you are.”

We stay silent for the remainder of the ride, enjoying the comfortable familiarity we’ve felt from the moment we met. Even dressed up in our fancy clothes, the mood remains relaxed.

Before long, we’re pulling up to the luxurious hotel hosting the gala. I hand the keys to the valet and then go around to open Scarlett’s door. As she steps out, smoothing down her dress, I’m once again struck by how stunning she looks. I offer my hand and she takes hold, sealing our palms together.

“Ready?” I ask as we approach the entrance.

“As much as I’ll ever be,” she replies, giggling nervously.

We step inside the lobby and follow the signs to the ballroom. Outside the door is a seating chart. After locating my name and our seat assignments, we pause in the hallway, taking in the sights and sounds of the gala. Crystal chandeliers sparkle overhead, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed crowd. Soft classical music drifts through the air from a string quartet in the corner.

“Let’s do this,” I say. Scarlett’s grip tightens on my hand as we enter the ballroom. I give a gentle squeeze of reassurance. “We’ve got this, Scar.”

She pulls her shoulders back and pastes a smile on her red-painted lips. “Of course we do.”