Page 20

CHAPTER 20

SCARLETT

I sent Cooper a text right after the game to congratulate him, but I didn’t hear back. Now it’s hours later, and I’m about to go to sleep, and there’s still no word. Picking up my phone, I type out another message.

Hey! You played amazing today. You should be proud.

I set my phone down on my nightstand and close my eyes. If he replies, I should hear it, and if not, I’ll catch up with him tomorrow.

The sound of our incessantly ringing doorbell wakes me. I fumble for my phone and look at the screen. It’s after midnight. Who the hell can that be?

Sitting up, I turn on my bedside lamp and rub the sleep from my eyes before I get up. The wooden floors are cold against my bare feet as I make my way through the house. The doorbell rings again as I approach, and I shout, “Oh, for fuck’s sake, I’m coming.” Peering through the glass side panel, I see Cooper and quickly open the door. “Hey, I wasn’t expecting you,” I say before I notice the sling on his arm. “Oh, Coop. Come on in.” I move backward, giving him space to enter, but instead of closing the door and walking past, he steps into me. My arms reflexively loop around him, and my hands stroke his back. “Are you okay?” I ask. He shakes his head. “Let’s go sit down.” I take hold of his free hand and lead him to the living room, flipping lights on as we go.

We settle side by side on the couch with our hands still clasped. “Tell me what’s going on,” I encourage.

“I have a minor separation in my shoulder, which means I can’t play football until it’s healed.”

“How long will that take?”

He shrugs his good shoulder. “The team doctor said roughly two weeks, but possibly more.”

“That sucks. I’m sorry.”

“I just got the starting job, and now I’m going to have to sit out some games. What if I lose my spot?”

I’ve never known him to be anything but happy and positive. Seeing him so devastated is proof of just how much football means to him. “Oh, Coop, you won’t. You’re too valuable to the team.”

“That can change quickly, though. What if I’m out for like a month?”

“All you can do is follow the doctor’s instructions so you heal as quickly as possible. You’re healthy and strong. I have no doubt you’ll be back on the field sooner than you think.” I squeeze his hand reassuringly.

“Do you really think that?”

“I do. You excel at everything you put your mind to. Think positively and make it happen.”

He nods. “You’re right. I’m planning for the worst instead of putting my energy toward what I want to happen.”

“Yep. Your positivity is one of your strongest traits. Don’t let this temporary setback take that away.”

He briefly rests his head on my shoulder. “You’re pretty good at giving pep talks, you know that?”

“I’m glad I could help. Now, I have an idea of something that might help even more.”

“I don’t think I’m up for fooling around tonight,” he says.

“Pfft. Get over yourself. Come on.” I tug on his hand and we both stand. I lead him into the kitchen and release hold of him. “Sit,” I say, gesturing to one of the stools at the island. He complies while I move to the freezer.

“What are you doing?” he asks, curiosity in his voice.

“Getting you some dessert. It always seems to help when I’m feeling down.” I pull out the carton of ice cream we got the other night and set it on the counter. I grab two bowls from the cabinet and two spoons from the drawer and carry it all over to the island.

A small smile tugs at his lips. “Ice cream does sound pretty good right now.”

I hold up my finger. “That’s not all.” I grab the leftover cake and a knife and set it down next to the ice cream. “We’ve still got cake too,” I say.

His lips curve slightly. “I can’t believe you haven’t finished it by now.”

“I love sweets but I don’t eat them very often.”

“Lucky for me, I guess,” he says.

I scoop ice cream into the bowls, making sure he has extra, then add a slice of cake on top. “Perfection,” I declare, handing him a spoon. “Dig in.” I carry my bowl around to the other side of the island and sit on a stool next to his.

Cooper takes a large bite of the ice cream and cake combination, closing his eyes as he savors the taste. “Mmm, this is even better than it was the other night. Thanks, Scar.”

I smile, pleased to see him enjoying it. “You’re welcome. Sometimes a little comfort food is just what you need.”

We eat in silence for a few minutes, the only sound the clink of our spoons against the bowls. I can see some of the tension easing from Cooper as he focuses on the simple pleasure of enjoying his dessert.

“You know,” he says after a while, “I’m really glad I came here tonight. I wasn’t sure if I should, but... I just needed to see you.”

My heart warms at his words. “I’m glad you came too. You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone.”

“I could have gone home and talked with Cassie, but I knew you’d make me feel better. Is that selfish of me?”

“Why would that be selfish?”

“Because I just said I came over so you’d make me feel better.”

“What’s wrong with that? When you’re in physical pain, you go to the doctor to get some relief, right?”

“Yeah.” The outer corners of his eyes crinkle as he carefully studies my face.

“Well, when you’re in emotional pain, why would it be wrong to seek out someone you know can lessen that pain? Isn’t that what we all do?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just don’t want you to feel like I’m using you.” He sets down his spoon and turns to face me. “I think you’re amazing, and I’m glad we met. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” His blue eyes are filled with a warmth that causes a flutter in my chest.

“I’m glad we met too, but you’d be fine regardless. You don’t make it to the level you play at without being strong. And I’m happy to be here for you… anytime.”

Cooper reaches out and takes my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I mean it. You always know exactly what to say to make me feel better. And not just tonight. Ever since we started this whole arrangement, you’ve been a bright spot in my life.”

I reach out and gently cup his cheek. “I’m here for you, Cooper. Always.”

He leans into my touch, his eyes softening. For a moment, we just look at each other, and the air between us becomes charged. Cooper clears his throat and pulls back slightly. “I should probably head home. It’s late and I don’t want to keep you up.”

I glance at the clock, surprised to see it’s nearly one in the morning. “You shouldn’t drive this late, especially with your arm in a sling. Why don’t you stay here tonight?”

He hesitates. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. Today has been exhausting. All I want to do is crash for the night.”

I stand up, gathering our empty bowls. “No problem. Let me just clean up here and then I’ll show you to the room.”

As I rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, Cooper leans against the counter, watching me. There’s something in his gaze that makes my heart beat a little faster.

“All set,” I say, drying my hands on a dish towel. He follows me to my room. “Do you mind sleeping in my bed? We don’t have a guest room and I don’t know how Autumn would feel about someone else being in her bed.”

He shakes his head. “This is perfect.”

“I even have extra toothbrushes. Let me grab one for you.” I head into my bathroom and pull one from the drawer, along with a hand towel. When I step back into the bedroom, he looks tired enough to sleep standing up.

“Everything you need should be in there.”

“Thanks.” He toes off his shoes and pads across the hardwood floor, closing himself in the bathroom.

I tidy up a few things while he’s gone and then sit down on my side of the bed. When he leaves the bathroom he walks to the other side of the mattress, fumbling with the button on his khakis. “Goddammit.” I can hear the frustration in his voice.

I crawl over the comforter to him. “Let me help.” I undo the button and zipper. As I back away, I notice his erection.

“Sorry. It’s unavoidable with you helping me out of my pants.”

“Don’t apologize for getting turned on around me. I’m flattered. If you weren’t injured, I’d be taking advantage of the opportunity.”

“He shoves his pants down, kicks them free from his legs, then peels his socks off with one hand. “Fuck. Can you please help me for a second?”

“Sure. What do you need?”

“I have to take this sling off to remove my jacket and then I have to put the damn thing back on.”

“Yeah, no problem.” I slip from the bed to stand in front of him. I carefully maneuver the sling from him and help him remove his jacket, leaving him in a t-shirt and boxers.

“I wish I could sleep without that torture device on.”

“It’s not that bad,” I say.

“Have you ever worn one?” he challenges.

“No, but at least it’s not a cast that can’t be removed. Let’s get the sling back on you so you can get some sleep.” I position it around his arm, then fasten the Velcro to hold it in place. “All set.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Do you need anything else before I get in bed?”

He shakes his head. “I’m good.”

I climb onto the mattress and crawl over to my side. When I glance at Cooper, he’s looking at my ass, and I realize I’m wearing sleeping shorts that leave little to the imagination. Oh well, I’m not taking the time to change now. Drawing back the comforter, I slip beneath, and he does the same on the other side. I reach out, turning off the lamp.

“Thanks for letting me crash here,” he says.

“You’re welcome. Now, get some sleep.”

“Night, Scar.”

“Night, boytoy.”