We stop, and I look at Nina with panicked eyes. She looks back at me the same way.
A second later, Cooper lunges forward and pukes in my mother’s rose bushes.
“Gross.” Nina wrinkles her nose. “Mom’s not going to be happy.”
I shoot her a glare and rub Cooper’s back. That's what you’re supposed to do in this situation, right?
When he’s done, I help him inside. Getting him up the stairs is a whole event of its own.
“I really need to start working out more,” I say as Cooper’s weight starts to get to me.
“Same,” Nina grumbles. “Blake, I’m gonna drop him. Just put him in your room.”
“Fine,” I mutter.
We bring him to my room and pretty much let him drop on my bed. He goes with a grunt, face down into the mattress. A second later, he’s snoring.
“He’s kind of cute when he’s like this.” Nina laughs. “It’s rare.” She turns to me. “So, you had a fun night?”
I look at Cooper, the smallest smile forming on my lips. “Yeah.” I laugh softly. “He’s not so bad.”
“Of course he’s not. Cooper is a fucking angel.”
She grabs the blanket at the end of my bed and drapes it over him.
“Just leave him.” She waves at me. “He’ll be fine.”
“Wait,” I hiss, but she’s already gone.
Turning back to the blond football player, I sigh. I can’t just leave him here like this.
Getting down on my knees, I work at taking his sneakers off before lifting his legs onto the bed. He grabs my pillow, pullingit toward him, and buries his face in it before letting out a contented sigh.
Laughing, I shake my head and grab a pair of sleep clothes before shutting the door and making my way to the spare room.
Once I’m dressed and in bed, I lie there and smile. Tonight was a lot, but in a good way. I’m proud of myself for coming out of my shell and trying new things. And I’m glad it’s with people who don't want to see me fail, but actually care.
Cooper has made it his mission to become my friend. And you know what, I think I just might let him.
Chapter 9
Cooper
“Fuuuuck,” I moan. My head is pounding, and my body is aching as I roll over, burying my face into my pillow.
Only, when I breathe in, it’s not a scent I’m familiar with.
Lifting my head, I groan, eyes blurry and still filled with sleep. Turning my head to the side, I ignore the drums going off inside my brain and look around, confirming that I am, in fact, not in my room.
Rolling back over, I force myself to sit up, swinging my legs over the edge. “What the fuck happened last night?”
“You got smashed on a weeknight.” Blake’s voice has my head snapping up.
“Bad idea.” I groan, feeling like I’m going to puke. “Blake?” I blink. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing in my house?”
He smiles, something I haven’t seen much of before last night. Last night... when we went to the bar. Friends. Talking. Drinking, so much drinking. Darts. Dancing.
“This isn’t my house, is it?” I chuckle, feeling like death.
