With Cooper, it’s just part of his personality. He’s not trying to impress anyone, or trying to act cool or whatever. It just fits.
Although, the more time I spend with him, the more I’m noticing he mostly only does it with me.
I’m not sure if it’s a friendly thing or something else.
“Take it easy,” Brody says before leaving. “Need you on the field this weekend.”
“You got it.” Cooper waves him off. “Alright, Latte Boy.” Cooper grins. “Let me go get cleaned up, and I’ll get you fed.”
“You really want food still?” I ask, shocked that he can still stomach anything.
“Hell yeah.” He gets to his feet. “I’m starving.” He pats his belly.
“Probably because you puked everything else up.”
He grimaces. “Sorry you had to see me like that. Not the best sight, huh?”
“You’re fine. I don’t have a weak stomach.” Kind of had to build up a tolerance when people were shoving spoiled food, or other bodily fluids, in my locker on the daily.
“You okay?” Cooper asks.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine.” I wrap my arms around myself, hating when my past creeps back in.
“Alright. Shower, food. In that order. Because I don’t think you want to be in a car with me when I smell like this.” He sniffs himself. “Yeah, no. I’m not mean enough to force you to endure this.”
“You’re not mean at all,” I blurt. My cheeks heat as I curse my loose tongue. What the hell was that?
His playful smile softens, making my heart rate pick up. “Thanks.”
“Whatever,” I grumble. “Come on. I don’t have all day.”
Cooper laughs as he follows me, embarrassment leading me off the field.
Fifteen minutes later, Cooper exits the locker room clean, hair still damp from the shower.
“Ready?” He shoves his hands in his pockets. Well, mine, I guess? He’s wearing my sweatpants after all.
“Yup. Are we going to your place first so you can change?”
“Nah. I was going to, but honestly, I’m fine like this. Your clothes are comfy. If that's okay? Because if you need this back, we can swing by my place.”
“No, it’s fine. You can keep them.”
My heart races a little faster as he snuggles into the hoodie and breathes in. “You smell good, you know that.”
I can feel the heat radiating off my cheeks right now. “Ah, thanks.” I clear my throat.
He just smiles, laughs, and shakes his head. “Come on, Blakey, feed me before I become hangry.”
“Dramatic much?” I roll my eyes.
“Have you met my friends? Dramatic is what we do best.” He bumps his shoulder into mine playfully.
“I’m starting to see that.”
***
“Fuuuuck.” He groans as he takes a bite of his breakfast sandwich. “I could eat a million of these.”
