“Okay.” I nod, agreeing because the idea of him worrying about me makes my stomach turn.
“I’m sorry if I’m being over the top. It’s just that a few years ago, I was driving down this road and saw a girl get hit by a car. She was walking on the side of the road, and this guy lost control of his car. I saw it all happen, and I couldn’t do anything about it. The screeching of the tires, the sound she made when she hit the car, the whole accident is burned in my mind.” His face goes white as a ghost, and I see the haunting look in his eyes as he stares out the front window.
My heart hurts for him. God, that must have been horrifying to witness.
“I won’t walk this way anymore,” I promise him.
He returns his gaze to me, a small, sad smile lifting his lips. “Thanks.”
I don’t like that smile. It’s one I don’t wanna see again.
The rest of the drive home, Cooper is back to normal, singing away to the radio.
When we pull up to my house, I’m almost disappointed. “Thanks for the ride.”
“If you ever need a ride, for any reason, just call me, okay? I’ll be there. And if I can’t, Val or one of the girls will. No more walking.”
You know how much of a loser you are when just simple acts of kindness have you wanting to cry. I’m not used to this. It feels like too much right now.
Opening the door, I mumble. “I will.”
Closing the door, I head toward the house. “Hey, Latte Boy!” Cooper calls out. “Seven tonight, be online. Show me what you got!”
Looking at him over my shoulder, I grin, shaking my head. “You got it.”
He winks, rolls up his window, and leaves.
There’s a stupid smile on my face when I walk into the house.
“What has you smiling like that?” Mom asks, her own grin on her face.
“Nothing.” My smile drops.
“You know, it’s okay to be happy.” She steps into the room. “You’ve been quite the busy bee the last few days. How’s everything going with Cooper?”
“It’s good.” I clear my throat. “He’s nice. So are his friends.”
“You met his friends?” She smiles. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Wait, are these the same friends Nina is friends with?”
“Yeah, but they’re not best friends or anything. Nina hangs out with the other cheerleaders. Ellie is on the cheer team, but she’s different.” They all are.
“Your sister has always said nice things about that boy. I’m glad you agreed to help him out.”
Me too.
“She was right.”
Sometimes, too nice when I know I don’t deserve his level of kindness. I still can’t believe he traded tutoring two times a week for hundreds of dollars' worth of work on my car. I don’t think it’s a fair trade, but knowing Cooper now, I don’t think he’d let me argue with him about it if I tried.
“Supper is soon. Go wash up.”
I head up to my room to shower and change before heading back down to eat. Nina is sitting at the table when I get there.
“Hey!” She grins. “How did everything go today?” She looks over at Mom, then me. “With,you know.”
“It was good.” I nod.
“I heard you were at football practice today.” Nina laughs. “Just a few weeks ago, you wouldn’t have been caught dead at a football game. Now not only have you gone to one, but you’re attending practice too?” She wiggles her brows.
