“No way. Cooper is like the sweetest person. He’d never hurt a fly.” Unless the fly is in the form of a six-two, raging asshole, football player, but that's the exception.
“He is pretty nice. It was sweet of him to drive me home.”
My eyes narrow, an odd sense of jealousy flickers on. “You do know he’s gay, right?”
“Yes.” She laughs. “It wouldn't matter if he was or not, since I’m also gay.”
“Oh.” And there I go, putting my foot in my mouth.
“I don’t know you very well yet, but I think you’re chill and I’m the type of person who knows what they want. And I think we should be friends.”
That takes me by surprise. “You do?” I raise a brow.
“Thought we were already heading that way.” She shrugs.
“You and Val would make good friends. You’re both very straightforward. Although with Val, it’s like she drinks five energy drinks a day. You’re more blunt.”
“Is that a bad thing?” she asks in amusement.
“No,” I answer. “As long as it doesn’t come off as mean or deliberate.”
“I’m blunt, not an asshole.” She rolls her eyes. “Plus, if I eventhinkof being mean to you, your golden retriever bestie would come after me.”
“Stop.” I huff out a laugh. “He’s not that bad.”
“Oh, he is. And I think that's a good thing. It’s always nice to have someone who has your back like that.”
“Yeah.” My eyes drop to my textbook, a small smile forming on my lips at the thought of Cooper.
Is she right? Is Cooper acting this way because he’s just trying to be a good friend, or is it real jealousy?
Why does the idea of him being jealous over someone actually liking me fill me with happiness?
There has to be something there, right? I mean, who jerks off to the thought of their friend? That’s not common, is it?
My whole body flushes as I remember that night. The sounds he made, the way he said my name, the way his body looked as he crashed over the edge.
“Blake, you okay?” Bailey pulls me from my inner thoughts.
“Huh?” I blink up at her, crossing my arms as my cheeks heat. Surprise boners have never been an issue for me before, but I guess that’s changed now. God, this is so embarrassing.
“You’ve been staring at the page for like five minutes now.”
“Have not.” I scoff.
“Something on your mind?” she teases, nudging my shoulder. “Or should I say, someone?”
Before, when mom or Nina would tease me about a guy or girl, it would bother me. It still does. I can’t help but be embarrassed, because this is a jumbled mess inside my head, but it doesn’t give me an uncomfortable feeling. Because the truth is, I am thinking about Cooper. He’s all I seem to think about.
My life used to be school and my part-time job, that’s it. Now when I’m not helping Bailey or working, I’m spending all my free time with Cooper.
Going to his practices, his games, hanging out with his friends. We’re even at the point of hanging out at each other's work.
I might not be an expert at friendships, but I don’t think that's a normal thing that people who are just friends do. Maybe best friends, but even that isn’t common.
I love being around him. He’s my safe place. That should scare the crap out of me, because I’ve never allowed myself to rely on or get close to another person before. Nowhere close to the way I have with him.
I want to know how he feels, to see if it’s the same way I do. But I’m afraid of rejection and the way it would crush me if it doesn’t go the way I hope it would.
