“What are we?”
“Ah, men? Human? I think? I mean, who knows? We could be aliens. I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I groan, knowing I shouldn’t have said anything.
“Then what do you mean?” He frowns.
“What are we? Me and you. Are we dating or...”
He looks at me with surprise. “Well, I sure hope so. I meant it when I said you were mine, and I was yours. I am your boyfriend, you are my boyfriend. Wasn’t it obvious?”
I blink at him a few times. “You’re talking to someone who's never done this before. Excuse me for not feeling confident without the usage of exact words. I’m the kind of person who overthinks things and internally freaks out.”
“Blake Clark, wanna make me the happiest man ever and be my boyfriend?” He grins over at me, taking my hand in his.
I can’t help the stupid smile that takes over my face. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Cooper tosses his head back, laughing like the most joyful man in the world. “I’ll take it.”
I’m grinning like a lovesick fool as we continue to drive. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a nice night. I thought we could enjoy the stars.” He pulls off onto a dirt road. We travel up a hill for a few minutes before turning left and stopping in the middle of an open field.
Cooper parks the car and turns off the lights.
I sit there wondering what he’s doing as he heads to the trunk. He comes back and opens up a blanket, laying it on the hood of his car before coming to my door and opening it.
“The hood is still hot, but it’s a little chilly, so the heat will help. Just don’t touch the metal.” He laughs, holding his hand out.
Stunned, not sure what's going on, I undo my belt and let him help me out of the car.
I feel like I’m in the middle of a sappy romance movie I’d make fun of my mom and sister for crying over.
I’m a nervous wreck. I’ve never felt so happy and terrified all at once.
With a thundering heart and a stomach full of knots, I climb onto the hood of the car. Cooper goes back into the car and grabs our drinks.
“Thanks.” I take mine from him.
He winks, then hops up to sit next to me.
“I come here a lot,” Cooper says, looking up at the sky. “The first time was after my mom passed away. I was thirteen and angry. I got on my bike and just rode for hours before I ended up here. My dad got so worried he called the cops. They found me here and brought me home. Before they found me though, I was able to lie in the grass and watch the stars. It helped, you know? It felt like she was up there watching over me that night, telling me everything was going to be alright.”
My heart breaks for him, but I know what he means.
“After my dad passed, I’d sit on my back deck for hours thinking the same thing. Just wrapped up in a blanket and zoned out, watching the stars. I felt like he was watching over me too.”
He smiles over at me. “I miss her all the time.”
“I miss him too.” We both look up, the sky brighter without the light pollution. So much prettier than what I’m used to. “I like it here.”
“Good.” He laughs softly. “We’ll come here often.”
We’re quiet for a while, just enjoying the silence and each other's company.
“Here.” Cooper hands me his phone. “It’s hooked up to the car speakers. Pick a song.”
He lays back as I scroll through his playlists.
