“How big?”
Nico tried to use his hands to show just how large the artwork would be, but his arms didn’t stretch out far enough. “It’s big.”
Nico understood loving Cooper meant knowing Cooper loved Luke, too. At first, the very thought of Cooper loving someone else terrified Nico. Over the years, he learned it was possible for Cooper to do both. That Luke didn’t have to be a shadow that haunted the both of them. So, he had an artist in Paris illustrate Nico and Cooper, together, with the ghost of Luke standing behind Cooper with his palm on his shoulder.
Nico pulled Cooper close and angled his phone in front of them. It dawned on him at that moment that they had never taken a selfie together. Cooper smiled at the camera, but Nico wanted their first selfie together to be special. Nico turned to Cooper, pecked him on the lips, and stayed there while he tapped the camera button.
He took a quick glance at the photo before showing the phone to Cooper for his approval.
“It’s cute,” Cooper said with a gentle laugh. “Are you going to put that as your screensaver?”
Nico eyed him suspiciously as he opened up his Instagram app, selected the photo, and uploaded it with the caption: Please forward all inquiries to my agent @Tommyparkeragent. #ChristmasWithFamily #NoQuestions.
Cooper’s phone dinged and Nico watched the expression on his face change as he realized what Nico had done. “You’re such a damn brat.”
Epilogue
june 2028 - malibu
The tide rolledonto the shore behind Cooper, clawing at the sand.
Coach White stood beside Cooper underneath an archway. Officially, White was officiating the affair. It felt right and besides, neither Cooper nor Nico were exactly the religious type.
Razer stood beside Cooper on his big day. On the other side of Coach White, Matteo stood as Nico’s best man. It was a small, intimate wedding with three rows of five chairs on each side of the aisle. Three chairs were set off to the side, diagonal from the front row. Each of the chairs would remain empty, with only framed photos standing on each.
One for Luke.
One for Elon.
One for Cooper’s father.
Stassi, her parents, and Amber—Razer’s wife—sat inthe front row on one side, while Nico’s father and Matteo’s date sat in the front row on the other. The rest of the wedding attendees included players from both the Cobras and the Knights. Tommy Parker was lucky to get an invite, but after the enormous stress load the two of them put onto their agent, they pitied him and extended a peace offering.
Since coming out, life had come full circle in ways Cooper never could have predicted. The modern family he thought he’d have with Luke and Stassi became a modern family with Nico and Stassi, though the terms were different. Still, Stassi looked absolutely glowing. If you asked her though, she’d say she was miserable. Morning sickness does that to a lady. None of the three of them knew who the biological father was as Cooper and Nico both ejaculated into a cup and decided to defer to Darwinism to decide. May the best little spermie win.
In three months’ time, Cooper and Nico would get their first inkling of who had the stronger swimmers.
“Wings” by Birdy began to play as Nico made his way down the wooden steps from their Malibu beach house. Natalie walked behind him down the steps, and once they reached the sand, took Nico’s arm into hers.
An unfamiliar feeling erupted in Cooper’s gut. The fluttering of butterflies sent him into a state of ease. Nico had become his safe place, and as he made his way down the aisle, Nico felt as if he could melt into the sand. Every step Nico took was another step toward forever.
Forever. That word used to terrify Cooper.
Now, the thought of forever intoxicated him.
They wore matching outfits: pastel blue button-ups with navy blue suspenders, navy trousers, and barefoot on the sand. Once Natalie had escorted Nico to Cooper, she retreated to her seat beside her father.
Cooper took Nico’s hands into his. He’d spent the last week memorizing his vows and prayed he didn’t draw a blank. He was never the best at public speaking, despite what everyone always told him.
Cooper took a measured inhale before beginning. “Nico Fallon, thank you for saving me. When we first met, I was a broken man mourning the life I thought I’d have. It took me a long time to accept that life was gone. You walked into my training facility as a cocky and reckless, but talented football player. And you are still all those things.”
Nico smiled, his eyes watering.
“You’re an incorrigible brat and a smart-ass, but you have the best heart I’ve ever known. You glow with kindness. Even when the rest of the world is on their worst possible behavior, you are a light that shines through the darkness. The road to this altar has not been an easy one, but I’ve learned so much along the way. I’ve learned so much from you. I can’t wait to continue learning from you for the rest of my life. Nico Fallon, thank you for being such a goddamn brat. And thank you for saving me.”
Cooper wiped away the tears underneath his eyes and exhaled. Learning it was okay to be emotional in front of others was something he was still working on.
“I don’t have a great memory,” Nico said, choking on a laugh. He let go of Cooper’s hand, retrieved a wadded-up piece of paper, and held it with both hands. He alternatedreading from the paper and looking into Cooper’s eyes. “I love you, and I think I’ve known that for a long time. I love that when I’m a smart-ass, you put me in my place. I love when you call me whatever nickname fits in the moment. I love the parts of you that the rest of the world doesn’t always get to see. The tender moments. The moments of comfort. I love your big dick.”
