Me: When?
Cooper: When I got back to town after my game. The next time I saw you.
I exhale a heavy breath. That’s still not an answer.
Cooper: I should’ve done it sooner, honestly. I’m not sorry about it either.
Me: You can’t just do things like that, Cooper.
Cooper: Like what?
Me: Go behind my back and get into things that have nothing to do with you.
There’s a longer pause this time.
Cooper: Maybe. I get why you don’t like me going behind your back.
Cooper: But if I can’t have you staying at the farm, I’m going to make sure you’re safe. Especially when I’m out of town.
I sit with that for a few minutes as I watch students start to arrive. They pull into the empty parking spaces next to me and start walking toward the building.
Me: Don’t you think you’re being a bit dramatic?
Cooper: Am I, though?
Me: Yes.
This is why I didn’t tell him about my car—about what Caleb said, how he thought something might’ve been messed with. It doesn’t make any sense why anyone would go out of their way like that. It’s not like I’ve done anything. What reason would anyone have to come after me?
It doesn’t make any sense. I’m not going to live my life scared over nothing.
Cooper: What would you have done if I wasn’t there that night?
Cooper: What if I was out of town for a game and someone approached you again?
Me: You can’t protect me from everything, Cooper.
Cooper: Maybe that’s true, but there’s nothing more important to me than knowing you’re safe. And happy.
I don’t know what to say to that, and I can’t exactly be mad at him for caring about me either.
Turning the engine off, I remove the keys and toss them into my backpack.
Me: All right, fine. Thank you.
Cooper: You’re welcome.
I roll my eyes.
Cooper: You’re cute when you’re mad.
Me: No, I’m not.
Cooper: We can agree to disagree on this one too.
Me: You’re impossible.
Cooper: Have a good day in class.
