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31. Cooper

Cooper

It’s a nice late spring day. The sun is out, the animals are having a blast, running around the big back yard at the house Sebastian and Axel rented specifically for this fundraiser. It’s out in the country, but not so far out of town that people won’t show up.

I can’t believe they did this.

Although I should. They’re really good men. Even though Axel said he was just doing this to find as many animals homes as possible so I won’t beg them to take more in, but whatever. That’s totally fine with me.

The place is crowded. And not only did they secure the venue, they recruited some seriously heavy hitters in the Kansas City area. Football players. Soccer players. Some of the very popular college players from the area. Several racers.

It’s a little too reminiscent of the country club fundraiser where it all fell apart, but I try to push that away. Today is about getting these animals their new forever homes.

I can totally do this. I’m even wearing jeans and a polo. No more sweats and t-shirts for me.

Well, until I go home to my dreary apartment later . . . all by myself. But hey, wallowing can wait until later.

I do wonder in the back of my mind if Maverick will be here today. I mean, all his friends are here. But Sebastian didn’t mention him coming. That’s fine. Totally fine.

I’m not sure I’m ready to see him again. Not even as friends. Especially not as just a friend.

Ugh.

This is so not good.

And then it gets even worse. As I’m chatting away with Sebastian, Maverick walks through the gate. Oh no.

My knees go totally weak when I see him. He looks good, wearing tight jeans and a t-shirt for the shelter that are handed out to guests when they arrive. My breath hitches, and Sebastian notices, his eyes following mine to Maverick and then he looks at me. “Oh shit. I didn’t think he’d show.”

“You invited him?” I barely squeak out.

“Yeah.” He places a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay? Shit. I didn’t think he’d come. Do you want me to tell him to leave? You look pale.”

“Oh, no. This is fine. Totally fine. Maverick is so good with animals, and people love him. I mean, obviously . . .” I laugh nervously. “This is good. He should be here. Don’t worry.” I can’t stop. “Is my voice high. Like unnaturally high right now?” I fan my face, and Sebastian winces, patting my shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Coop.” He’s trying not to laugh, and I think that’s what he’s referring to. He loses his battle and starts to laugh a little before shaking it off and forcing himself to make a straight face. “Do you want me to tell him he should go? Because I really can do that.”

“No.” I wave him off. “It’s fine. Really. It’ll be good for the animals.”

Maverick gives us an awkward wave, looking a little lost, and my heart jumps in my chest. I think it’s wanting to get across the yard toward him. Wants to go over there and help him out, but I don’t do that.

“Maybe go fill him in?” I ask Sebastian, and he nods his head.

“Yeah, I can absolutely do that.” He pats me again and then takes off in Maverick’s direction.

Axel walks up to me before I can make an escape. “Holy shit. I totally lost a bet to my husband.”

“What?” I say, kind of distractedly.

“I really didn’t think Mav would come.” He looks over at me carefully. “You okay?”

“Of course, I am!” I say far too loudly for anyone to believe that. “I’m totally fine. It’s good that Maverick is here. He loves animals.” I think I’m still speaking too fast. “Excuse me.”

I just walk away until I bump into Leslie, Cash’s wife, a local reporter who has her camera crew with her. “Hey, Cooper.”

“Oh, hi, Leslie. Jenny mentioned you might be here today.”

She offers me a kind smile. I hope I’m smiling back, but honestly, I’m not sure. My entire body is numb. Maverick is here, and I swear I can feel his eyes on me.

I don’t dare look in his direction though. Why would he come to this? Does he want to be friends? Does he just really love animals?

I don’t know.

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. You’re going to help so many animals today, Cooper. And we’re going to get you the exposure to help out.”

I smile. I know I’m actually smiling this time because the thought of getting all of these sweet animals a home is everything to me. I can push the heartache away for now.

“Okay, everyone!” Leslie commands. “Grab an animal, and let’s do this thing. Let’s all gather over here.” She points, and people immediately shuffle around us with the camera crew setting up.

It’s not the first time I’ve been featured on the news, but I still get a little nervous. I watch Maverick pick up an adorable little three-legged kitten and tuck her to his chest.

I’m not jealous of a kitten.

I’m totally not.

I so am.

I internally groan as he moves in behind me. Then the cameras start rolling, with Leslie giving a very kind introduction and explaining what we’re doing here today. But all I can think about is Maverick standing behind me.

And then I swear I can hear his voice. I’m sure I’m imagining it, and I try to ignore it until I’m certain I hear my name on his lips again. I turn a little, trying not to be rude. “Mav? What?”

He smiles at me, and it’s so damn sweet, I nearly combust. “Hey, Coop.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. It’s just absurd. “Hi, we’re on television right now. Can this wait?”

I turn back to talk to Leslie, but then Maverick speaks again, this time much louder. “No. I can’t wait anymore.”

I turn to look at him, confused. My heart beats so hard, I can feel it in my ears. “What?”

“I’m in love with you, Cooper.” My eyes bug out of my head, and I can’t really see or hear anything. That whooshing sound in my ears grows louder, and my vision is blurry. He didn’t just say what I think he just said. There’s no way. “Whoops. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that,” he says, and I swallow hard, trying like hell to gain some sort of composure. He looks over at Leslie, an apology in his eyes. “Sorry.”

“No.” Leslie smiles wide, sweeping her hand in our direction and guiding the camera to us. “Go right ahead.”

He nods, not looking at anyone but me, still holding the cat in his arms. “I’m in love with you. And I hope this is okay with you, just coming right out and saying it.” He shifts nervously from foot to foot. “This wouldn’t exactly be my ideal way to tell the world, but I want everyone to know it. That I’m completely and totally in love with you.”

I lick my lips nervously, feeling how dry they are. My throat is a desert too. “W-what?” I barely manage to croak. I didn’t expect this. Not ever.

And I don’t mind that it’s on TV for the whole world to see, but I’m sure he’s very uncomfortable with this.

“You don’t have to do this, Mav.” I keep my voice a low whisper.

“I know I don’t. You never pushed me to do anything. This is all me because I can’t live another second not having you. Not another minute can go by without the world knowing you’re mine.” He looks slightly sheepish. “I mean, if you’ll have me. I’m so sorry, Cooper.”

Tears well up in my eyes, but they’re very happy tears this time. “You don’t need to be.”

He smiles sweetly at that. I wipe away the tears on my cheeks, leaning forward and capturing his lips in a chaste kiss, which doesn’t tell him anywhere near what I want it to, but hopefully it says just enough.

“I am really sorry,” he whispers, and I nod, my nose bumping his slightly with the movement.

“I love you,” I say, and he smiles back at me.

“Thank God. That would have been really embarrassing,” he says, and everyone around us chuckles, which reminds me there are people around and cameras on us.

I smile, then brush his cheek with my hand before I kiss him quickly again and wipe my tears, turning to face the cameras. “Okay. Now that we have that all settled, can we please talk about how badly these animals need a home?”

Leslie is smiling broadly, wiping a tear of her own from her cheek as she nods. “Absolutely.”

“Never change, Coop,” Axel says on a laugh and nudges Maverick in the side.

We go on with the interview, showing off all the adorable animals, and I can’t keep the stupid smile off my face.

Maverick loves me. He told the world.

Which, for the record, he didn’t have to do. I would have been totally fine with any way he decided to do this. But I mean . . . it was pretty damn romantic.

Still, there’s some doubt in the back of my mind as we all clean up, taking the few animals that weren’t adopted today back to the shelter and giving them extra special treats.

I’ll make sure they get homes soon. I promise.

When it’s just Maverick and me at the shelter, locking up, I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe. The nerves choke me as I wait for one of us to break the awkward silence. We haven’t had a chance to talk all day, way too busy and way too many people around us.

I haven’t checked social media, but I’m sure it’s exploding with the news.

“Are you okay?” he asks me carefully, and I look over at him, shocked by his question. He’s the one who came out today and in a really big way. I should be checking on him.

“I’m more than okay, Mav.” I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his neck. “Are you okay? This is a big deal.”

He smiles sweetly down at me, his lips brushing over mine. “It really wasn’t. I mean, yeah, on live television . . . that was, ummm . . .” He’s grinning wide so I’m guessing he really is okay with it. “I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that, and I hope it’s okay with you that I did. I meant to do it when we were alone, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I love you so damn much.”

Tears well up in my eyes again. “I love you too. I just don’t want you to think you had to do that for me. I mean, I know I broke things off, but I didn’t mean forever. I just . . .”

He nods his head and hugs me around my waist. “I was so afraid to lose you forever because of my bullshit.”

“It’s a genuine fear. You shouldn’t have been forced to come out, and I feel awful making you do that,” I admit because I know I put pressure on him. “I wanted to be with you too, Mav. We could have found a way. I should have found a way.”

“No.” He holds me tighter and shakes his head. “I wouldn’t have wanted you to. You don’t deserve to be hidden. Not ever. You aren’t just my friend.” He presses a quick kiss to my lips. “You’re my whole world, Cooper. And I don’t care how fast that happened or why. It’s true. I want a life with you, and to have that, it has to be out in the open. Loud and proud.”

“But your fans . . .” I start, fear twisting me up a little bit. What if I ruin his career?

“My fans will be fine, or they won’t. I’m not living my life for them or anyone else. Sebastian, Axel, and Royal are just fine.”

“The rainbow club,” I say bitterly.

“He’s an asshole,” Maverick says seriously. “But yeah, I’m more than proud to be part of that club. You’re in it, and I’m in it.”

I grin like a fool, and I kiss him hard, letting myself get swept up in the feel of his hard body against mine. I nearly cry in relief at the taste and feel of him again. “Please take me home, Mav. I’ve missed you so much, and I really need to show you just how much.” I look around at the animals here, watching us. “And I don’t want to traumatize them.”

He chuckles and then releases me for a moment before grabbing my hand and leading me out to his car.

There’s so much more that we need to work out. So many things we’re going to have to deal with.

But with his hand in mine, I feel like I can take on the whole damn world.

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