7. Cooper

Cooper

I’m warm. So warm. Which is weird because I’m usually very cold. But not this morning. I don’t want to open my eyes because I’m so warm and comfy. But when I move my hand and feel something firm, my eyes fly open.

I’m shocked stupid when I’m graced with the sight of Maverick Adair’s beautiful face right next to mine. He’s still fast asleep. Fully clothed. I realize we must have fallen asleep in my bed talking last night.

Talking about my horrible parents and my sad story.

Oh my God. Be sadder, Cooper.

I can’t believe I told him about that. It’s something I don’t talk about very often. I’m not sure why. I just don’t think people want to hear my sob story. It’s too depressing.

So what do I do?

I blurt it all out to the world’s hottest guy. I snot and cry all over him, then fall asleep on him. Then I realize the firm thing I was feeling was his muscled abs and jerk my hand away.

Oh God. I was totally feeling him up in my sleep.

This is so not good.

I wonder if I can sneak away to the couch and pretend to be totally innocent. But nope, of course the universe isn’t going to work with me. Maverick’s eyes open slowly, and he stares at me curiously.

He doesn’t look freaked-out, being in bed with me, which is good. I don’t think my ego could take it if he totally freaked out. “I’m so sorry. I swear I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I blurt out, still not moving. I lie on my side and look right at him, waiting for his reaction.

“Don’t apologize for falling asleep in your own bed.” His deep voice is like honey as he speaks.

“I um . . . I didn’t mean to fall asleep though. I guess I was more tired than I thought.”

“Yeah, I guess I was too. I didn’t mean to fall asleep either.” He tucks his hands under his head as he rolls to his side, facing me. “But this is kind of nice.”

I’m struck stupid again, just lying here and staring at this gorgeous man. “It is?”

His smile goes all the way to his eyes, and I want to reach out and touch him so badly. But thankfully, even though I don’t seem to have any control over my own mouth, my hands are another story. Look. Don’t touch.

“It is. It’s been a while since I woke up with someone else.”

Hard to believe, but okay. I’m sure he was heartbroken after his breakup with Pheobe. Whether he ended it or not. “Do you miss her?” I can’t help asking, and then, I want to pull it back when he sighs deeply.

“Sometimes I miss her. But not the rest of it.”

I tuck my hands under my head too, mirroring his position. “The rest of it?”

He nods solemnly. “Being with someone that famous is intense. Everywhere we went, we were recognized instantly. Didn’t matter where. Fans flooded us and wanted pictures. It got to where I couldn’t even go to the grocery store alone without that happening.” I guess that would get old fast, but I just let him continue to talk. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the fans, but at the end of the day, it just wasn’t for me. It was exhausting.”

“Still is, I’m sure.” I don’t think there’s been a day since their breakup that I haven’t seen some sort of article about them online. Definitely some recent pictures of Maverick in Kansas City.

“Yeah, I keep hoping the breakup news will get old. We’ve been apart for a while now, but it doesn’t seem to.”

“I’m sorry. That does have to be hard. And I’m also sorry for being someone who can’t get enough of the gossip.”

I wince at my own confession, even though he knows that. There’s no way he doesn’t know how interested I’ve been in all the Maverick and Phoebe news. But he merely barks out an amused laugh. “It’s okay. I kind of like your obsession with me.” And then he winks at me.

He goddamn winks, and my heart just melts into goo.

“Animal shelter today?” he asks, climbing out of my bed, and I mourn the loss as I watch him leaving my bed.

I try to shake it off as I follow him, and we head into the kitchen. “Yeah. I need to go in today. Do you want to go with me?” My voice is far too hopeful as I make a pot of coffee and wait for his response.

“Yeah. I’d love to go,” he says as he settles in at the kitchen table. I stop for a minute to admire him here in my kitchen. Looking so damn right here, but my heart pangs with sadness a second later because he doesn’t live here.

He’s probably just bored during the offseason and finds me entertaining. I mean, who doesn’t love a babbling mess?

Still, I’ll take what I can get. I don’t think he has a lot of people in his life he trusts. After years of being in the intense spotlight, I’m sure that list has dwindled down considerably.

I make us a quick breakfast, and then we both shower. I lend him another shirt from a different ex—I guess I’m glad I didn’t throw them out like I should have.

We head out and hop into his truck, since he offered to drive me again. I don’t know if I’ll end up going to his place after, but man, I sure hope so.

“And I’m not adopting another one today, Cooper. My house is full.”

I snort, unable to not smile like a fool. “Your house is far from full. It’s massive. I could fit all kinds of animals in that house.”

He laughs and starts driving. “No more pets.”

I shrug, still smiling. “I don’t know. I really think you could use a cat.”

He groans, but thankfully, he sounds amused and light and happy. I really like it. I love joking around with him like this. “You’re going to be the death of me, Coop.”

He says it so affectionately, my heart flip-flops again in my chest that way it does around him.

Seems maybe the feeling is mutual because I don’t know if I’m going to survive this torturous, sweet friendship.