Page 55 of Can We Just Be Happy Now?

The way I feel her breath catch in our kiss at the contact.

How she loops her arms around my neck and runs her fingers through the hair at my neck.

Fuck. Did I make a mistake last week? If I could have another chance with Sophie, I’ll regret being with someone else before her, and there’s no way she’ll feel good about it either. When my hands reach her bra, I slip them around to her stomach, my thumbs brushing against the skin beneath her breasts.

She adjusts herself so subtly I’m surprised I catch it, but it's enough to make my heart drop. It’s enough to make me question if we are on the same page.

I break our kiss, leaving us both standing there breathless, her lips slightly swollen and the gloss on them gone.

“What was that?” I whisper as worry fills her eyes.

“Umm, I don’t know. I’m sorry.” Her hands have fallen back to my hoodie strings, and she twists them in her fingers. She pauses her words, dropping the thin black ropes like they burned her. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why did you?” I ask, my hand still locked on her neck.

“I don’t know . . . I just . . . missed you for a second, I guess.”

“You still don’t want to be together?” I hate that the words come out more like a plea.

She hesitates, and I can practically see the thoughts flashing through her mind before she shakes her head, slowly, her eyes welling with tears.

I sigh, defeated all over again. Instead of fighting her like I did the last time we had this conversation, I brush my thumb over her cheek before threading my fingers through her curls.

I look at Sophie’s eyes, filled with the vulnerability I’m now shoving deep inside. “It’s okay,” I whisper, and she looks at me like she’s unsure it really is. “Old habits are hard to break.” I manage half of a smile and resist stealing one more kiss. Instead, I run my hand down her arm until my hand is linked with hers. “Let’s just go watch the game,” I say, tugging her back toward the door.

We enter the chaos of the stadium again. “Do you want a pretzel?” I ask over my shoulder as I drop her hand.

“Yes, please. With–”

I cut her off. “Extra cheese.”

“Yeah.” She grins, skipping an extra step to catch up to me.

Chapter thirty-two

SOPHIE

NOW

Cooper, 21; Sophie, 18

The front door of the frat house clicks behind Kylie–with Cooper leading her out, his hand on her back and her heels in his other hand. Eyes narrowing, I grind my teeth before taking a big sip of whatever the heck this white drink is that I got from the tub on the counter. Huh. I prefer tequila, but this vodka is pretty good. Finishing my cup without a breath, I attempt to process my already fuzzy memories. I’ve had way too much to drink tonight but some things are impossible to forget.

A girl kissing me.

Finding out Cooper is dating that same girl.

Basically admitting to Cooper that he’s the love of my life.

Him turning me down.

But I swear it felt like he wasn’t actually turning me down. It seemed like he just didn’t want to be a bad date or guy. Did I make that up in my head? Do I just hope that he ditches her after tonight and comes back to me or am I imagining this distorting reality? When I left the bathroom, I immediately found Kylie and befriended her, wanting to see if her story aligned with Cooper’s. The only thing I got out of it was three more shots I didn’t need and crossing the dance on a table item off my bucket list. But he just left with her. And the way he was touching her on the way out was not a “let’s leave here so I can tell you we can’t see each other anymore” kind of touch.

God, I’m so stupid. Stupid, stupid, Sophie. Why did I even come here? The room spins a little, the shots I took with Kylie kicking in. Closing my eyes, I brace myself against the counter.

“Are you okay?” I glance up to a semi-familiar face. I think his name is Logan? When I first got here and was waiting for Cooper to show up, he was flirting with me. I gave him my number when he asked because I wasn’t sure how to say no without being rude.

“Umm. Yes.” No. I’m far from okay. I want Cooper, and he just left with the wrong girl.

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