Page 140 of Vegas Heat

What a mess.

It’s only three days.

It’s going to be worse during the season.

I remind myself of these things, but it doesn’t make it feel any better in the moment.

And then I get in the car with Troy and we head toward the airport as I try to push the image of his daughter’s naked body out of my head.

CHAPTER 13: GABBY

I finish my bowl of cereal before I grab my phone and draft a text to Kaylee. I feel like a loser, but after my last conversation with Mia that happened via text message a few days ago, I also feel like Kaylee might understand me more than Mia would.

It’s only now I realize I haven’t spoken with Mia since Cooper and I reconnected. I’ve seen her boyfriend more than I’ve seen her.

I want to tell her about Cooper and me, but I also feel like she’d rather see me with Greg than with Cooper…and it’s not her decision to make. She slipped into class late yesterday, so we weren’t sitting by one another, and I had to run out to get to the stadium for the Monday intern meeting, so we didn’t talk after class. I’ll see her in class today, so maybe we can chat then.

It’s not even a contest for me when it comes to the great Cooper versus Greg debate, though. It’s between the man who feels very much like he might be my soul mate versus a guy I’ve known a couple years and have never once been interested in. If Mia can’t understand that, maybe she isn’t the friend I thought she was.

I finally shoot off the text to Kaylee before I lose my nerve even though she’s married to the hottest tight end in the NFL and I’m freaking out a little as I click thesendbutton.

Me:Hi Kaylee! It’s Gabby. Cooper told me to text you to see if I can help you with StrongFitKids while he’s out of town, and I’d love to grab coffee and chat if you have time! I have class and then need to swing by the stadium, but I’m free after five today and tomorrow.

Her response doesn’t come right away, but I don’t really expect it to since I know she’s busy between her job coordinating the SFK program in her husband’s fitness clubs and raising twin baby girls.

I take a shower and head to school, and I’m ten minutes early for class since I’m hoping I’ll run into Mia. It’s while I’m sitting waiting for class to start that I get a return text from Kaylee.

Kaylee:I would love that! I’m so swamped. Would you mind coming over to my place? Tonight works better since Ben has tomorrow off. We can chat SFK and see if you still want to do some work for me. BTW I’m absolutely thrilled Coop pulled his head out of his ass and got back together with you. I love you for him.

My heart melts as I read her words. She’s one of his best friends, and she approves. Her words seem to push me up onto the kind of floating cloud I can ride for weeks.

And then a text comes through from Mia.

Mia:I’m going to miss class today. Can you take notes for me?

Me:Is everything okay?

Mia:Just an epic hangover. Dylan and I went to a concert last night. He’ll be at the stadium for the internship though.

I guess I won’t see her today…and I swear I’m not judging her reason for missing class.

Except I’m totally judging.

I’m a Type A, straight A student. Mia used to be, too, before she got tangled up with Dylan. I’m starting to wonder how good he is for her, but given how I feel like she’s judging my relationship with Cooper, I also think it’s not my place to judge hers with Dylan.

Me:I’ll send you my notes after class.

I text Kaylee back, too, letting her know I can swing by after work and bring dinner with me, and then I ignore my phone a while so I can take meticulous notes for Mia.

I hit my second class of the day with enough time to eat a granola bar in between and to catch up on my messages, and I’m happy to spot one from Cooper.

Or rather, fromCaptain.

Captain:Landed and missing you.

Me:Still here and missing you. I made plans with Kaylee for dinner.

He doesn’t respond by the time my next class starts, and I hate the distance already.

---