Page 52 of Relief Pitcher

“I’ve got a favor to ask you.”

Cooper waggled his eyebrows. “A sexy favor?”

“Okay, two favors.”

Cooper’s expression softened, and it made my chest flush warm. “Anything.”

Anything. He gave of himself so freely, like it brought him happiness to help me without being promised anything in return.

“Any chance you have time in your work schedule to evaluate a tree on my grandpa’s property?” Before I even finished the sentence, Cooper replied with an enthusiastic yes.

“You really are a tree nerd.”

“Ha. Ha.” He barely contained his eye roll. Something about him rolling his eyes at me and knowing there was no actual annoyance there sent my stomach free-falling over the edge of a cliff.

“It’s the tree my parents got married under, and they’re planning a vow renewal in the same spot next month for their fortieth anniversary. There’s something wrong with it.”

“Hopefully, it’s nothing major. I’d be happy to assess it.”

I glanced at a passing car for a break from his earnest expression.

“Do you want me to send you my availability or give me your dad’s number so I can arrange it directly with him?”

“Text me so I can be there too to keep my parents in line. Otherwise, they would regale you with embarrassing stories. Actually, just ignore most of what they say. Especially my mom.”

Coop laughed. “Got it.”

I expected him to make some sort of comment about getting to meet my parents. I braced for it as my mind ran through possible dismissive quips that would keep the tone firmly in the friendship camp, but Coop didn’t go for the obvious joke. His eyes were thoughtful, which left me raw.

“Where are we going so I can suck your dick?” he asked instead.

At that moment, I realized Cooper might understand me better than I gave him credit for. I opened my mouth to suggest a place, but a honk startled me. Danita rolled up, driving a Jeep Wrangler.

“What’s this I see? My players standing around and slacking off. You’re supposed to be making me money.” She pretended to take a puff from a cigar.

I laughed.

“Don’t encourage her.”

She flipped him off. I was so glad Cooper had her in his life. I could imagine how hard the loss of his husband must’ve been for them both. It was great that they had stayed close and supported each other.

“I’m kidnapping you for drinks.” She pointed to Cooper. “And you’re coming too.” She aimed her finger at me.

I opened my mouth to politely decline and say I had work to do. Going out with the guy I was sleeping with and his best friend was a lot more than the car quickie I’d counted on.

“He’s buying,” was what came out of my mouth.

As we got into her Jeep, I told myself it was because it was a chance to get to know her better and increase the odds of her carrying our beers when I finally gave the presentation at the end of the season. Having drinks with them was about business and not wanting to get to know Coops’ favorite person. I wasn’t sure if I believed myself.

* * *

Danita tooka swig of her beer and then leaned forward. “So then Coop and I went back to my place to work on our group project. Keep in mind I shared an apartment with my brother that year. We’re a couple of hours and beers in when the front door opens. My tipsy-ass brother stumbles in with a man on his heels. They’re pawing at each other because my brother had absolutely no chill.”

Coop snorted and shook his head with a soft smile on his face. “You’re not wrong.”

Danita was a hilariously animated storyteller. I loved all the dirt she was spilling about Coop.

“Sounds like Aleck had some game.” I saluted with my beer.

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