Page 55 of A Scoring Chance

“Thank fuck,” she says before rushing toward us and wiggling between Cooper and me on the bed. “Now get out, Coop. You need to get to the arena, and I need to squeeze details out of Mona about last night.”

He checks the time on his watch before scooting over to make room for Alise. “I have some time. Let me introduce Ramona to Momma and Beau first. I also want a chance to chat with Darius, if that’s okay.”

“Sure is. We’ll be out in a minute.” She shoos him away with her hand before turning her entire body toward me.

“I don’t think he was asking you, Alise.”

“Doesn’t matter. I answered. Now, shoo. I’ll give her back to you in ten minutes, tops.”

“Make it five,” Cooper responds, bending down to place a gentle kiss on my lips. “If she gives you a hard time, just holler, and I’ll come running.”

“She’ll be fine. Now get out.”Alise stands and starts pushing Cooper toward the door before successfully shoving him over the threshold. She slams the door shut in his face and locks it for good measure before plopping back down on the bed next to me. “Tell me everything.”

It took much longer than the promised ten minutes to explain to my best friend what had happened since I left my place yesterday. She oohed and ahhed in all the right places, but she was only interested in getting to the juicy bits, which, much to her dismay, I never share. As punishment, she took it upon herself to get me ready to meet Ms. Melanie.

“Are you ready to meet your future mother-in-law?” Alise asks as she double-checks my hair.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. We’ve just decided we’re dating five seconds before you rudely interrupted us.”

“Doesn’t matter. You two are a done deal. I can feel it in my bones.”

“Whatever you say.” I sigh and then decide to push my luck. “So does that mean you’re ready to snag your own Hendrix brother? Then we really will be sisters, since I’m supposedly marrying Cooper and all. “

“It’s not the same thing, Ramona.” Alise’s shoulders deflate as she turns away from me, her arms instantly wrapping around her waist. Shit. I pushed too hard.

“I’m sure if you figure out a way to talk to him, everything will work out exactly as it’s meant to.”

“Whether it’s meant to be or not, there is too much between us to take that chance. If things don’t work out, it would ruin not just our lives, but it would complicate everyone else’s lives, as well. You’re gonna need to settle for just being my sister in spirit.”

“Sorry, I pushed.” I wrap my arms around hers, squeezing her tightly. “I just want you to be happy, Alise.”

“I’m happy when you are happy.” She spins around in my arms, smiling brightly, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “And I’m deliriously happy that you two found each other with no help from me. It proves that you’re perfect for each other.”

“If you say so,” I grumble, releasing her and checking my reflection one more time.

I’m still reluctant about the surprise Ms. Melanie and Alise put together for me, but at least my outfit looks amazing. Apparently, we all have similar outfits, except my surprise and Alise’s red Beats hanging around her neck. She uses them for the entire game because of the noise of the crowd and wants to make sure we can find her at all times, hence the bright red headphones. Either way, this is the perfect ensemble for a hockey game.

I have on a pair of light-wash wide-leg jeans that hang perfectly over the sand-colored heeled boots Alise snagged from my closet. We paired that with a cream-colored turtleneck sweater and a long forest green cardigan I know weren’t in my closet or drawers at home, but I look good, so I’m willing to let that slide. Alise kept the makeup simple with just complexion-correcting cream, mascara, and Summer Friday’s pink sugar lipbutter balm. After much debate, we kept my hair simple, as well, letting it hang loosely around my shoulders, but Alise brought me a Timberwolves beanie to complete the outfit.

“How do I look?” I spin around in a circle, wanting to ensure she gets the full view of my outfit.

“Like a million bucks, of course.” Alise threads her arm through mine, practically dragging me out of the room toward the other end of the house.

I didn’t do much exploring when I came in last night, and since Cooper insisted on waiting on me hand and foot since I woke up this morning, I haven’t stepped foot out of his bedroom.

Alise pulls me to a stop in the center of the walkway. “I believe it’s safe to assume that you haven’t left the bedroom since you arrived. Here’s the ten-cent tour. This is the dining room to our left. Kitchen to the right with a breakfast nook that has a perfect view of the park. Straight in front of us is the living room.”

The areas are nicely decorated in muted browns and blues, giving the place a warmth I wasn’t expecting. Don’t ask me what I was expecting. Maybe a bachelor pad with leather couches and sports paraphernalia covering every surface. I’m very happily surprised. I can see myself curling up on the small light gray couch pushed up against the window or making use of the amazing gourmet kitchen to make dinner for when our families come to visit.Umm, what?I need to pump my brakes and stop getting ahead of myself.

“Are you even listening to me?” Alise bumps my shoulders with hers to get my attention.

“Of course, I am. Dining room. Kitchen with an awesome view of the park. Living Room. Balcony.” I regurgitate all the information she just gave me before asking one of my own. “And where does that door go?”

“To the balcony and to the left of that is?—”

Alise doesn’t even get to finish her statement as I hear Darius shout loudly, “You two are such cheaters!”

I quickly head toward the sound of Darius’s voice and find him and Cooper sitting on the couch with some video game control in their hands. Darius is using any means necessary to break Cooper’s concentration. Beau is leaning over the back of the couch, giving Darius pointers on how to best distract his brother.

---