Page 92 of Playmaker

The announcement of our arrival and imminent landing came through the cabin. I took my e-reader, which I hadn’t used, and slid it into my briefcase. I kept my phone handy, ready to pick up any messages or emails that had arrived while we were flying.

Cooper ran a hand through his hair. “We should talk about this. Not now, obviously, but I need to think.”

I sighed. Why couldn’t he just accept this? “Cooper, really, it’s okay. I don’t want feelings. Not like that. I can’t see you anymore.”

He had both hands in his hair now. “Damn it, why did I drink so much?”

“Because you had a shitty time, and you needed to get out of your head. It’s fine.”

And I might be doing the same thing shortly. Drinking and ice cream and reminding myself of what was really important, and I should be fine, right? I didn’t want romance, or a relationship. Cooper was totally the wrong guy for that if I did. I just needed some time away from him, away from the orgasms he was so good at, and I’d be back to my normal self. Except that I’d be great at the country club, and better dressed than I’d been before.

This wedding had been a horrible experience for the most part, and I was angry with his family. I’d wanted to make him feel better, so I’d crossed that line and had sex with him. It wasn’t his fault what I was feeling. That was all on me, not him.

“Hey.” I touched his arm and he looked up at me, eyes focusing a little better. “You know I’m not good at faking things. I really, really appreciate how you’ve helped me. I enjoyed our time together. But it needs to end now. You don’t want me to get clingy and emotional.”

“I have a hard time picturing that.”

Me too.“So, we’ll say goodbye, and it’s all good. I promise I’m fine. Totally.”

“Fine.”

I nodded.

His lips pinched. “Well then, what else matters?”

My jaw dropped, but he put in his earphones and ignored me.

Damn it if I didn’t feel hurt, and that was the problem. Feelings sucked.

Chapter27

Just wedding or sex hormones

Cooper

I was reasonably soberwhen I got to Seb’s place. Callie had vanished from the airport as soon as she got her luggage, and made her own way home while I was getting my brain working well enough to identify my own bag. I texted, asking her to let me know she got home okay. She didn’t respond.

By habit, I was quiet when I helped myself into Faith and Hunter’s place. I’d known them in college, and I knew they grabbed sexy times whenever they could work it around Hailey. But Faith was at a camp with Braydon and Jayna for the week again, so Hunter would be home with my goddaughter.

Hailey must have been napping, because I didn’t hear anything about Kook when I came around the corner. Hunter was on the couch with the TV on, but he was only half awake. Apparently, parenting was murder on your sleep, and Hunter was doing it solo this week. I’d promised to help out once I got back from the wedding. I’d thought Callie would help too.Welp.

Hunter blinked at me and the bag I was rolling in behind me. I’d come straight here from the airport, avoiding my place. I wasn’t in a mood to be on my own.

“Are you moving in, Coop?” He sat up. “To help with Hailey?” He sounded awfully pleased about that.

“I came straight from the airport. I could crash for a couple of days, but rookie camp is gonna start.”

He slumped back down. “Any help is appreciated. It’s like when Faith is gone, Hailey doubles her energy.”

“Beer?”

He checked the time and shrugged. I pulled a couple out of the fridge. I walked over to the couch and sat beside him, passing over a can.

“How was the wedding?”

I shrugged. “Big. Expensive. Over.”

“And your family?”

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