Page 38 of Say I'm Yours
I close the door so Trent won’t hear my conversation with Cooper. It’s bad enough they’re both here. The least I can do is try to make this less uncomfortable.
Cooper nods. “I saw his car.”
Right. Okay, and he still stopped by? I’m so confused, and the alcohol fog mixed with regret isn’t helping.
Cooper steps forward and puts his hand to my cheek. “You don’t look so good, you feelin’ okay? Are you sick?”
Does mentally unstable fall under that category? If so, I’m most definitely sick.
“No, I’m not feelin’ okay.”
“I can get you some medicine if you need it.”
Why does he have to be so sweet? Why can’t he call me a slut or worse and tell me he hates me? It would be no less than I deserve. I slept with Trent, and now he’s here because he’s a good guy. Not because he wants to take advantage of me, but because he cares.
What is wrong with me?
I shake my head and drop my arm. I hate myself right now. I’m so confused, and I don’t know what is real anymore. In this moment, I don’t trust myself at all.
All I know is that Cooper doesn’t deserve this. And I don’t deserve him or his friendship.
“I’m not sick—not in the physical way, at least. And you’re so sweet to offer to take care of me. I’m . . .” I pause, trying to think of the right words to say, “I’m . . . I’m so sorry, Coop.” I touch his arm and pray he hears the sincerity in my voice. “I’m awful. I’m so awful and I’m so sorry. I swear, I never meant for any of this to happen. I hate myself right now.”
“Grace.” Cooper lets out a heavy sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t like it, but I’m not your boyfriend. You don’t owe me an explanation. I basically had to twist your arm to get you to go on a date with me. It really wouldn’t be fair of me to give you shit about somethin’ I have no right to be upset about. It just means I’m going to have to step up my game so you call me the next time you need someone.”
I stand completely immobilized by his words.
Did he seriously say that? Any of it? I would be ripping some girl’s hair out if the roles were reversed.
The door opens behind me and Trent walks out. “Good morning, Cooper.”
“Trent,” Cooper replies and then blows a long breath from his nose, seemingly in an attempt to keep calm.
“Have a good night, Coop? I sure did.”
I’m going to kill him.
Cooper shifts his body weight forward, and I intervene. “What time is your fishing thing today? Don’t you need to be going?”
“Would you give us minute? We were in the middle of talkin’, and I’d like to finish.” Trent says to Cooper.
I truly don’t know what is happening. There’s no way this is my life—but it is.
I turn to Cooper and touch his arm. “If you want to wait for me inside, I won’t be long.”
Trent huffs. “Or you can leave.”
He’s freaking dead. Gone. Dead. Killed. I don’t feel bad about having to explain to his mama why I killed him either.
Cooper moves around behind me, his hand touches the small of my back, and Trent’s eyes don’t miss it. “I’ll wait.” Cooper kisses my cheek before entering the house.
My stomach drops as I watch Trent’s face morph from smug to hurt, but he doesn’t give me a second to think. “So, you’re going to talk to him? After everything that I said?”
“I’m not doin’ this now.”
“If you don’t tell me to stay right now, you’re making your choice.”
“Don’t threaten me.” I glare at him. “I need time. I think you can give me that.”
