Page 24 of Say You Won't Let Go
That is exactly why I’m hiding things from you, Coop.
We walk, and I keep quiet, trying to wrestle with the conflicting emotions I’m struggling with. I like that Cooper feels protective of me, which is very unlike me.
Cooper, though, he is that kind of guy. The one who wants to be the rock in the relationship. You can feel it all around him. He emanates dominance, but not in that do-as-I-say kind of way, it’s more of the I’m-here-and-no-one-will-hurt-you kind of way, but I also don’t trust men to stay that way. I watched it with my father too many times.
“You’re quiet,” Cooper notes as we get to his truck.
“I know. I just want you to know there will be more male fans, Coop.”
He nods. “I know. Doesn’t mean I like it.”
“And what about the girls who dream of the sexy and eligible Cooper Townsend?” I raise a brow while leaning against the truck.
Cooper and the Hennington brothers were every girl’s dream in that town. He has no idea just how many dreams he’s starred in. Which may just be a very good thing.
“Like who?” he scoffs.
I lean forward and grin. “Felicia?”
Cooper’s face says it all. “Hell no. That girl is a bloodsucking viper.”
“Hmm.” I pretend to think. “Oh, Betsy.”
His hips press against my torso, pinning me to the car. “Now that isn’t even funny.”
The giggle that comes from my lips is light. It’s actually very funny because Betsy’s mother has been trying to set the two of them up forever. It’s a running joke between Grace, Presley, and me. Poor Cooper went on a blind date, only to find out Betsy’s family had finally tricked him. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall.
“I’ll make it up to you.” I grin as I trail my finger down his chest.
“Damn right you will.”
* * * *
“Do you promise to call?” I ask, vying for one more minute with him even though we’ve been saying goodbye for ten minutes. Breakfast was great, and now he has to leave, which is tearing me up inside.
“I don’t think you could stop me.”
“Good.”
“Now go on inside, and I’ll see you soon.”
Goodbyes suck.
I’ve kept him here long enough. It’s time to make this a little easier for him. “Okay. I’ll call you after my show.”
We kiss again, and he moves back, allowing me to go inside. I have a show in a few hours and could use a nap. I inhale and open the door. My heart feels as if it’s being ripped from my chest as I take a step up and look back at him.
Cooper’s eyes are filled with sadness, but he manages a small smile.
“Bye, Coop.”
“Bye, darlin’.”
I smile and close the door.
My hand rests on the door, and I fight back the rush of despair that threatens to overtake me. I need to take a nap and get my shit together. I’m living a dream that people would kill for. I have to have faith that Cooper and I will figure our relationship out.
I climb the rest of the steps and stop.
