Page 29 of Cooper & Jake
“Are you sure?” I ask, looking down at myself. I stuck with similar vibes as Taylor, i.e., the neon colors. I might have taken my inspiration from Ryan Gosling when he was dressed as Ken, and I love how it came out. The fanny pack is a little annoying, though. It keeps moving around my waist, and I have to shuffle it back into place every few minutes.
“He’s not going to be able to keep his hands off you.”
“I hope.” I scan around the gym again, my eyes widening when I finally see Jake and Peyton on the other side of the room.
I guess they beat us here because they’re standing with a group of people, a beer in each of their hands. Jake looks gorgeous, but when doesn’t he? He’s wearing blue jeans with aplaid shirt and a puffy vest on top. Peyton is standing next to him in bright neon shorts and a cut-off white tee.
“Go say hi,” Taylor says, giving me a playful shove.
“I don’t want to seem desperate,” I reply, staring at Jake from across the room.
If thiswereone of those eighties' movies, our eyes would lock from across the room, and the lights would dim except for two single spotlights that would guide our way to one another. Some type of love song would play, and we’d gravitate toward each other, soft smiles playing on both of our lips. Once we met in the middle, the crowd would fall silent, and all eyes would be on us as were reunited. Our lips would meet in a kiss, and there would be a moment when everyone watching would know the two had fallen in love with each other.
But of course, this isn’t a movie.
“Fine, I’ll drag you over there myself, but I need a drink first.”
Taylor leads me over to the bar where we each grab a drink, this time skipping the jalapeño margarita we’d gotten the night before. Once we both have a glass in hand, Taylor looks around the gym to see where Jake and Peyton are.
“Seriously, maybe we should mingle and interact with others first. I don’t want to seem too needy.”
Taylor pauses, putting her hand on her hip. “Fine, we’ll go interact with three people max, and then I’m dragging your ass over there.”
“Deal.”
11
JAKE
My eyes have been gluedto the front door of the gym ever since the moment that Peyton and I first showed up. When we first got back to the hotel room, I changed within minutes, wanting to come here again so I could be in Cooper’s proximity. Peyton took longer than me, leaving me to calm myself down by working on my crocheted blanket while he took way too much time in the bathroom.
I peer around one of the people in front of me, trying to see if I can get a glimpse of Cooper again. I saw him when he and Taylor first walked in, but quickly lost them as they disappeared somewhere on the other side of the gym.
“So, you own a bar? That’s cool. Do you have to work crazy late hours? I always imagined those who work in bars crawling home at three in the morning and then sleeping all day.”
I turn back to Aaron, a guy I used to have a few classes with. “I have some late nights, but most of the time, no. My manager usually stays for the late-night shift. Usually, I work during the day, like a ‘regular job’.”
“Right on, man. That sounds like a fun place to work. I work at a bank. Not the funnest place to have a job, but it pays really well and supports my family.”
“That’s awesome. Working at the bar isn’t always fun, but there are times when it beats working a nine-to-five for me. I also don’t have a family, so I’m sure if I did, it would change the fun I have,” I joke, taking a sip of my beer. Cooper comes into view, and my attention is now focused solely on him. “Uh, excuse me,” I say, nodding my head and walking away. I move straight for Cooper, who’s on the other end of the gym talking to Alice once again.
“Hi,” I murmur, interrupting their conversation.
“Hi,” they both reply in unison.
I give Alice a quick “Hey,” then focus back on Cooper. “I love your outfit. You look so much like Ken from that Barbie movie.”
“That’s exactly what I was going for!” He pulls at the fanny pack and then grins at me. “Taylor showed me her outfit, and I wanted something to match her, but still be different. Then, one day, I saw an ad for Barbie, noticed Ken’s outfit, andbam! I knew I wanted it.”
“Well, you look hot as fuck. I love the neon colors. Plus, the visor hat is cool too, even if you are inside,” I joke, tapping the bill of his visor.
“You look great, too. I can definitely tell you’re from the eighties.”
Alice is still standing next to Cooper, her eyes ping-ponging between the two of us. “You both look hot as fuck. I am so thankful they chose this as the theme. So much eye candy. My husband is dressed in a tight pair of spandex, and Momma can’t wait to get him home. Speaking of… I’m going to see if I can find him. I’ll see you both later?”
“Of course,” Cooper says, waving as she walks away.
“Seriously, though. You look so damn delectable. And if we didn’t have other events happening tonight, I would take you back to my hotel room right this second—actually, scratch that, I would drag you back toyourhotel room. I’m sharing one with Peyton, and I don’t want him walking into a whole sex show.”
