Page 10 of All In

Coop's eyes are the size of small dinner plates as he reaches for me, but I pull my body closer to the door. "Just take me home. Please." I lean my head back and close my eyes.

"You blindsided me in there. I didn't know you were done with dance. If you want me on your side, give me a damn heads-up next time.”

I hate it when he's right.

"Dad loves you. He just wants what's best. If you don't think that's dancing anymore, we'll make him understand. I promise. Please don't cry."

Wiping my eyes, I look up at my brother. He used to look like a kid, but now he seems so much older than eighteen. I lean my head on his shoulder and close my eyes again. "I love you, Cooper. I will cheer you on at every game you ever play in. I will always be your number one fan, but I just don't want to be the one on stage anymore. I'm done, Coop, and I'm not going to change my mind. I’m not just quitting. I've been thinking about this since before the summer intensive. Dance just doesn't make me happy anymore. You guys just haven't been around enough to notice."

Placing his arm around my shoulders, Cooper pulls me into him. "Why didn't you tell me? We've always told each other everything. I might not have been around, but I was only a phone call away. I will always be on your side."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Always." He leans over and wraps me up in a big hug. For the first time all night, I feel like things might just work out okay.

I can't stop the tears now. I think I've danced for as long as I have because I didn't want to let anyone down. We are overachievers in our family, and ballet was my achievement. Now, what am I going to do? I start to get myself under control and realize that I've left tear stains on Coop's shirt, and when he looks down, he sees it too.

We both start to laugh, and the sound echoes around inside the Jeep.

"Okay. If you are done with the pity party, can we head to a real party? I told the guys we'd meet them tonight. Brady's sister, Chloe, might be there. She is going to be a junior. Murphy's sister, Carys, is younger. A sophomore, I think, so I'm not sure if she'll be there. I thought it would be a good chance for you to meet some people."

I look at myself in the passenger mirror and wipe my face. "Hey, this was not a pity party. I'm good. I just needed a minute. I guess a real party doesn't sound bad. Do I need to go home and get changed first?"

"Nope. These girls dress up for everything. Plus, you're my sister, so they have to love you." He winks at me, and I groan.

"Oh, God, Cooper. Have you slept with them all already?" He looks at me and laughs hard.

* * *

Okay, so Cooper wasn't kidding when he said these girls dress up. We are in a beautiful backyard a few streets away from our house. There are Edison bulb lights strung from the columns that surround the patio and swimming pool. The outdoor furniture is pretty teak wood, with oversized, overstuffed cushions that look incredibly comfortable. The backyard is big, bigger than ours, I think, with lush, tall evergreen trees surrounding the fence around the pool. With the number of people here, it should feel crowded, but it doesn't.

Is this the whole school?

I think I may actually be underdressed compared to half the girls here and overdressed compared to the other half. I am pretty sure I am not meeting the high end, name brand requirement that must have been sent out for this party. I've never been much of a label whore, but you can't be the daughter of a retired model and not know high-end fashion.

These girls are in slinky dresses. More than one has got to cost over a thousand dollars. And who wears Louboutin's at a pool party?

The other half of the girls here are in tiny bikinis, which wouldn't be out of place if they weren't wearing heels. It's a combination you don't see often, and it seems like it would be less unexpected at a rock star's blow out than a high school party.

Of course, the guys are all in the standard guy unform, cargo shorts and t-shirts or short sleeve button-ups. There's a few in board shorts and even fewer in jeans. Guys have it so easy. If it doesn't smell, they wear it. It doesn't matter if it was hanging up, in a drawer, on the floor, or in the laundry basket.

I will always be jealous of how simple it is for them to get ready.

A beautiful girl with white-blonde hair, wearing an electric blue bodycon dress and silver gladiator sandals, makes a beeline for Cooper as soon as she sees him. Her voice is high pitched and a touch whiney. "Cooper! I've been waiting for you all night. The guys said you were coming, but I was starting to think you were blowing me off." That's when she looks at me, and I think if looks could kill, I'd be dying a slow, fiery death. "Who is this?"

Oh yeah, this girl is ready to show her claws and lay her claim. I guess she doesn't know that Cooper doesn't let anyone claim him.

"Tiffany, this is my sister Natalie. She just got into town yesterday." Of course, now her face changes, and I am pretty sure she is quickly trying to assess how she can use me to get closer to my brother. This isn't the first time a girl has tried to befriend me to get closer to Cooper or even Declan.

Her voice changes as much as her approach to me. She seems more relaxed but still a little too excited for my taste. "Natalie. Oh, my God. You and Cooper look exactly alike. I don't know how I missed it. We should hang out. I can give you the low down on everything. I want to hear all about you and your school in California. And you have to tell me all of Cooper's dirty secrets."

Turning my head to Cooper, I lift the corner of my mouth. Really? This is who he's seeing? Thank God Cooper can read my face because I need to get away from this girl, like now. "Tiff, I'm going to take Natalie to get a drink and find the guys. I'll find you later."

"Promise, Coop?" Pushing her bottom lip out, she pouts and rubs her hands up his chest.

"Yup. Be back soon, Babe." Coop gives her a quick kiss on the lips, and I want to gag.

Cooper grabs my arm, and we head toward the back of the property. Shaking my head at my brother, I ask, "Babe? Really, Coop?"

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