Chapter 26
COOPER
Dad Joke Of The Day:
Why was the math book so sad?
It has too many problems.
Waking up with Ally sneaking out of my bedroom at four in the morning was not how I expected to start my day. Then again, I didn’t expect to start it with her in my bed either, but it was a happy accident.
Well, happy accident as in we started making out and dry humping on the couch while watching a movie, and I ended up carrying her to my bed where she decided to stay for most of the night, as long as I promised to set an alarm for before Lucas got up.
I get it. She isn’t sure what she wants yet.
But that doesn’t mean I’m not missing the feel of her body against mine, the warmth radiating from her as she slept so peacefully in my arms. Which is saying something because I’ve never been a snuggly person—it’s never appealed to me in the past. Then again, all the other times I’ve had sex were mostly just casual hookups, purely for fun.
They were just fleeting moments in time that were gone the second the sun rose, and I’ve been fine with that, especially in the last four years because my priority has been Lucas.
But this? With Ally?
This feels like she’s the sun. It feels like it could be everything…
and that terrifies me. Because while it feels like it could be all I’ve ever wanted, right now it’s not much more than hook ups and flirty text messages.
After the game a few nights ago, I lost it.
When I saw her leaving after her ex and I got into a fight, I wanted to rip my gear off and chase her down.
I probably would’ve if Coach hadn’t forced me to go get checked out for a concussion, which thankfully worked in my favor because I got to leave and head home earlier than everyone else.
If I hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t have caught her at my house, crying in the dark, sitting alone in my backyard.
It broke me, but it also made me realize just how much I care about this girl.
Ally is complex. She’s like a sour patch kid.
She’s sour at first, but the more you get to know her, the more time you spend with her, you realize just how fucking sweet she is, and goddamn, I love that about her.
In that same moment, I also had the realization that this girl has spent the entire time I’ve known her running from everything.
Her family, her friends, any sort of love life.
I mean, hell, she’s even been running from herself in so many ways.
When that hit me, I knew right then that she deserved to be chased, and fuck if I wasn’t going to be the one to try and catch her.
It worked, obviously. I mean, we spent the rest of the night tasting, touching, and fucking each other until we were both too exhausted to move, and it was fucking perfect.
By the time we actually made it to my bed, we collapsed.
It was the most at peace I’ve felt in a long time, her head on my chest as she fell asleep, my mind at ease.
It was different than what I was used to, and I liked it.
I’m bummed that she’s gone home, probably to sleep more before inevitably coming over later this afternoon to watch Lucas while I have practice.
I’ve promised Ally that I’d make practice quick and not stay late to chat or fuck around with the guys.
Moving towards the back of the locker room, I quickly put away my skates and take off the rest of my gear.
Exhausted and ready to get home for a hot shower and bed, I know Ally has plans with Quinn this evening, so I’m trying to respect her time and get back so she can get going.
I know how important their time together is since they’ve been trying to rebuild their relationship.
Plus, the quicker I make it back home, the more likely I am to steal some of her time before she has to leave.
A margarita night has been on Ally and Quinn’s “must-do” list, part of their sisterhood rebuilding journey.
An all-you-can-drink margarita night felt like the perfect excuse for the girls to sample every flavor their favorite taqueria has.
They can also check another item off their list and get some quality bonding time in without the guys bothering them.
Thankfully, they were smart enough to plan to Uber there, and Levi offered to pick them up afterward. I’d have offered, but Lucas will probably be sound asleep by the time they’re ready to head out. And waking up a sleeping four-year-old is never on my agenda.
I could always ask her to come by after…
Whoa.
We can handle one night without her. It’s not going to kill us.
Besides, she needs to have some fun with Quinn.
Sisterhood and all that…
It’s crazy how easily you can forget just how demanding young kids can be—and not in a bad way. They’re just opinionated as fuck and aren’t afraid to show it.
For example, after we ate earlier today, I tried to tell Lucas we should go get milkshakes, but no, the kid had his heart set on a Slurpee and some candy so that we could have a movie night.
I wanted to argue, but his reasoning behind us having a movie night and needing the appropriate snacks made sense, so I gave in.
Plus, blue raspberry Slurpees are the best, and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees.
We enjoyed our frozen drinks out by the pool for a while before getting in and swimming a bit, enjoying the nice weather. It wasn’t until the sun started to go down that I finally dragged him inside for a bath and then our movie night.
After Lucas was totally sure that he could stay up for three movies and all the popcorn he could eat, he was knocked out, sleeping against my shoulder before the credits even rolled on the first one.
I blame the Slurpee putting him into a sugar coma, but it was still cute to see him all snuggled in.
I put my phone in my pocket, scoop Lucas up, and take him up to bed, thanking whatever higher power that I was blessed with such a great kid, then heading into my room to settle into my bed for the night.
After brushing my teeth and stripping down to my boxer briefs, I grab my phone off my side table, scrolling through my texts, seeing one Ally sent just five minutes ago.
My heart races as I click the text. Grinning down at my phone like I just won the lottery, I realize that her texting me first is a sign that I just might be breaking down some of her walls.
Ally Cat: Hey just wanted to let you know I was home.
Ally Cat: My bed isn’t nearly as comfy as yours.
Me: Glad you made it home safe. Wish you could’ve come back tonight.
Ally Cat: Yeah, but what would Lucas say?
Me: I know. You’ve slept in this bed less than a handful of times and it’s already so much more comfortable when you’re in it.
Ally Cat: Maybe one day.
Ally Cat: Goodnight, Cooper.
I smile as I close out our text thread, checking my other messages when my eyes land on her name.
Kenna.
I don’t know why conversations with her have stressed me out so much lately, but she’s just been a lot. Taking a deep breath, I click her name.
Kenna: Hey, Coop. Miss you and Lucas. Wish you guys were here.
Kenna: Can we talk when I get home?
Me: Sure…when are you home?
Kenna: Next week. If you guys don’t make playoffs, can you guys come back with me?
Me: Probably not. We’ve got some plans.
Kenna: Oh, okay. Well, I’ll come see you when I’m in town.
Me: Deal. Have fun.
Closing out my phone, I roll over. The spot Ally slept in is now empty, but I can’t help but notice that the pillow she used smells of strawberries, the smell of her shampoo. I relax, sinking into the mattress and slowly drifting off to sleep with dreams of her.
“Okay, boys, great practice today,” Coach says after working our asses off for the last two hours like we haven’t won our last three games.
“Make sure not to fuck off before the game tomorrow night. It’s a big one, but you guys know this.
If Florida loses tonight and we win tomorrow, we clinch the playoffs, and you guys have been working too fucking hard to let this one slip from your fingers. ”
“We hear you, Coach,” Nash says from the back as he stands with Adam Rogers, our Captain, probably still discussing strategy like they have been for the last ten minutes.
I move towards the back of the locker room, quickly putting my skates away and taking off the rest of my gear. I’m exhausted by the time I’m done, opting to take a steaming hot shower when I get home.
Plus, the quicker I make it back, the more likely I am to steal some of Ally’s time before she heads back to her place for the night.
“Johnson, can I talk to you for a minute?” Coach says as he walks past me, heading back towards his office.
Fuck. What did I do now?
I feel like I’m back in high school being called to the principal’s office. Giving the guys a look, I grab my shirt and throw the rest of my stuff in my bag. Leaving it there, I follow Coach into his office.
“Have a seat. I’ve been meaning to catch you after practice one of these days, but I keep forgetting,” he says as he takes a seat behind his desk. I follow suit and take the chair opposite him, preparing to get chewed out for something.
It couldn’t be the fight, right?
If that’s what it was, I feel like he would’ve said something already.
And besides, that just happened. My mind starts spiraling, racing through every possibility, trying to land on something that makes sense.
But every time I think I’ve figured it out, I hit a wall—some reason why it couldn’t possibly be that.
For example, Coach has no issue with the team protecting the goalie. In fact, he almost recommends it. If you don’t prove a point to the other team when they go for your goalie, it sets a precedence that you don’t care, and that’s not fucking good.
“What about?” I ask, wanting to get straight to the point, needing to know what this is about.