Chapter 8
Blake
I don’t think I’ve had this much fun in, well, ever. When Cooper asked me to come, I was hesitant. The last time I went out and socialized, it didn’t end so well.
Surprisingly, though, tonight has been good. The music isn’t horrible, it’s not very busy, and everyone is minding their own business. If anything, it’s my group of friends who are causing the most ruckus. Yet, no one around us seems to care.
Everyone except Ellie and I are a little tipsy.
Okay, Val is drunk and Cooper is on his way there.
When I saw him down his first drink, I was going to question how he was going to be able to drive home, but I didn’t want to put a damper on his time out with his friends.
Now, I know I’ll be the one driving us home.
Normally, something like this might have pissed me off. He’s the one who asked me to come in his car. Now, I have to figure out what to do. Drop him off at his place and take his car? Park it and ask my mom to come get me? Or, should I just walk home?
None of that seems to matter right now, though, while I watch him laughing at something Val says, tossing his head back, his whole body shaking with mirth. The way his whole face lights up? I swear this man is the definition of sunshine. I don’t think there’s a mean bone in his body.
He’s a one-in-a-million person, and for some odd reason, he wants to be my friend.
At least I think? He’s been friendly, and he’s asked me to hang out. Maybe he’s just being nice because he thinks he has to?
Either way, I find myself overthinking things less as the night goes on. I don’t feel like a third wheel or that I’m not wanted. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms.
At first, I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I’m not a chatty person. I don’t know how to hold a conversation. With these people, it doesn’t seem to matter. No one pushes me to talk, no one pries into my life.
The others are okay with holding the conversation while everyone else just adds to it.
“Okay, okay!” Val jumps to her feet. “It’s time to play darts.”
“Ah, no. That sounds like a horrible idea,” Lexie says, taking the darts from Val.
“You’re just worried I’m going to win.” Val scowls.
“No. I’m worried you’re going to poke someone’s eye out.” Lexie sighs.
“I’m a great shot, see?” Val snatches one of the darts from Lexie’s hand, spins to face the dart board, and throws it.
I watch the dart fly through the air, not landing anywhere near the board. “Oh fuck,” I whisper in horror as it sails past a guy coming out of the bathroom. He ducks for his life and hits the back wall, popping three balloons in the process.
“Bullseye!” Val cheers.
“What the fuck, V?!” Lexie hisses. “That’s not a bullseye. Bitch that didn’t even hit the board.”
“Who said I was aiming for the board?” Val slurs. “Did you see me pop those balloons? Nice, right?” She grins wide.
I can’t help it, that whole thing was insane. I burst out laughing, unable to hold back.
“What's so funny, Latte Boy?” Cooper strides up to me, his eyes a little glassy, but his golden boy smile is still in place.
On anyone else, it’d look cocky, too sure of himself. Fake even. But Cooper? He just pulls it off, like it’s a vibe made for him.
“Val is a danger to everyone around her when she’s drunk. Lexie better hide the rest of the darts before she kills someone.”
“You’re not wrong there,” he chuckles, snatching the darts from Lexie. “I’ll keep these.”
“Please do.” Lexie sighs, turning to Val. “Come on, let’s go get you some water.”
“Booo. Water is boring.”
“Water is the only thing that's going to keep you from getting us kicked out,” Lexie mutters, dragging Val to the bar.
“I never understood why bars have dartboards. Who thought it was a good idea to give drunk people pointy objects?” I ask, shaking my head as I watch them go.
“Not all drunk people are bad at darts.”
“Maybe, still might not be the best idea.” I shrug.
“I, myself, am a wonderful drunk dart player.” He gives me a playful smile.
“Oh yeah?” I chuckle. “You’re some kind of master at it?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say I’m that good.” He winks. “But I’m not so bad.”
“I bet you’re amazing.” I play into his teasing.
“I am.” He nods. “Just watch.”
My lips part in shock because he’s not being serious, is he? Did he not just see what happened with Val? That bartender should be hiding the damn darts right about now.
I watch as Cooper steps up to the board. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” I say, rushing over to him.
“Sure it is,” he says nonchalantly. “Watch and be amazed.”
Cooper gets ready to throw, and I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for something bad to happen.
Put a stop to this before he kills someone, damn it!
Before I can even finish that thought, I hear three thuds in a row.
When I don’t hear anyone screaming or crying, I slowly open my eyes. Blinking, I look at Cooper, who is smiling at me with amusement.
He nods his head toward the board, and I follow the direction. “Holy shit,” I whisper in disbelief when I see three darts in the middle of the board, all of them nearly on top of each other. “Holy fuck, Cooper. You really did it.”
He gives me a mock gasp, placing a hand over his heart. “You dare question my dart skills? I’m hurt.”
This time, it’s me who smiles. “You’re something else, Cooper.” I shake my head. This feeling of happiness, excitement, it’s new. It’s foreign. But I don’t hate it.
He gasps, “Oh my god, he smiles!”
“Stop it.” I laugh, shoving at his arm, making him chuckle. “I know how to smile.”
“Could have fooled me. Not that I don’t mind the whole sexy, grumpy vibe. It works for you.”
I blink at him in shock. Did he just call me sexy? Cooper thinks I’m sexy?
No. He’s just being nice. There’s no way he thinks I’m attractive.
Why would I care anyway? I don’t care what people think about my looks. It means nothing to me.
So why do I find myself wanting to squirm under his heated gaze?
“I like the smile too.” His voice goes low, his hand reaching up to brush the side of my cheek. “It looks good on you.”
Why the hell is my heart hammering so fast? I feel dizzy. Sick. Am I going to pass out? Did the drink the bartender gave me have alcohol in it? Did they mix up my drink with someone else's?
“Come on.” Cooper grabs my hand and pulls me towards the dance floor. “Let’s dance.”
“Oh, no no no.” I shake my head. “I don’t dance.”
“Don’t dance, or don’t know how to dance?”
“Both.”
“It’s okay, I can’t dance either. We can be shitty dancers together.” He lets go of me, that joyful look on his face. He’s having a good time. I don’t want to ruin it by leaving, by slinking away to the safety of the table.
He leaves me for a moment and goes over to the jukebox. After he picks a song, he turns towards me with a big, goofy smile. He starts singing the song, seeming to know the words.
I listen to the lyrics, but the song isn’t clicking. I find myself smiling again anyway, feeling some second-hand embarrassment for this guy. He, however, doesn’t seem to give a shit.
He’s being silly, walking toward me slowly, head down a bit, eyes locked on me, as he continues to sing.
Wrapping my arms around myself, feeling a bit exposed, I try to make myself smaller, but I don’t move, curious to know what the hell he’s doing.
A laugh bubbles up, and I resist the urge to look around and see if the attention is all on us.
He stops in front of me, continuing to sing. I smile, shaking my head, laughing more.
Then he belts out the chorus of the song, and I recognize the song as one my mom listens to If It Makes You Happy by Sheryl Crow.
My brows jump, and more laughter spills free as Cooper gives it his all. He’s singing at the top of his lungs, arms moving around, head swinging.
When the chorus is done, the song slows down a bit, and he just keeps on going, singing and swaying his body. It’s not really a song you can dance to, but Cooper doesn’t get the memo.
I stand there, unable to stop shaking my head. But the smile finds my face, and I can’t seem to get it to go away.
The chorus comes on again, and he’s just as passionate as before. He’s not bad at signing, but he’s also not good. Definitely can’t hit the high notes to save his life, that’s for sure.
There’s a part when it’s only instrumental, and Cooper closes his eyes, letting his body sway to the music before opening them and grabbing me.
I go with a grunt, shock taking over my face. He grabs my hands, laces them with mine, and starts moving us around. There’s no rhyme or rhythm. I can’t help it. I’m laughing now, my face hurting from smiling.
Cooper’s eyes close again, that boy next door smile takes over his face as we sway to the music.
I’ve never done anything like this before. I don’t even know what the hell we’re doing, but I don’t hate it. I actually kind of love it.
What is wrong with me?
The lyrics come back on, and he returns to singing. He doesn’t let go of me, though, screaming the lyrics in my face, and I’m full-on belly laughing now.
The song starts to fade, but Cooper keeps going for another line or two.
He opens up his eyes and gives me a blinding smile. The whole room breaks out in cheers.
“What did you think?” He wiggles his brows. “Should I make a career out of this?”
“Absolutely not.” I snort. “Keep your day job.”
He pouts. “You’re mean.” He boops me on the nose.
“And you’re drunk.”
“Maybe just a little.” He squints, bringing his thumb and finger up to show me just how much.
“More like this.” I remove his hand from mine and take both of his, holding them out a good foot apart.
“I wanna daaaaaance,” Val cheers, running over to the jukebox. A second later, “Man I Feel Like A Woman” by Shania Twain starts to play.
Cooper’s eyes light up with glee before shifting to something more mischievous. “Let’s go, girls,” he says, holding his hand out.
“Nope.” I laugh. “Not happening.”
He starts to dance, keeping eye contact, singing this song too. This time, Val and Lexie join him, followed by Ellie and Chase.