Chapter 11 #2
His head snaps up, eyes wide. “You’re not pathetic, stupid, or a loser, okay?
Sure, you’re prickly around the edges, but I like that about you.
You’re fun to be around, you’re a good person, and you deserve all the friends in the world.
Your past is in the past. That’s not who you are, or how things are now. Right?”
His lips part, chest rising and falling quickly. He nods his head. “Yeah,” he mutters. “Right.”
“Now, enough talking bad about my best friend.” I shove at his shoulder lightly, and the soft laugh he rewards me with is everything. “Let’s go swimming. I can show off my amazing diving skills.”
“Oh god,” he groans. “This is going to be a long night.”
***
“Cannonball!” I shout before launching myself into the pool.
The girls scream as I go under, laughing as the water splashes them. Swimming to the surface, I wipe the water from my face and grin at Blake.
“Impressive, right?”
Blake laughs, shaking his head. “Those are your amazing diving skills? Golden Boy, I’m afraid they’re lacking.”
“You take that back.” I gasp in mock hurt. “I’m the best!”
“You’re something, alright,” he laughs, and that smile. God, that smile.
I’m not sure why I thought going swimming with Blake was a good idea. If I wasn’t thinking about Blake all the time before, I sure as hell will be now.
The man's body... it’s a work of art. That hoodie was really hiding a lot of him. I know I saw him without a shirt that morning when I was hungover as hell, but now, with a clear mind and a lot longer to look? Pure sin. So damn mouthwatering. And his bulge? He’s big for not even being hard.
I’ve been trying my best to keep my distance from him, but it’s hard. So damn hard.
“You’re just jealous,” I huff, my eyes locked on the drop of water running down his nose. I want to lean in and lick it off.
“Of what?” He laughs.
“That you can’t make as big of a splash as me, baby.” I lift my arm and flex before kissing the muscle.
“Careful, your jock is showing. Don’t want to go and get a big head now, do you?”
“Trust me, baby, I already got a big head.” I wink.
And yup, I opened my big mouth. I knew I shouldn’t have had that beer with Jax.
“You sure all this cocky, big man talk isn’t just you compensating for the fact that your head is tiny?” He grins, surprising the hell out of me by making a joke out of it.
“Oh.” I shake my head. “Oh, you’ve done it now.” I lunge for him, with a grin of my own.
His smile drops as he turns. “Oh fuck.”
Too late. I dive on top of him, making the two of us go down. Wrapping my arms around him, I pull him up to the surface.
“You’re going to pay for that.” I laugh as Blake splutters, shaking his head to get the water out of his face.
“You’re playing dirty.” I let go of him enough for him to spin in my arms.
“Nah.” My voice lowers, my heart pounding harder in my chest than it has any right to. “I’d never do you like that.”
We’re close. So damn close. His pupils dilate, his breathing just as heavy as mine.
There’s a part of me that begs for him to lean in and kiss me. Because I want to kiss him so damn bad.
He doesn’t kiss me, but he doesn’t move either.
Tabitha’s question pops into my head. She asked me the other day if Blake and I were dating. I told her no and asked her why she thought that.
She said she could see a spark between the two of us. When I told her Blake is demisexual, she smiled, shook her head, and laughed, reminding me just how much I didn’t know. She confided in me that she is demisexual, too.
She said that when she finds herself attracted to someone, it’s because of who they are, the bond she makes with them, and the connection she feels.
After seeing how things are between Blake and me, she said she wouldn’t be surprised if Blake has feelings for me as well.
I guess my feelings for him were written all over my face, because she also broke the news that every single one of my friends knows I’m crushing hard on this man, without even having to say a word.
Does Blake know? Can he see it? Does he feel the same way, or is he afraid to turn me down and hurt my feelings?
With the way he’s looking at me right now, I’m feeling far too much hope than I should allow myself to feel.
“Hey, you two!” Val calls out, breaking the moment. Blake takes a step back, looking over to Val.
I send her a death glare that I hope she can see. He might have kissed me! Damn it, Val.
“You want a burger or steak?”
“Ah, burger is fine,” Blake calls back.
“Steak,” I answer.
“Coming right up!” She heads back over to the grill.
“Ah, we should go get changed before eating,” Blake says, moving towards the ladder.
“Yeah,” I agree, hating the bite of disappointment I feel.
Once we are out of the water, Blake heads into the pool house. Grabbing my towel, I wrap it around my shoulders and sit on the edge of my deck chair.
“Hey.” Tabitha sits down next to me. “How you doing?” There’s a hint of humor in her voice.
“I wanted him to kiss me so bad.” I groan into my hands.
“I could tell,” she laughs. “If it helps, I think he might have if Val didn’t step in.”
“You think?” My head snaps up, excitement thrums through my body.
“I mean, I can’t speak for Blake, but I see the way he looks at you, and I saw what happened in the pool. I think he likes you. I just don’t know if he’s realized that yet.”
“So what do I do?”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. Keep being a good friend and a safe place for him. Most of all, be patient. I remember the first time I developed feelings for someone. It’s thrilling, but it’s also scary and can be confusing. Don’t rush, don’t push. Just be there.”
“Okay.” I nod. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“You really do like him, don’t you?” She gives me a soft smile.
“More than I’ve ever liked anyone in my life.” I sigh. “There’s something different about him. At first, he comes off cold and closed off, and he has every reason to be that way. But when he opened up, when he showed me who he really is, fucking hell, Tabby, I didn’t stand a chance.”
“Damn it, Coop. I think you’re in love.” She laughs, bumping my arm.
“I think so too.” And while the feeling is amazing, it’s also terrifying. What if Blake doesn’t feel the same way about me, and never does?
It’s not a deal breaker for me. I’m not going to stop being his friend. How would I move on, though, and find someone else, when he’s always going to be in my life? At least I hope he will be.
“You’re overthinking, Cooper. Breathe. Relax. Don’t think too far ahead. Live in the moment and see where it goes.”
“I’ll try.”
Blake steps out of the pool house, his hoodie and jeans back on, hair still damp from the pool.
He looks at Tabby and me. “Hey.”
Tabby stands and pats my back. “I’m going to see if the food is ready.”
“You good?” Blake asks me when Tabby leaves.
“I’m perfect.” I jump to my feet. “Hungry though.” I pat my belly.
“It’s been what, thirty minutes since you last ate?” Blake jokes. “Yeah, I’d say you’re seconds from withering away.”
“You’re making fun of me, but it’s true.” I pout.
“Come on.” He chuckles, slipping his arm through mine and tugging me toward the grill. “Let’s get you fed before you starve.”
I’m totally not freaking out like a teenage girl because my crush is touching me right now. Nope, not at all.
For the rest of the night, we mingle with our friends. Blake fussed over me like a mother hen, demanding I get changed before I get sick. I loved it. Wanting to make him happy, even though it takes a lot to make me cold, I got dressed.
He’s been at my side ever since I came back. So close that our knees are inches apart.
Tabby keeps giving me knowing looks, and every time Blake fuses over me, she huffs out a small laugh.
It’s adorable, really.
“I can’t take you anywhere,” he grumbles, reaching over to clean the mustard from my face after I went back for a third burger, after the steak. “I’m surprised you’re not wearing more of it.”
“Thanks.” I chuckle as that warm, gooey feeling takes hold again.
People are watching now, just subtle glances. I give Chase a look, telling him not to say a fucking word. He just grins, winks, and goes back to talking to Rain.
The night winds down, and everyone says their goodbyes.
“Thanks for bringing me,” Blake says. “It was fun.”
“Of course.” I smile at him as we pull away from the house. “So, what are you doing tomorrow?”
“Nothing, why?” He looks over at me, brows pulled together.
“Wanna hang out?”
“I thought you had to work?”
“I do.” I huff out a laugh. “But it’s going to be a slow day, so we can still hang out. Maybe I can teach you something else about cars.”
He looks away, a small smile forming on his lips. “Sure. I guess.”
“Awesome.” I grin wide like an idiot, turning in the direction of my place.
“Wait, I live that way.” Blake points behind us.
“I know.” I shoot him a grin. “I gotta wake up at six. Thought it would be easier if you just slept over.”
“You want me to sleep over?” His brows jump.
“I mean, yeah. If you’re cool with that? If not, I can bring you home.”
“No, it’s okay. Yeah. Um, sleepover. Yeah, we can do that.” He trips over his words, and god, it’s so damn cute.
“Perfect. We can shower this chlorine off, then play a few rounds of Mario Kart before bed. You can borrow something of mine to wear.”
“Okay.” His eyes dart towards mine. I grin, shooting him a wink. And the blush that never fails makes its way onto his cheeks.
I’m far too excited about this sleepover with Blake. I know nothing is going to happen, I’m just happy I don’t have to say goodbye to him tonight.
Now, what I wasn't thinking about was the sleeping arrangement.
I’d gladly sleep on the floor and give him the bed.