Chapter 18 #2
Another thing I’ve come to love is the fact that even though we’re dating now, our connection hasn’t changed. We still banter and Cooper still pokes at me in the fun, playful way he does.
It reminds me that Cooper and I were best friends first. To me, that means what we have is something stronger than just a crush on a cute guy, or falling head first, blinded by puppy love.
What we have is genuine and it’s the reason I feel more comfortable to be the real me.
I can be open and honest, worry less about what he might think of me if I mess up or embarrass myself.
Cooper has shown me time and time again that he’d never judge me, never make fun of me, and never make me feel like I’m stupid or weird.
He likes me for me, every odd part. Because of that, I know I truly love this man.
Have I told him that yet? No. I’m too afraid to say it first, because I don’t know if his brain works like mine. He could have intense feelings like love, but not in love.
I’m just happy with the fact that he’s just as crazy about me as I am him. I can wait for him to love me back, just like he waited for me to come to terms with my feelings.
***
“So, Thanksgiving is this week.” Nina mentions randomly at lunch. “What’s everyone's plan?”
“We’re having a big dinner at my place like every year,” Ellie says. “Looking forward to it, but also not. So many people in the house can be overwhelming, especially with two small kids and a baby.”
“Mom and I are having a girls weekend away,” Val says, leaning over and taking another grape from my fruit cup. She grins at me before popping it into her mouth. “My stepbrothers all have something to do with their own families. I’m the only one who's single.” She pouts.
“Give it a few weeks and you won’t be,” Lexie says. “I’m in the same boat as Ellie. Big family dinner. The only difference is, I don’t like most of my family.”
Tabitha snorts. “You know, you could come to my place again if it gets too crazy.”
“Oh!” Lexie’s eyes light up. “Yes. Let’s do that.”
“How about you, Cooper?” Nina presses. I glare at my sister. Sneaky little shit.
“Not sure. We’re not big on Thanksgiving since my mom passed.
” Cooper plays with the string on my hoodie.
I’m sitting on his lap with his arms wrapped around me.
He’s pressed up against my back with his head on my shoulder, yet somehow he’s still not close enough.
“Sometimes I go to Ellie’s if Dad has to work, or is out with his buddies. ”
“Well, if you’re not doing anything then you should come to our grandparents place with us,” Nina suggests.
My stomach sinks as soon as the question is out of her.
“Is that something you want, Blake?” Cooper murmurs in my ear, making me shiver.
Turning my head just enough to look at him, I answer, “I don’t want you to feel like you have to say yes.”
The corner of his lips kick up. “That’s not what I asked you. Do you want me to go with you?”
“I mean, yeah,” I grumble.
“Then I’ll go,” Cooper says.
“You will?” Warmth fills me as excitement spreads.
“I’d much rather be spending the holiday with you and your family than at home alone eating takeout.”
“Perfect.” Nina grins. “Then it’s settled.”
I could both strangle and hug my sister right now.
When lunch is over, everyone heads off in their own direction. Cooper stands to put our trays away and I use the opportunity to talk to Nina. “What the hell was that?” I hiss.
“You should be thanking me, big brother.” She beams up at me. “If it wasn’t for me he wouldn’t be coming, since you’re too much of a chicken shit to ask. You spend all your time together. Why wouldn’t you think he’d want to come?”
“Because this is a holiday,” I mutter. “Time to spend with your family.”
“And in a way, he’s family, right? He’s not just some random boy you brought home. He’s the man you’re in loveeeee with,” she teases me.
“Stop,” I growl, looking around to see if Cooper is in ear shot.
“You haven’t told him?” Nina gapes at me. “You’ve been dating close to a month now.”
“Remember when you called me a chicken shit?” I mutter. “That’s why.”
“Oh, my sweet big brother. You’re going to make that poor ray of sunshine say it first, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” I narrow my eyes.
“Baby steps.” She nods. “Anyway, gotta run. I’ll drive with mom. You take yours or Cooper’s car so you two can have some alone time before you hardly get a chance to be alone.”
I pout at the fact that I won’t be able to be all over Cooper on this trip. My mom told my grandparents I was dating him, and they’re happy for me, but I want to be respectful.
“What time do we leave?” Cooper asks, joining me as Nina leaves.
“Pretty much right after school. It’s a four hour drive. So we can go home, pack a bag and then leave.”
“Sounds good to me.”
***
The drive has been oddly fun. I’m not a big fan of long drives in the dark, but Cooper seems to be a confident driver, so he offered to drive.
We’ve talked about the most random, silly things, listened to music and sang along. Before we know it, we’re pulling up to my grandparent’s place.
“Is there anything I should know before going in there?” Cooper asks.
“Not really. They’re pretty chill people. Very friendly and chatty. You’ll get along great.”
“Perfect.” He grins.
We grab our bags and head to the front door. Mom and Nina are already here, beating us by an hour.
We may have had a delay when it came to leaving, in the form of Cooper grinding his cock against mine through our clothes, on my bed as we made out.
Being the amazing boyfriend he is, just as I was about to cum, he pulled down my pants and took my cock into his mouth, making sure there was no mess to be made.
Then he jerked off into his hand and cleaned up before we left. I wanted to repay the favor, I’m not that confident yet.
With every physical interaction, though, I find myself getting bolder. I’m more than okay with Cooper doing whatever he pleases to me, I even encourage it. He knows what he’s doing. I do not.
“Come on, boyfriend.” Cooper winks when he opens the door for me. “Time to go charm the pants off your grandparents.”
Chuckling, I take his hand and he begins dragging me in the direction of the front door. “Like that’s going to be hard for you. Just be yourself and you’ll do just fine.”
“Ahhhh. Careful, Latte Boy. Keep talking like that and I might think you have the hots for me.” He grins, grabbing my chin and titling it up just enough for him to lean in and press a kiss to my lips. My eyes flutter closed and like every time he touches me, my body sings with joy.
“Too late,” I murmur against his lips.
“Oh Jim! Look at them. They’re so cute!”
The sound of my grandmother’s voice has my head whipping to the side. My grandparents are standing at the door, watching me kiss my boyfriend.
My cheeks start to burn and I wish the ground would open me up and swallow me whole.
“Blake, honey, don’t be rude, introduce us!” Grandma says eagerly.
“Yeah, Blake.” Grandpa grins. “We wanna meet the man that made our grumpy boy happy.”
“Oh god.” I groan, turning to bury my face into Cooper’s chest.
Cooper laughs. “Yeah, Blakey Poo. Let’s go meet your grandparents.”
“I hate you,” I grumble, staring at him with a death glare.
“I think it’s the opposite actually.” His voice is lower, a bit of heat in his eyes. “I know it is for me.”
My heart starts to race. What does he mean by that? Is he just saying he likes me a lot, or... he loves me?
Relax, Blake, stop overthinking every little thing.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with.” I sigh heavily, grabbing his hand and tugging him closer to the house. “Grandma, Grandpa, this is Cooper, my boyfriend.” I shove Cooper in front of them.
“It’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Rosa, and this is Jim.”
“Thank you for having me.” Cooper gives them his best boy-next-door smile. “I’m excited to meet you.”
“It’s no trouble at all. You’re welcome here. Now, come, come. I made cookies.”
“Cookies?” Cooper’s eyes light up. “Sorry, Blake, I think I’m in love with your grandma now.”
“Watch it, boy,” My grandpa warns playfully. “I might be old, but I’d still go down with a fight for my woman.”
“Can we go inside now?” I grumble.
“Huh.” Grandpa grins. “Guess it was a short lived moment.”
“What was?”
“Your smile.” Grandpa chuckles.
“Don’t worry, Papa, Blake will be smiling up a storm before you know it. Just wait until Cooper isn’t watching and he’ll be staring at him like a stalker.” Nina calls out from inside.
“I’m done,” I growl, darting inside. “And I hate you,” I mutter to Nina as I pass.
“Love you, too!”
Cooper follows my grandparents into the house. Cooper and my grandpa are already chatting about cars.
Grandma goes back to helping Mom with whatever they were baking when we got here.
I stand back and observe, a small smile forming. Watching Cooper get along so well with all the important people in my life has me falling in love with him even more. I’m not sure why I was so worried about having him here.
***
I’m reminded why I was so worried about having him here. I’m fighting for my life, but thankfully no one seems to notice.
Watching Cooper fit in so easily with my family is a turn on I never expected.
“You okay?” Cooper asks as we say goodnight to everyone and head toward the spare room Cooper is sleeping in.
Not sure why they won’t let us sleep in the same bed, it’s not like we’re having sex.
Yet. And I wouldn’t do it in my grandparent’s place anyway.
“I’m fine,” I tell him. “Just thinking.”
“About what?” he asks as we step into his room.
“About you.” I bite my lower lip.
“Ohhh, about me. Wanna share some details?” He wiggles his brows.
“Maybe having you here wasn’t a good idea,” I mutter, leaning against the door frame.
His face drops. “What?”