Chapter 20
Blake
“Blakey Poo!” Val sing-songs as she skips over to where Cooper and I as we walk toward the building for our first class of the day.
We just got back from getting breakfast and coffee like we always do. It’s a part of our daily routine at this point.
“You know, when we first met and she was pretty much kidnapping me off the side of the highway, I thought she was crazy. Like really batshit crazy,” I tell Cooper.
He snorts out a laugh. “Yeah, I could see that. She kind of is. But in the kindest way.”
“Now, I honestly couldn’t see my life without her. Without any of them really.”
Cooper stops and spins around to face me, with a massive smile that splits his face from ear to ear that has me groaning. “Has my angry kitten grown a soft spot?” His voice is filled with amusement.
“Shut up.” I roll my eyes. “Of course you love this.”
“I do!” He chuckles. “You love my friends, don’t you?”
“They’re our friends,” I grumble, shooting him a glaring look.
I’m not sure how he does it, but somehow he smiles wider. “Yeah they are.”
My cheeks flush with nervous embarrassment.
No matter what, I can’t seem to accept positive things from anyone without feeling embarrassed, especially Cooper.
It’s something I’m slowly accepting that I deserve.
Sometimes there's this little part of me that tries to convince myself that I’m not worthy of their friendship, but I’ve been working on that self negativity.
When I don’t want to worry Cooper, I’ll talk it through with Davis and Rylee. They’ve been an amazing support system through all of the new changes in my life. And a great hype team.
They love Cooper, even though they’ve never met him. They think he’s good for me and that means a lot.
Sadly, as time goes by, their lives have been getting busier and we don’t get to chat as often as we used to.
I felt bad, because I thought I was too preoccupied with Cooper and was ignoring the two people who have been there for me the most in my life when I needed them.
But they assured me that I had nothing to feel guilty about, because they’re starting new chapters in their lives, too. Davis got a new job that has pretty much taken up all his time and Rylee is going on a spontaneous backpacking tour through Europe with her girlfriend.
We still check in as much as we can, and chat when someone needs the other the most.
It’s been a bit of an adjustment having people in my life, people who want to spend time with me and who like me for me. It’s become a lot more of a blessing than I ever thought it would.
I feel myself changing, but in a good way.
The girls have given me a trust in friendship I never believed I’d ever have and Cooper has forced me to see myself in a different light. That I am worthy of being loved, having friends, and being happy.
And every time those dark thoughts sneak their way back in, he seems to know exactly what to do to ease them away.
“How's my favorite couple?” Val bats her eyelashes.
“What do you want?” Cooper asks.
She gasps. “What do you mean? I’m just saying hi to my besties.”
“We’re great.” Cooper chuckles. “So, what do you want?”
Val lets out a heavy sigh. “Okay, fine. But I really do wanna know how you’re doing.”
“Mhhm,” Cooper hums, trying not to laugh.
“You know your friend,” Val asks me. “The one you tutor?”
“Bailey? Yeah, what about her?”
“Soooo, she’s into girls right?”
My brows shoot up and I cast Cooper a look.
“Val, don’t just assume people's sexual preference.”
“I’m not!” Val throws her hands up. “I saw Tabitha and her hanging out the other day at the coffee shop. And when Tabitha met up with us, she seemed pretty happy.”
“Oh.” I can’t help but smile.
“You know something,” Val gasps. “Spill!”
“I don’t want to assume anything.” I rub the back of my head, remembering the way Bailey was smiling at her phone the last time we were at the library.
I thought she was looking at a funny video or something, so when I peeked to see what it was, I found her looking at Tabitha’s Instagram. “But I can tell you she is into girls.”
“Do you think she would be into Tabitha?” Val’s eyes light up.
“We are not trying to set Tabby up,” Cooper insists. “You know she hates that.”
“I know. I know,” Val whines. “But I also know I haven’t seen her smile that big before. Something is going on between them and I want to find ways for the two of them to hang out more. That brings me to my question.” Val grins. “Can you invite her to the football game tonight?”
“Val,” I groan.
“Pleaseeee. She’s your friend. So it’s not like it would be out of the blue if you invited her, would it? I promise I won’t push the two of them to talk or anything, okay?”
“I mean, I can ask. But I’m not going to pressure her to come.”
“Perfect.” She grins. “Love you!” She leans in and kisses me on the cheek.
“Hey, paws off my man,” Cooper says playfully, pulling me into his arms.
I can’t help but get a giddy feeling in the pit of my stomach at his possessiveness. Maybe it’s wrong of me, but I love the fact he gets jealous sometimes. Makes me feel less like a crazy person, because I do the same.
“I found him first.” Val rolls her eyes.
“And I’m keeping him for good. I trump you,” he says smugly.
“Yeah, yeah.” She waves him off. “See you tonight. And don’t forget!” She turns around and takes off towards two guys walking by. She giggles and loops her arms through theirs as they walk away.
“I love you, you know that.” Cooper spins me around and kisses me.
I sigh happily, melting into his touch. I know it’s pathetic, but every time he says those three words, I have to hold myself back from crying.
The overwhelming love I have for this man is some of the most powerful emotion I’ve ever felt.
“I love you too.” I smile up at him. His smile has my heart racing just a little bit faster.
I’ll never get tired of this. To think I believed I’d never have this kind of love for myself. I’m glad I didn’t let that come true.
***
I texted Bailey and asked if she wanted to go to the football game with me and my friends. I’m a little surprised she said yes. I haven’t hung out with her outside of our tutoring sessions and work, but she’s quickly become a good friend.
The best way to describe her is a mix between Lexie and Val. She speaks what's on her mind, but she’s more controlled about it. She’s nice, funny and fun to be around.
I can’t help but be amused by the fact that all my friends, apart from Davis, are girls.
I get along okay with Ellie’s guys, but Brody’s kind of scary.
Theo is a nice man, but he intimidates me.
I mean, he’s the dean of the school. It will never not be weird hanging out at his place. At least until we graduate.
Jax is nice, but he’s kind of a quiet person. If I’m not around someone who’s going to push me to talk, I won’t. So we just sit there in awkward silence.
Chase is pretty cool. He’s pretty much a male version of Val.
Still, the girls have kind of taken me under their wing. In Val’s words, they adopted me.
“I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas,” Ellie says as we wait for the football game to start. “It feels like the school year just started.” She smiles over at me. “We’re graduating in only a few months. It’s crazy.”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “Feels like the past few months flew by.” It really did.
Cooper and I have been dating for almost two months now. Somehow, it feels so much longer. With him, everything just feels comfortable. Like he’s my happy place. He’s become a big part of my everyday life and every new day is one I’m excited for.
Sadly, that's not something I could say a few months ago.
It’s nice to have my life changing for the better for once.
“What are your plans?” Lexie asks me.
A small smile forms on my lips. “Cooper is going to spend Christmas Eve with his dad, then the two of them are coming over to our place for supper. My grandparents are coming over too.” They adore Cooper. Couldn’t stop saying good things about him.
Wonder if they would think the same way if they knew what we did outside their house, in Cooper’s car?
It’s not the first time it’s happened, doing things in Cooper’s car.
We started driving out to his secret spot and it’s not stargazing we’re doing.
At least not until we’re both drained of cum and our bones are like jelly.
Then we get dressed and lay on the hood of his car, cuddling as music plays in the background.
It’s become a weekly date night for us. If you can call it a date.
The two of us can hardly keep our hands off one another. After the first time we had sex, it feels like neither of us can get enough. I’m not complaining. That man knows how to work his hands and do wonderful things with his cock. And his mouth? Heavenly.
Calling me a sex addict might be a little dramatic, but it’s not far off.
No, not a sex addict. I’m addicted to the man I’m having sex with. There's a difference.
“I’m glad Cooper has someone to spend Christmas with.
” Ellie’s face is kind. “You’re good for him, Blake.
You really are. Thank you for making my best friend so happy.
I love him, you know? And I just want the best for him.
And you are that. I’m so happy he found someone to love and be loved by. He deserves it.”
I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. “It’s not a big deal,” I mutter, looking away, because I can’t handle compliments too well.
She places her hand on my knee. “It really is. Thank you.”
Thankfully, I don’t have time to be embarrassed for too long, since the football team comes running out onto the field.
It’s the last game until the new year. We need to win this one to make it to the playoffs next month.