Agony (Entangled Hearts Duet 1)

“It?” I ask him.

“Yeah. You know, the forever and ever, all the bathroom shit, and clothes she wants. Marriage and babies forever.”

“We’re starting our second year of college. We’re not even of legal drinking age yet.” I don’t know why I’m surprised. From the very first meeting, he’s been head over heels for Tessa.

He shrugs. “When you know, you know.”

“I guess so,” I say dismissively. It’s not like he’s going to propose today or anything.

“Don’t knock it until you try it.”

“What’s that?”

“A girlfriend. The one person you can count on no matter what.”

“I have a best friend for that.”

He nods. “For now.”

“What do you mean for now?”

“What are you going to do when she meets someone? What happens when he gets pissed because she decided to drink and spend the night in your bed, curled up in your arms? What’s going to happen then, Cooper?”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Keep telling yourself that, buddy.”

It’s hard for me to imagine a situation where Reese and I aren’t close. That’s just how it’s been and how it will continue to be with us. Our bond is tight.

The dorm room door opens, ending our conversation. “You guys are the best,” Tessa says, wrapping her arms around Nixon’s waist. He bends to kiss the top of her head.

“What she said.” Reese stops to stand next to me. “We got tape.” She holds up the shopping bag with a few fresh rolls of packing tape inside.

“Good. I just used the last of this roll.” Nixon holds up the tape dispenser that is now indeed empty.

“What’s left?” I ask Reese.

“Just the toiletries that we use every day and some clothes, books, and our furniture. I didn’t expect us to be done packing this soon. You guys are packing machines. We can’t move in for two more weeks.”

“Great. Can we go eat now?” Nixon asks. “We’ve been at this for hours.”

“Three hours.” Tessa laughs at her boyfriend.

“I’m starving,” he tells her.

“We just ate before we got here,” Tessa counters.

“It takes fuel for these guns.” He flexes his arms, and she playfully rolls her eyes before looking over at me.

“Are you hungry too?”

“I could eat.” I turn my attention to Reese. “You know what sounds good? A big bowl of your mom’s white chicken chili.”

“My mom’s not here,” Reese replies.

“Come on, Reese. It’s been ages.”

She looks over at Tessa and Nixon. “You all in the mood for white chicken chili?”

“Never had it, but I’m in,” Nixon tells her.

“Looks like we’re going grocery shopping,” Reese says, and I pull her into a hug.

“Why don’t you pack a bag and stay with me tonight?” Nixon asks Tessa.

“You too,” I tell Reese. “I’ll drive and can bring you both back here tomorrow.”

The girls share a look before they both nod and proceed to pack a bag. Once they’re ready, we pile into my Jeep and head to the grocery store.“I don’t know where you came up with that, but I’m damn glad that Cooper talked you into it. That was so damn good,” Nixon tells Reese.

“Her mom used to make it for me all the time when we were growing up. It’s one of my favorites,” I say.

“Yeah, so much so that he asked me and my mom no less than a million times if I was sure I knew how to make it before we left for college.” Reese laughs.

“Sounds like Momma Latham is a good cook,” Nixon comments.

“The best. Reese isn’t the only one I begged to learn how to make it. I used to beg my mom too. Instead, she would call Eve, that’s Reese’s mom, and tell her that her son, meaning Eve’s son, which meant me, needed some white chili.” I smile thinking about it.

“Was your mom mad?” Tessa asks.

“Nah. She and Eve are best friends.”

“So what, your families are super tight?” Nixon asks.

He already knows this, so I’m not sure why he’s asking, but I answer him anyway. “Yeah. Neighbors and best friends, all of us for years now.”

“So, the two of you are kind of destined to be together?” He points his index finger at me and then at Reese. “Reese is literally the girl next door.”

“We’re just friends.” Reese is quick to squash the idea. “And us being neighbors growing up isn’t new news.”

“So,” Nixon sits up straighter on his spot on the loveseat, “you’re telling me that your moms never once suggested that the two of you would end up together?”

I look at Reese to find her looking at me. We both shake our heads. “No.” I pull my eyes from hers, and the look I can’t explain to Nixon. “They know we’re friends.”

“Never?” Tessa asks in disbelief.

“What’s with the inquisition? Our families are, well, like family. Coop and I being together is more like incest,” Reese speaks up.

Tessa gives her a look, but it’s gone before I can decipher it. “Yeah, what she said,” I agree with her. Just because she’s the coolest fucking girl I’ve ever met, and the most beautiful doesn’t mean that we aren’t just friends. I wish people could understand that.