“Thank you. I could use another round after I relieve my bladder.”
“Already got you covered. The second round is waiting for you on the nightstand.”
“Can you go to the bathroom for me too?”
“Let me guess. The room is spinning?”
I swallow hard, fighting off nausea. “Yep.”
“It’s like pulling off a Band-Aid. Get it over with, and then you’ll feel better.”
“That’s easy for you to say. I hate throwing up.”
“Come on, drunk girl.” I feel the bed dip and hear his feet hit the floor. “I held your hair back last night. What’s once more?” I hear from my opposite side.
“I’m sorry.” Slowly I peek one eye open. Nothing bad happens, so I peel the other open as well. The room is still spinning, so I try to focus on Cooper.
His eyes are soft as he stares down at me. “Nothing to be sorry for. I’ve always got you, Reese.” With that, he holds out his hand and helps me sit up. “Can you walk? I can carry you.”
“Number two, please.”
“Up you go,” he says as he bends and scoops me in his arms. His long strides carry us to the bathroom, where he gently sets me on my feet. “You need my help?”
I look down at the T-shirt and sweats I’m wearing. I recognize them as his. “Did you give me these?”
He nods. “I helped you change.” There’s something in his voice that I can’t decipher. My head is too foggy, and the nausea is overpowering.
Oh, God. Embarrassment washes over me. I think back to getting ready yesterday. Did my bra and panties match? Not that it matters. Cooper doesn’t see me that way, but it would make me feel better if they did. My stomach rolls, and I’m going to be sick. Dropping to my knees, I crawl to the toilet just in time to lose the contents of my stomach.
I keep my eyes closed as I groan and wait for my body to revolt yet again. I feel Cooper gather my hair and hold it off to the side, as his hand soothingly traces up and down my spine. Neither of us says a word, but then again, we don’t need to. We know each other well enough that he knows I’m embarrassed. I’m embarrassed, but grateful it’s him here with me. Taking care of me like he’s always done.
“You good?” he asks.
“I think so. I really need a shower.”
“I’ll go grab your bag.” He releases his grip on my hair, gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze, and leaves me alone.
I manage to fall back on my ass and lift his T-shirt and pull his sweats away from my body. I heave a sigh of relief that my undies not only match but were sexy. Not that it matters to him, but like I said, it makes me feel better.
“Reese,” he calls through the closed door. “Okay if I come in?”
“Yeah.”
He smiles when he sees me with my back resting against the tub. “Here.” He steps into the small bathroom and hands me a bottle of water and two tablets.
“My hero.” He just shakes his head.
“Here’s your bags.” He sets the bag I packed with clothes and the toiletry bag I leave here for nights I stay over.
“Thanks, Coop.”
“You good? You need me to help you?”
I wish. “No, I’m good. Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
“I’m going to go see what I can wrangle you for breakfast that won’t sour your stomach. I’ll be downstairs.”
“What are we doing today?”
“What do you want to do today?” he counters.
“A whole lot of nothing.”
He laughs. “We can make that happen, Reese’s Pieces. I’ll be downstairs. Oh, I almost forgot.” He pulls my phone out of his back pocket. “Here. Call if you need me.” With that, he turns and walks out.
I remain where I am on the floor, propped up against the tub until I feel like I can actually move. Slowly, I climb to my feet. Reaching out, I lock the door, and then strip out of his clothes, but not before smelling them. They smell just like him, and well, alcohol, so sadly, they must go.
I wish I could remember more of last night. He’s seen me in bathing suits, but what I had on last night left little to the imagination. Did he like what he saw? I mean, he is a guy, but apparently not enough to act on it. Sure, he wouldn’t take advantage of me, but today… today he could have acted on it. That’s merely wishful thinking on my part.
I spend some time in the shower, just standing under the hot spray. It helps to wake me up and wash away the fog of my hangover. I can’t believe I drank that much. Never again. I’m never drinking that much ever again. I hate feeling like this. What’s worse is what could have happened had Cooper not been here to take care of me. Then again, I wouldn’t have even considered it if he weren’t. I knew he had me, just like he knows I always have him. That’s what best friends are for.