Agony (Entangled Hearts Duet 1)

“I just missed her, that’s all.”

“If you say so. Just think about this. How are you going to feel when he’s more than just her boyfriend? You can’t go pulling her out of the room and disappear with her. You need to listen to your heart. Decide what you want and go after it. I never want you to have any regrets.”

“It’s fine, Dad. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen her. I wanted a minute with her.”

“You keep telling yourself that, and your fists might explode.” He motions to my hands, and I look down to see them tightly gripped at my sides. I release them and stretch out my fingers.

“Ready,” Mom says cheerfully.

“Let’s go home. I’m beat.” I lead them out of the hotel and to my Jeep. The drive to my place is quiet while I think about everything he said. I’ve had people tell us for years they thought we were more. We spent just as much time defending our friendship as we did actually having one. However, it’s never been our families. I’ve never heard my parents talk about Reese and I like that. And Dad telling me they all wanted us to end up together. Have I been wrong all this time? I mean I overheard our mothers a few times. But this… this is different. My heart rate accelerates as I let my mind drift to a dream of living the rest of my life with Reese by my side. She’s all I’ve ever wanted. I always knew, but living without her, well that makes you realize that she’s more than just my best friend. She’s my heart.

At my condo, I say goodnight and disappear into my room. I stare at the ceiling for hours, as thoughts of my time with Reese is on a loop. Every moment I’m dissecting and looking at it from a new angle. I know that I love her, she’s always been special to me. Could we be more than just friends? Grabbing my phone, I flip through pictures of us, and my heart begins to gallop in my chest. Is it finally time for me to admit that I’m in love with my best friend?Chapter 26ReeseIt’s Super Bowl Sunday and the Defenders are playing. I’m bursting with pride for Cooper and his team. They’ve fought hard this season, and they deserve to play this game. They’re playing the Georgia Panthers. Both teams have gone undefeated this year, and it all comes down to tonight’s game. I called Cooper earlier to wish him good luck, but he didn’t answer. That’s why I’m packing my phone like a pistol waiting for him to call me back.

“Waiting on a call?” Hunter asks.

We’re sitting in my parents’ basement with Cooper’s parents and mine, waiting to watch the game. There are a few other friends of our parents who are here as well. The small kitchenette is covered with food and flows over to a small folding table. There are coolers full of beer and any other drink you can think of. My mom and Ann really went all-out to celebrate Cooper’s first Super Bowl. “Yeah, I called Coop, but he didn’t answer. Just wanted to wish him good luck, you know?” I say, smiling up at him.

“I’m sure he’ll call.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips and goes off to talk with Dad and Cooper’s.

Glancing at my phone, willing it to ring, I sigh and slide it in my pocket, but as soon as I do, it vibrates. I can’t contain my smile when I see it’s him. “Hey, you. I was a little worried I wouldn’t get to wish you good luck.”

“Nah, we had a team meeting. You should know I never miss a chance to talk to my good luck charm.”

“You ready for today?”

“Yeah. I wish you were here, and my parents, but I’m ready.”

“I know. You should see my parents’ basement. Our moms went all-out.”

“I wish my parents could have been here.”

“I know your mom was really upset that they couldn’t make it either. They wanted to be there… but your grandma.”

“Yeah, I know. They’re where they need to be. Close to her. How is she? Have you heard today?”

“Yeah, I went to visit her at the hospital with your mom. There’s no change, really. She’s pretty much out of it. I’m not sure she even realizes that we’re there.”

He sucks in a deep breath and slowly exhales. “Thank you for going with her. I’m going to catch a flight this week and come out to visit. Will you be there?” There’s hope in his voice.

“No. I have to go back to work on Tuesday. Hunter and I both took tomorrow off. We knew we would be here late.”

“Hunter’s there?”

“He is.” Silence greets me. “Good luck today, Coop. Not that you need it. You all have kicked ass all season.”