Say You Won't Let Go Google(11)

“Really?” Her voice goes an octave higher and shifts to excitement. “I know he’s out of town, but I didn’t know he was near you.”

“Yeah, and…” I pause, trying to get my courage. “Well, we…we…we kind of hooked up or I don’t know.”

“Oh my God!” Grace screeches. “She’s fine, Trent. Go away.” She yells and then covers the phone.

I can hear her yelling at him and telling him to leave her be, which makes me giggle. They’re so funny together.

“Sorry, he thought something happened with these letters. So, how was it? Do you think there’s somethin’ there? Are you guys, like, together? Oh, Emmy! Spill it! I need details. Ahh, I’m so happy!”

She really is. There’s no weirdness, not that there really should be since all they’ve ever shared was one really bad kiss. Still, I don’t know… There’s something about dating your friend’s ex that feels like betrayal. Even though Grace knows how I’ve felt about him for a year now. One night when I was visiting Mama, I got shitfaced and spilled how I really felt about Cooper to Grace and Presley, who were overjoyed. Grace insisted that Coop felt the same but was too afraid I’d turn him down. Funny that we were both worried about the same thing.

When I saw him, it was like all the tension that I thought I had dissipated came roaring back.

Only it didn’t just bubble, it boiled over.

I flop back on the bed and blow a long breath out. “I don’t know what we are. But he was in Dallas and came to the show. He came back to the bus, and it just happened. Then we spent the whole day together again, and I can’t explain it.”

“Did you sleep with him?”

I wish. “No, we spent two nights talkin’ and makin’ out. And then we explored Dallas. It was crazy, Grace. It’s nuts that I spent all night thinking of him, wishin’ he was with me. It’s insane that I want to get a car and drive back to Dallas, right?”

“What do you think?” Grace answers a question with a question.

I hate that.

I groan. “I think a year’s worth of squashing feelings has just been let out. The sparks between us were instant, and being with him was so easy. It is truly the way you describe bein’ with Trent.”

“If it’s easy, then it’s right. You’ve liked him for a while. And I know he’s liked you for just as long. I guess the question is, what are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know.”

Grace huffs. “You know, if I remember correctly, you’re the one who told me to stop bein’ stupid not too long ago. Don’t you think you should do the same and go after the first guy you’ve actually shown interest in since college? Cooper isn’t just some guy.”

She’s right. This is totally different. This isn’t just some guy… He could be so much more.

A knock at the door stops me from answering. One of the roadies opens the door with a big bouquet of roses. “Emily Young?”

“That’s me.” I smile. “Are those for me?”

“Sure are.”

“Oh, Grace! I just got two dozen roses!” I take the card from the holder and grin.

“Cooper?” she asks with excitement.

I read the card: A flower for every kiss I plan to share with you.

“I think so. Whoever it was didn’t sign the card.” I clutch the words to my chest and grin. It has to be from him.

“Well, he’s very romantic and a good guy,” Grace replies. Trent’s voice echoes in the back. “Em, the baby woke up, and Trent doesn’t have boobs.”

I laugh. “Okay, kiss Hannah for me.”

“I will. Love you! Call him!”





Chapter Five


Cooper



“Well, well, well, Wade Rycroft as I live and breathe.” I clap his shoulder, and he stands.

Wade grips my hand and shakes. “Cooper Townsend. I heard you were in town.”

“Yeah, just a few days. I was hopin’ to run into you. I’m here for the new expo. How are you, man? How’s your family?”

Our families have known each other for a long time, and our fathers are good friends. They were both young ranchers who met at an auction and stayed in touch. Wade and I bonded over the years in the rodeo circuit. He was better than I was. I’ll never tell him that, though.

I grab the seat next to him at the small bar I found by the hotel. Today was draining, and I had to fight myself not to drive to Houston to see Emily. So, instead of staring at the white walls in my room, I opted for a drink.

“You know my brothers, they’re the same. Rowdy as fuck and always in trouble.”

“Yeah.” I laugh. “As much as I wish I had brothers to help run the ranch, I’m glad it was just Presley most of the time.”

“Family.”

“Exactly. You still in the Army? I didn’t know you were back in town.”

Wade drains the beer in front of him and shakes his head. “Nope. I’m out.”

“Well, thank you for your service.”

He lets out a short laugh and motions to the bartender for another beer. She returns quickly with another round for both of us.

“How’s the ranch?”