Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(11)

“Things change, Kate,” I told her. “When you want something bad enough, it’s hard to just let it walk away. Over the past year, I gave up because I was too f*cked up to even try. Not anymore, though. When I want something I’m going to go for it, and when I see it I’m going to take it.”

We pulled into the parking lot of the practice field and I shut off my car, the tension in the air crackling like fire. When I turned to look at her, it was like her stormy gray gaze could see right through me. There were a shit ton of things I wanted, but nothing as much as leaning forward to kiss those lips of hers.

With her breaths coming fast and low, she licked her dry lips and shook her head. “Cooper, we can’t.”

Bending over the center console, I glanced down at her lips and murmured low, “Yes we can, Kate, and I’m going to make sure we do.”

She didn’t move, only stared wide-eyed at me as I came closer. Something over my shoulder caught her attention and she abruptly backed away, fidgeting in her seat. “Okay, now’s definitely not a good time to discuss this. The others just showed up, and the last thing I need is to explain what I was doing in your car, about to kiss you.”

So she was going to let me kiss her.

Almost immediately, she opened her door and slid out, racing over to the others who all smiled and surrounded her. I wonder how many of them tried to get with her, too. Grabbing my bag out of the back seat, I took a deep breath and opened my door.

Kate waved me over, and I assumed the guy standing beside of her was her brother; he had the same blond hair and gray eyes as her. Kate nervously glanced back and forth between us. “Evan, this is Cooper. Cooper, this is my brother, Evan. I trust that you all will play nice.”

I held out my hand and Evan firmly gripped it with a sly smile on his face. “Of course, you have nothing to worry about. I’m sure me and the guys will make him feel … at home.”

I bet, I thought to myself.

Shaking her head, Kate lifted her brows and rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you will,” she mumbled sarcastically before walking away. “Okay, well I hope you all have fun, but I have some things to do. Try not to get hurt today.”

Glancing at me quickly, she strolled off across the field toward my uncle. “Kate,” I called, catching up to her.

Nervously, she turned around. “Yes?”

Taking her hand, I opened her fingers and placed my keys on her palm, closing her hand around them. “We can finish up our conversation later.”

“Cooper, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” she whispered. “The guys are already watching you like a hawk. It wouldn’t end well for you.”

“I think I’ll take my chances.”

Putting my keys in her purse, she held up her hands in defeat. “I can see it now … you’re going to be a bad influence on me, aren’t you?”

When all I did was wink, she turned on her heel and groaned before marching off toward Joel. “You know you’re wasting your time, right?” Evan remarked, coming up beside me. His arms were crossed at the chest as he glared protectively at his sister. “She has strict rules about dating the guys on the team; she doesn’t do it. She’s broken many hearts by turning them down, and I know she’s not changing her ways for you. Sorry, dude, but you might want to consider another female if all you want is to score a touchdown under the sheets.”

“That’s not what this is about.”

Clapping me on the shoulder, he scoffed, “I don’t believe that for a second. Now come on and show us what you got. We have a lot of work to do.”

Yes, I do, and it doesn’t involve playing on the field.





Driving Cooper’s car was almost like driving my Jeep, except his was a lot nicer. I felt strange leaving in his car, but he smiled at me when I left while my brother looked on in confusion. I was going to have a lot of questions to answer when I got back.

Today happened to be the anniversary of Scott’s death; it was exactly two years ago. Trying to keep it together in front of everyone wasn’t easy, but I was trying. I prayed that things would be different this year, and so far I was in the clear. You see, Scott wasn’t the only one who haunted my dreams … his family did as well. They liked to give me reminders that it was my fault Scott was gone.

Last year, the anniversary landed on a Sunday, so I was able to stay at home and drown my sorrows with a bottle of vodka. At least that way, when I got the threatening phone calls I was too oblivious to even care. I wonder what they’ll say to me this year.

My friend, Lara, was a good distraction, which was why I wanted to meet her. She accepted my invitation for lunch at this quaint little tea room that I loved going to with my mother when I was a child. They had the best poppy seed muffins and strawberry butter, along with the best chicken salad I’d ever tasted. All in all, it was a ploy to get my mind off of everything.

When I walked into the restaurant she was already seated and looking through the menu. “Hey, girl,” I said, bending down to give her a hug. I took the seat across from her and smiled. “Thank you for meeting me for lunch.”

“It’s my pleasure. Besides, I know what today is and I figured you could use all of the happiness you can get.”

“You got that right.”

Lara was my age, and also my neighbor; I had no idea she lived alone until we ran into each other on the street one day. She had long, golden blonde hair with dark hazelnut streaks so that people could differentiate between her and her twin sister, Summer. I didn’t talk to her sister much, but they both moved from Atlanta, Georgia and started up a restaurant, The Carolina Tavern. It was my absolute favorite place to eat.