Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(18)

“Congratulations,” I said. “So with racing you’ll be travelling all over the States, right?”

Luke narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, the supercross races start in February. Why do you ask?”

“Well, I thought it would be kind of cool to come watch you race. I’ve never been to one before. Since we’ll be busy with all of the games this fall, it works out perfectly. You travel to the away games, don’t you, Kate?” I asked, tilting my head in her direction.

Pouring another glass of wine, she nodded and took another gulp. “Yeah, I go to all of them. Unless, of course, I absolutely have to stay home for some reason.”

Either she was too engrossed in her wine to notice the jab I made at Luke or she didn’t care. I was starting to think it was the former. Luke, however, snarled his lip and rolled his eyes. While he was at home, Kate would be with me and the team every single weekend until the season was over with. Right now, the ball was in my hands.

“Do you all know what you want to eat?” Lara asked, coming into the room. “I figured the ice had to be broken by now.”

The room fell silent until Kate handed Lara the menu and said, “You know what I want.”

Lara laughed. “Of course, that’s nothing new,” she quipped. Turning, she smiled at me and Luke. “And for you two?”

I ordered the Cooper’s Grilled Chicken because I had to see if it tasted anything like what I used to make back at home. Once Lara got our orders, she disappeared and came back with a basket of bread. From the looks of Kate she needed to eat something; at least to soak up the amount of alcohol she’d consumed.

“Kate, are you okay?” I asked. “Maybe you should eat some bread.”

She laughed just once before downing the rest of her wine. “Trust me, that’s not going to help, but if you’ll excuse me for a moment I’ll be right back.”

After shakily getting to her feet, both Luke and I stood to help her, but she lifted a hand to halt us. “I’m fine, guys. It’s just been a while since I’ve drank this much. I didn’t realize how fast it would hit me.”

She seemed a little preoccupied earlier, but I didn’t want to pry and ask her what was wrong. My whole summer was spent drinking my problems away, and I recognized that look in her eyes as the same one that used to be in mine. When she disappeared from sight, I turned to Luke and asked, “Does she normally drink like this?”

Shaking his head, he kept his concerned gaze on the doorway. “No, never. I don’t know what her problem is tonight. She’s not acting right that’s for sure.”

“Well, for starters, you don’t have to make me look bad to get her to choose you. Kate has more pride in the team than any of the players combined. I’d be careful what you say about them.”

Luke scoffed. “Please, I don’t have to try and make you look bad because you do that yourself. She knows what you are and what you’re like. There’s no competition here. She’s mine and that’s it.”

What a cocky bastard.

“We’ll see about that,” I said, “so just keep playing your games. I must warn you though … I don’t ever lose.”

Getting to my feet, I marched past him and out of the room. Kate might not have said it out loud, but I could tell when someone needed help, and she definitely did. For the first time in months, it wasn’t me that required it.





On my way to the restrooms, I passed Lara. “Hey, have you seen Kate walk by? She left a few minutes ago and I know she’s had a little too much to drink.”

“No, I haven’t seen her. Do you want me to check the bathroom?” she asked worriedly.

I nodded and followed on her heels when she rushed off. Slipping into the bathroom, it only took her about two seconds later to burst out. “Cooper, I need your help,” she exclaimed. “Now! I need you to help me pick her up.”

Rushing inside, I found Kate splayed out on the floor, unconscious, and her phone scattered into a million pieces. She must have thrown it to cause that much damage. Quickly yet gently, I picked her up and held her in my arms.

“You care to tell me what’s going on?” I snapped. “What’s wrong with her other than being drunk off of her ass?”

Lara picked up the shattered pieces of Kate’s phone and threw them in the trash before running cold water over a handful of paper towels. Placing them on Kate’s forehead, she sighed and explained, “Cooper, I would love to tell you, but it’s not my place. Right now she needs to go home. I should’ve known better than to make her come out tonight. I thought it would help, but obviously I was wrong. I’ll pack up your food so you’ll have it when you take her back.”

“Does she take any meds? Is there anything I need to do for her when I get her home?”

Sadly, she gazed down at Kate, and then back up to me. “Yeah, don’t leave her alone tonight. I would take her myself, but I won’t be able to lift her if she needed help. She’s going to be pissed in the morning when she realizes I let you take care of her instead of me. Are you sure you want to be on her bad side tomorrow?”

“If it means making sure she’s safe and taken care of, then I’ll do anything. She can be mad at me all she wants.”

Lara smiled warily and gently brushed the hair off of Kate’s forehead. “Okay, then. Just so we don’t have anyone asking questions, take her out the back door and put her in the car. I’ll have your food out to you in two minutes.”