Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(31)

“Do you know already?” I asked curiously. “It’s not like it’s a big secret or anything. I’m pretty sure if you googled my name you would have all the answers you needed.”

Cooper sighed and peered at me over his shoulder, his eyes wary. He was hesitant at first, but then he nodded. “Okay, fine, I do know what happened. I just wanted you to trust me enough to tell me yourself.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Cooper. It’s just it was a really hard time in my life and it hurts to talk about it. Did Lara tell you?”

“She told me not to tell you, but yes, she told me a little so I’d understand what was going on.” He paused and turned back around. “Did you love him?” he asked softly.

My eyes welled with tears and I hastily wiped them away. “I did. He was a great guy. When I found him, I honestly wanted to believe it was a sick joke. Scott wasn’t the type to joke around like that, but I wanted to believe almost anything other than he was dead.” Cooper came around the bar and pulled me into his arms. I held on to him tight and let the tears stream down my face. “I think this is the most I’ve talked about it since it happened.”

Smoothing his hands up and down my back, Cooper kissed my head and held on tighter. “It’s good to talk things out, love. I’m always here to listen to you. However, there is one thing I want to ask and I want you to be honest with me. After we talk about this, I’ll let this whole subject go if you want.”

Furrowing my brows, I gazed up at him curiously. “What is it?”

“The phone calls,” he stated adamantly, “from Scott’s family.” Immediately, my body froze. “I know you get them on the anniversary of his death. You received one the other day, didn’t you?”

Reluctantly, I nodded. “I did. The first time it was from Scott’s mother, and this time it was from his sister. When the call came in that’s when I threw my phone against the wall.”

“So you have no idea what she wanted?”

I glared at him incredulously. “I think it’s pretty obvious, Cooper. They’ve blamed me for Scott’s death, and for years I’ve carried the guilt from it. I will always carry that guilt, and I don’t need them reminding me. I just wish they’d leave me the hell alone.”

“Hey,” he said, taking my face in his hands. “If they so much as try to contact you again you need to tell me, you understand? I’m not going to let them hurt you anymore.”

“And you think you can stop them?”

He kissed me gently on the lips. “I don’t think, love … I know. Promise me you’ll let me know if they bother you again.” When I didn’t answer, he held my face tighter. “Promise me, Kate.”

I didn’t want him fighting my battles, but I nodded anyway. “Okay, I promise.”

Ding … dong.

“Expecting company?” Cooper asked, releasing me from his grasp. “If it’s Lara I’ll put together a bowl of spaghetti for her to take home.”

“You really like her, don’t you?”

He chuckled. “How could I not? It must be the southern charm you ladies have. Also, she cares about you. It’s not every day you have a friend that will do anything for you.”

“You’re right,” I agreed. “She’s amazing.” Turning on my heel, I headed for the door, but from the look of the silhouette outside it didn’t appear to be Lara. Instead, it was …

I opened the door wide and gasped, “Luke, what are you doing here?”

Holding his motorcycle helmet in his hand, he sighed and stepped past me. “I thought I’d come by and see how you were. I’ve missed you, and wanted to see if there was any possible way for you to forgive me.”

He kissed me on the cheek and placed his helmet on the foyer table, along with his blue and black leather coat. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a white tank top that showed off his tattoos, he was the epitome of a woman’s fantasy. He just wasn’t a part of mine.

“Actually, Luke, I was about to eat dinner with Cooper.”

His smile faded and he narrowed his eyes. “He’s here?” he sneered. “So basically you’re telling me it’s a lost cause, right? Evan told me you’ve spent every afternoon working with him. When am I going to get to spend time with you? We used to be friends, remember?”

Cooper turned the corner at that exact moment and crossed his arms at the chest. Both guys stared each other down, and I prayed that neither one of them tried to start something.

“All right, I see what’s going on,” Luke hissed, glaring at Cooper. “You might have tonight, but tomorrow is mine. She promised she’d spend tomorrow with me and she always keeps her promises. I don’t have to fake an injury to get her attention.”

Taking my hand, he grabbed his helmet and jacket with the other and pulled me outside. Cooper snarled and was about to come after me until I shook my head, wanting him to stay back. Thankfully, he didn’t follow when Luke tugged me out the door. “Luke, what are you doing?” I exclaimed.

“Please tell me you’re not going to choose that douchebag over me? Yes, I made a mistake by lying to you, but I said I was sorry. What more can I do?”

“Nothing,” I replied, letting go of his hand. “Why do you even want me anyway? Is it because I’m a challenge for you? I know you haven’t had to work for the women you’ve slept with, they all fall at your knees.”