Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(39)

She wrapped her small arms around me and squeezed tight. “Mother, it’s good to see you,” I lied. “How long are you in town for?”

She smiled and glanced over at Kate. “Your father and I will be here until tomorrow night. Who’s your lady friend?”

Before I could introduce Kate, she did it herself. Holding out her hand, she grinned and said, “Hi, I’m Kate. It’s nice to meet you.”

“A friend, huh?” my mother chimed, taking her hand. “Well, Kate, my name’s Jackie. Joel told us Cooper was bringing a friend, and I must say I’m kind of shocked because he doesn’t really do the friend thing.” She batted her eyes and glanced up at me smugly. “Shall we go say hello to everyone else?”

“Lead the way,” I told her through gritted teeth.

Kate squeezed my arm and leaned in closer. “Just breathe, Cooper. I’m not taking anything she says to heart.”

Everyone up on the deck smiled and greeted us warmly as we approached, including my father. “Son, it’s good to see you. You were amazing in the game yesterday. ”

“Thank you, but the majority of the success was with the whole team.” Putting my arm around Kate, I nodded over at my father. “Kate, I’d like you to meet my father, Richard.”

Kate smiled and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Davis.”

“Likewise,” he said, taking her hand, “but please … call me Richard.”

“All right, everyone, the food’s ready,” Joel shouted, taking the chicken and steak off of the grill. When he saw me and Kate, he waved the tongs in the air. “Thank you for coming you two. It’s been a never ending party here since last night after the win.”

“I’ll bet,” Kate shouted happily. Starting the season out with a win had to be a good feeling for him. With Evan and the other members of the team, I was surprised they hadn’t had much success with winning; they were all great athletes.

At the tables, I pulled out a chair for Kate to sit and took the one beside her. My parents both sat down across from us, staring curiously back and forth. “So, Kate what do you do for the team? Joel didn’t specify. Are you one of the cheerleaders?” my mother asked.

Kate smiled even though I knew she hated it when people thought she was one of the cheerleaders. “No, I’m not a cheerleader. I’m one of the team physicians, Mrs. Davis. I’ve been working with Cooper to help manage his shoulder injury. I think he’s one step away from being perfectly healed.”

Lifting her brows, my mother pursed her lips and glared at me. I knew exactly what she was thinking, and by the look in her eyes she assumed I was up to my old tricks.

“And you and my son are just … friends? Is there not a policy about relations between the staff and the players?”

Before Kate or I could say anything, Joel took a seat at our table and cut in, “Actually, I’ve never enforced such a thing because I feel my staff and my players are adult enough to handle their own personal lives. Second, Kate has been helping Cooper by doing physical therapy exercises for his shoulder. It’s not what you’re thinking.”

“So it’s not like last time?” she asked, glaring at me.

“No, it’s not,” I hissed low. “Things aren’t like that here.”

“Well, I sure hope not. I would hate to see you ruin someone else’s life. Hopefully, this one is smarter than the other.”

Out of the corner of my eye, Kate’s head immediately turned my way. Her unease was palpable, and I could feel a black cloud settling over me. I thought my parents would have seen the change in me, but obviously they were too oblivious. Why the hell did I even try to make them happy, to make them proud of me? It was never going to be enough.

The truth is … I honestly didn’t give a f*ck anymore.

Rising from my seat, I didn’t say a word as I took one last look at my mother and father before turning my back on them. I wasn’t going to argue, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to fight with them. I was done hoping they’d somehow see the good in me. I had changed for the better, and it was all because of Kate … and being away from them. Joel was my family now, and as long as I had Kate, I had everything I needed.

My parents could go to hell.





After what Cooper’s mother said, I literally thought he’d lose it, especially after the week he had with lowering his pill dosage. Instead, he stood up quietly and turned his back before walking out of the gate and up to the front of the house.

“Cooper! Come back,” Joel shouted, getting up from the table. Cooper kept going, so I took that as my cue to leave as well.

“Kate, I am so sorry for this,” he apologized. “I’m the one who thought he should come. I should’ve known better.”

Jackie scoffed, “Please, he’s just sulking. He’ll come back.” She smiled over at me as if she didn’t just put down her own son right in front of me; like it was no big deal. “Do you mind bringing him back, dear? I’m sure he’ll listen to you.”

All manners aside, there was no way I could be civil to that woman after what she just did. Scooting the chair back, I got to my feet and glared at her. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Davis, but I’m not going to do that. Cooper’s a great man and he works hard. I’ve seen some of the struggles he’s gone through, and I’ve been watching him work past them. The last thing I’m going to do is sit here and listen to you belittle him.”