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“Cooper,” Kodie says, his voice softer all of a sudden. “You know it doesn’t matter, don’t you?”

“W-what doesn’t matter?”

He looks at me with so much understanding and kindness, it makes my chest ache.

“Who you fall in love with.”

56

GARRETT

“Get a fucking grip,” I mutter to myself, shaking my arms out at my sides.

It’s not like this is a first date. I’ve spent more time with Cooper in the last few weeks than I have with any guys, aside from my college roommates. I’ve gotten to know him better than I ever could have imagined. Watching him let his walls down and allowing himself to be vulnerable with me has been such an incredible experience. It’s why it hurt so much, feeling like I’d let him down when he saw that notification on my screen.

There’s no fucking way I’d ever even consider talking to another guy while I’ve got someone as incredible as Cooper by my side. Thankfully, he’s forgiven me for it, and now, I really want to prove to him just how serious I am about him.

I want to prove to him just how worthy he is, but I suspect that’s going to be harder than it should. He’s spent his life hearing the very opposite from the one man who should have supported him without question. It’s understandable that he’s busy waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I fucking hate his father. There are so many things I’d love to say and do to the man whose abuse has left Cooper never feeling good enough.

He is good enough. He’s incredible. I just wish he could see even a little bit of what I can.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter, looking around the chaos I’ve caused in Sienna’s kitchen.

I’m not a bad cook, per se. Mom made sure we were both as competent as possible in the kitchen. I was grateful when I got to college and could look after myself. I wish I could have said the same for some of the guys I roomed with over those years. Some of them were fucking useless.

I may have gone a little over the top for tonight. I know that Cooper doesn’t care about the food I make. He’d be happy with almost anything. But I’ve never done this before. I’ve never cooked for a date. Hell, the only reason I’ve ever had another guy at my place was to hook up. I’ve never done romance or any of this stuff.

I shake my head, barely able to recognize myself as I attempt to tidy up a little. It’s still going to look like a tornado blew through the place. At least Cooper will know how much effort I put into it. I just hope it tastes good.

After clearing the counters, I set the table and even light some candles Sienna has littered around the place.

It looks cute, cozy, and hopefully romantic.

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I check the time.

Cooper messaged to say he was leaving the arena a couple of minutes ago. He shouldn’t be long.

Another rush of nerves rattles through me, and before I can stop myself, I walk toward the mirror in the hall and check myself over.

Gray pants, fitted ones that hug my ass, and a white shirt, also slim fit. My hair was styled, but I’ve run my hands through it so much in the last twenty minutes that that’s been long forgotten. Hopefully, he’ll dig the messy look. My eyes twinkle with excitement, and my lips are already tingling in anticipation of his kiss.

He might have forgiven me for the notification, but I need more than words through a phone to convince myself that everything is okay with us.

I also need the distraction, because while I might not have done anything wrong with the hook-up app—that has now been deleted from my cell—I am hiding a secret.

A pretty big fucking secret.

I should have told him long ago. But with every day that passes, it’s getting harder and harder to do so.

I keep trying to convince myself that it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve learned so much more about him than what he anonymously confessed to on that app. It’s not important.

Only it is, because he still hasn’t once mentioned his art.

And that leaves me with one burning question…why hasn’t he told me about it?

I try to ignore the niggle of hurt, but it’s growing.