Page 44 of Halftime

“He told you about my grandmother?” Cooper knew so much, he must know that, but I wanted to be sure.

“Yes, and I’m sorry about that.”

I swallowed. “Thanks. It’s…not been easy trying to accept that. And Seb was so nice… I just don’t think I’m ready for him to tell me it didn’t mean anything.”

Cooper frowned. “What didn’t mean anything? Sex?”

My cheeks heated. Obviously, Cooper must know what happened. The house they lived in wasn’t big enough for overnight guests to be a secret. But I wasn’t used to speaking so bluntly. I must seem incredibly stupid or manipulative for not answering Seb’s text, so I had to try to defend myself.

“I’ve seen the girls he’s gone out with since we broke up. I’m not his type, not anymore, and I get that. But I just… I don’t know. I just can’t deal with him letting me down easy right now.”

Cooper looked more like Prof Warner than ever. “First of all, ignoring it doesn’t make it go away, and it doesn’t help anyone. It’s hurting Seb. You’re ghosting him again, and he doesn’t deserve it this time, either.”

I flinched.

“And secondly, those girls he’s dated? They’ve been his anti-type. He might not have figured this out himself, but he’s always avoided anyone like you.”

I searched Cooper’s face, trying to understand what he was saying. Isn’t that what I just said?

“Why would he do that?” I mean, other than the obvious conclusion that helikedpretty, petite brunettes.

“Come on, Faith, you’re smarter than that.”

Did that mean something, that he went out with girls who were not like me? And what could it mean?

“He doesn’t regret that night? I mean, I cried all over him first, and then I fell asleep in his bed after. He didn’t even get a chance to ask me to leave.”

Cooper snorted. “Right, like he would’ve.”

“Cooper, please, just tell me, ’cause I don’t know what I’m doing. Does he want more? Like what we had before?”

“Do you?”

I guess that was fair. Before sharing what was going on with Seb, he wanted to know about me. I’d been wavering, but mostly, I’d been afraid. Afraid that my insecurities from a year ago, the hang-ups I had, the way I’d blocked him, had all been too much. Enough that he didn’t want to try again. I mean, it’s not like he’d made a move on me since I’d been here. Sure, he’d been willing to be friends again, but now?

He was part of the popular men’s hockey team. He’d been dating other girls. Hadn’t he realized he could do better than me? But would Cooper be here talking to me if that were the case? It suddenly hit hard how much I wanted what we’d had before.

I nodded. “Yeah, think I do.”

Cooper grabbed my arm and dragged me to a window. He stood behind me and used his hands to position my head so that I had to look where he wanted. My stomach tightened up again, and my heartbeat stuttered. Seb was in the back room. Seeing him made my pulse accelerate and nerves twist up my stomach, as if I were starting an important game. My body knew what I wanted, even if my mind was running in circles. But Seb was with a bunch of girls. Pretty, admiring girls who wouldn’t flake out on him.

I swallowed. “He looks…busy.” I worked hard to make sure my voice didn’t betray me.

Cooper snorted. “You lift a finger. One finger. And he’s yours.”

I stood for a moment. Considered what Cooper had said. On the ice, I was brave. Never flinched from a shot, coming out of my crease to challenge a shooter, willing to take chances. This was different. But maybe I could call up some of that courage. Maybe I needed to know. Getting an answer I didn’t want would hurt, but I could deal with it and move on.

I turned to face Cooper. “Okay, I’ll lift a finger and see what happens.”

I honestly expected him to laugh at me. He didn’t.

“Finally. My job is done. I believe there’s someone in there waiting for me, so I’ll trust you two are good now.”

“Who?” I was curious about Cooper’s plans. I mean, he’d stuck his nose well into my business.

He shrugged. “Don’t know yet.”

Uggh. Give me Seb any day. Speaking of which, I made my way back into the house. I wove around bodies with one destination in mind. I could see Seb ahead of me, my height an advantage. He hadn’t seen me yet. I came up behind him, took a finger like Cooper had suggested, slid it into his belt loop, and tugged.

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