Page 30 of The Riskiest Move

Autumn raises an eyebrow. “If you say so. Just be careful, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I appreciate the concern, but you don’t need to worry,” I assure her. “I know exactly what this is and what it isn’t. My heart is not at risk here.” Even as I say the words, a small part of me wonders if I’m trying to convince myself more than her. “Did I tell you my cousin Jess is getting married?”

“No, that’s great. Where’s the wedding?” she asks.

“Rhode Island. I asked Cooper to be my date.”

Both of her eyebrows pop upward. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

I let out a quick laugh. “I’m not sure of what I want for breakfast tomorrow, so how can I know about something that’s two months away?”

Autumn presses her lips together and tips her head in my direction. “Good point.”

“Besides, if I change my mind, I’ll revoke the invitation.”

“He’s so easygoing, he probably won’t even mind,” she says.

“Exactly. Plus, I don’t know if it will interfere with his game schedule. If it does, then he’s not coming with me.”

“Refresh my memory. When’s the last time you went back to Rhode Island?” Autumn asks.

“Thanksgiving.”

“Are you going home this year for the holidays?” she asks.

“Nope. The wedding will be enough to deal with. I can already hear my parents. ‘Scarlett, when are you going to meet a nice man and settle down?’”

“Honestly, it might be good if you bring Cooper with you. It’ll get them off your case, even if it’s only temporarily.”

“True.”

“Who’s on your podcast next week?” she asks.

I’m grateful for the change of subject. “Ronnie Gunn.”

“Ooh, I love her,” she says.

“I know. She’s your favorite wrestler.”

“She’s a badass.”

“She is. I can’t wait to film the episode. Want to help me figure out what questions I want to ask her?”

Her eyes open as wide as possible. “Hell yes!”

“Let’s kill the rest of this pizza first,” I suggest.

“Ugh, you’re on your own. I’m already stuffed. I’m gonna give Rogan a quick call,” she states, standing. I watch her walk toward her bedroom as I tear a piece of crust off and pop it between my lips. I try to imagine what Cooper’s doing at this moment. Is he having dinner with his sister at home? Or maybe they went to a restaurant. Maybe he’s out by himself and dodging the attention of female fans. Or he could be enjoying the attention. I feel my eyebrows dip in a frown.But why would he relish their attention?If that were the case, he wouldn’t need me to run interference.

CHAPTER 8

COOPER

Stepping from the shower, I wrap a towel around my waist as I head to my bedroom. Practice wasn’t particularly grueling today, but my muscles seem to be in a constant aching state. That’s what happens when you consistently push yourself to the limit. It’s a good pain, a prideful one.

As I’m pulling on a pair of pajama bottoms, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. It’s a text from Scarlett.

Hey, just wanted to let you know the new podcast episode is up if you want to check it out.

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