Page 17 of Summer Nights

I glanced over at the court where the teams were thundering toward us, the team wearing shirts passing the ball around, looking for an opening to shoot. "Okay."

I didn't want him to be disappointed if Cooper was too tired to help him after his game or had other plans. When the team scored, Cooper called for a time-out. The men moved off the court to the bench, grabbing water bottles to drink and squeeze water onto their heads.

I didn't think I'd survive it if Cooper drained his bottle over his head. I didn't need to be thinking about licking the droplets off his skin.

Cooper grinned as he headed in our direction, but his attention was on Duncan. "Hey, buddy. You here to play?"

Duncan nodded eagerly.

"We'll be done here in a few minutes if you want to stick around."

"Okay."

"Are you sure you have time?" I asked him, and Cooper's gaze lifted to meet mine.

"I've been looking forward to hanging out with Duncan all week," Cooper said to me evenly.

Shep approached. "What's going on?"

"This is my brother, Duncan. Duncan, this is Cooper's twin brother, Shepard."

Duncan's forehead wrinkled. "You don't look like twins."

"That's because we're fraternal. We were born at the same time, but we don't look alike," Cooper said.

Shep smacked Cooper's chest. "I'd hate to look like this guy."

Shep meant his comment to be flippant, but something crossed over Cooper's face. Did it bother him when he said things like that?

Cooper shook his head. "Let's finish up so I can hang out with Duncan."

Shep raised a brow. "You're not letting this guy teach you how to play basketball, are you? Everyone knows I'm the best in the family."

Cooper's jaw tightened. "Don't go anywhere. We're almost done here."

I was fairly sure Shepard couldn't say anything to convince Duncan to not spend time with Cooper. He'd gotten a taste of his attention and was hooked. I couldn't blame him because I was in danger of being hooked myself.

Shep was the more outgoing twin, demanding attention wherever he went, but Cooper was the one who intrigued me.

"I'm going to check on Rae. I'll be back," I said to Duncan, but he didn't take his eyes off the court. "Yeah, okay."

Duncan was starved for male attention. How had I not noticed that before? I didn't have any such affliction growing up at my mother's. I wanted to deflect men's attention. One or two of mom's boyfriends were interested in me, so much so that I took to locking my bedroom at night. Nothing happened, but I hadn't felt safe in my space.

I shivered at the memory, even in the heat. After watching Rae play hide-and-seek with a few girls, I headed back to the court where the guys had left, and it was just Cooper and Duncan.

They were playing a one-on-one game. I sat on the bench, snapping a few pictures for Mom. I wasn't sure she'd be interested but figured, if I was Duncan's mother, I'd want the moment documented.

I hoped Duncan and Rae were having a better childhood than I was. I worked hard to make that a reality. But I wasn't always sure I succeeded.

I watched them play for a while, and when they took a break, Cooper came to stand in front of me.

I blocked the sun with a hand on my forehead.

"There's a summer basketball league. Duncan should join."

"How much is it?" I was always conscious of price. I could only pay for so many things behind Mom's back before I risked insulting her.

Cooper tilted his head as if he was thinking about it. "I think it's free. It's just two pick-up games a week on Wednesdays."

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