Page 32 of Chasing Elliott
Cooper shuffled so he was out of my grasp, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees as he stared at his best friend. “Oh, I will, because there’s no way you know Karabetter than I know my Elli.”
I rolled my eyes at Cooper’s confidence, even though I had to admit I was curious to seehow well, or bad, he was going to do. Kara leaned forward and opened the drawer on our coffeetable, pulling out a pad and paper before she stood up and moved to sit in the chair that was facing the three of us.
“El and I already answered these questions that we both came up with so they’re allthings we are comfortable talking about and also some little random facts. You boys ready?”
Cooper and Benjamin both nodded eagerly so I stood and sat on the ground between Kara’s legs, my back resting against the chair. She gently squeezed my shoulder and I tilted my head back, exchanging a smile for a moment before our attention was back on the boys.
“Okay, Benji,” Kara said. “You’re first. What bone did I break in the fifth grade?”
“Your collarbone,” Benjamin replied quickly as he turned to smile at Cooper with a shit eating grin. Cooper rolled his eyes and leaned back into the couch, unimpressed.
“That’s right,” Kara cooed as she tilted the pad down in my direction and put a dash down to keep score.
“Okay, Benny,” I said to get Cooper’s attention on me. “I had a dog that died when I was seven years old. What breed was he and what was his name?”
“A husky named Wyatt,” Cooper told me which made me smile but then he turned to Benjamin with a sly smile. “His left eye was brown and his right one was an icy blue. He had extremely fluffy white and brown fur but when he was brought to the groomers they brushed himand he was never that fluffy again.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile and blush from appearing. Cooper turned towards me and flashed me a wink, but I only shook my head in response. I reached back for thenotepad and put a dash by Cooper’s name before I looked for the next question.
“What are the three things I must have on my burger?”
Benjamin hesitated which made Cooper smile coyly. “Tomatoes, lettuce, and bacon?”
“Nope,” I informed him before Kara could respond. “It’s an egg, bacon and tomatoes.”
He frowned as he slowly looked over at Kara and gave her an apologetic smile, but Iknew she wasn’t upset at all; it wasn’t like her which she confirmed when she said, “There’s plenty more questions, babe.”
“Okay,” I said as I scanned the sheet for an interesting, more challenging question. “Iplayed three sports as a kid and one through high school, what were they?”
“Soccer, softball, and volleyball,” Cooper answered with a smile. “Softball is what you played through high school.”
“So that’s why you’re so damn competitive,” Benjamin pointed out with a laugh as hefolded his arms over his chest. “I thought you just paid close attention to baseball.”
“Played it myself,” I reiterated to him with a smile.
This went on for about an hour with Cooper winning by five questions. He walked over to me and knelt down, cupping my face in his hands before kissing me slowly. Pulling back slightly, he placed a quick kiss on my nose before looking back at Benjamin.
“It’s almost midnight, we should probably get going,” he told him which made Benjamin nod as he stood from the couch.
We followed the boys over to the door and said our goodbyes, Benjamin and Karawhispering to one another quietly, their heads bowed towards each other as Cooper hugged me tightly. He placed a soft kiss on my neck before he placed his mouth near my ear.
“I’m taking you out on a date tomorrow,” he informed me in a whisper which made me arch a brow. “Wear something comfortable that’s easy to move around in.”
I nodded as he placed a quick kiss to my lips before he followed Benjamin out the front door. Closing and locking it behind them, I turned to Kara who was picking things up in the living room. I walked over to help her and smiled softly as she sighed and fell back on the couch.
“I haven’t told him about my father yet,” she said quietly which caused me to freeze as alump formed in my throat. Swallowing it down quickly, I sat beside her and put an arm aroundher shoulders.
“Cooper doesn’t know about my family either, for the record,” I retorted as I rubbed small circles on her back. “In fact, I don’t even know about his.”
“Well, I know about Benjamin’s,” Kara mumbled as she moved so she could rest herhead in my lap. “I just feel guilty is all.”
“I’m sure he understands, honey.” I ran a hand through her hair, trying to soothe her. “A lot happened there. It’s not the easiest thing to talk about.”
My throat began to close up and the knot in my stomach tightened more than before, but thankfully Kara didn’t say more. Soon enough she was fast asleep, leaving me sitting on the couch in silence. I sighed and ran a hand roughly through my hair as I tried to fight back the tears that threatened to escape.
I wake to the sound of something breaking downstairs. I groggily sit up in my bed and rub at my eyes before I flip my purple comforter off my small body and rest my stuffed elephant beside my pillow. My tiny bare feet hit the cold, hardwood floor as I tiptoe over to my door and slowly push it open.
I can hear muffled voices coming from the kitchen below and glance down the hall to seemy brother’s door shut, but my parents’ are open. I slowly walk over to the stairs and hug the railing as I make my way down them, careful not to make a sound.
