Page 28 of Hooking the Captain
Can’t wait!
Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I brushed my hands down my navy-blue T-shirt and red shorts before slipping on a pair of sandals and heading downstairs.
As soon as he texted me he’d arrived, I hurried outside and climbed into his truck.
“Hey there,” he greeted, his eyes lighting up as he looked at me.
“Hey yourself,” I replied, a matching grin spreading across my face.
It was tempting to lean over and kiss him, but knowing my grandparents might see us had me resisting the urge. Instead, I reached for my seat belt so we could get on our way.
“Ready for a night of cornhole and sparklers?” he asked, with a playful twinkle in his eyes.
“Absolutely. You thought I was good at pool? I’m even better at cornhole.” I winked.
“Oh, really?”
“Just speaking the truth.” I smirked.
A few seconds later, he placed his hand on my knee. “I’m glad we’re going together, but wish we could be ourselves in front of everyone.”
“Yeah, but I’ve got a ton of experience playing the straight guy, so that isn’t a problem. I’m actually more worried about meeting your parents.” I hadn’t planned on mentioning anything about Coop’s parents, but it had been on my mind since he said they wanted to meet me.
“Why’s that?”
I shrugged. “Meeting the parents ... It’s sort of a big deal.”
“I know, but you don’t have to meet them if you don’t want to.”
I laced my fingers with his. “I want to meet them. I’m just nervous.”
He peeked over at me. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I am.”
He nodded. “Good because I think they’re really going to like you.”
“That’s good,” I replied. “Because I really like their son.”
We drove the rest of the way to JP and Chrissy’s house with our hands joined together, and I couldn’t remember a time when I felt more at peace than I did at that moment.
The warm summerevening surrounded us as Coop and I walked around the side of JP’s house and into the backyard. The scent of meat cooking on the grill and the sounds of laughter filled the air. My eyes scanned the yard that was decorated in traditional Fourth of July decor. Red, white, and blue streamers hung from the patio awning, and strings of white lights were draped between the trees in the yard. Several tables with red and white checkered tablecloths were scattered across the lawn, and smaller tables were covered in an array of food and drinks.
“You guys made it!” JP called out as he approached us, holding a red Solo cup.
“Yeah, man. Thanks for the invite,” Coop replied.
Chrissy came over to join her husband. “Coop, I’m so glad you could join us.”
“Of course. Heard this was the best party in town.”
“They aren’t quite as wild as the ones we threw in high school, but we still manage to have a good time.” JP squeezed Coop’s shoulder.
Chrissy chuckled. “Yeah, but now everyone is ready to call it a night by eleven o’clock.”
I laughed and didn’t mention that until recently, I was partying into the wee hours of the morning while in college.
“You guys should grab a couple of beers and some food,” JP suggested. “We’re going to start our cornhole tournament in about twenty minutes.”
