Intercepting Love

10. Cooper

10

COOPER

“So tell me how you know about me? Who do we know in common?” I asked. Leaning on her chin, Lara smiled and looked down at the menu. “Well, from what I hear you’re probably not going to be happy with one of the friends we have in common, but at least all I’ve heard about you is good things.”

My uncle lived in Charlotte, but I knew she couldn’t be talking about him. Other than that there was only one person I knew, and it was the one person I loathed more than any other. He was the same person that took the only girl I’d ever loved away from me.

“You can’t be serious,” I said, curling my lip incredulously. “There’s only one person I know from around here, and you’re telling me that after I packed my s**t up and left California I still can’t escape from him?”

“Kind of,” she answered sheepishly. “I know Claire chose him, but don’t you think it was for the best? I mean, now you have Kate.”

“I don’t have her,” I grumbled. “And I’m not the only one who wants her.”

“Yeah, but you’re the one she needs.”

That got my attention. For a long time, I thought Claire needed me, but she didn’t. We were independent from one another, but we always found our way back to the other. I couldn’t see Kate being like that. With her, I wouldn’t want to go my separate ways all of the time. I would want her to depend on me. Claire didn’t want me to fight for her because it would’ve been a losing battle. Kate, on the other hand, needed to know I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“I know it has to be a shock to come here and be reminded of everything,” Lara explained. “I don’t talk to Mason and Claire, but my sister does. When Mason moved to California, he let my sister move into his house. Summer and Claire talk to each other a lot, and my sister usually tells me what they talk about. Although, I will admit I had no clue you were moving to North Carolina.”

I scoffed. “Well, it wasn’t by choice.”

Lara’s head snapped up and she glared at me. “Hey, it’s not that bad here. I think our team has a shot at winning this season. Besides, you came here with one of my good friends, who was hesitant on bringing you until I persuaded her. I believe a thank you is in order.”

Smugly, she crossed her arms at her chest and pursed her lips. “Thank you,” I said with a smile.

“You’re welcome.” Grinning, she uncrossed her arms and pointed to the menu. “And just so you know, Mason and Claire were the ones who helped me and my sister get this restaurant running. We get all of the wines from Claire’s winery, and we also had her give me some ideas as far as entrees. Do you recognize any of them?”

Scanning the menu, my eyes went wide when a couple of the dish selections popped out at me. “Holy s**t,” I said. “You have some of my ideas in here.”

The selections were Cooper’s Calamari, and Cooper’s Grilled Chicken. The descriptions were exactly the way I used to cook them. Claire wasn’t the best cook, so I always made our food when I was in town.

“This is amazing,” I remarked in awe. “She never told me she did this.”

“Well, it’s not like you two really spoke after you broke up. You kind of went on a downward spiral after that. This time, however, I’m rooting for you,” she added slyly. “I know Kate is a hard person to c***k, but if you’re anything like Claire says then you’ll have no problems winning her over.”

“Speaking of Claire, I can’t help but wonder … if she’s been in here several times and Kate’s your best friend, have they by any chance met?”

Sheepishly, Lara stood from the table and pushed in her chair. “Actually, they have,” she confessed. “Kate knows everything about Claire, Cooper. We talked about it today when she told me who you were. She just didn’t realize until today that her wine buddy was your ex-girlfriend.”

So that’s why she asked me questions about Claire today.

“Oh, and to give you a heads up, Luke has been trying to get Kate for months. He’s already worn her down enough for a date this weekend. Trust me, it hasn’t been easy for him. Don’t get me wrong, I like Luke, but I honestly don’t see them working out.” Pausing, she bit her lip and sighed before saying, “Whatever happens just bear with her, okay? She’s had a rough two years and it’s taken its toll on her. She may not know what she wants now, but she will if you show her the right way. I think you both have been through enough to understand each other.”

She smiled one last time and strolled out of the back room. To get to Kate, I needed her to open up to me and vice versa. We weren’t going to get anywhere if we didn’t. I wonder if she trusts Luke. Does he know her intimate secrets? Does he know what happened to her in her past?

Over the rim of my glass of water, I watched as Kate walked in with Luke, her gaze unreadable. Luke, however, was ready to play the game by the smug expression on his face. Bring it on, cocksucker.

Lara waltzed back in with a bottle of wine and set it on the table, along with some wine glasses, acknowledging Kate and Luke with a smile. She winked at me and nodded before walking off. I was glad to have her support because I knew her opinion would matter to Kate.

Kate took the seat across from me, and Luke took the one to my right. She almost looked pale, but brightened as she grabbed the bottle of wine and poured herself a glass. After she took a large gulp, she motioned from me to Luke. “Cooper, I’d like you to meet my friend, Luke, and Luke, I’d like you to meet Cooper.”

Extending my hand, Luke shook it firmly and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Wish I could say the same, I thought. Instead, I said, “Same to you.”

We both knew that was a f*****g lie. “So how is it playing for the team?” Luke asked. “It must suck coming from a bad a*s one to ours.”

Kate’s head snapped up and she glared at Luke before turning to me. Our team needed a lot of work, but even then, Kate had great pride for her team and she didn’t like anyone saying they sucked. I hadn’t known her very long, but even I knew not to say anything like that.

“Actually,” I informed him, “it’s not that bad. The guys are really smart and quick on their feet. With a little more team work, I feel that we’ll be just as good as any of the top teams out there.”

In all honesty, I did believe that. A few days ago, I didn’t, but being with the team and working with them made me see them in a whole new light. They had what it took to win.

Satisfied with my answer, Kate smiled and turned to Luke. “So what was the good news you wanted to tell me?”

Moving his chair over, he put his arm around the back of hers, and smiled wide. “I just got a sponsorship with Red Bull. They’re one of the top motocross sponsors in the world, and they want me. Can you believe it?”

Kate squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Oh my God, that’s great.” Smugly, he smiled at me over her shoulder, but I knew better than to let him get to me.

“Congratulations,” I said. “So with racing you’ll be travelling all over the States, right?”

Luke narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, the supercross races start in February. Why do you ask?”

“Well, I thought it would be kind of cool to come watch you race. I’ve never been to one before. Since we’ll be busy with all of the games this fall, it works out perfectly. You travel to the away games, don’t you, Kate?” I asked, tilting my head in her direction.

Pouring another glass of wine, she nodded and took another gulp. “Yeah, I go to all of them. Unless, of course, I absolutely have to stay home for some reason.”

Either she was too engrossed in her wine to notice the jab I made at Luke or she didn’t care. I was starting to think it was the former. Luke, however, snarled his lip and rolled his eyes. While he was at home, Kate would be with me and the team every single weekend until the season was over with. Right now, the ball was in my hands.

“Do you all know what you want to eat?” Lara asked, coming into the room. “I figured the ice had to be broken by now.”

The room fell silent until Kate handed Lara the menu and said, “You know what I want.”

Lara laughed. “Of course, that’s nothing new,” she quipped. Turning, she smiled at me and Luke. “And for you two?”

I ordered the Cooper’s Grilled Chicken because I had to see if it tasted anything like what I used to make back at home. Once Lara got our orders, she disappeared and came back with a basket of bread. From the looks of Kate she needed to eat something; at least to soak up the amount of alcohol she’d consumed.

“Kate, are you okay?” I asked. “Maybe you should eat some bread.”

She laughed just once before downing the rest of her wine. “Trust me, that’s not going to help, but if you’ll excuse me for a moment I’ll be right back.”

After shakily getting to her feet, both Luke and I stood to help her, but she lifted a hand to halt us. “I’m fine, guys. It’s just been a while since I’ve drank this much. I didn’t realize how fast it would hit me.”

She seemed a little preoccupied earlier, but I didn’t want to pry and ask her what was wrong. My whole summer was spent drinking my problems away, and I recognized that look in her eyes as the same one that used to be in mine. When she disappeared from sight, I turned to Luke and asked, “Does she normally drink like this?”

Shaking his head, he kept his concerned gaze on the doorway. “No, never. I don’t know what her problem is tonight. She’s not acting right that’s for sure.”

“Well, for starters, you don’t have to make me look bad to get her to choose you. Kate has more pride in the team than any of the players combined. I’d be careful what you say about them.”

Luke scoffed. “Please, I don’t have to try and make you look bad because you do that yourself. She knows what you are and what you’re like. There’s no competition here. She’s mine and that’s it.”

What a cocky bastard.

“We’ll see about that,” I said, “so just keep playing your games. I must warn you though … I don’t ever lose.”

Getting to my feet, I marched past him and out of the room. Kate might not have said it out loud, but I could tell when someone needed help, and she definitely did. For the first time in months, it wasn’t me that required it.