Intercepting Love

24. Kate

24

KATE

Five Days Later

The past few days went by in a blur. It was almost as if Cooper’s mind was in another world, struggling to come back. I didn’t know what I was bargaining for when I agreed to this, but it was all worth it to see the smile on his face when he slipped out of bed this morning. My Cooper was back, and it was over.

“Love, you awake up there?” Cooper yelled from downstairs. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

While he’d slept during the past couple of days, I’d snuck off to my house to grab some clean clothes and document everything that happened in my notebook. From the way he woke up this morning all happy and relaxed, I started to believe that he did let his mind retreat to another place. During practice, everyone thought he was sick. They’d kept their distance, and even threatened to kick his a*s if he didn’t go home and get rest. I didn’t dare tell anyone what was going on, not even my brother or Joel.

Thankfully, I was going to be able to put the ending words in my notebook: Mission Accomplished.

Putting on one of my long-sleeved T-shirts and pajama pants, I quickly used the bathroom and washed my face … only to gasp when I looked at myself in the mirror. Even though it felt good while Cooper did it, I had red marks all up my neck from the stubble of his beard. He hadn’t shaved all week, but I prayed the redness went away before the game tonight. September had finally come, but it was still hot outside and the last thing I wanted to do was wear a turtleneck. I had makeup, but I didn’t exactly want to douse my neck in foundation.

The marks on my arms and legs were another story. I had hoped they would go away before he saw them, but now that he was back to normal I knew he would see them if he got me into bed. When I got downstairs, Cooper smiled and scooped me up into his arms. My body was so sore I cringed, but bit my lip to hold in the gasp.

“Thank you for standing by me this week, Kate. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’ll admit, it’s all kind of a haze and I don’t remember too much, but in the center of it all you were there. Your voice was what I heard.”

“Well, I told you I wouldn’t leave you,” I replied wholeheartedly. “Do you think you’re ready for the game this afternoon?”

Cooper scoffed, “Of course, I am! Except I wanted to ask you if you wouldn’t mind if we skipped the after party tonight. I know this week had to be hard on you, and I thought it would be a good idea if I made it up to you.”

“What did you have in mind?” I asked, smiling from ear to ear.

“Well, I was thinking that since we hadn’t been out on an official date since we started seeing each other, I figured it was time we let the world know we’re together. Are you ready for that?”

“Only if you are,” I teased. “You know that if your women fans see us together you might lose some of them. When you’re not accessible you’re not as appealing to them anymore.”

He gazed at me incredulously. “I don’t care about that, Kate. I don’t want any other woman … I want you. I want them all to know that you’re mine. Now let’s eat and get ready for the game so I can show you off.”

“Shouldn’t it be the other way around? I’m not anything worth showing off, Cooper. I’m not like the models or the rich girls you were seen with out in California. You’re probably going to get hell for being with me.”

“No, I’m not,” he scoffed. “If anything, you are going to get hell. That’s why I want to make sure this is what you want before we start really going public. This is your chance to turn back.”

I leaned up to kiss him gently on the lips. “I told you before and I’ll tell you again … I’m not going anywhere.” That was a promise.