“She wouldn’t believe I was on a football field, holding hands with a woman instead of throwing a ball. Come to think of it, my father wouldn’t believe it, either. He isn’t one for relaxing and enjoying life. He’s always working. Always has a plan. I probably get that from him.”
She pursed her lips. “Tell me more about them.”
“My mom is short but fiery as hell. She could swoop into a football locker room and scare the running back into submission with nothing more than a word.” He snorted. “I’ve seen it happen, so I’m not exaggerating.”
“I think I’d like her.”
“I’m sure you would—and she’d love you, too.”
Kayla wished she could have met her. Cooper knew her family, but she’d never get to meet his. “And your dad?”
“He’s a hard-ass who doesn’t allow any weakness of any sort.” His voice went stiff and so did his body. “He loves me, and I know he does. But as his only son, I’m expected to lead the same life he did. Get married. Have babies. Run a business. Fight a war.” He shrugged. “Anything short of that is a failure in his eyes.”
“Sounds like my dad, but with slightly different goals. They both seem to think they know what is best for us.”
He studied her. “Yeah, I guess they do.”
“He’s got to be happy with your career move now—even if it’s not at the company of his choice.”
“He’s not.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
She shifted slightly so she was more on her side than on her back. “Did you say you leave on Tuesday? I forget.”
“Yeah, Tuesday.” His fingers flexed on hers, and he ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “It’s the right thing to do, you know.”
“You like to be needed, don’t you?”
His thumb stilled. “What do you mean?”
“You like when you’re needed.” She rolled onto her side, watching him closely. He was staring up at the sky. “It’s not a bad thing. You just seem to thrive off of being that guy. It’s why you swooped in and rescued me on that plane, and it’s why you’re still here. I’d bet it’s why you’re going back overseas, too. They need you—and you need them to need you.”
“I…” He cleared his throat. “I guess so. Maybe. I suppose I have a pattern of liking to feel as if I’m accomplishing something. Shit, I don’t know.”
“I do.” She cupped his cheek with her palm, running her thumb over his jaw. “I also know you’re running from shadows that have haunted you since the war, and I know you think you’re not a good man. I’m guessing you lost someone close to you, and you feel you’re to blame. Maybe you even think it’s solely on your shoulders. But you’re one of the best men I know, and I hope you get to stop running soon.”
He sat up and rested his forearms on his knees. “Anyone ever tell you that you read people a little too well?”
“Maybe.”
He ran his hand through his mussed hair. “It’s really ironic, considering you can’t read your own parents.”
She rolled to her feet and looked down at him, struggling to control her temper. “Let’s not do this again, please? Fake relationship. No fighting. We agreed.”
“Yeah, I know we did. I’m done. I just thought we were sharing deep dark secrets or some shit like that. Or was it only me?”
“Cooper…”
“I know.” He stood, too, and dusted off his jeans. “Don’t worry. I know. But before we go back to pretending we didn’t make this thing between us too serious for a minute or two… Kayla?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for this weekend,” he said softly. “Being with you…well, it’s been a long time since I let myself relax. Laugh. It’s been fun.”
Her heart twisted. “No, thank you. You’ve…you restored my hope in men. Hell, humanity in general. You’re a really special person, Cooper Shillings. Don’t you dare forget it after you walk away, when I’m not here to remind you.”
He swallowed hard and nodded. Then he held his hand out for hers. She should tell him that no one was watching so he didn’t have to pretend. But she wanted to hold on to him. She wished she could say that they were still pretending when they did intimate things when no one was watching…
But she couldn’t.
…
Cooper watched Kayla laugh with her parents from across the room. She’d gone to get them both drinks, so he was alone for the first time since they’d talked this afternoon. Opened up.