“It’s Archie,” Coop shrugged. “He’s always a little off.”
Well, he wasn’t entirely wrong.Still. “You know we didn’t figure out our project in there…” I’d brought it up, but Coop changed the subject.
“I believe we should figure it out on our own, no big group thing. Saturday didn’t exactly go well…”
“I don’t think that was our project’s fault.” It had been mine.
“But I’d rather it was just you and me. You know, like it used to be. That’d be fun right?”
“You know it used to be you, me, and Jake, right?” We met Bubba in middle school when Jake was overseas with his family. He clicked back in with us in junior high after they moved back. Archie came later, ninth grade.
“Nope, it’s been you and me since Kindergarten. Jake didn’t show up until second grade, when he decided he was going to marry you, but I told him he was too late.”
I burst out laughing as I pulled into our apartments. I’d forgotten all about that. “That’s right, ‘cause we got married during recess.” In the first month of kindergarten, Coop had been my lifeline. It helped that our moms traded off—mine would take us in the morning and Coop’s would get us in the afternoon. Then I would play at his place until my mom got home.
“Right, so—like it used to be.”
“In kindergarten.”
As I parked, Coop grinned. “Exactly. So—let’s go drop off your rose, feed your cats, and then you can come hang out at my place until your mom gets home?”
Climbing out of the car, I shrugged. “Or you can hang out with me. I have no idea when Mom is going to be home. You’ll just have to pay the cat gods with pets.”
“I can do that,” Coop said with a grin. He waited for me to get my backpack on then handed me the rose. “You want to split dinner if your mom is late?”
My momwouldbe late. I hadn’t spoken to her since before Mathieu came over the day before, and she hadn’t come home, not even late the night before.
If I kept spending money on takeout, I’d be broke.
“Why don’t I see what we have in the fridge? I can cook, and it might be better than going out.” I’d had a lot of fun fixing that dessert and, yes, part of that was the company. However, Coop was right. It had been the two of us, a lot, over the years. Even when he was an idiot.
“Cool, want me to grab anything to bring over?”
“Actually… I still have dessert.” It wouldn’t keep until the project was due, so I’d have to make another one.Sounds like a good excuse to invite Mathieu over again.
Coop’s expression clouded briefly, but he passed over my rose and grinned. “Maybe not for long.”
I gave him a light shove as I hugged the rose to me. It smelled great. “I’ll see you in a few. I’ll leave the backdoor unlocked.”
“Got it,” he called, already jogging away.
Inside, the cats were as loud as I expected. I carried the rose into my room and set it on my desk. The accompanying note I read again, then chuckled. Leaving my backpack on the bed, I got changed into lighter clothes—tank top and sleep shorts since I wasn’t going out again. Then I swung by the bathroom to clean the litter box, before running the sack out to the garbage can. I was jogging back as Coop rounded the corner, and he shook his head.
“I would’ve taken it out for you.”
“I’m a big girl.” The ground was hot, so I double-timed it to the door. Coop followed me inside. “Haven’t checked the fridge yet. Two more minutes.”
Tiddles made his displeasure known as I scooted past him and Tabby streaked for the kitchen.
Coop’s chuckle followed me as I slipped into the bathroom to wash my hands. “Awww, is Frankie being mean to the poor kitties? Frankie doesn’t love you anymore, but Coop is here, and I’m your favorite.”
Laughing, I finished washing my hands and made it back to the kitchen in time to find Coop divvying up a can of food amongst the cats. “You’re a sucker.”
“Yep, but they do like me best.” He bumped me on the way past. I gave him a shove in return and he grinned. “It’s definitely my charm and personality.”
“And your talent with b.s.” I agreed as I pulled the fridge and freezer open. Our options were… “Salisbury Steak.” Oh yum. Mom remembered to pick up one of those for me.
Coop made a gagging noise. “You’re the only person I know that likes them.”