“Did you? Kiss her for us, I mean?” Grace asks.
“Fuck no. I kissed her because in that moment, I couldn’t think of anything else but doing so. She had me under her spell, and the only option I had was to give her whatever she wanted.”
I want to tell her that not everything is about them, but I bite my tongue.
“That’s my sister you are talking about,” Clay grumbles.
Trust me, right now I’m brutally aware of who she is.
“I’m sorry. I know we are getting somewhere with the team, but I won’t give her up because you ask. She grounds me in a way I’ve never had before. She’s the reason I’m playing as well as I am.” I pull at the neck of my shirt, feeling like my body is on fire.
Clay considers my words as Grace looks up at me with hope in her eyes.
“She likes those little chocolates with the white sprinkles on them that you get at the movie theater. What else, Clay?” Grace asks him.
He’s quiet for a moment before he holds out his hand. I hold mine out to him, enduring the crush of his hand as he shakes it.
“I don’t like this, and I don’t trust you, but I trust her. If you’re what she wants, then that’s it. You hurt her, though, and I will do everything in my power to get you off the team. I will ruin your life because that is what that girl is to me. She is my life. I have given everything in my life to make her life better. Do you understand?”
I nod. “I do. I will treat her with respect and do everything I can to make her happy.”
It’s the truth. Even if I’m still a little sour around them, I want Cora to be nothing but happy.
“Very well.” He takes his hand back. “She loves flowers. Any kind really, but she really loves marigolds. She likes how bright they are. Says it makes her feel happy. Her favorite pizza is ham and cheese. Ice cream is mint chocolate chip.”
“Thanks, man. You think getting her these things will help?”
He snorts. “No, but it will be a step in the right direction.”
“Clay.” Grace hits him in the stomach.
He shakes his head, sighing. “I cannot even believe I am helping you win my sister over. This is what you need to know about Cora. She is forgiving. Really, all the gifts in the world won’t win her over if you aren’t genuine. She needs to know the truth. Be honest with her. Go to her and ask her to talk. Be persistent. She won’t want to at first, but if you get her to give you at least five minutes, you have a shot. From there, it’s all you. I don’t know what to tell her because I don’t know your relationship. As corny as it sounds, talk to her from the heart. She’s always known when someone is being real with her. Then respect her wishes if she decides it’s not enough.”
I get what he is saying. I need to wear my heart on my sleeve for her, and if she stomps on it, I walk away knowing I did everything I could to win her back.
“Thanks, man. See you at practice in the morning?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes.”
I start to walk away, but he calls out to me. “Cooper.”
Turning, I look at them hand in hand. Only a small twinge from seeing it.
Progress.
“If you’re going to be dating my sister, you better get used to seeing a lot of me. I won’t have her avoiding me because of you. I can bury the hatchet if you can.”
A little bit of relief hits me in the chest. That’s as close to a blessing as I’m going to get for now. I’ll just have to prove to him that I’m serious about her.
“Work in progress,” I call out.
He nods, understanding.
Rome wasn’t built in a day after all.
eight
Idid not want to come to class today, but I have no choice.
