Lost Chances (3 page)

Jacob crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Not what I was expecting."

Not that Cooper went that way, but he could tell J
acob worked out a lot more than they did in high school. He was a little bigger than Cooper and that was pretty damn big. Hardly a day went by when he didn’t have a good workout.

"Yeah, I've got a lot going on and have a place in Te
xas already. This house just sitting here without anyone to fill it just isn't right." Still, someone else living there wasn't what his grandpa would've wanted and he expected him to find a way back to slap Cooper upside the head.

"I guess we all hoped you'd come back and stay here. Life has changed so much in seven years." Jacob glanced down at his watch. "I'd be happy to help you out at no charge except for materials, and for the labor of some men if needed. Looks like you'll definitely need a new roof."

"So that means you took over your father's construction company?" Last time Cooper had called Jacob, he was still unsure what he wanted to do. They only talked twice since he left and the last time had been three years earlier.

"Yes. I was the only one out of my brothers who wanted to. Business is busy. We don't only work locally now. I've got a few different contracts for businesses outside of town." Jacob shook his head. "It's a pain in the ass som
etimes and I just want to slap myself for taking it over."

"I bet." Cooper smiled.

"I've got to get going, but what are you doing tonight?"

Considering he just got to town, a whole hell of a lot of nothing. "I don't have plans. Still not sure I can step into the house yet."

Jacob placed his hand on Cooper's shoulder. "I know. Just remember my offer to help you with anything you need. Why don't you come over for dinner and drinks tonight? Everyone will be home. My father lives with his new wife now, and we're all still in the house. For the moment anyways. Mike's off tonight and Nick always has nights, except for football practice."

Nick was Jacob's twin and Cooper couldn't imagine how much trouble they'd have gotten in if they had been identical.

"Oh, and Sophia will probably be there. Not sure what her plans are."

His heart started to beat frantically. There was his o
pportunity to see Sophia again and he wasn't so sure he was ready for it. "How is she?"

"Good. She handles all the financial work and o
rders for me. Not sure if she had plans with Ryan or Seth tonight."

"She has a boyfriend? Or two?" He fisted his hands and bit the inside of his mouth to keep from yelling or punching something.

"She has a boyfriend, Seth, and for now he's still living. Ryan is her friend and more than likely she has plans with him since I think Mike and Seth have opposite shifts at the fire department." Jacob looked at his watch again. "I'm sorry to rush, but I've got to make a phone call before it's too late."

"No problem, I'll be there. As long as you keep your clothes on this time. What time should I come?"

Jacob laughed. "Come on, we were just teenagers."

"Whatever. It happened every time." Jacob was def
initely one of those drunks who had to remove clothes before the end of the night. Nick was the loud one and Mike always seemed pretty laid back and watched everyone else do stupid shit. Cooper usually sat back with him.

"Alright, alright. We can reminisce about all that t
onight, or not. It's four now, so six would be good." Jacob was already opening the door to his truck.

"I'll be there." Not too much of a problem as long as he could make it from his truck to the house. Just the thought of seeing her had his knees shaking.
She's just a girl who isn't single anymore.
The one he always wanted, but just a girl.

Chapter Three

"What're you up to tonight, Baby Bear?" Nick wore his raggedy hat at the table as usual and used the nickname she hated as a child, but grew to love over the years.

"I'm going to the movies with Ryan." She had some personal things to discuss with him. Heat rose to her cheeks just thinking about it with her brother right there. Way too personal.

The door swung open and Jacob came through with his perfect hair, black V-neck cotton shirt and a goofy grin on his face. He had the phone up to his ear. "Alright, thank you so much."

He touched the screen to end the call and grinned at her. "We got it."

"Great! More work for me, but that's awesome." Another contract for a chain was a huge deal.

"And I've got some more news. Guess who I saw just a few minutes ago?"

"Elvis?" Nick answered as he took a ridiculously big bite of his sandwich.

They resembled each other enough that people who just met them would mix them up sometimes. Until one of them spoke and you could tell the difference. Nick was constantly joking, while Jacob usually behaved a little too uptight and serious.

Mike stepped into the room with only a towel around his waist while using another to dry his blonde hair. With his personality a mixture of Jacob's and Nick's, he was the only one out of them who inherited their mother's hair color while she, Nick, and Jacob inherited their father's dark brown hair. "He's not really dead. Everybody knows that."

Sophia couldn't stop her laughter as she listened to her idiot brothers. It didn't matter that they were older than she. They were all still immature. She turned her attention back on Jacob and smiled. He didn't seem the least bit happy with Nick or Mike's comment. "Who'd you see?"

After a few more seconds of glaring at the other two, Jacob kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you, Baby Bear, for caring. Even my twin doesn't care. He can only make jokes."

"Come on now, let's hear it. It better be pretty damn good since this conversation has built your news to be more interesting than it probably really is." Nick ducked as a banana went flying at him. "Hey! Don't waste food like that."

"Anyways, Cooper is back in town." Jacob grabbed the other half of Nick's sandwich and took a bite. Not that it mattered since Nick had already started eating the banana his brother had thrown at him. "I invited him over for dinner and a couple drinks."

He spoke with his mouth full but Sophia was too shocked to fuss about his rudeness. "Cooper?"

"Yep. He's staying back at his grandparents' old house."

"Sounds good to me. I'll get dressed and head out for some groceries." Mike left the room.

Sophia couldn't stop her stomach from turning.
He's back and I’m not single.
It didn't matter, because what happened between them had been nothing more than his emotions getting out of control. That would be the only possible reason why he’d kissed her.

Waking up from Jacob saying her name that night had been heart-breaking. She had silently hoped he'd stay anyways, but he left. Seven years had gone by and he decided to show up.

She now dated one of the hottest bachelors in town. Other than her brothers, but that was just gross to think about. Every single woman in the area tried to get her brothers' attention.

Especially, since she had Seth all to herself. Now Cooper had come back and the feelings she had for him were coming back with him—and she hadn't even seen him yet.

She glanced at her watch and gasped. "What time is he coming?"

"I thought you were going out with Ryan?" Nick smiled at her.

"I am. I was just curious." She couldn't stay.

Jacob sat down on the free stool. "Just invite Ryan to eat here. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"I think we already have plans to see a movie tonight. I'm sure I can see Cooper another time." Or not.

"So I don't need to get you any drinks?" Mike walked back in with his blue jeans on and his usual plaid shirt with two buttons undone at the top.

"I'm good, thanks." She didn't wait on her brothers to say anything else, but ran up the stairs to the second bedroom. If she hurried, she could be gone before Cooper showed up. Luckily, she already had clothes laid out on her bed—a pair of faded jeans and white tank top.

She'd throw on some boots and be ready to go. A
fter she got her clothes on, she studied herself in the mirror and winced. No make-up and frizzy hair didn't suit her. She spent a little more time than usual at straightening her hair and then applied powder and blush to her face. She wasn't into wearing a lot, but at least she had some color.

If she wasn't planning on stopping in at the fire st
ation after the movie, then she wouldn't bother. And of course, if she happened to run into Cooper, then she'd make sure he regretted leaving.

She pulled on her boots, ran back downstairs, and took a glimpse of her phone. A text from Ryan said he was on his way. Good, it was only five-thirty and she would be gone in time.

Just then, the doorbell rang and she smiled.
Thank you, Ryan.

Nick stuck his head out of the bathroom. "Can you get that, Sophia?"

"Yea! It's Ryan anyways. I'll see y'all later." She grabbed her purse and opened the front door. "Shit."

Cooper's dark brows rose and he took a step back.

"I mean, hi." She couldn't breathe.
No, no, no.
Why did the man have to look so yummy?

The worn out jeans had a few holes in them and a brown leather belt held them up. That white t-shirt of his showed off his tan well, as well as his thick arms. Sheesh! No one should be that tempting in a t-shirt. She spotted a tattoo on his left arm, which only added to his sex appeal, and she wanted his shirt gone to see how much of him the tattoo covered. His tanned skin made her mouth water and to top it off, he had to be wearing a camouflage cap. She always did have a thing for him in his hats.

Even more so when he had them turned backwards while he worked on his old truck or just out in the yard. Maybe she'd catch him doing that like old times…

Then she focused on his mouth and licked her lips. A well-trimmed moustache and beard framed his mouth and covered his jawline. The one time they kissed, he’d been clean shaven and she had the strange urge to kiss him just to feel the scruff against her skin.

Damn it, Sophia. No! You need to leave now.

He wasn't the boy she remembered. No, he’d b
ecome a man. She could see he'd aged over the years, but in an incredible way.

A throat being cleared had her jerking her gaze back up into those eyes and she was lost. They were bluer than she remembered. Then he smiled and she nearly fell to the ground. If somebody didn't save her, she was going to jump him. A crazy thought, but she truly itched to touch him.

"Sophia?" Ryan's voice pulled her out of her X-rated thoughts. She glanced past Cooper to see her friend had walked up behind him.

Cooper still hadn't spoken or she was just too lost in her own mind to realize if he had.

"Hey, Ryan." She moved out the door and past Cooper. Ryan had saved her once again and she gave him a huge hug. She had to be wrong, but she swore she felt Cooper's stare.

When she turned, he was glaring at Ryan and didn't look like he wanted to shake hands. If anything, she felt like she should stay right where she was to keep Ryan alive. "Cooper, this is Ryan. He's my best friend. Ryan, this is—"

"Cooper. I've heard a lot about you." Ryan smiled down at her and then held his hand out to Cooper, who took it.

Jacob picked that time to come up to the door. "Are y'all going to let all the air out and all the bugs in? Ryan, Cooper is in town and I invited him to dinner. I told Sophia to invite you, but she said y'all had a movie to go to."

"We can see that movie tomorrow night. I love Mike's cooking." Ryan placed his arm around her shoulders and she just wanted to crawl in a hole and die alone.

He knew all about what happened in the past and how hard it had been to lose Cooper. But despite all that, he agreed to stay.

"Well, I'm cooking tonight."

Sophia grinned. No one wanted Jacob's cooking. Not that his was that bad, but it was nothing compared to Mike's. It helped that he worked at the fire depar
tment and loved to cook. Maybe she'd get out of the dinner after all.

Then Ryan spoke again and all hope was lost. "Hmm, well that'll be fine too." He smiled a little too big and Sophia about blurted that her brother was straight, just to rile him up.

But that would've been a mistake, considering no one else knew Ryan was gay except for her. People suspected sometimes, but he kept it quiet. The townsfolk wouldn't be too happy to find out the truth, especially his father who was also the preacher.

She didn't have a chance to change his mind as he walked into the house and Cooper held his arm out for her to walk ahead. As she walked back through
the doorway, she tripped and braced herself for the impact.

Instead, her life just had to be worse. She didn't hit the ground and bust her face which seemed preferable right then. Nope, large hands grabbed her waist and pulled her up until her back ended up pressed against a ridiculou
sly hard and hot body. Every nerve inside of her stood on alert and she started to shake.