Trying to Get Over You Read online

  “That is the best news I have heard in a while. I know Raymond has been real worried about Cooper. I think you caused him to lose his mind a little.”

  “I feel awful about all the pain that I have caused Cooper the last couple of months.”

  “I’m sure you are, sweetheart. Why don’t we go back upstairs and join them?”

  “Okay. Whatever you want to do, Mom.”

  As I got up, my dad patted me on the back. “I am glad to hear that you and Cooper are working things out.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  That evening, we were still at the hospital, and my parents had gone home.

  A lady in a nurse’s uniform entered Raymond’s room, but she looked to be off duty. She quietly walked over to Raymond. They exchanged a few looks, and then Raymond cleared his throat.

  “Cooper, Emily, I’d like to introduce you to someone.”

  Cooper and I both smiled at the woman.

  “This is my son, Cooper, and his girlfriend, Emily. This is my girlfriend, Rose.”

  Oh my goodness, Raymond Thomason has a girlfriend! was all I could think. I was so happy for him, but Cooper looked shocked. Not mad or upset, just shocked.

  I stuck out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Rose.” I elbowed Cooper in the side

  He snapped out of his funk and shook her hand. “Oh, sorry. Nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet the both of you. We’ve only been dating a few months and wanted to keep it to ourselves for a little while. Most people here at work don’t even know that we are dating.”

  We made small talk with Rose and Raymond for about an hour, then left to give them some alone time. On the drive back to his dad’s house, I suddenly craved some ice cream.

  “Hey can we stop at an ice cream place? I’m having a really big craving for some mint chocolate chip.”

  “Okay, sure. Drive thru, or do you want to go in?”

  “If you don’t mind it in your car, then drive thru is fine with me.”

  He drove to a local ice cream shop with a drive thru. I ordered a double scoop of my ice cream, while Cooper ordered a root beer float. The teenage worker handed Cooper the order, which he handed to me until he got situated driving again. His looked so yummy, I almost wanted to eat it after I finished mine. I really needed to get a hold of my pregnancy cravings.

  He watched me devour my mint chocolate chip. “Is ice cream something you’ve been craving, or just tonight?”

  “I crave it all the time. I really like it with cheese puffs.”

  He smiled a little, “Good to know, that actually sounds good.”

  I laughed but kept eating my ice cream. I loved spending time with him.

  That night, I crawled into bed with Cooper. Adjusting his pillow, he said, “Can you believe, after all of these years, my dad has a girlfriend?”

  “It is kind of crazy, but a good crazy. I’m glad he has someone.”

  “I’m glad, too. She seems nice. I just wish I had a girlfriend now.” He pulled me against his side once his pillow was adjusted.

  “She does seem nice. You could have any girl you want, Cooper.”

  “I only want one girl.”

  I didn’t want to talk about anything until I had completely broken things off with Ben. I rolled on top of him and planted kisses on his lips. It was bad to kiss Cooper when I technically had a boyfriend, but for some reason, I couldn’t stop myself.

  We kissed each other until we were both too tired to keep going. I really wanted to have sex with him, but for some reason, that made me feel like a whore, whereas the kissing didn’t seem to matter. “Hey, Cooper?”

  He pulled me closer and kissed my hair before answering. “Hmm?”

  “I think, since your dad is okay, I’m going to drive home tomorrow. I have a lot of things I need to take care of.” I wanted to get home as soon as possible, to end things with Ben.

  “Okay. I think I’ll probably come back on Monday.”

  We drifted off to sleep, relaxing against each other.

  The next morning, while I was packing my clothes, Cooper was in the living room, chatting on the phone with Chris. He thanked my brother for calling me.

  I had to admit, I was extremely glad Chris had called me. Not only had it brought me to Cooper, but it had gotten me out of the awkwardness in Vegas.

  When I was finished packing, I joined Cooper in the living room.

  He immediately let Chris know that he would have to call him back later. He pulled me against him and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Are you sure you have to leave so soon? We could grab lunch together.”

  I placed my arms around his neck. “I’m sure. I have a lot to take care of. We will see each other tomorrow, though. I promise.”

  “Okay. Fine. Please call me when you get home so I know you are okay.”

  I gave him a long kiss. “I texted Jen earlier and she is actually meeting me at the car rental place, so I can drop it off, and she’ll drive me home. So half of the trip, I’ll be with her. I promise that I will call you the minute I walk into the apartment.”

  “You better.” He let me go and grabbed my luggage for me. We walked out to my rental car together, where he threw my luggage in the trunk.

  I opened the door and stayed standing to give him a kiss good-bye before I left. After spending the past few days with him, I was going to miss him. I finally crawled into the driver’s seat and started the car. I put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. I placed the car in drive to head down the street. It took everything in me to keep the car going forward.

  After two long hours of being trapped in the car with all my crazy thoughts, I arrived back at the tiny airport where I’d rented the car. I didn’t see Jen’s car, and I hoped I wouldn’t have to wait long before she arrived.

  I returned the keys to the rental car company and stepped back outside into the horrible summer heat. Luckily, just as I was getting settled on a bench, Jen pulled up.

  “Hey, chica. Wanna ride?” she yelled.

  “You know it.” I walked around the vehicle and got in. I immediately moved the air conditioner vents to face me. I wasn’t sure if it actually was that hot outside or if my pregnancy was making me hotter. Either way, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to tolerate the summer heat.

  “So do you want to tell me why I’m picking you up here and you’re not flying in from Vegas with Ben?” she prompted. “Your text was a little vague.”

  I turned my body in her direction and leaned on the door, “Have you not talked to Chris? I figured you knew.”

  “I haven’t talked to him in a while. We aren’t together, remember?”

  “Oh, sorry. I went to Vegas with Ben, and Friday evening Chris called me and told me that Raymond Thomason had a heart attack. I flew home to be with Cooper.”

  “Oh, wow. Is his dad okay?”

  “He’s fine. They are going to give him medication to treat it or something. I don’t really understand all of it.”

  “So how did Ben take the news?”

  “He was pissed at first, but I told him that no matter what, Cooper and his dad are my baby’s family, and I needed to be there for them. I have to tell you, though, I was kind of relieved to leave Vegas. Ben wanted to have sex, and I spent all of Friday trying to avoid staying in the hotel room.”

  “Oh wow, I’m sorry. I’m the one who told you to go ahead and go with him.”

  “It’s okay. Everything worked out. I’m going to end everything with him as soon as I can. I’m pretty positive Cooper and I are getting back together.”

  “Really? That’s great news. So what happened between you and him this weekend?”

  “Well, we sort of talked, but we mainly made out like teenagers.”

  “Hey, making out like teenagers is fun. When it’s with someone who knows what they are doing.”

  “It was fun. I realized just how much I had missed him. I didn’t want to leave, but I needed to come home and deal with the mess I’ve mad
e.”

  “Oh, it’s not that big of a mess, as long as you and Cooper are fine. It may hurt Ben’s feelings, but he’ll get over it.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, but I still feel bad about all this.”

  The drive home, chatting with Jen, was fun. I wasn’t sure what I would do without her in my life. She listened to me when I needed her to and she told me what I needed to hear even when I didn’t want to listen.

  As soon as we walked into the apartment, I made a beeline for my room. I planned on calling Cooper and taking a nice long nap. I dialed Cooper’s number, but he didn’t answer. I sent him a text, in case I was asleep when he called back.

  Me: Got home safely. Going to take a nap now.

  I pulled out a long T-shirt out of my chest of drawers. The shirt had once been Cooper’s, and I wanted to be really comfortable for my nap. I changed out of my clothes in record time and crawled into bed.

  Just as I was pulling the covers up to my chest, my phone started ringing. I grabbed it off of my nightstand. Cooper was calling me. I answered. “Hello.”

  “Did I wake you up? I was taking a shower.”

  “No, I was just now crawling into bed.”

  “Glad I didn’t wake you up. I just wanted to hear your voice one more time today.”

  I rolled onto my stomach, “Aww, thanks. How was your day?”

  “It was good. Dad is home now. Rose is going to stay here with him so she can keep an eye on him.”

  I yawned. “I’m glad he is still doing well and was able to come home.”

  “Me, too. Do you want to call me back after your nap? I can hear your yawning.”

  “Do you mind?”

  “Not as long as you call me back afterwards.”

  “Okay, I’ll call you back.”

  “Bye, Em. I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I disconnected with Cooper and threw my phone back on the nightstand. I covered up and drifted off to sleep.

  I was woken up by Jen yelling my name from the living room. “Em! Emily, get in here! You have a delivery.”

  I jumped out of bed, pulled on a pair of shorts and raced into the living room. “What’s going on?”

  “You have a delivery.” She pointed to the door, where man stood holding two dozen red and pink roses. I walked over.

  The delivery man asked, “Are you Emily Reynolds?”

  “Yes. I’m Emily Reynolds.”

  “These are for you.” He handed me the two bouquets. “I also have this.” He reached down beside him on the stoop and grabbed an orange stuffed toy. When he turned it around, I could see that it was a stuffed Lorax.

  I grabbed the stuffed toy from his hands. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  I ran over to the dining room and placed the stuffed Lorax and the roses on the table. I grabbed my purse and pulled out some money. I returned to the door and gave the delivery man the tip money.

  After I closed the door, Jen asked, “Who are they from?”

  I headed for the table, to find the card. “They have to be from Cooper. Ben wouldn’t know about my Lorax obsession.”

  “How sweet and beautiful.” She said while walking over to the table to look at the roses and toy.

  I found the card in one of the bouquets.

  I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you and the baby.

  I love you,

  Cooper

  I held the card up to my chest as tears pricked my eyes. How could I have been so stupid as to push Cooper away? He really is an amazing guy.

  Jen was looking at all the roses, one by one.

  “I’m going to go call Cooper.”

  “Okay. I’m happy for the two of you. You know, working things out.”

  “Thanks.” I walked down the hallway into my room. I found my phone on the nightstand and dialed Cooper. I had to let him know that I loved his present.

  He answered. “Hey, did you have a good nap?”

  “I had a very good nap, but something better happened after that.” I said in an excited tone.

  “Oh? What was that?”

  I sat down on my bed, “I had two amazing bouquets of roses delivered to me, along with a stuffed Lorax.”

  “Hmm. Sounds like you’re loved.”

  “I am. Thank you so much, Cooper. How did you get the stuffed toy delivered?”

  “I had ordered it a couple of weeks ago, and I had Josh get it and take it to the florist.”

  “I loved it. It was a nice surprise.” I told him as I laid back on the bed.

  “I’m glad you liked it. I’m always, always thinking of you and the baby.”

  “I know. And I know it hasn’t seemed like it, the last couple of months, but I’m always thinking about you too.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Hey, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to see you tomorrow night. I have to take care of something, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it tonight or tomorrow.”

  “Okay. I’ll call you when I get back, and if we can meet up, we’ll figure something out. Or if you’re busy, I’ll come see you the next day.”

  “That sounds good. I’ll let you know. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”

  He yawned. “I’m not sure yet.”

  “Okay, well, call or text me when you get home. I can tell you’re tired, so I’m going to let you go.”

  “I’m glad you liked the flowers. Good night, Em”

  “Good night. I love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  I disconnected from Cooper and tried to figure out what, exactly, I needed to say to Ben. I was pretty positive I didn’t mean that much to him, but I still felt as though I needed to let him down gently. I had messed up so many things recently that I wanted to do this right.

  I sent a text to Ben to see when he would be available.

  Me: We need to have dinner. When are you available? I’m sorry about Vegas.

  Ben: It’s okay. How about tomorrow night?

  Me: Sounds good. Call me around six to set up a place to meet.

  I woke up the next morning sweating from another crazy pregnancy dream. Ben and I were stranded on an island. I kept trying to build a raft to get off the island, but Ben kept destroying the raft. He kept telling me that the baby and I were now his and Cooper would never see us again. I tried to run away from him, but he always managed to get in front of me somehow. I finally went into labor, and he stole the baby from me. I spent the rest of the dream looking for my baby.

  The dream surely came from the anxiety I was feeling over having to end things with Ben. I knew he wasn’t a bad man and would probably be nice about the entire situation, but I still didn’t like the idea of spilling my guts to him.

  I put on my workout clothes that were just a little too tight and decided to go for a walk. I needed to clear the dream from my head. When I stepped outside, the sun was out, and the air was already crispy. I couldn’t take much heat anymore, so my walk would probably be short.

  I wandered the deserted campus, remembering all the times Cooper and I had walked around before going to class. If it had been possible, he would walk me to all of my classes. Occasionally, our schedules didn’t match up, but he would always come find me as soon as he could.

  He was the best boyfriend.

  I was hot and getting tired, so I decided I had walked enough. I made my way back home just in time to see Jen getting in her car. I walked over to her window that was rolled down. “Where are you going?” I asked playfully.

  “I’m going to the grocery store. I’m out of my sugary cereal.”

  “Oh no! Hey, can you get me some of that peanut butter and jelly that’s mixed together? I love that stuff.”

  “Sure thing. Do you need bread to go with that, or are you eating it out of the jar these days?” she teased.

  I stepped backwards and told her, “Yes. Bread too.”

  She left, and I headed into the apartment.

  I went t
o my bedroom, after looking in the mirror and feeling my sticky skin, I decided I needed a shower. I let the hot water and body wash rinse all the nasty away from my skin and then just stood under the water for a while.

  Afterwards, I toweled off and put on my bath robe.

  I cleaned my room until it was spotless, then I grabbed my e-reader from my dresser and decided to get lost in a story to take my mind off of my dinner that was coming that night. I decided to go with a mystery novel, because I just couldn’t get all up in knots over a love story.

  My phone buzzed with a text message, and I realized it was six o’clock. I had spent the entire afternoon reading. I almost wanted to cancel on Ben, just so I could find out if the main character caught the killer. I looked at my phone.

  Ben: Want to meet in an hour at that Mexican restaurant on 6th?

  Me: see you there.

  I didn’t really do much to try to look nice. I just threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that had the university’s name on it. I let my hair fall down my back, and I put on minimal makeup.

  When I arrived at the restaurant, it was pretty empty. I examined the art located in the foyer while waiting on Ben to arrive. Ten minutes later, he walked in the door.

  He must’ve known something was up, because he didn’t try to kiss or hug me like he usually did, just walked up beside me. “Are you ready to get a table?”

  “Yes, I was just waiting on you.”

  He nodded, then let the hostess know we were ready to be seated.

  I sat down on the side of the booth that faced the door and started looking over the menu because I wasn’t ready to start a conversation. The waiter came and took our drink orders. I wished I could order a shot of tequila to help my nerves. Instead, I ordered a ginger ale.

  “So do you want to talk or just hide behind your menu?” Ben asked.

  “Talk,” I said nervously. “We should talk.”

  “Okay. Let’s talk. How’s your ex-boyfriend’s dad?” He asked while throwing his menu on the table.

  “He’s doing well. He was able to come home yesterday.”