Filed to story: Katy and Brayden Cooper Novel
“You’re not-“
“If a party’s fun for you, then it’s fun for me,” I cut in. “You don’t get to play parent and police me when you do whatever the hell you want.”
“Katy, listen to me, this-“
“I’m not listening.”
He gawks at me like I’ve completely lost it, but I don’t care. I know I’m all he’s got and vice versa, but he’s got to stop treating me like I’m some high school kid sneaking into prom.
“Look at you.” He grits, stepping closer. “Do you even know what you look like right now?”
“What? A slut?” My voice lifts. “Go on, say it.”
But instead of snapping back, his eyes flick down. “You’re fucking twitching your fingers.”
My gaze follows his, and damn it, he’s right. My fingers are twitching by my side like I’ve got some nervous tic I can’t hide.
“You’ve been doing that the whole time,” he says. “Even while you were out there pretending to be cool. And we both know you do that when you’re really fucking anxious and overstimulated, Katy.”
I swallow hard, forcing myself to look at him even though every cell in me wants to stare at the wall instead. Because he’s right. And he knows it.
“It’s different,” I tell him, voice tighter than I’d like. “It’s just because it’s my first time. I’m not gonna live in the past forever.”
He drags a hand through his hair, frustration pouring off him because I’m not giving up. “Did Braydon put you up to this?”
“And why would you assume that?” I snap. “What part of this makes you think he makes decisions for me? Huh? He’s the one who needs my help, and unless he finds a better tutor, he does everything I want. Including this. But I don’t expect you to believe me anyway, because you’ve already decided I’m just your little nerd sister who hates parties.”
I shift to walk past him, but he steps in front of me and exhales sharply. “Look at me.”
I turn my face away, but his fingers gently coax my chin until I’m forced to meet his eyes.
“You know I think you’re the coolest person ever,” he says quietly. “I brag about you to my teammates all the time…how smart you are, how awesome you are. I just…” His grip tightens slightly on my shoulders. “I don’t want you losing everything you’ve built for yourself. Braydon’s a ticking time bomb, Katy. And you should know that.”
“What makes him that?” I catch myself asking. “Because he acts like he’s not smart? Isn’t he your best friend? You-“
“Yeah, which is exactly why I know him.” He cuts me off. “He lives in a completely different reality than you. And you don’t… you don’t belong in that chaos, Katy.”
His voice changes, softer now, like he’s trying not to lose me. He rakes his hand through his hair again, the same way he always does when he’s seconds away from losing his patience.
“Look,” he sighs, “I won’t stop you anymore. You’re going to do what you want, I get that. But you have to promise me one thing.”
I fold my arms tighter. “What?”
“That you’ll always be you.” He responds. “The smart Katy. The debate-freak Katy. My little sister who’s got way too much potential to waste on this bullshit.”
Something hot prickles behind my eyes, and I hate that he can still get to me like this. I stare at him for a few seconds before finally nodding. “I promise.”
Relief floods his face instantly. He exhales like he’s been holding his breath for hours, then pulls me into a hug. His arms are strong, and he rubs slow circles on my back the way he did when I was a kid having a meltdown before a spelling bee.
We stay like that and for a moment I almost forget where we are.
Then he mutters into my hair, “I should’ve just broken Bryan’s limbs when I had the chance. None of this would’ve even started.”
I yank back and mock glare at him. “You promised not to do anything.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He waves me off. “I didn’t-” He pauses, then admits, “Okay, I maybe threatened him a little. And… did something else.”
My mouth drops open. “Oh my god. You’re unbelievable.”
He shrugs. “Not my fault. Those Cooper brothers are driving me insane.”
I shake my head, half fighting a smile, and half wanting to smack him.
KATY’S POV
I weave my way through the crowd just as Braydon comes back, holding two red solo cups. I arch a brow at him because I specifically asked for water, and I have a feeling what he’s carrying isn’t.
He hands me one cup, and when I glance inside, the liquid is clear. I squint up at him.
“It’s water,” he says under his breath, leaning close so only I can hear. “Poured it into the cup so you look cooler.”
A little laugh escapes me, and I shake my head. Funny thing is, he’s right. If everyone else is chugging beer and I’m standing around with a plastic water bottle, I’d look like the designated party pooper of the century. But this way, I blend in and I’m grateful he even thought of it.
“Wanna sit?” he asks, already looking around.
“Yeah,” I sigh, taking a sip. “My legs are starting to hate me.”
He doesn’t hesitate and slips his hand into mine, leading me toward one of the couches. Luke notices and instantly makes space, scooting over like he’s been waiting for this moment. Before I can even suggest I’d be fine standing, Braydon drops into the open spot and pulls me right onto his lap.
I freeze, my heart thudding like it’s trying to escape. The warmth of him beneath me sinks in, and then the awkwardness kicks full force. The girl beside Luke shifts, her nails tracing lazy patterns across his chest, and I immediately look away before my brain short-circuits.
My fingers twitch, searching for something to hold onto, but the only option is Braydon’s legs. I swallow hard. We practiced this. I promised I wouldn’t freak out if he got touchy in front of his friends. I promised to be cool.
But I’m literally sitting on him, one part of me screams.
It only feels weird if you make it sexual, another part argues.
Making it sexual? I snap back at myself. I’m not. I’m just…yeah, sitting on my fake-boyfriend, surrounded by his teammates who are too busy playing tongue-wrestling with their hookups.
And the problem? I know Braydon. I know how handsy he gets. It’s only a matter of time before he decides we should join the public display of affection contest and show off just how much sexual chemistry we have.
And I’m not used to PDA. Not in this kind of open, sweaty, everyone’s-watching setting.
Calm down, Katy. I gulp. It hasn’t even happened yet and I’m already sweating.
The thought barely finishes forming before I feel Braydon’s hands slide around my stomach, his fingers brushing against the bare skin my crop top didn’t cover. Fuck this crop top. Fuck me for wearing it.
“Are you comfortable, Peach?” He leans in, his breath brushing my ear.
“Yes.” The word flies out and my voice sounds way too high-pitched.