Cole

"Daddy, I want something else." Gracie groaned as she came into my room and began jumping on the bed.

"Now, you want to talk to me?" I ask sarcastically.

I couldn't get her to talk to me since I told her the truth about what happened to Jasmine. So I used the strategy of feeding her nothing but ice cream for breakfast. It seemed like an awesome idea for her, but after having the effects of eating that much ice cream, she hated it.

"Fine. I'll talk to you." I smiled only a little to hide my excitement. I had missed talking to Gracie. Not only was she my daughter, but she was the only person I could talk to. When I talked to my parents, it's always about Jasmine. When I talk to my teammates, it's always about Jasmine. And when I talk to Cooper, it is always about Jasmine. I didn't even know how my teammates knew about her.

And to make things worse, I hadn't slept in days. Sometimes I would doze off, but I would quickly wake up. Every time I tried to sleep, I would only see Jasmine. Hell, every time I closed my eyes, I would see Jasmine. Her beautiful long black hair covering her face. But the image I saw mostly was her face when she saw Julianna and me. I will never forget the anger and hurt I saw on her that day.

"Good. We have a lot to catch up on." I said, lifting the blanket and got out of bed. Walking out of my room, I heard her follow.

"Can we talk about Jasmine?" She asked, running past me on the way downstairs. I stopped and rubbed my temple.

"On second thought, let's just rest today."

After I feed Gracie her breakfast-Lucky Charms- we go to watch a movie in the theatre. She says she doesn't want to watch Monster High since it's not the same as when Jasmine was here. I couldn't blame her. Nothing was the same without Jasmine here.

Before I knew it, it was time for Gracie to go to sleep. And since I had nothing else to do, I went to bed. Or at least tried to.

~~~

Around midnight, I heard my front door open. I jumped out of bed and grabbed the bat hidden in my closet. Walking lightly but hastily, making sure not to wake Gracie, I went downstairs. When I reached the last step, I didn't go all the way down, only peeking at the corner. After seeing the coast was clear, I sprinted to the door, only to find Cooper taking his shoes off at the entrance. "Why are you here?" He asked, confused, and started walking to the kitchen.

"What do you mean, why am I here? This is my fucking house. Why are you here?" I replied, lowering the bat and setting it on the counter quietly.

He grabbed a bag of grapes from the refrigerator before furrowing his eyebrows as if he was trying to remember.

"You've got to be kidding me." I grumbled and went to the living room when he didn't answer.

"Oh!" He said as I flopped on the couch. "My girlfriend, Elizabeth? Rihanna? Or whatever the hell her name was, kicked me out after figuring out what a sexate was. "

"And you figured my place was the one to come to you?"

"You've got this big ass house, and it's only yoh and Gracie living in it. Someone's got to. Plus, I couldn't see through all that rain. It is pouring out there." He replied, throwing a grape in his mouth. "Speaking of which, why are you here?"

"How many times do I have to tell you" I began, irritated "it's my house, Cooper."

"No, I mean, isn't this the part where the guy and the girl are supposed to be together?"

I sat up on the sofa. Half confused and half annoyed that he had barged into my house at this time of night.

"What?"

"You know, the girl and guy are supposed to get together in this part of the movie. Then two years later they get married and the best friend where's a fire ass tux." He said as if it was that simple.

"What the hell goes on in your head, man?"

"You are messing up the damn movie. I'm tired of waiting for my tux. Go get your woman."

"Alright, I'm going back upstairs," I replied, still not understanding him.

He held out a hand for me to stop as I got up, "Wait, wait, wait, calm down. My point is, why aren't you trying to get Jasmine back?"

I lasted eleven hours without hearing her name.

"That's what this is about? I can't get her back. I already lost her a while ago. She thinks me and Juliana are together,'' I sighed and sat back down.

"That bitch? S-"

"Don't get your teeth knocked out, Cooper. That's Gracie's mother we are talking about. Show some respect. At least with Gracie in the house. But yeah, her."

"Are you?" He asked, still eating a grape.

"Hell no. I'm never going down that road again. She hurt me too badly. Me and Gracie, for that matter. "

"Like what you're doing to Jasmine."

I sat up annoyed, "Since when did you become the love whisperer?"

"I'm not. I hate that damn word. I just have eyes. Anyone around you can see that you love that girl."

I rose from the seat and looked at him, astonished, "Love? I don't love her."

"Liar."

"I'm serious. I don't love her."

"I. Call. Bullshit. "

"Alright, maybe I do have a little crush on her," I admitted, frustratingly.

"Come on, man. You know you can tell me the truth. You love her. You know that I know that, your parents know that, your daughter knows it, hell, half the world knows that. You're the only one still denying it. "

He kept going when I stayed silent. "What are you afraid of? Being hurt again? The only one hurting you is you. Isn't she worth the risk, anyway? We all see it, man. The looks, the smiles, the laughter. That wasn't there before that woman came. You go out on that football field, not knowing whether you're going to make it out alive. You still do it because you love it, right? So take a risk on Jasmine like you do with football." He stopped just as he was putting the bag of grapes up and sat on the counter.

I thought about what he said. Usually, everything that came out of Cooper's mouth was stupid and didn't help me at all. But right now, the only thought I had was that he was right. This whole time I had been pushing Jasmine away in fear of being hurt again when I was the one hurting myself. I was in love with Jasmine. Probably has been for some time now without even knowing it.

"You're right," I mumbled and stood up. Walking to the entrance, I grabbed my coat and keys. "You're right," I said again, louder.

Putting my jacket on and opening the door, I said, "I'm going to try to get Jasmine back. Watch Gracie."

"Atta boy!" I heard him shout after closing the door.

As soon as I stepped outside, I learned Cooper was also right about it raining. I was met with tons of raindrops as I tried to my car. The doorstep was filled with a heavy puddle and my car was soaked, but I managed to get inside safely. Turning the heat on quickly, I started the car and tried my best to get the car moving.

"I don't know if this is going to work. But I have to try." I say to myself, driving away.

Driving on the road in the rain was a huge hassle. I had taken Cooper's car by accident since we had the same one and his tank was barely full. I didn't know when it would break down, so I had to drive slower than I hoped. But despite the setting, I was in right now. I had a mission.

"Just keep going. Just keep going." I repeat to myself. But just as I say that, the car displays 'gas empty'.

"Dammit!" I shouted, not being able to move the car. "Dammit, dammit, dammit! " I pounded my head on the wheel.

Looking out the window and rubbing my temple, I saw I wasn't too far from Jasmine's place.

This is next-level stupid shit, Cole.

I opened the wet door, did a few jogs in place, closed the door, and started running to her house. I ran and ran as fast as I could. Being a quarterback paid off. After reaching her street, I took a break for a quick minute and began running again. Finally. Finally, reaching her apartment complex, I slipped on the rain and fell to the ground, causing a cut in my knee. I knew that was going to leave a mark, but I didn't care.

Getting back up, I rushed up the stairs. Finally, reaching the door, I knocked on it nervously. Waiting, I tried to fix my appearance. I was soaked, wet and still wearing shorts, old Reeboks, and bleeding out of my right knee. A hot mess.

After knocking twice again, she answered. "Cole? What the hell are you doing? It's one in the morning. " She asked, angrily rubbing her eyes.

I took a moment to stare at her. She was beautiful. Every aspect of her was nothing less than beautiful.

"You're beautiful," I said, still staring at her.

"And you have to tell me this at one in the morning? Get out of my face." She grunted and began closing the door.

"Wait!"

She opened it and looked at me, annoyed.

"What?"

"You're beautiful. Everything about you. The way you care for others so very much, even though you try to hide it. Actually, no, you aren't just beautiful. You make the space around you beautiful too. You affect others and bring their beauty out of them. And you do it with ease. It is who you are. You are a flower that makes others bloom, that made me bloom."

She rolls her eyes, "Is that all?" She tries to appear agitated, but I know I'm getting through to her.

"Your smile. From the moment I saw you at that café. Your smile was one of strength and beauty, much as a spring flower opens. I could see how it came from deep inside to light your eyes and spread into every part of you. A person smiles with more than their mouth, and I heard it when your sweet voice, in the choice of your words. It was beautiful.

She stood up straight and folded her arms. I didn't fully know how to tell her.

''I'll admit when I first saw you, all I wanted to do was fuck you until those gorgeous long legs of yours were shaking every time you moved. But your smile, beauty, humor, attitude, and everything in between made me want so much more.''

Now, giving me her full attention, she didn't look annoyed anymore. ''Cole, what are you trying to say.''

I drew a breath, not knowing what she is going to say, ''When I see you, it's as if space and time become the finest point imaginable, as if time collapses into one speck and explodes at light speed. It's as if my universe begins and ends with you. I could run forever, search forever, but in the end, every path leads right back to your heart and soul. I guess what I'm saying is, I fucking love you. I am in love with you, Jasmine Grayson.'' I said proudly as a raindrop fell from her cheek. She didn't say anything. Only stared at me. I couldn't make out what expression she had.

After a while, I ran a hand through my wet hair, ''Jasmine. Fuck, it's cold, and I just ran like half a mile. Please say something. Anything,'' I begged, as the rain began to pour harder.

''What about Julianna?'' she asked, wiping her cheek.

''What about her? Like I tried to tell you, that day was horrible. She showed up out of nowhere and kissed me. I know it sounds like I am lying, but I promise you, Jasmine, I was as shocked as you were. I kicked her out immediately after you left.'' I explained.

''So, you and her? You don't have some mixed feelings hidden down there about her? ''

''Of course not. God no!' I said, dumbfounded that she would think that. ''I lost feelings for her a while ago. I want you and only you. ''

I could tell she was in deep thought. About what, is I wanted to know.

''You really love me?''

''Yes, Jasmine.''

''Even after I hit you with a bat?'' she asked, a smile forming on the side of her mouth.

''Yes.''

''Even after meeting my crazy family?''

''Yes.''

''And friends?''

''Yes. Although I'm a little scared of Tatum.'' I admitted.

She chuckles. ''Well, are you just going to stand there? Come here, Mr. Quarterback.''

I don't waste any time and step closer to her. Pulling her body close to mine, I kiss her slowly. Placing my hands on her hips just as her tongue slid in. The taste of her again. It felt like home and nothing more.

''I love you too.'' She said, breaking the kiss. ''I am in love with you, Cole Archer. ''