Chapter Fourteen
Kate
Excitement had zipped through me all day, keeping me on a constant high.
Until I’d gotten into the boat with Coach Grouchy Pants. Stupid me, I’d been anticipating the moment we’d be alone on the water again. We had such a great weekend together, and the past few days I thought we’d really connected. That we understood each other in that sort of way two people did where they could communicate without words. Although, for the record, I liked communicating with words. Lots of them, often all strung together. The silence hanging in the air made me antsy, and I instinctively wanted to fill it with anything and everything. But Cooper didn’t deserve my chatter.
Klaus is going to get an earful when I get home, so I hope he’s had his twenty hours of sleep already.
Two ducks flew overhead and landed in the water a few feet away.
They immediately swam over and quacked at each other, as if they were checking in on the other’s landing. Aww.
“Kate! Are you paying attention? You’re getting off pace!”
I whipped my head forward to see Cooper looking at me over his shoulder, and my irritation must’ve shown through, because his eyes widened, like he knew he was about to get it.
I dropped my oars. “For your information, I’m not paying attention to your stupid pace. I’m watching two ducks. They’re cute and they’re nice to each other, and right now, I’m about to jump in the water and go hang out with them instead of you.”
Cooper pressed his lips together, and at first I thought it was fear, but then he seemed to be fighting laughter.
“No, you don’t get to laugh.” I stood. “I know I sometimes jokingly refer to you as Coach Grouchy Pants, but today you’re taking it to the next level. You’re Coach Jerk Face.”
Sputtered laughter came out, and when I scowled at him, he slowly stood and turned to face me, his hands up in surrender. “You’re right. I’ve been a jerk face today.”
I crossed my arms. “You’ll get no argument from me.”
He took a step and the boat wobbled. “I’m sorry. I was in a bad mood.”
“Well, don’t take it out on me.”
Cooper glanced at the ducks. “Do you ship them?”
“Not that I have to, because they’re clearly already in love, but yes. I hope they have a very happy duck life and have lots of beautiful duck children.”
“I think the word you’re searching for is ducklings, because children are a human thing. Duck children sounds like a mutant science experiment gone wrong.”
“Ugh, you drive me crazy!” I shoved him, and he barely caught his balance.
“I just thought a math girl would be more into facts, is all.”
I moved to shove him again, and he caught my arm. The boat rocked, and I fell into Cooper, my hands braced against his chest. Despite trying not to think about it, my hands noticed how firm it was. I also caught a whiff of woodsy cologne, and there was something intoxicating about the way it mixed in with the fresh air and water scent.
“Careful,” Cooper warned, his deep voice vibrating against my palms. “You’re about to send us both into the water.”
“I don’t want to be careful.” I straightened. “I love the lake, and I want to enjoy my time out here. I’m glad you love rowing and all, but sometimes you’ve got to slow down for a moment and appreciate it.” I squatted next to the side, curving my hands around the edge of the wooden boat, and peered into the water. Underneath the surface, a couple of fish darted back and forth. “There’s an entire life under there and you’re missing it.”
Cooper knelt next to me, his thigh pressed against mine, and warmth wound through me. “I get what you’re saying,” he said. “No more being so serious.”
“Seriously.” In one fluid motion, I scooped up a handful of water and launched it at him.
His jaw dropped. He blinked at me through wet lashes, and then he lunged. With a squeal, I scrambled backward, attempting to flee—I’m not sure where, but I suppose there was something to be said for trying.
Unfortunately Cooper was too fast. He launched a spray of water at me and all I could do was throw my hands in front of me to try to block another attack. The boat rocked as I attempted to stand, and I flung out my arms, trying to brace myself on something.
Strong hands caught me around the waist. I gripped Cooper’s wrists, clinging on for dear life. The rocking of the boat calmed, but I couldn’t say the same for my heart rate. Instead of coming back down, it tripped over its beats, each one faster than the next.
The weirdo attraction vibes caught me off guard and overwhelmed me, so I did the only thing I could think of. I rocked the boat again, trying to get the teasing vibe back. Only I overdid it, my attempt to turn the tides apparently endowing me with super strength.
I bumped into him, and he tipped, his hands flailing now. “I’m sorry, I—”
He reached out and caught hold of my wrist, and then we both went tumbling over the side, into the icy cold water.