Just Kidding | ✔️

Chapter 50: Happy New Year

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Cooper is pulling me further out into the darkness of the night along with him. I allow him to take me because honestly I'd go anywhere with him.

"Kyla! There you are!" Blake's voice has me halting immediately. Cooper let's my hand go but stays put as I turn to face my brother who has suddenly pulled me into his arms. It's warm and safe, just like I remember. "God, I've missed you." Blake hums into my shoulder.

Nodding, I answer somberly. "I missed you too."
I peer further behind him to find a smiling Amber up the shore. She waves excitedly at me and I wave back before facing Blake once more, "how are you two?" I ask.

"Really good. She's," Blake grins, turning around to watch her with such serenity, such captivity that I wonder if I watch Cooper the same way. "She's incredible."

My brother then gestures to Cooper behind me. "I see you two are still doing good." Blake chuckles.

"Great, actually." I beam.

"I'm glad. You two work well together." Once minutes have passed, Blake finally dissolves into the night and I return to Cooper who just now finishes his masterpiece in the sand. "What do you think?" He smiles down at the letters written in the sand.

"Forever and always." I repeat, reading off of the sloppily written words.

"Don't judge it too much. The sand isn't the easiest of canvases."

I shake my head, taking his hand in mine I lean against him. "Is that gonna be our thing?" I chuckle.

"I'd like to think we have a thing. So yes." He kisses my temple and tugs on my arm, "Come on."

Following Cooper further out towards the frigid waters, the cold air nips at my skin and I find myself curling into his warmth the longer we walk for. "Where are we going? The fireworks should be starting soon." I shiver.

"What do you say, we do something a little crazy?" He stops all of a sudden and turns around to face me, a thick fog has now begun to wash over the land and the crowds at the shore are hardly visible any longer.

"Cooper. . ."

"Shh, baby." He whispers. Pressing a finger to my lips, sauntering further away from me until the water is only inches from his feet. I follow close behind.

"Get in with me." He turns around from looking out into the water. Smiling down at me with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he gestures to the water.

"Y-you want me to get in there?" I point to the dark blue almost black water that no doubt is freezing.

Cooper nods, stepping towards me.

"Are you crazy it's freezing out here!" I chuckle, "Besides, I don't have any extra clothes."

Cooper chuckles, shaking his head at me. "I never said you would get your clothes wet."

"No!" I turn around quickly, ready to dash but he catches my waist and pulls me back in.

"Don't think you can get away from me that easily." His lips brush against my ear, his sultry tone sends shivers down my spine.

"I guess I have always wanted to skinny dip," I surrender, unaware of what exactly this means for me until Cooper is setting me down. Spinning me around to face him, he strips of his shirt and the structure of his abdomen greets me. I can't help myself but stare longingly at his bareness.

Just observing him I swear I melt all over again. My hands are reaching out for Cooper just to feel his smooth skin, to read every dip and crevice, every twist and turn, every scar and story there is to this boy.