Free Beautifully Unbroken by D.M. Brittle

he wanted to say, but I could tell he was wondering whether to say it or not.
    He blinked a few times and seemed to bring himself out of his thoughts for a moment, shaking his head.
    “I just want you to know I’m always here for you.” His hand reached over and took mine. “Any time you ever need to talk, or feel like heading out for a jog” – he smiled – “call me, okay?”
    I nodded. “Thank you. That means a lot. You have been a really good friend, Cooper; I’ll always remember that.” I smiled, and he smiled back, but the smile never reached his eyes.
    “You’re okay though, right?” he asked.
    “I will be.” I nodded. “I didn’t sleep last night, I’ve been busy all day, my body clock thinks it’s breakfast time, yet I’ve skipped sleep again.” We both chuckled. “I’ll call you,” I said.
    “Do you want me to walk you up to your apartment?” he offered.
    I smiled. “No, that’s okay; I’ll manage.”
    “I didn’t mean—”
    “I know,” I said before he could finish, and he smiled softly at me.
    “I’ll see you soon then, Jo.”
    “See you soon,” I replied before leaning towards him and placing my lips to his cheek.
    I don’t know what possessed me. Cooper had been so kind to me, and I had made it clear time and time again to him that we were friends and friends only; that nothing more was ever going to happen between us. But something sparked inside my body as my lips left his cheek and moved across to his mouth. His eyes opened wide with shock at first; he hadn’t expected it just as much as I hadn’t intended it.
    “Sorry,” I whispered against his mouth.
    “Don’t be,” he whispered back before claiming my mouth with his.
    He was a rough kisser, but his lips felt good against mine. His hands moved up, and he placed one around my neck, pulling me closer to him while his other gripped my back. Our tongues invaded each other’s mouths over and over; only the sound of our heavy breathing filled the car. His body towered above me as we slid down onto the cool leather seat. I felt his hand slide slowly up my thigh, but something was missing; there were no butterflies in the pit of my stomach, no tingling in my limbs, no want for anything more to come from this than just a kiss. I realized it was wrong, it was all so wrong what I was doing, and the reason why was just too wrong. I pulled back and opened my eyes. It wasn’t the person who I had wanted it to be staring back at me.
    “I’m sorry,” I panted as I pushed Cooper from me and straightened up in my seat.
    “Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting it.” I turned to see his shocked expression.
    God, I felt awful. I had done exactly what I had said I wouldn’t do. I wanted Cooper and me to remain friends, good friends, and I had gone and led him on, for nothing.
    I lifted my hand and wiped traces of my lipstick from his mouth. He noticed I wasn’t smiling, and his face fell into a frown.
    “That kiss wasn’t meant for me, was it?”
    “I’m sorry,” I replied rubbing my brow frantically.
    “It was meant for Blake, wasn’t it?”
    I didn’t agree with him, but I also didn’t deny it. “I’m all over the place at the moment,” I said, refusing to meet his gaze.
    “Isn’t Blake seeing Sara?” I looked up as his eyes widened “Tell me you’re not seeing him too, Jo? That’s just wrong.” He shook his head.
    “I’m not,” I answered quickly. “You know I’m not that sort of person. I would never do that. It’s just … complicated.”
    “Don’t use me, Jo,”
    “I’m not,” I replied instantly. “I would never do that; you know that, don’t you?”
    Cooper turned his attention to outside, refusing to answer me.
    “Cooper, please, I’m sorry. Can we still be friends?” I asked nervously.
    Cooper’s face softened as he turned back to face me. “I will always be here for you, Jo; you know that; just don’t ever do that again unless it’s me that you actually want.”
    I nodded