Claiming Cooper Page 6

  “Yeah,” I said with a half-smile. My heart fluttered when he smiled back at me. He made me want to forget everything and jump into his arms. “Here,” I held my hand out, “I’ll get you. You’re worse than I was. It’s all over your shirt. The back too.”

  “Hang on,” he said, handing me the hose nozzle. Taking it, I watched as his hands crossed and gripped the hem of his shirt. In one fell swoop, his wet navy shirt disappeared. What remained was every woman’s fantasy. Jesus Christ. With a chest sculpted like the Jupiter of Versailles, his body was like a fine piece of art that should be studied and stared at for hours. He looked like perfection.

  I could totally drool over him for hours.

  With his shirt in one hand, he turned and flung it over the fence and kicked off his boots. His head turned before the rest of him and busted me staring, mouth agape.

  “See something you like?” he asked with a cocky smirk.

  Before I could register what I was doing, I nodded but quickly stammered. “No . . . I mean I . . . you’ve gotten bigger. I just . . . never mind.” I shook my head.

  Holy shit, you idiot. Why not just say I want to climb on you like a monkey in heat? That would have been less obvious.

  Cooper grinned like the Cheshire cat. He did until I remembered I had the hose and squirted him with the frigid water, curbing his arrogance. “Jesus, Kins, that’s freezing.”

  Then, it was my turn to laugh while he danced in place.

  “Okay, I’m good,” he said, holding his hands up to block the spray.

  Pausing momentarily, I said, “You still have some stuff right,” I aimed at his face and squeezed the handle, “there.”

  “That’s it!” Coop stopped playing and leapt forward at me causing me to drop the hose and run barefoot down the grass edge of the driveway. Giggling, I only ran a few yards, thinking I was clear. Looking over my shoulder I saw Coop, wet, shirtless and barreling toward me.

  “Oh shit!” I willed my legs to run and my giggles to cease. Neither happened because as I turned, Cooper caught up with me. His arms went around my waist, lifting me off my feet and pulling me solidly against his firm, naked chest.

  “Gotcha,” he laughed. “You didn’t think you’d get away from me that easily did you?” he whispered huskily into my ear. His breath was like a paralytic drug, freezing me in place. Only my body trembled. My laughter ceased. Spinning me around, our lips separated by mere inches, one of his hands released my waist and rose to my face. He swiped the calloused pad of his thumb across my cheek.

  And I knew. I just knew it. He would be the one to kiss me that time. Inside, I screamed like a crazed maniac, swimming in excitement.

  “You . . .” he paused, gazing into my eyes and I was hypnotized. Taking the milliseconds to etch that scene into my memory, “uhh . . . have some green shit on your face.”

  Kill me now.

  “What?” I pulled away, swiping my fingers over my cheeks. Color me mortified.

  “I got it. You’re good,” he said, tucking his hands in his pockets.

  “What the hell happened to you two?” Ashton asked from behind me. Turning, I watched him walking over from the barn. He didn’t look like he was ready to party, dressed in dirty, ripped up jeans and a sweaty baseball cap. No shirt. You would have to be blind not to appreciate the view.

  “One of the calves got through the fence and got stuck in the pond,” Coop explained.

  “We had to get in to save it,” I continued, looking from Cooper to Ash. “What’s your excuse for lookin’ like a Kraft dressing commercial?”

  “What?” His forehead puckered as he stopped in front of us. His hand reached up and adjusted his hat. “A Kraft commercial?”

  “You know, the one with the hunky, shirtless guy?”

  “So, you think I’m hunky?” Ashton grinned, lifting an eyebrow.

  “Alright, I’m outta here,” Cooper said, taking a few steps backwards before spinning toward the hose where our soggy boots sat waiting.

  “Oh my God, you’re such a conceited jerk. I wasn’t suggesting you’re a hunk. I was saying that the model on the TV was.” I laughed. “Jeez, Ash. Cocky much?”

  He walked over and draped his bulky arm over my still dripping shoulders. “Not cocky if it’s true.”

  With a deep laugh, I reached across my body, planted my hand on his ribs, and shoved him away. “You’re such a dork.”

  He laughed as he pretended that my light push was enough to send him away involuntarily. “Takes one to know one.”

  I burst out laughing, jogging over to pick up my boots. “What? Are we five again? I’m goin’ home. I’ll see you later.”

  “You’re coming to the party, right?” he asked with a knitted brow as I stuffed my feet into the wet boots.

  “Yes, even though I don’t get why you wanna have one,” I said, glancing back at him as I started down the driveway home.

  “I need to forget for just one night that at any minute I could lose my dad,” he offered. The sorrow in his voice halted me in my tracks, spinning me around. Stupid me, I didn’t once think about how hard it must be for him to watch his father dying slowly in front of him. The other boys got to go back to their homes, their lives after the weekend. It was in his face morning, noon and night. I had been so self-absorbed in my attack that I ignored the pain my best friend was living in.

  “Oh, Ashton.” My shoulders fell and my head drooped as I walked back to him. “I’m sorry,” I apologized as I walked all the way up and wrapped my arms around his damp, thick chest, pulling him down to me. “I’ve been a shitty friend. I’ve never asked if you were okay. I just pretended you were.”

  “It’s okay, Lizzy, I get it. Everyone expects me to be strong and never falter. I just . . . it’s getting harder to pretend. I only wanted a night to party and cut loose, but I didn’t wanna be too far away.” Ashton released me and pulled away, his eyes glistening. “Don’t say anything, okay?”

  Headlights coming up the long drive interrupted the conversation. “What time is the party?”

  “Not til nine,” Ashton replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Who . . .” I started, looking back at the beams of light.

  “Storm,” he answered before I could ask. “He went back to North Carolina last weekend and said he’d be back this weekend. Guess he’s early.”

  “Oh, cool, so he’ll be here for the party?”

  He nodded. “Yup.” The smile he plastered across his face told me how much he was really struggling today.

  “I’m gonna run home and I’ll see you in a little while, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Trudging down the driveway, my feet slipped and sloshed in my boots as I approached Storm’s silver truck. Waving, he popped the driver’s door open after pulling into the patch of grass just before the barn.

  “Hey there, Princess.” He knew I hated that nickname. No matter how many times I asked him not to call me that, he still did.

  The oldest of the brothers at thirty, Storm stood just under six feet. He might have been the smaller of the trio, but he was just as athletic as his brothers. More ruggedly handsome than GQ like Ashton, Storm wore his hair short on the sides with a longer unruly crown like Cooper. His facial hair groomed into a sexy, fun beard that screamed for someone to run their fingers through it.

  “What’s up, Stormtrooper?” I teased, grinning, pleased with myself.

  “Well played.” He grinned. “Why do you look like a drowned rat?” he asked as he opened the back door, pulling out a large duffel bag.

  “Ask Cooper, I’ve gotta go shower. I’ll see you in a little,” I said, continuing toward home.

  The moment I wasn’t with Cooper or his brothers, the reality would hit me again like a wrecking ball. As I reached the end of the driveway where the gravel met paved road, I glanced around. Nothing but trees and empty pastures. My stomach churned nervously as I walked along the side of the road. Every noise made me jump and spin to see what it was. Unle
ss the leaves were alive, I was alone, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone or something was out there, watching me.

  One night had changed me forever. How I longed to feel okay again.

  STOPPING AT THE HOUSE, I stood in the foyer while Mom brought me my phone and I explained what had happened.

  “So, Ford is some sort of horse version of Lassie?” She chuckled.

  Shrugging, I took the phone, pressed the home button to see that Anna had called fifteen minutes ago. “I guess. It was crazy and that water was nasty.” I looked down at my yucky boots. “I’m gonna go take a shower and call Anna back. I’ll see you later.”

  I lifted my arms to hug my mom, but she stepped back. “No chance, honey.” She laughed. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Maria said the boys were having a little party.” I could see the concern in her eyes.

  “I’ll be okay. Ash, Coop and Storm will be there,” I assured her.

  “Call if you need anything,” she smiled.

  I turned and walked out the door, saying over my shoulder, “Will do.” I called Anna as I walked around the house, but it went straight to voicemail. “Hey, honey, it’s me. Call me back.”

  * * *

  While I applied the last swipe of mascara the phone rang and pulled me from my thoughts. I had been going through a checklist in my head of things not to do as I walked over to the bedside table. Picking up the phone, I was hesitant to answer the phone once I saw the name. Paul, a friend from Charlotte.

  Paul and I had forensics accounting together last semester. He and I were a lot alike in the fact that we were there to get a degree and get out; not party every waking minute. We studied a few times a week until he pushed for more and I shut him down.

  My finger swiped the green circle. “Hey, Paul. What’s up?”

  “Hey, Kinsley. Are you okay?” His voice was full of pity. I answered not expecting to have to answer questions.

  “I’m fine.” I had ignored the text and phone calls from him over the last few weeks hoping he’d take the hint.

  “I’m sorry. I thought you were avoiding me after . . . well, you know.”

  “No, Paul, I’m back home. Listen, I’d love to sit and chat, but I gotta run. I’ll call you soon though,” I lied, rolling my eyes. I started to pull the phone away from my face.

  “They’re all saying you pushed him out the window on purpose,” he whispered.

  “What?” The word almost caught in my throat as it came out. My hand pressed the phone firmly to my face.

  “I don’t believe them. I know you’d never do something like that unless you had to,” he said. “Are you sure you’re okay? I’m here if you wanna talk.”

  “Who said that?” Bile rose up my throat, burning almost as much as the words on my ears. “Ya know what, I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you later.” Just as I hung up the phone, a text came through.

  Unknown: You really think you’re going to get away with hurting him?

  Me: Who is this?

  Unknown: Someone you’re going to learn not to fuck with little girl

  “Leave me alone,” I shouted at the phone before throwing it onto my bed. Tears streamed down my face as the weight of the whole situation finally broke me.

  Who would think I could ever do something like that intentionally? I wasn’t a person with that kind of malice or anger.

  No. What happened was not my fault.

  He hurt me. He made me do it. It was his fault.

  Not mine.

  His.

  In the blink of an eye, I was back in my bedroom, hearing his voice in my ear. “Jillian’s loss is gonna be your gain.” I knew it wasn’t real, but it was almost like I could feel his breath on my neck.

  “Lizzy,” a voice called from the living room, pulling me from my thoughts. “Kinsley,” it yelled louder. Ashton.

  “I’ll be right out,” I said and ran to the bathroom. I snatched the hand towel from the silver bar and blotted under my eyes, careful not to smear my makeup.

  I took a deep breath and blew it out, long and slow. Shoes, you need shoes, Kins. I ran to my closet, bent over and picked up one of my charcoal, heeled booties off the floor. Slipping my foot in, I pinched the zipper and slid it up the inside of my ankle then repeated with the other bootie. Standing, I looked in the mirror and saw Ashton standing behind me in the doorway. Dressed in khaki cargo shorts and a sapphire button down with the long sleeves rolled up above his elbows, he looked all kinds of handsome.

  “What are you staring at?” I asked his reflection.

  “My best friend . . . who’s hiding something.” He leaned into the doorframe with his hand tucked in the front pocket of his dark jeans. He asked, “What’s goin’ on, Lizzy? I’ve been askin’ for almost three weeks and the generic nothing isn’t cutting it anymore. Talk to me.”

  “I can’t.” My bottom lip quivered before I could bite down on it. The thought of sharing my trauma, that would not stop, was nauseating. “Not tonight.” I turned and looked at him, a few feet away. “Tonight, we forget. Just for a little while. Both of us. Tomorrow, we’ll deal with reality.”

  “Lizzy, whatever this is, you can’t run from it.”

  “I know, Ash, I’m not. I just wanna forget and have fun,” I lied. The prospect of having to face the situation head on terrified me as did the having fun part.

  “Seems to me, that’s all you’ve been doing. Running. Forgetting.”

  Jesus, I hated it when he was right. I fought every day to push away the demons that kept clawing at me, trying to drag me down. Even though I had escaped that night, it followed me like a midnight shadow, right on my heels.

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Promise?” he asked, pushing off the door frame.

  “I swear,” I replied as he took two long strides and stopped in front of me.

  “You know, no matter what it is, I’ve always got your back, right?”

  “I do.” However, I knew in my heart that I wouldn’t be able to tell him. I thought back to how he reacted when he found out about Geoff. I would not let him get involved with these people. Whoever they were. If anything ever happened to Ashton because of me, I would never forgive myself. Horrible visions of Ashton being hurt flooded my mind and it felt like someone buried an axe in my chest.

  His arms reached out, wrapped around my shoulders, and pulled me into his embrace.

  “Thanks, Ashton, for being such a great friend.” I laid my head against his chest for a moment and listened to his heart beating calmly. Pulling back and sniffling once, I looked up. I saw a twinge of something in his eyes, but it was gone before I could figure out what it was.

  “You ready?” he asked, his pearly whites gleamed back at me.

  “Yeah, let’s do this,” I said, slipping on my mask of cheerfulness.

  * * *

  When Ashton and I arrived at his house, the party was in full swing. Cars lined the driveway on both sides. There must have been twenty cars and trucks littering the yard.

  “Holy shit, Ash. How many people did you invite?” I asked as we drove up to the barn where he always parked his monster truck.

  “Uhh, I don’t know. I mentioned it to Becca, Ethan, and Ryan last weekend at the bar. I could’ve invited half the bar that night, don’t actually remember,” he said, scratching his head.

  “This could be bad,” I mumbled. In a split second, I was back in the townhouse at the last party I attended in Charlotte. My palms began to sweat as it felt like my throat was closing.

  “Huh?” Ash’s brow pulled together. “You okay?”

  “Fine.” I rubbed my palms down the sides of my hips. “What about your mom and dad? Aren’t we going to wake them up?” I covered.

  “Nah, Dad’s on all those drugs, he sleeps through anything and Mom was cool with it. She gets why I needed to blow off some steam. They’re far enough away they probably won’t hear us anyway.” Shifting the truck into park, he looked over at me and tipped his head toward the crowded bonfire. “Come on.”


  “Hey, Ashton,” I said, reaching my hand up to catch his arm. I swallowed back the lump in my throat. I wasn’t going to tell him anything, but suddenly knowing all these people would be around and I would be in a vulnerable situation, I needed my friend. I needed to feel safe and not run from life. “Don’t leave me alone with anyone I don’t know, ‘kay?”

  Halfway out the truck door, Ash stopped and looked back at me. “Jesus, Lizzy, what happened to you?”

  “Don’t. Don’t look at me like that,” I said, feeling the tears threatening.

  “Like what?”

  “Like I’m broken.” I shoved the passenger door open. In such a rush to get away from him, I forgot how ridiculously high off the ground I was. As I flung the door open, I slid down the side of the seat and totally misjudged the landing.

  Oooph.

  My boot hit the soft, uneven ground first, followed by my ass. “Shit.” Thankfully, I did not hit the back of my head on the truck.

  “Kinsley,” I heard Ashton hollering for me from the other side of the truck. Before he could run around to me, Storm was there. Bending over, he slipped both hands under my arms and hoisted me up.

  “Damn, Princess, you started drinkin’ without me? And here I thought we were friends,” Storm laughed.

  “No.” I rolled my eyes. “Ashton and his big ass truck,” I grumbled under my breath, swatting Storm’s large hands away. Thank God, next to nobody saw my grand entrance. I may be a bit of a klutz, but for the record, this time wasn’t my fault.

  Ashton came around the front of the truck. “You good?”

  I shot daggers at him.

  “Well then, let me be the first to get ya a beer,” Storm said as he walked over to one of the white coolers near the concrete pool decking.

  “I hate your truck,” I told him, reaching up to close the door. Pissed at myself and Ashton, I slammed it with all my might.

  “Yeah,” he laughed, “you’ve said that a few times.”

  “From now on, I drive,” I said, brushing the dirt off the back of my faded skinny jeans. “Am I good?” I turned toward the dim light the fire provided in attempt to check myself.

  Before Ashton could open his mouth, Cooper came out of the shadows and beat him to the punch.