by Heather Long
“Everyone uses condoms,” I told him in a rush. “And no one gave me anything.”
Some of the tension went out of his arm.
“I just want to make sure we’re all covered. I mean you guys and me.” Since I was having sex with all of them, well, not Ian yet. But hopefully, maybe soon.
I froze. How insatiable was I that I had Jake, Coop, and Archie, but I was really anticipating Ian, too?
“Wow, I’m turning into a—”
“You be really careful about the word you choose,” Jake all but growled at me, and I lifted my head to meet his fierce gaze. “Nobody talks bad about my girl, not even my girl.”
A shiver raced up my spine. “Got it.” Then I stuck my tongue out at him, and his entire expression shifted as he cracked a smile.
“You’re adorably the worst. You know that, right?”
“So you have told me.” This time, he kissed my fingers before releasing my hand and shifting the car into gear.
“By the way, Coop and Archie hit the grocery store on the way home. There is a chocolate feast waiting for you, weepy movies, heating pad, and some kind of back massager thing that Archie insisted on buying. We might need a bigger boat for shark week just to carry all the crap they got.”
I busted out laughing.
My guys rocked.
The weekend flew past, and the guys spoiled me rotten. Shark week was never fun, and the first two days inevitably sucked. Not only did they get me a chocolate feast, they ordered in all my favorite take-out foods and coordinated with the movers Archie brought in to empty out Maddy’s room while the cats and I hid out in my own.
In between rom-coms and dramas, Archie continued his campaign for the bigger bed. He kept showing me different ones and even suggested we all go to the different stores to test the beds to find the one we all wanted.
There was something awkward and yet utterly natural about that. The guys had all but moved into the apartment with me. A part of me wondered if I should be pushing back on that or not. It was something I’d probably end up discussing with Erin. We hadn’t touched on my relationship with the guys as much. Not when we’d focused on Maddy to a great extent and on Mitch and those events.
Ian had brought over one of his guitars and asked if he could just keep it there rather than take it back and forth. Archie and Jake stole my car Saturday afternoon to change the oil and the fluids in it, and I only found out after the fact. Before I could discuss testing with Archie or Coop, Jake announced over dinner that they needed to get it done if they hadn’t.
That earned me a pair of speculative looks from both of them, and I just tucked into my food and focused on that. I wasn’t one hundred percent ready to discuss all of the whys and stuff. Not yet. There were other conversations I needed to have.
Things we needed to decide between us and with everyone. A lot of things I didn’t want to leave up in the air or to chance.
Monday, we kicked off a new routine with Ian and Jake no longer having practice. They decided of their own accord to go running before school, and Archie went with them. Coop hung with me, both of us a little bemused by this running.
Even more when Jake said I could go with them when I was feeling better.
Um, yay?
“So, Trina has a date on Wednesday.”
I stared at him. “He actually still asked her after you guys talked to him?”
Nose wrinkled, Coop stared at me. “No, Auburn is out. Walked away. Smart.”
I didn’t roll my eyes, but it took actual effort. “Then who does she have a date with?”
“Kid in her grade.”
“Okay, that’s better, right?”
“Same problem, kid’s just shorter.” Coop grousing had to be one of my favorite things ever. Wasn’t going to tell him that, though. I slid my feet over to rest in his lap, and he dropped a hand down to wrap around my ankle. “She asked if we’d do the double-date thing.”
“Uh huh.”
“So, I told her I’d talk to you.” He didn’t quite meet my eyes as he took a large swallow of his coffee. “And if you were feeling up for it, we could go with them. But if not, she’d have to reschedule.”
I took a bite of my chocolate covered donuts—the guys had seriously not been kidding about the chocolate shopping. We had chocolate everything at the moment. It was a little bit like heaven. “Okay.” After waiting a beat for him to continue, I curled my toes against him. “Are you going to ask me?”
“Nope,” he told me, a grin curling his lips. “First, I said I’d talk to you, which I have done. Second, our next date is not going to be double-dating with my sister and the boy she likes. Mom can go keep an eye on them, she already said she would if I didn’t want to do it.”
Propping my chin on my fist, I studied him. “You’re adorable.”
He snorted.
“Has it occurred to you that Trina wanting us to go on the double-dates with her is a way to get you to spend more time with her?”
The scowl reappeared. “Don’t try to use your logic on me.”
I chuckled. “Coop, she adores you, and you’re always over here. She might be feeling a little ignored.”
His shoulders dropped, and he tilted his head back. “You want to go on the double-date with them?”
“Not particularly, but I will.”
I poked him with my toes gently, and he gave my ankle a squeeze. “I’ll think about it and see how you’re doing tomorrow. You were not comfortable yesterday.”
“The first two days are always the worst.” But I appreciated the sentiment regardless.
Cutting a look at the clock, he glanced back to me. “The question about whether we’ve all been tested—is that because I almost forgot the condom that one day?” Genuine worry reflected in his eyes. “I’m not going to risk you. You know that, right?”
“I do,” I assured him. “And it’s partially because of that, and partially just…I’m having sex with three of you, and there’s a real chance Ian and I might start having sex too—that’s me having sex with four guys on a fairly regular basis.”
“You’re worried about us.” He nodded once. “Fair point. Also, very you.” I rolled my eyes, but he leaned forward. “It is very you. You start worrying about all of us. You’re worried about whether Bubba is all in, you’re worried that we’re going to make you choose. You’re worried…”
“I’m worried about a lot of things.” I could admit that. “But this is just one thing we can all do something about. All of you say you don’t want to risk me. Is it so bad that I don’t want to risk you?”
“No, it’s not so bad,” he confessed. “I like that you care. I mean, clearly, I’m your favorite.”
“Clearly,” I said, tone dry and he grinned, and it was impossible not to smile back at him.
“You jest, but I know you.” He tapped his head, then pointed at me. “I get you.”
I laughed. “You’re terrible.”
“And you like me this way.”
Yes, yes I did.
“Also,” he continued, easing my feet from his lap as he stood and gathered up our breakfast dishes. “Mom has invited you over for dinner later this week. If we go out with Trina, I’ll ask her if we can do it next week.”
Dinner with Carly wasn’t a novelty, well, it wasn’t a standard anymore. I used to eat over there all the time when we were younger. But his mom wasn’t the only one insisting on inviting me over. I had invitations from Alicia and Sara, too. Jake and Ian both said I didn’t have to worry about it, but with everything going on, keeping the peace with their parents needed to stay higher on the list of things we needed to do.
The back door opening saved me from responding as Jake, Archie, and Ian all entered, sweaty, and breathing hard. In their tank tops and shorts, despite the chilly temperatures, they all looked really, really good.
“Now that’s a good look,” Jake said, then he dropped a kiss on my lips as he swung past on his way for the shower.
Archie fol
lowed him, then tucked my chin up with a wink before he gave me a kiss. “Don’t drool.” I swatted him, and he laughed.
Ian snorted and then planted a hand on the back of my chair and another on the table, before he delivered his version of a good morning kiss. Tongue sweeping in, he made a little satisfied hum before he lifted his head. “You taste like coffee and chocolate.”
“There are more donuts,” I told him.
He chuckled. “We’ll save those for you.” Then he gave me another kiss, one that had me gripping his neck for balance as he thoroughly explored my mouth and sent my pulse racing. “I can always just do taste tests right here.”
“Shower’s open,” Jake yelled.
“Damn,” Ian murmured. “Raincheck?”
I laughed and gave him a gentle shove, but he was already on the move. Settling back in the chair, I met Coop’s amused gaze and raised my brows at his smirk. “What?”
“Happy looks good on you.” His eyes darkened a notch.
“You’re picturing pinning me to the fridge right now, aren’t you?”
Grasping my left hand, he tugged me out of the chair, then spun me around to pin me against the fridge. “Nope,” he said, gentle as hell when he settled his hands on my hips. “I’m just going to do it.”
Then he closed his mouth over mine, and the vague notion of cramps faded as he teased, nipped, and sucked at my lips.
Yeah, happy felt good, too.
Chapter Six
Not All Days Are Good
Coop
Fortunately, Trina got herself grounded before the date became an issue. Unfortunately, she got grounded because Mom busted her for smoking again. That meant Dad got called, and he showed up to have a ‘talk’ with her. As usual, the ‘talk’ began and ended with him taking Trina’s side, and though he tried to soften the punishment, Mom wasn’t having any of it.
I spent the whole ‘lecture’ leaning against the wall next to the hallway, arms folded and ready to leave. Personally, I’d rather be over at Frankie’s or working or, hell, going running. Well, no I’d rather not be running, definitely rather be with Frankie.
“Two weeks,” Mom said. “Final answer.”
“Carly, we could make it one… It’s only her first real rebellion.”
I stared at Dad and barely swallowed back my scoff, but Mom didn’t even give it that much effort. “We can make it a month. Do you want to keep negotiating for her Thomas?”
Oh, she used the full name. Dad finally noticed the graffiti on the wall and shut the fuck up, much to Trina’s chagrin. She cast a hopeful look at me, but I shook my head. I told her the cigarettes were bad for her. Phase or not, it was a terrible habit. I’d tried them exactly once. Not that I planned to share it. Frankie and I had both split a pack of smokes with Jake when he got back from Germany.
She threw up, I had a headache from hell, and Jake had been disgusted enough that he tossed the rest in the trash. Our rebellions could stick it out with sharing Frankie between us and alcohol. That worked for us. We’d done a little weed over the summer, sans Frankie, but the smoke stunk, even if it was fun.
“I hate all of you,” Trina yelled, tears filling her angry eyes as she stormed away. She slapped my arm as she passed me and muttered, “Jerk,” before disappearing up the hallway. The slam of her door added the final punctuation mark to that tantrum.
Good times.
Dad sighed. “You didn’t have to be so rough on her, Carly. She’s acting out.”
“I called you over here to back me up. If you can’t be bothered, then you don’t need to be here.” With Trina out of the way, Mom’s expression went to stone. She rose and avoided Dad’s hand when he went to touch her arm. “Thanks for nothing. Feel free to let yourself out.”
This was the shit that I hated—the icy wall between them and the fact that Dad fucked it up with Mom. I’d heard her cry herself to sleep. I didn’t care what he had to say on the subject, he hurt her. He could go. I pinned him with a look as Mom headed to the kitchen.
“Coop.”
“Dad.”
The old man sighed as he straightened. Sometimes, I forgot what it was like when I was younger. When Dad and I hung out willingly. How he taught me to throw a baseball, or when he took me and Frankie to baseball games. “You got a minute?”
“Nope.”
Another aggrieved sigh left him. “Cooper, I’d like to talk to you.”
“I’m good with the whole let’s pretend the other one doesn’t exist. It’s been working for me.” Mom wanted him out of here, and Dad’s jaw set. Fuck, he wasn’t going anywhere until he talked to me. Fine. I’d split the difference. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
Instead of heading to the door, though, he moved to the hallway where I was standing. What the…
“Trina?” he called. “I’m going now.”
Sis didn’t answer him. He waited a moment, jaw flexing, then grunted as he turned away, and I pushed off the wall to follow him to the door. Most likely, Sis had her earphones in. I rather doubted she even heard Dad’s farewell. Even if she did, she probably didn’t want to talk to him after his betrayal anyway.
I caught Mom’s eye where she watched our exit from the kitchen. I mouthed, “I’ll be back,” to her, and she gave me a small smile and a nod. The pain in her eyes just pissed me off at Dad all over again. I didn’t know exactly what he’d done. It had to have been an affair. I didn’t think it was money. But whatever it was, it was bad enough that he’d tried for years to win Mom’s affections back, and she had nothing to do with that. She talked to him about us, and that was it.
It had just been an ugly year, and nothing I’d done had made it better, though I sure as fuck tried. Keeping my distance from Dad was the least I could do. Even when she tried to tell me he was still my father and I was allowed to have a relationship with him.
Nope, I was firmly #TeamMom, and Dad could go fuck himself.
While she’d never actually said anything, the relief in her eyes about killed me. Trina had been the complete opposite and a lot younger. She didn’t see how much pain Mom was in, or how Mom just took all of her rebellion and tantrums and kept going. Even when Mom wouldn’t say anything to her, I had. Still, it had been tough.
Dad didn’t say a word as he headed for the parking lot. He’d parked in the open parking where Frankie used to park her car and right next to mine. Arms folded, I faced him when he turned. We were the same height, so I could look him dead in the eyes. We had the same build, and where his looming presence had been both a comfort and a bit of a terror when I was younger, he just seemed kind of sad now.
I waited him out. If he wanted to have the conversation, he would have to be the one to start it. At least out here, away from Mom, I didn’t have the driving urge to shove him out the door. I could keep it cool.
“Your mom said you’re dating Frankie.”
That was what he wanted to talk to me about? I raised my brows. “Does it matter?”
“Yes and no,” Dad said, not remotely clearing it up. “Just—she said you haven’t been serious about anyone, and you’ve known Frankie for years.”
Mom might have said that, but I doubted they’d had some kind of heart to heart about me. “Dad, what do you want?”
Raking a hand through his sandy blond, yet sporting more than his own fair share of gray, hair, Dad leaned back against his car. “We’ve never really talked about…girls and stuff.”
“Sex?” I didn’t scoff. I didn’t snort. I didn’t do much other than keep it bland. “I’m familiar with sex. Safe sex. Also with STDs and pregnancy. I know about condoms. I also know how to treat a girl right and not fuck around on her. Anything else you want to cover?”
He stared at me a beat. “I always wondered if you knew.”
“We’re not having that conversation.” Some things, I wished I didn’t know.
“Coop, are you ever going to not be pissed at me?”
“Ask me in ten years.”
“Look,” Dad
said, studying me with the same eyes I had. Sometimes, I wondered if it had to bug Mom how much I looked like him. “I screwed up. I accept that I made mistakes. I owe your mother, more than I’ll ever be able to repay her. I want to make it up to her, but she wants nothing to do with that.”
He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know.
“But, Coop, I want to know you, too.”
“Actions speak louder than words, Dad,” I told him, unwilling to change my tune at this point. “You hurt Mom. Then you left.”
“She told me to get out.” He let out an exasperated sigh. “Can you understand that I want to fight for her, but I can’t fight her and hurt her again?”
“Why did you hurt her in the first place?” As much as I didn’t want to have this conversation. I had to know. “Why do that to her? You guys always seemed…happy, she always had your back. Hell, she had your back even after this crap. She’s never blamed you. She’s never talked down about you. She’s encouraged me to give you a chance.”
“Because your mother is a much better person than I am.”
“Well, on that, we can agree.” It was my turn to rake a hand through my hair, and the moment it hit me that I was mirroring his gesture, I dropped my hands to my side again.
“I was a fool,” Dad told me. “That’s what happened. I let some soft words and compliments go to my head. I let myself think I deserved more than I did. Your mother worked. I worked. We were always busy, and she never seemed to have time for me anymore. There was always something with you and Trina.” He shook his head. “Look, I was a fool. I can’t change the past, I can only try to do better in the future. Maybe—maybe if you give me a chance, maybe your mom will too.”
I didn’t tell him I wouldn’t hold my breath, but at the same time… “Dad, I’m eighteen. I graduate this year. I’m going to college. This isn’t like six or seven years ago. Focus on Trina, she needs parents.” I didn’t need him. Mom was doing just fine where I was concerned.
