Just A Kiss

by Morgan Rayne

  “Thank you sweetheart.” Vivian Wilde patted his cheek like she had done since he had grown too tall for her to kiss him back and looked over her prized possesions. “They are pretty, aren’t they?”

  “Just like you.” Cooper shifted slightly so his mother could see to the end of the porch. “Is that a new fountain?” Cooper asked. He could remember ever seeing the frog fountain before, but as he stood there waiting for an answer Cooper watched the same look of confusion pass over his mothers face that he had been getting more and more.

  Scanning the flowerbed until her gaze landed on the stone frog fountain near the corner, Vivian stared intently at the object for several seconds before she seemed to recognize the large object.

  “Oh, yes. Your father got that for me awhile back. I found it in the garage yesterday and got it all set up. I think it’s a great addition, don’t you?”

  “I do.” He smiled at the frail woman that used to be larger than life, but was now almost a shell of her former self. “Let’s go inside. It is getting pretty warm out here.”

  Taking her hand in his, Cooper led his mother back into the house where the sound of a baseball game echoed off the walls followed by his father’s grumblings. Martin Wilde was a lover of all sports, but baseball had been the one sport Cooper and his father bonded over the most.

  “Why don’t you go on back and watch the game with your dad? I’ll go check on Amy, and see what’s keeping her.” His mother suggested. Nodding his agreement, Cooper walked through the formal living room into the kitchen and turned right into the large family room. His father was in his favorite recliner, beer in hand, staring at the old tube television like he wanted to throw the thing out the window.

  “What’s up Pops?” Cooper plopped down on the couch and barely got comfortable before his dad started ranting.

  “Can you believe they paid this guy thirteen million dollars to pitch this year? A blind person could see the strike zone better than this guy.” Cooper glanced at the TV to see who was playing. The dark blue uniforms told him Milwaukee was the team up to bat, and it looked like they were playing against the Los Angeles Devils.

  “Capri has one of the lowest ERA’s in the league. Is he having an off night?” The score was six to five in the bottom of the seventh. Milwaukee was leading with the bases loaded and only one out. If the Bucks won this game they would move ahead of St. Louis in the standings and be breathing down The Crush’s necks. No wonder his dad was upset.

  “Off night is being generous.” Martin huffed. “They should have taken him out two innings ago. Then maybe Milwaukee wouldn’t have taken the lead.”

  The two of them went back and forth for several minutes about how the Crush were doing this season and about the upcoming playoffs, and when a commercial break came Cooper followed his dad into the kitchen to get another beer.

  “I caught part of the game today on my break.” His father said as he sucked the foam off the top of his can. “You seem to be getting along with your new partner all right. Are you getting the hang of things at the new station?”

  “There have been a few minor things here and there, but other than that I really like the people I work with. It’s a lot smaller than the studio I was used to, but I’ve found it’s a better fit for me.” Chicago had always been home, and Cooper was glad to be back.

  “Well we were glad you came back, especially your mother. It was hard on her while you were gone and only came back to visit for Christmas every year.” His father’s disapproving look said he was not happy about Cooper’s lack of visits either.

  Cooper still regretted all the time he spent away, but he had been the low man on the totem pole for the first few years and had worked his ass off to move up in the ranks. Cooper knew he couldn’t fix the past, but now that he was back he could definitely try to make up for lost time.

  “I know I should have come home more and I’m sorry, but I’m back now and mom…” Cooper started to mention his mother’s worsening condition, but just then Amy came into the kitchen with his mother following right behind and he had to bite his tongue. There were certain topics that were taboo in the Wilde household, and his mother’s Alzheimer’s was at the top of that list.

  “Sorry it took me so long, I didn’t know what to wear. I hope this is alright.” Amy spun in a circle with her arms out like a little kid showing off a new outfit. Her long brown hair swished over a black shirt with ruffles in the center. Amy’s jeans clung tightly to her legs, while a pair of high heels adorned her feet. Cooper could never figure out how women walked in such tall shoes without toppling over from the height.

  “I guess you’ll do.” Cooper teased his sister, and she playfully elbowed him in the side.

  “Gee, thanks.” Amy said dryly.

  “Are you ready to go?” It was getting close to seven, and Cooper knew if he and Amy teased each other much longer they would be late because the back and forth wouldn’t stop until he messed up her hair and she would retaliate with some sort of violent attack somewhere on his body.

  “I’m ready. Let me just grab my bag.” Amy disappeared down the hall, so Cooper turned to say goodbye to his parents.

  “I’ll talk to you later Pops. Let me know if you ever want tickets to a game. I get free ones all the time and the seats are right under the broadcast booth so I’d be able to chat with you during the game.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll stick to my recliner and cheap beer.” He replied, making Cooper shake his head. Since signing his first big television contract, Cooper had tried to help his parents any way he could.

  Growing up he and Amy had never wanted for anything, but Cooper knew his parents had sacrificed a lot to make sure they had everything the other kids did and now he wanted to return the favor. But Martin Wilde was a proud man, and Cooper knew not to push his factory worker father too much when it came to material things, or what his father considered the flaunting of wealth.

  “Alright, but the offer is always on the table.” Cooper wanted to strangle the old man for being stubborn, but settled instead for a hug and slap on the back.

  “Be careful tonight, and bring your sister back safe.” His father had told him the same thing last night, and just like last night Cooper assured his dad that he would. After giving his mom another kiss on the cheek Cooper checked the entryway, but Amy was nowhere in sight. Going outside, Cooper found her already sitting in the passenger seat waiting for him.

  “What’s so funny?” Amy asked as Cooper climbed into the car laughing and put the key in the ignition.

  “You. It’s like you can’t get out of there fast enough.” Cooper pulled out of the driveway and headed east toward the interstate.

  “You would be like this too if you still lived at home. I appreciate everything mom and dad have done for me while I was in school, but it’s hard to have a social life at twenty-four when you still live with your parents.”

  Cooper could understand Amy’s frustration, especially when he knew how their dad was toward any boyfriends she had had in the past. Hell, Cooper himself had been just as critical but Amy hadn’t always picked the most upstanding men to date so he and his father were justified.

  “Well I’m glad I could spring you from your prison for a second night.” Cooper teased. “I myself am feeling the burden of living with other people, so I sort of understand.”

  “I thought you liked staying at Kyle’s?”

  “I do, but since Lindsay moved in I feel like I’m intruding. They both assured me that I’m not, but I need to start looking for a place of my own. I just don’t ever have time to really go look and searching online doesn’t give me a good idea of the space.”

  Cooper was grateful to Kyle for the room, but getting his own place was for the best. They were a new couple and deserved a little privacy to do what new couples do. Plus, it wasn’t like he couldn’t afford it. The Crush gave him more than a fair salary and bonus for signing with them so quickly, but the thought of living alone and being alone with his thou
ghts when he was actually home scared him a little.

  The light up ahead turned red, and when Cooper glanced over at his sister she was practically beaming.

  “What?”

  “I have the perfect idea.” Knowing his sister the way he did the idea was probably the furthest thing from perfect. But since he was stuck in the car with no way of escaping, Cooper closed his eyes and asked.

  “What is it?”

  “You need a new place, and I need to get out of mom and dads.”

  “Yeah…” Cooper knew what was coming, but was clueless how to stop the terrible idea from being verbalized.

  “Why don’t we get a place together?”

  “Amy, I don’t think…” But he never got the chance to finish that sentence. Amy just went on like he hadn’t said a word.

  “I know I don’t have a job right now, but I’ve already started applying for some. If you could take care of the bills until I get on my feet, I could pay you back when I start getting paid.”

  The look on Amy’s face told him how excited she was about the possibility, but Cooper had a million and one reservations. The light turned green and he was happy to have something else to focus on than this rough idea. He thought about living with his sister again after so long and tried not to show his reluctance because Amy seemed so excited, but he needed her to look at this from all angles not just the freedom aspect.

  “Do you really think that’s such a good idea? I mean, we’d probably kill each other after awhile.” Cooper watched as Amy steeled her shoulders like she was readying herself for a fight.

  “As a matter of fact I do think it’s a good idea. You’re barely home during baseball season, and when you are I will probably be working so we won’t get in each other’s way. Plus, you know I am a neat freak, so you don’t have to worry about the place being a mess.” Cooper did know about his sister’s need to keep things clean and orderly in her life, but cleanliness wasn’t what he was worried about.

  “This isn’t like when we were kids and I could pull your pigtails and you could give me a purple nurple when we annoyed each other. We’d be stuck in the same close quarters on a daily basis during home games and the off season.”

  “Oh I’m sure I still have deadly aim, but I promise to keep my hands to myself if you get on my nerves.” Amy smirked then deflated slightly. “Will you at least think about it?”

  “I will, but Amy…” Cooper paused. Trying to think of how to explain his fears. “I’m worried about mom. Her memory seems to be slipping more and more.”

  “I’ve noticed it too.” Amy sighed. “But when I try to talk to her or dad about it they just say she’s tired or something. I still don’t think they have accepted that mom’s condition has progressed.”

  Amy turned to stare out the window and stayed that way until they pulled into the small lot behind Maxwell’s. Cooper turned off the engine, but made no attempt to get out as he knew this conversation with Amy needed to be had. Amy’s hand rested on the door handle, but she didn’t seem to be in a big hurry to get inside either. Instead she turned to him with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

  “I’m worried about mom too, but I can’t put my life on hold for something none of us can control. That’s not fair to me.”

  “You’re right, it’s not.” Seeing the unhappiness in his sisters’ eyes made the choice easier this time. “The team has a six game road trip that starts after tomorrow’s game. Why don’t you and I go look at condos when I get back, or you can even look around while I’m gone.”

  Amy’s squeal of excitement rattled the windows, but even though his ears were ringing Cooper couldn’t make the smile leave his face. He wanted her to be happy, and if he could help in anyway, well he would.

  “One more thing” Cooper interrupted her celebration, and Amy stopped bouncing in her seat long enough to listen to the rest of what Cooper had to say. “You will not be paying me back. When you get a job you are going to pay off your student loans.”

  “No way. I didn’t suggest this so you can take care of me. I can help once I get a job.” She had gone from excited to mildly irritated in the blink of an eye and Cooper held back his smile. He knew independence was a huge thing for Amy, but he didn’t want her to dive into adulthood with a massive debt stressing her out all the time. Cooper made more than a comfortable living and had no problem taking care of things until his sister got her feet under her.

  “I will take care of the bills and mortgage, but if you feel the need to pay for something you can take care of the groceries. I won’t be there a lot of the time, so it will mostly be your food anyway. Between that, your phone bill and loans you will have enough to deal with. On this I’m not negotiating.”

  Cooper tried for his best big brother stare, but Amy slumped back in the seat with her arms crossed. He could tell she was trying to think of more arguments, but eventually she sighed and threw her hands in the air.

  “Fine.” She conceded, but pointed her finger at him. “But we will revisit this at a later date.” Amy stated adamantly.

  Cooper agreed and with that taken care of they exited the car.

  “Thank you.” Amy threw her arms around him when they were both near the front of the car. “You really are the best big brother a girl could ask for.”

  “We’ll see if you still think that when you try to talk to me before I have my first cup of coffee.” Amy rolled her eyes and looped her arm with his on the walk to the door. Pausing with his hand on the door handle, Cooper looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this? I’m not exactly sure how everything is going to play out.” Amy gave his arm a calming squeeze.

  “Just be honest and if all hell starts to break loose I’ll be there to help. I can be very persuasive when I want to be.”

  “Yeah, no kidding. That’s how I got stuck living with you again.” Cooper nudged his sister. Amy’s laughter was still echoing off the bricks that made up the front of Maxwell’s when Cooper finally opened the door and they went inside.

  It was a little before seven so the bar was mostly empty except for the group of his friends near the back. The whole group looked toward the door when it opened and he and Amy were greeted with smiles from everyone. That is everyone except for Victoria. Her face changed from happy to a look Cooper couldn’t quite place when her eyes zeroed in on Amy’s arm in his.

  Interesting…could Victoria actually be jealous? Cooper asked himself. No way. But why would him bringing someone make her look the way she did right now? Cooper continued his internal conversation until Amy gave his arm a tug and got him moving once again.

  “Are you okay?” Amy whispered as they neared the group.

  “Great. Just anxious to talk to Victoria.” Amy nodded and let go of his arm just as Kyle lifted her off the ground and spun her in a circle. Life didn’t get much better than a night out with friends and family, and Cooper just hoped Victoria was feeling particularly friendly herself tonight because he didn’t have a Plan B.

  ****

  Chapter 3

  “Why don’t you let the waitress take care of that stuff so you can enjoy the party?” Stella asked as her, and her slightly expanded belly watched Victoria move around the table. For the past fifteen minutes she had busied herself with everything from straightening napkins, to arranging silverware next to the cake. She was quickly running out of things to do, and that was a problem.

  “The waitress is busy taking care of everyone’s food and drink orders. I really don’t mind.” Victoria would start mopping the floors or tending bar if they’d let her. Anything to avoid being within five feet of Cooper and his date.

  He and his companion for the evening had waltzed in fifteen minutes ago, and Victoria didn’t like the feelings that were running through her. Not only was it the same girl from last night, but Alex and Kyle both greeted her with bear hugs like they were all long lost friends, while Cooper stood there laughing and joking like he didn’t have a care i
n the world.

  Because he’s not the one losing a job the snarky part of her brain felt the need to point out. Now instead of enjoying Jessie’s going away party like she should be, Victoria was hiding out by the cake table like a coward.

  “Right, because the cake table needed straightening as soon as Coop got here. I’m worried about you. I’ve never seen you this way. Are you sure you don’t want to talk about whatever’s going on?” Weren’t pregnancy hormones supposed to make women dumber, or was that just Victoria’s wishful thinking? Either way, she wasn’t going to have this conversation right now, or in the future.

  “I just wanted to make sure everything was perfect, and now that it is, I’m going to get a drink and talk to Jessie. I still can’t believe she’s leaving. I feel like we barely got to know her.”

  “Damn it Victoria, talk to me.” Stella slammed her hand down on the table and narrowed her eyes. “Something has you upset, and it’s not like you to keep things from me.”

  “I told you I’m fine, so stop worrying. It’s not good for either of you.” Victoria nodded toward Stella’s belly then caught the waitress’s attention. She ordered a Vodka and cranberry before walking over to where Lindsay and Jessie were hugging near one of the pool tables. When they pulled apart both women had tears in their eyes.

  “Alright ladies, no getting all emotional already.” Victoria said. “We still have a long night ahead of us.”

  They both stuck their tongues out, but started laughing and wiping their eyes.

  “I know I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I’ve had the best time with all of you.”

  Victoria heard a sniffle from somewhere behind her, and when she turned she saw Stella wiping her eyes with a napkin. Putting her hands on her hips, Victoria gave her sister a not-you-too stare.

  “What? Blame it on the hormones. Everything makes me cry these days.”

  “I can attest to that.” Alex said as he wrapped his arms around Stella. Absently rubbing a hand over the side of her stomach and placing a chaste kiss to her cheek.