“It’s too early for visitors, isn’t it?” I start putting my swimming suit back on, while Matt’s trying to cool down. “Saturday morning, do you think your family is here? They better not be because I don’t have anything ready for tomorrow.”
My stomach starts to hurt; I should’ve done the shopping yesterday.
“Calm down, Martha Stewart. They are traveling tomorrow morning. It’s not them.” Matt kisses the side of my neck.
Coop disappeared as the doorbell buzzed, and he said he’d be right back, but he hasn’t returned. Matt and I stare at each other.
“Should we go and check who dares to interrupt our Saturday?” Matt hooks his arm with mine. “Maybe Coop has a pool boy, or a pool girl.”
We both laugh because that’d be so unlike Mr. Cooperson to keep someone on the side.
As we walk through the kitchen and enter the foyer, I spot her. Viviane Cooperson. Next to her stands a woman with a petite complexion, dark hair, and an elegant sundress.
“You still living with those two?” Coop’s mother asks.
Matt extends his hand to her and greets her. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Cooperson.” Viviane only stares at it. “As usual your manners astonish me.”
I chew my cheek, holding in the comment that it’s a Connecticut thing.
The younger woman who stands next to her gives a thorough glance to Matt and smiles wickedly. “Your taste in men has improved, big brother.” Her eyes then divert toward me, gazing at me up and down several times. Studying me. I’m thankful I slipped on a cover-up or I’d be considered some trashy tattoo whore now. Those dark eyes close up on mine and as she takes one step closer, her eyes widen. "Wow, don't you clean up nice," she says with an air of disgust. That’s the moment I register I’m thoroughly fucked up and not in a good way. Her eyes shift toward Matt, and her head angles. “Huh, seriously, MJ Decker?” The gaze shifts back to me, a wicked smile plastered on her red lips. “Is this like an upgrade? You’re fucking celebrities.”
I swallow hard. Did she recognize me? I’m at a loss for words. Fuck me all the way to Sunday. I shouldn’t have colored my hair back to its original shade. If I’m going out, I’ll have to use a hat and sunglasses. Hide. I’m so stupid. If this woman knows who I am, many will know too.
“Are they like white trash, Fey?” Viviane takes a step backward, while her gaze searches for an exit.
Yes, leave and never come back, I want to say.
“White trash?” Matt glares at her.
“Yeah, he’s dating the drunk from the kids’ channel, and the bad boy of Without A Compass,” the sister says, making it clear she knows who I am and that she doesn’t approve.
“Is it true, Tristan Benoit Cooperson?” Viviane demands. “That the whore is a drunk?”
“Get the fuck out of my house, Mother,” Tristan orders, pointing toward the gate. “Neither one of you is allowed into my home until you learn to respect my family. That means my boyfriend and my girlfriend.”
Viviane slams a fist against the left side of her chest, gasping for air. But Fey smiles, a wicked smile that sends shivers through my body.
“Out,” Tristan repeats, lightly pushing them to the exit and disappearing with them.
“Did he just say . . . my boyfriend?” Matt’s voice cracks. “He fucking did.” He smiles and I hold him tight because for him this is it. The complete acceptance he’s been waiting for from Coop.
For a few moments I share his happiness, bury my worries about the bitch. But I can’t help fear that tomorrow my picture might appear everywhere, portrayed as the failed child star. The anxiety pulsates inside my heart, but I won’t tarnish Matt’s happy moment with it. Not today.
I watch my girl setting up the patio table. She looks breathtaking; that long dress defining all her curves and showing some of her butterflies. Let’s cancel this shit and head back to bed, but I don’t say that. Instead I reassure her, “Everything is ready, Butterfly.” I place the marinated meat in the outside fridge. “I told Coop that this was a bad idea.”
Thea chews on her lip as she stares at me with those magical eyes that hypnotize me. “No. I like that we’re hosting dinner, like we’re a real couple or you know, a unit.” She switches the centerpiece she made earlier today. “Seven people, are you sure? The plates . . . are they okay?”
“Yes, two couples and us. Gracie doesn’t need a place yet. Jacob is out of the country.”
“Matt, your brother is at the door—with his wife.” His eyes divert to Thea who growls and counts the place settings again. “I’ll help her set a couple more places.”
Thea is behaving out of the norm. Usually she doesn’t care as much if our plates match or the cutlery is set in the right spot. For today we bought a brand new set of dishes for twelve and same with the silverware. In case they have to come down here again. She’s planning on checking the penthouse, because we only have a few nice dishes according to her.
“Look at you with your Italian mansion.” Jacob is walking up the driveway toward the porch, hugging Pria with one arm and holding some white box with the other. “I guess you’re the househusband now, huh?”
“Hey, sweetheart.” I hug Pria and kiss her cheek. I shove him to the side. “Are you ready to dump his ass?”
“Hi Matthew. This is a pretty house.” She ignores my taunting; one day she’ll follow it, I know.
“Why are you here, Jacob?”
“Dad said we were having family dinner in Malibu, and I couldn’t miss it.” He scans the property. “So how’s the ménage à trois working?” He winks at Pria who shakes her head. “Come on, it fit and I said it perfectly, Twink. I could pose as a French native. We can look for a room and practice our French kisses too.”
“I’ll give you credit,” Pria says, switching her gaze to me. “He’s been practicing the phrase since Christmas when the three of you looked more official.”
We make it to the family room, and head to the outdoor kitchen where we’ve set up everything.
“I’m digging this.” Jacob looks around, and when he spots Thea, he smiles. “Yeah, I can see it now. A few broody boys.” Tristan shakes his head. “Hopefully a girl so we can spoil her, right Twink?”
“Anything I can help with, Thea?” Pria hugs my girl.
“Not much. I’m preparing the side dishes.” Thea waves and leaves for the kitchen.
“Well, I guess I’m preparing side dishes,” Pria adds kissing my brother. “Get me when Gracie arrives. I’m in serious need of hugging my girl.”
“I’m going to open the door.” Tristan follows behind the ladies and leaves me alone with my brother.
“Here they are,” AJ screeches. “Lord, it’s been forever since we’ve been together.” She runs to where we stand, jumping into my arms. “Mattie, I missed you.” Then Jacob’s. “Jacky, I missed you.” Then she releases him for a second to hug the two of us. “This is so much better. Having a new sister and brother in-law isn’t fun when you two are away.”
“Look, babe, hug time,” Pops calls out, and of course drags Dad with him. “Now we’re complete.”
After the Decker love-fest, I join Tristan who remains on the outside of my family. “What’s eating you?”
“This will never happen with my family.” He scans where AJ, Pria, and Thea are fussing around Gracie. Mason and my brother are discussing something with my parents. “You’re a man and they don’t approve of her. I guess she really was famous for her antics. That worries me, but for other shit I’d rather not get into right now.”
“Have you researched?” My voice is firm, keeping the anger at bay. We both promised to trust her.
“No, Thea won’t like it if I break her trust.” His head hangs. “I asked her for time. The least I can give her is time too. But . . . I don’t know, Matt, I just don’t know.”
The doorbell rings, interrupting the conversation, and pushing away our doubts. I only want to know the why. I don’t care about her past. There’s nothing that can make me love h
er less.
We both head to the main door to open, and I see Arthur Bradley on the monitor.
“You know, Mason can set a better system and the monitor will be in the kitchen.” I shrug. “Just for future reference.” He ignores me, opening the door.
“My man, Arthur, how’s it going?” Fuck, Thea is going to freak out when she realizes we need an extra place.
Arthur looks around and takes a step in giving me a tight handshake. What did I do to him? “Matthew. Chris had invited me to dinner tonight, and called me earlier to give me the change of address. Hope that’s okay with you, Tristan.”
“Of course, please come on in.”
“The wife, Arthur?”
“At home, with her children, Matt.” He looks around. “I didn’t think it was appropriate to bring them all.” Then his attention goes to Tristan, and his eyes harden. “Mr. Cooperson, anyone can break into your house. I recommend you upgrade your system.” Arthur gives him his business card. “We can do it for free. We can’t take chances with your guests.”
Are Pops and Gabe concerned about the level of security? It’s not as if I have much security in my apartment in Seattle. But this is California and psychos trespassing to steal a used tissue are common.
“With all due respect, Mr. Bradley, back off,” Tristan responds. “If I decide to upgrade the system I’ll search for my own people.”
Arthur Bradley has looked after the security of my dads for so long, this behavior is understandable to me. But not so much for Tristan. Arthur’s jaw twitches, but he doesn’t say a thing. When we approach the patio, Thea’s shoulders drop and she heads to the kitchen. I can’t help but laugh.
I walk to Mason, who is holding the little princess while he too scans the area. “Arthur is here.”
He nods, as if he was expecting him. “How long are you three staying here?”
I tell him our plans. He explains the few issues he has about the residence, the security, and advices me to upgrade the system. As I thought, California isn’t Seattle and the Bradleys are passionate about safety.
“This relationship is a little crazy, Matthew.” He gives me a concerned look. “Be careful because I don’t want to see anyone hurt,” he says, but I feel as if he’s warning me about something.
“No worries, Bradley, I have this down.”
“What did we learn?” I rub aloe over Thea’s body.
“Shut up, Decker, I’m not in the mood for your mockery,” Thea whines. “It fucking hurts so much. Ouch, my back.”
“You’ve been so diligent applying sunscreen to us and apparently not doing the same with yourself.” I lightly kiss her shoulder. “Hopefully this will heal before your next visit.”
For the next little while, we arrive in Malibu Friday night, and don’t leave until Tuesday morning. Thea works with her edits—my edits—and her jewelry. I either help Coop or check on the studio. Daily we wake up early, take a swim, eat breakfast, and then start working. Except for today. I couldn’t stay with her, or wait for Coop to wake up. I had a few meetings and a couple castings I wanted to personally oversee. When I came back at six, she was in the shower whimpering.
“Where is Coop again?”
“Entertaining Victoria Hudson and Fey, his sister.”
“What the fuck?”
“They arrived at noon.” Thea twists her lips. “That’s why I forgot about the stupid sunscreen. I was in a shitty mood. They entered the house without even ringing the bell, found us in the pool and . . . He had to find them a hotel—they planned to stay here but not if his fucking whore would be here. The nerve.”
“Someone is toasted.” I kiss her other shoulder, swallowing the rage. Coop has to upgrade the system now; anyone can enter and put Thea in danger. “You’re sleeping naked and on your stomach.”
“As opposed to naked and between the two of you?” she growls back.
“So, we’re upset because of Coop, not because of the fact you’re cooked medium-well.”
“Not in the mood for jokes.” She turns her head, opens her eyes, and gives me a half glare. “It pissed me off that he let them ignore me as if I was a nobody. I’m like his dirty little secret.”
“Hey, I bet I’m an entire trash can compared to you,” I joke, trying to ease the pain that swirls inside her. To think that I believe that emotion was coming from the outside. “He’s working on that shit, Thea, like you are.”
Thea’s eyes close for a moment. “Would you hate me because of my family?”
“I don’t hate Coop, Thea, and I doubt your family can top them.”
“You’ll be surprised, Mattie.” Her lips pout. “Maybe Arthur is right; everything sounds bigger inside my head. This coming weekend, let’s stay in Seattle and I’ll tell you all about it.”
The muscles of her back release some of the tension. Once she shares her darkness, Coop has to come out, and this is going to the next level.
“This might not work.” And my positive girl is once again gone. Damn it. “You know, some days I doubt that this will work out, the three of us.” She gives me a sad smile. “It’s happening so fast. Too fast is bad. Then remember that the higher you fall from, the harder . . . It’s going to hurt, Matt. What if I don’t survive?”
My heartstrings are pulled into different directions as she confesses her fear. “You’ll survive, Thea. No matter what the future brings, remember that my soul is yours. You own it.”
I kiss her cheek, then the owl on her shoulder blade, the one with the small butterfly fluttering around him. “Great, sex is off the menu tonight. We can talk about mellow, boring sex if you want.”
“You’re worried too?”
I nod.
I am, but I won't confess that. He told his mother that I was his boyfriend, but after that he didn’t want to talk about it. Time, I’ll give him time. “We’re the authors of our own story, Butterfly. At the end, we’ll make sure to write our best happily ever after.” I place the Aloe Vera on top of the nightstand and lay down next to her. Our eyes meet and I want to be inside her in all possible ways. Her mind, her body. “I love you, always and forever. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you just to see you smile. See you happy.”
His beautiful eyes stare at me, and I swear the only thing I see is truth. He has that look on his face that says I love you. Pure love that never fades, not even with time. And I believe that he would do anything for my happiness. Matt Decker makes me believe that everything is possible if I trust him.
“Talking to you is better than sex at times,” I whisper, knowing that this might not change his mind of trying something ingenious to get laid. My pinky reaches his. “How is that happily ever after going to look like?”
“How do you want it?”
I close my eyes and channel those daydreams I have from time to time. “You, Coop, me . . . maybe a family.”
“You sound uncertain.” He moves a little closer to me, his lips almost touching mine. “We’re taking our first step. Building a house in Mercer Island, next to my family. What is that you’re doubting—the three of us being a family, or having kids?”
“Yes, babies. I don’t want them now, but I don’t know if we can—if we should.” I chew on my lip. I’m not ready to continue the conversation. Cooper ignoring me when we got caught and only sending me a text later hurt more than I want to accept. Not a kiss goodbye or a hug. His family might be more important than we’ll ever be for him, and if that’s the case, I don’t know what’ll happen to Matt and me after he departs.
“Of course we can have a family.” His lips touch mine, shooting electricity through my entire body. “Three, four kids—seven. All depends on how fast you can pop them out. A broody boy like Coop. A couple of beautiful princesses that’ll be sweet and beautiful like their mama. A devilishly handsome guy like me.” He winks. “Everything is possible, Butterfly. Remember, whatever you want, I’ll make it happen for you.”
Matt is like a magic carpet that flies me to some kind of paradise where e
verything is possible. That even if it looks stormy now, the clouds will clear and the sun will shine. He’s my sun.
“What the hell happened to Thea? Baby, are you okay?” I hear Coop’s voice, but I don’t see him. Nor do I have the energy to acknowledge him at the moment. “Matthew?”
I close my eyes pretending I’m asleep.
“Sunburn. She was too busy working and forgot the sunscreen.” He pushes himself off the bed. “Where were you?”
“Out, taking my sister to a hotel.” I remain calm, not moving one centimeter because I don’t want to face him at all. He’s annoyed. His long, hard exhale can be heard throughout the entire room. “Victoria came too.”
I hear another squeeze of aloe, and a hand gliding up and down my back with soothing strokes. “Fuck, I wish I had been here.” Tristan kisses my neck. “All the butterflies are burning.”
“Coop, why the hell did you leave her?” Matt growls.
“Fuck, I texted her to explain. Thea is mad, isn’t she?” I don’t hear a response, but he continues speaking. “I had to get my sister and Victoria away from her. Fey is a vicious bitch who if let loose, could do a lot of damage. They caught us in the pool, and not swimming. I had to take them away. Believe me, I wouldn’t leave her intentionally. Never. Only to protect her, I swear.”
He huffs. “Matt, Fey’s already planning my funeral. Why let her stab the one person I love the most because she’s in need of blood? Fey had made it clear. Unless I give her enough money to fly away for a year, she won’t get off my case. She’s a nut case; what would you have done, Matt?”
“Fine, you have a point there, Coop.”
“Her back is boiling.” Coop kisses my ear and whispers, “Are you going to keep pretending to be asleep, baby?” I don’t move. “Thea, you’re my most valued treasure. I’d give up everything for you—I’d give up my life if necessary. If I don’t protect you, she’ll try to destroy you.”
I open my eyes and find his tender green eyes pleading for me to forgive him.
Uncut (Unexpected Book 4) Page 29
