We both pad our way to the kitchen. It’s quiet as we approach and breathe a sigh of relief that my mother seems to have left. I find some frozen chicken and vegetables in the freezer. Pulling the rice out from the cupboard, I figure we can make some chicken fried rice. It’s easy and quick enough. I throw the chicken in the microwave and pull out a cutting board to chop it up.
Arms wrap around my waist, and light kisses trace my neck, Cooper’s five o’clock shadow tickling me in their wake. I squirm in his arms, enjoying the feeling. The microwave beeps, announcing the chicken is thawed. Though it’s the last thing on my mind when Cooper nips on the bottom of my earlobe and his honey voice rings through my eardrums.
“I can totally get used to watching this every day. You mostly naked, standing in my kitchen, making us dinner. This reality is so much better than I ever dreamed.”
“This is really nice,” I murmur turning myself around in his arms. I’m no longer hungry for food. My arms skate around his neck, and I capture his bottom lip with my mouth and suck on it.
His eyes darken and my butt gets pushed into the counter. “You need me again, Vi?” he growls before taking a bite of my bottom lip. I thrust my hips into his growing dick, giving him my answer.
“I think you both have had enough for one afternoon and I certainly don’t need to hear you again,” my mother’s shrill voice surges into the room, causing Cooper and I to break apart.
Where the fuck did she come from?
“And why don’t you put on some clothes?”
My jaw tightens and my temper races through my veins, making me feel as if my head is about to explode. “It’s my house. I’ll walk around half naked if I want. And why are you even still here?” I grit out.
Cooper’s arm slides around me again, pulling me towards him, putting a calming presence on my sudden volcanic anger.
Though it doesn’t last when my mom opens her mouth again. “We weren’t done talking.” She crosses her arms, looking at me, then at Cooper, and back to me.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m married, and you're interrupting our private time. If you don’t want to hear or see, I suggest you leave and take your opinions with you,” I hiss. My chest heaves, my vision getting fuzzy as my anger escalates to rage.
Cooper places his lips to my temple. “Ace, relax…breathe, baby,” he whispers, his hand running up and down my shoulder. I close my eyes tightly, still seeing red. I take a couple deep breaths and the red starts to fade.
“This is what I’m talking about, Violet. You haven’t talked like this to me in years. The only time you did is when you’re with this boy. He’s no good for you.”
The fire instantly surges back and when I open my eye again, I swear I can see the fireballs shooting out of them towards her.
Doesn’t she see he’s trying to calm me down instead of helping me unleash my fury? He’s the last person I know who would want me to go off on my mother no matter how much she deserves it right now.
“You’re the person who makes this part of me come out. Because I wouldn’t act like this if for once in your life you supported me and the choices I make. You’ve been too blind by your vile loathing, to truly see how good he is for me, how happy he always made me.”
“You’re still so young and back then even younger. It’s my job to try and help you. If anyone was blind it was you, Violet. If you didn’t meet him, you would’ve kept your grades up, wouldn’t have started drinking, and been gone for days doing who knows what,” she argues. She doesn’t even have the nerve to look at me.
I rub my hands down my face. “Or I could’ve done all that stuff because I was a teenager and trying to have fun. My grades were fine, I got mostly B’s and the occasional C. I was never a straight-A student, so don’t lay that shit on me. Hell, I think my first D was when we moved here. So, my poor grades were your fault.”
I’m seething and Cooper holds me tighter. I have so many years of aggression built up and it’s ready to be unleashed. I’m feeling vengeful and refuse to let her make me cry. She’s caused enough tears.
“You act like you’re so perfect,” I yell again, stabbing my finger in her direction, wanting to make my point clear. “You’ve made so many fucked up decisions in your life, done a hundred things wrong. For once, let me live and stop trying to control my life. I’m happy right now. So fucking happy, so let me enjoy it.”
My breathing is ragged, the volcano finally erupted, and now I feel lighter. I’m fully engulfed in Cooper’s arms now, breathing in his scent, calming the lava flow of my explosion.
“You need to go now, Ms. Winston. You’re not welcome in my wife’s home,” Cooper seethes, and I can see the fire now lighting up in his eyes.
“Alright,” I glance over at her and she has her hands up, “I can see there’s no reasoning with you. I’ll let you enjoy yourself for now, and we can talk another day.”
I don’t say anything. Instead, I bury my face in Cooper’s chest. There’s nothing left to say. ‘Till she can accept Cooper is back in my life, there’s no point. I refuse to deal with it all again.
Once I hear the front door close, Cooper lifts my chin, kissing me forcefully and eagerly, knowing what I need, without saying the words. He hoists me up in his arms and lays me down onto the kitchen table. His mouth meets mine again with the same rough intensity, making me forget everything that was troubling me moments ago.
FIVE
December 10th, 1999
Cooper
T oday was supposed to be my chance at the big time. I should be in the middle of signing papers for a record deal, not about to be belittled by my mother. Along with Violet, Brody, and my bandmates, Billy and John, we skipped out of school before lunch to drive almost two hours to L.A. to play at Club Skye, where they’re holding the final Battle of the Bands.
X-Rated was chosen to perform here after six rounds of competition. If you won the final round you had a chance to be signed to a record deal. There was also a chance if you didn’t, one of the record executives might take a chance with you.
It was my chance. My chance to prove to everyone I had what it took.
I came so close, only to have my mother snatch it away from me, to snatch it away from my friends.
We were halfway through our set, when out of the corner of my eye I saw Violet talking wildly to my mother, trying to stop her from charging onstage. As hard as she tried to stop her, my mother ripped the cord from my amp and pulled me off stage, all while yelling at me.
It had to be one of the most embarrassing moments of my teenage life. I’m only fifteen, and if she could do this to me today, I can’t imagine what’s to come.
The crowd's hysterical laughter pinged in my ears as we left the stage.
I’m glad they found the moment funny.
My mom made Billy and John leave so we could talk alone. They promptly ran off, scared of the death rays shooting from my mother’s eyes. She tried to get Violet to go, but Violet refused and wrapped herself around my arm. I’m a little shocked, but maybe this is her way of protecting me.
This girl, whom I’ve only been dating for two months, has more faith in my ability to succeed than my own mother.
“I told you and told you that you weren’t allowed to come to this. Then I get a call from the school telling me you didn’t show up to your last two classes of the day.” She wags her finger at me and then points to Brody, “and I can’t believe you helped them do it.”
Brody rolls his eyes. “Mom, it was one day, and I think it’s dumb you didn’t let him.” My brother was the first to see my talent, pushed me to form a band, and got me my first gig. He also doesn’t understand mom and dad’s pushback. They didn’t even give him a lot of grief when he decided to go to UCR instead of Yale, where he was expected to go.
I asked him once why he wanted to help me so much, and his response was simple: “It’s what brothers do.” He did follow that up with the condition that when I got famous I wasn’t to forget about him. T
hat I was to buy him a car— preferably a cherry-red Lamborghini.
“I don’t care if you think it’s dumb. It’s not for you to decide,” my mother bellows, her face turning dark red from her anger. “I raised you boys better than this. You shouldn’t be skipping school and hanging out with certain people who will only bring you down.” She sneers and looks dead center at my girlfriend.
“Why don’t you understand? I told you this could be my chance mom. My chance to be something. I’ve been working my butt off, practicing like crazy with the guys. I was going to prove to you, to the world, how good I am.” I grind my teeth, a combination of anger and dejection swirling in my veins. I’ll never understand why she wouldn’t be proud of my success.
Violet rubs her hand over my chest doing her best to calm me.
“This is a pipe dream, Cooper. I hate seeing you throw your life away for this fantasy you know could possibly never come true.” She places her hands on her hips, annoyed.
What’s wrong with having dreams?
“How can you say that my dream will never come true, mom? You’ve never even heard me sing. And we had a chance ‘till you came barging onstage. I don’t get why you don’t support me? Or at least why you didn’t wait to yell at me when we got home and destroy my life?”
“Being some singer will never get you anywhere in life, Cooper. Plus, if you keep hanging out with this girl you really won't make it.”
I look down at Violet and whose jaw has fallen slack.
“What have I done?” Violet asks. “All I’ve done is love and support your son. He’s an amazing singer. You won’t even give him a chance.”
Did she just say…?
“You love me?” I gape at her, and a blush creeps up on her cheeks, as she gives me the smallest nod.
She loves me.
Well, if that didn’t pick up my spirits…
She fiddles with her fingers and looks away from me. “Yeah…” she whispers, her eyes still unable to focus on mine. “I know it’s early, you don’t have to say it back.”
I lift her chin, so she’ll finally look at me. She bites down on her lip, and I know she’s worried about what I might say. I’m trying to form the words as my heart beats a mile a minute, and my ears continue to ring with the words she told me. My palms are sweaty, and I swallow the large, nervous bundle piled in my throat.
This is the best news I’ve had all week.
There’s only one thing to say, and I better say it fast before her little bunny nose wrinkles more in worry.
“Babe, I love you too…” I kiss her lightly on the lips.
“About time,” Brody mumbles from beside us. I whip my head over and narrow my eyes at him, silently telling him to shut up. He mouths the word ‘What?’, then points his finger to mom—who now sounds like a fire-breathing dragon.
I forgot she was here.
“Cooper! You are way too young to understand what love is. Now go get in the car! Brody, we will talk more at home!”
“No, mom. I’m going home with everyone else. You have the right to be pissed because we skipped school, but I think you punished us all enough by ruining the night. And I love Violet, and you're just going to have to deal with it. Come on, let's go help the guys pack.”
I take Violet’s hand and lead her out the door. The last thing I hear is my mom shouting my name.
.
May 24th, 2006
Cooper
V iolet and I arrive back in L.A. after spending two days at her place. We took our time getting packed, taking the important things with us. The moving truck will bring the rest tomorrow morning, but most of the big things stayed with Alexa and Julie.
Amber thankfully stayed clear of the house and hasn’t tried calling. Violet is hurt about her mother’s disapproval and, even more, her betrayal, no matter how much she tries to tell me she’s fine.
When we land at LAX, Collin is at the gate to guide us to the car. There’s always Paparazzi waiting for celebs to get off flights, so Collin is essential if we hope to make it out alive.
Paparazzi is part of my life now. I'm almost used it. Most times they’re cool, just doing their job. Other days, they’re dogs with a bone trying to get the next big story to put on the front of a tabloid.
This week, I’m still the big story. Cooper Reid, singer and once confirmed bachelor, now has a bride. Actually, it’s not me they want—it’s her: the girl who tied me down and managed to get a ring on my finger.
Louie had given a statement about our history, but it didn’t matter; the roaches are never satisfied ‘till they capture it all on camera.
Violet’s eyes dart nervously as we come down the escalator to the sea of photographers.
“Just stay at my side and listen to Collin. He’ll get us through before the flashes blind us,” I joke, trying to ease her jitters.
She looks up at me and gives me a weak smile before nodding her head.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her closer to me as we hit the ground floor. Collin is in front of us keeping the flood of paparazzi back, along with the airport security.
They shout questions at us and I can’t make out any of them as they all ask simultaneously.
We make it to the town car unscathed and, once safely in the back seat, Collin slides into the passenger seat. The camera flashes still come through the heavily tinted windows.
“You okay?” I take her hand in mine as we pull out onto the road.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s going to take some getting used to.” She shrugs, biting on her finger anxiously.
“After a while, it tends to be just one or two of them trying to get a shot of you. Like why is me going to the store so exciting?” I mutter sarcastically.
Who knew something so basic as buying food would be big enough to publish in US Weekly?
Cooper Reid buys frozen pizzas.
See what brand he bought and be just like him.
“I found it exciting. I liked to stalk you every once in a while. I have to say you make grocery shopping look very sexy,” she says with a sultry voice and runs her hand up and down my chest.
“You stalked me, huh? I didn’t know any of this before I married you. Should I be worried?” I slide closer to her and tangle my hand around the ponytail she’s sporting.
“Maybe a little.” She pinches her fingers together. “I am your biggest fan after all.” She winks at me and leans in to kiss my cheek.
“So, are you like Julie and have a picture of me on your wall? Because I didn’t see it.”
Violet took great pride in showing me Julie’s room and pointing out the picture of me she had pinned up. It’s one I did for GQ and I’m standing in only my underwear.
“But I wasn't paying close enough attention either,” I kiss the spot behind her ear and she noticeably shivers. The only thing I noticed was her, naked, spread out on her bed.
“I didn’t need it. I have you ingrained in my memory. If I needed to, I would go stare at Julie’s wall,” she teases, and I crush my lips to hers.
My tongue invades her mouth and she moans against me, her nails clawing at my scalp. The seat belts are lost and she moves to sit on my lap. Letting my hand creep up her skirt, I reach the straps of her thong and snap them.
She pulls back, panting, her eyes glowing lustfully. God, I want her—now, but my eyes dart to the front seat where the driver and Collin are seated, and there’s no way they’re getting a free show.
She leans back into me and I stop her, placing my hand against her mouth. “What?” she looks at me warily.
“We need to wait ‘till we get home.”
“But I don’t wanna,” she pouts grinding her hips into me. “You started this…and I need you to finish it.”
Pinching her chin, I pull her face closer to mine, kissing her gently. Her eyes stare into mine and I kiss her again, and again, ‘till we’re back in a passionate embrace, and I’m saying fuck it.
She’s rocking her hips against my crotch and
her hands fall to my lap to work over my belt. She manages to get the hooks undone when the car comes to a sudden stop. Collin clears his throat, obnoxiously, and we separate immediately.
Glancing to the right, we’re stopped outside my gates in Bel Air. “We’re home,” I tell her and manage to move her off my lap.
She’s looking out the window as the gates open up to the driveway, letting out a large puff of air. “It’s so big,” she mumbles.
“Thank you,” I wiggle my eyebrows and grab my junk. Her head snaps over to me and her eyes drop to my lap. She quirks an eyebrow before slapping me in the chest.
“Smartass. I mean the house. For a bachelor, it’s a lot of square footage.”
She’s right. The property I bought is way too big for one person.
It has seven bedrooms, twelve baths, and almost fifteen thousand square feet. Large, automatic glass doors that open fully to the canyon, city, and ocean views. It’s like your inside and outside all at the same time. The house has a home theater, bar-party area, and a spa. My favorite part, and what sold me, was the infinity pool, BBQ area, and the putting greens.
I don’t even use 90% of the house. I have the rooms I’ve made my own, and the rest are for guests or family. Everyone thought I was crazy when I first bought it, but it was a great investment. Though I should admit I was always waiting for her.
“Do you like it?” I ask as I help her out of the car.
“The outside is nice.” She smiles up at me. “As long as you have a bed, water, and food, I’m sure I’ll like it.”
I fling the front door open and swoop her into my arms. She giggles wildly from deep in her chest. “What are you doing?”
“Carrying my bride over the threshold of our home.”
“Our home. I really do like the sound of it. Can we get a mat out front that says the Reid’s to greet our guests? I always wanted one of those.” She grins, and I’m not sure if she’s serious or not. First I'm hearing about it.
I Found You Page 11
