He crossed his arms and widened his stance but kept silent.
“I know you and I had a good thing going and it was really fucking fun. Work hard, play hard, right? But is that really how we were going to live the rest of our lives? Are we really those guys? Because I know where those guys end up. They either make a huge mistake and get tied to some crazy girl for the rest of their lives, or they die alone and miserable.”
“That’s really fucking bleak, dude.”
“I know, and I’m not making that mistake. Look, I didn’t mean for you to find out the way you did. I swear to you, I was trying to do the right thing. And I wouldn’t have done this for any girl. You have to know that. I never gave a shit before because there was always someone else—always more women. But Brynn isn’t just some girl to me. I love her, Cooper. I fucking love her. And I’m not going to do the idiot thing this time. I know a good thing when I have it and I’m not going to let her go. Ever. She’s my life, dude. She’s the most important thing in the world to me and I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy.”
“Holy shit,” he said. “You’re going to burn your mattress.”
“Are we still on the fucking mattress? Were you even listening to me?”
“You’re going to burn your mattress because you love my sister,” he said. I wasn’t sure if he was talking to himself, or to me. “Oh my god. What the fuck have I done?”
His eyes were wild, and he ran his hands through his hair, messing it up as he started pacing around the living room.
“What the shit? You were… and I thought… so I figured you just… and what the fuck? How did I even think that? Cooper, what the fuck is wrong with you?”
I waited for his brain to calm down. It wouldn’t do me any good to interject while he was on a rant like this. He needed to get it out so he could think clearly again.
“Because that meant you… and she was… God, how did I not get that? How did I get this so fucking wrong? This is a goddamn disaster.” He stopped dead in his tracks in the middle of the living room and stared at me. “Jesus, Chase. I fucked this up.”
I hadn’t expected that, so I didn’t know what to say.
“You’re really going to marry my sister.”
It wasn’t a question—thank god, because if he threw that at me like an insult, I’d probably punch him in the face. “Yeah, asshole. I’m going to marry your sister.”
Then Cooper did something I’d never seen, not even once in the entire time I’d known him. He got tears in his eyes.
We started at each other for a long moment. Between any other two guys, it would have been enormously awkward. But between us, it wasn’t. It was necessary.
When he finally spoke, his voice was unnaturally subdued. “Chase, I’m sorry.”
He barreled into me before I had a chance to reply, wrapping me in a tight hug. Now my eyes were stinging with tears. I hugged him back. This was prime gay-joke fodder, but we’d get to that later. For now, I just bear-hugged my best friend.
When he finally let go, he stepped back and wiped his eyes. “You piece of shit, you made me fucking cry. You owe me a cookie.”
“I didn’t make you cry, dumbass. And if anyone owes cookies, it’s you.”
He cleared his throat. “Let’s get this mattress out. Fucker needs to burn.”
We took the mattress and box spring out near the south vineyard, not far from where I’d proposed to Brynn a few months ago. A healthy dose of gasoline and it lit up the night sky.
Cooper and I sat in camping chairs watching the fire. Neither of us had said much since leaving home. We’d been busy with the mattress and getting the fire started. Now we sat with beers in hand while the flames licked at the edges.
“Is there any way we can be cool?” he asked, finally breaking the long silence. “Or did I fuck this up forever?”
I thought for a minute before I replied. “I don’t know, man. I get that she’s your sister, and she’s really important to you. But I thought you’d get over it sooner, you know? I thought if you understood that I was serious about her, you’d get on board.”
“That isn’t why you proposed so fast, is it? To prove it to me?”
“No. Believe it or not, it wasn’t about you.”
He took a drink of his beer. “Okay, buddy, real talk. You might think I overreacted when I saw you guys on the couch, but I stand by that. It was a shitty thing to come home to.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Hold on, I’m not finished. I fucked it up after that, and I’ll own it. I didn’t give you a chance to explain—just stayed pissed off. But dude, it was hard. I was so fucking mad. Yeah, I was an asshole for thinking you’d hurt Brynn. But you have to admit, it’s not like you have a track record of being the perfect boyfriend. Not that I do, either. But come on, if you had a sister, would you let her anywhere near me?”
“Fuck no.”
“See? Neither would I. Although if I wanted to be a good boyfriend, I’d be the best fucking boyfriend on the planet.”
I tipped my beer bottle to him. “That’s true, bro. You would be.”
“I just want Brynn to be happy,” he said. “Actually, that’s not true. I want more than that for her. Happy is awesome, but it’s just a feeling, you know? I want her to be safe, and secure, and living a good life.”
“I’m going to give that to her. I promise.”
He glanced at me, the firelight dancing in his eyes. “You really are, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I really am.”
“I am sorry,” he said. “I mean that. I should have trusted you. I’ve been a shitty friend. But the good news is, I guess that means I can tell Leo and Roland to call off the plan.”
“What plan?”
He grinned. “Now you’ll never have to know. Although if you fuck things up with my sister, we’ll kill you. You know that, right?”
“Oh yeah, I know.”
“Just so we’re clear.”
I shook my head and finished my beer. He’d been a dick for longer than he should have, but forgiving Cooper was a foregone conclusion. We had a history that went too far back for this to break us. I loved that motherfucker too much. He was the only person besides Brynn I’d ever really loved who had loved me back just as hard.
“There’s just one more thing we need to talk about before this is finished,” I said.
“What’s that?”
“I need a best man. I don’t know if you know a guy who might be free that weekend, but I could really use someone to stand up there with me.”
“Are you fucking serious?” He sniffed and wiped his nose. “Goddammit, Chase, you’re making my eyes leak again. You really need to stop doing that. If we get caught like this, people are going to question our sexuality. They probably already do, by the way. Brynn and I look a lot alike. They’re going to assume you’re with her to alleviate your homoerotic fantasies about me.”
“That’s exactly why I’m with her. Although I don’t know why I’m bothering. I could legally marry you in this state, so there’s no need for the ruse. Oh wait, I don’t like dick. Never mind.”
“No shit. I like my own dick way too much to want another one in my life.”
“Are we going to keep talking about dick, or are you going to say you’ll be my best man?”
“Bro, I would be honored to be your best man. And you’re a better guy than I am. I don’t know if I’d ever talk to me again after the shit I put you through.”
“That’s okay, I’m banging your sister. Kinda makes up for it.”
“Oh my god, shut the fuck up.” He set his empty on the ground. “Seriously, never talk about my sister and sex. Ever. Damn it, why don’t you have a hot sister, or a hot single mom? I’d so have revenge sex with one of them. Or maybe both of them.”
I laughed. “Shut up, you would not.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Even I have limits.”
“You know what you have to do now, though, don’t you?”
/>
“What?”
“You need to talk to Brynn.”
He groaned. “Yeah, I know. Fuck.”
I opened another beer for each of us and handed one to him. “You’ll be fine. I’m pretty sure you’re still her favorite.”
“I doubt it, but I’ll make it up to her.”
We clinked our bottles together. “I know you will.”
Twenty-Six
Brynn
The flowers Cooper had planted outside my cottage were blooming. I paused outside and took a deep breath. It was a gorgeous day. The sun was warm and the lush scents of spring wafted through the air. I’d been over at the Big House to help my mom get ready for an afternoon wedding. Just being there, moving chairs and setting out floral centerpieces, had roused flutters of excitement in my tummy. In less than a month, we’d be getting ready for my wedding.
I went inside and nearly jumped out of my skin. Cooper was standing in the living room next to what looked like a pile of blankets.
“Oh my god, what are you doing here? You scared me.”
“Sorry,” he said. “I need to talk to you.”
“What’s that?” I pointed to the blankets.
“It’s a blanket fort.”
I blinked at him a few times, waiting for him to explain. But he didn’t. “Um, okay. Why did you build a blanket fort in my living room?”
“I told you, I need to talk to you.”
“What does talking to me have to do with a fort?”
He let out a breath, like he was getting impatient with me. “Really?”
“But why did you—”
“Just get in the fucking blanket fort, Brynncess.”
He held the end of one blanket open while I ducked through. Inside was surprisingly spacious. He’d propped up couch cushions and used a few chairs to create the structure. Blankets draped over the top and sides. When we were kids, he used to make me blanket forts all the time. His had always stayed up so much better than mine.
Cooper got in and we both sat cross-legged on the floor. “I remember the day you were born.”
That wasn’t even close to what I’d expected him to say. “You do?”
“Yeah. Grandma and Grandpa took Roland and Leo to the hospital to see you, but I’d wandered off. Ben found me playing outside, so he took me. I remember Dad being mad because I was dirty, and Mom drinking water from this big cup with a straw. But mostly, I remember seeing you for the first time.”
I wasn’t sure why he was telling me this story, so I just nodded.
“You were so tiny. Just this little bundle with a pink hat. I wanted to hold you, but no one would let me. Mom did later, though, when Dad wasn’t around.”
“That’s sweet.”
He shifted, leaning back against the chair behind him. “Ben took me home and we went for a long walk in one of the vineyards. I remember because he kept me out past bedtime. He told me that having a sister was a really special thing. It was a big responsibility. It was going to be my job to watch out for you.”
“Oh, Coop.”
“I never forgot that. And when you got older, I realized how right Ben had been. Dad didn’t do things right with you, and I think Ben had known he wouldn’t. Dad never brought you flowers, or balloons on your birthday. He didn’t make sure your clothes weren’t slutty or tell you what to look out for when boys started noticing you.
“Roland and Leo didn’t either. I don’t blame them for that, though. Roland was doing his own thing, and he had Zoe. And Leo had to go join the fucking Army and get himself blown up. It left me with all the responsibility for you. But that was okay, because from the day you were born, and Ben had told me it was my job, I’d taken it seriously.
“Little girls need someone to look after them. They’re soft and fragile, even the tough ones. I know you’re tough, Brynncess, but you’re soft on the inside. And you should be. I don’t want anyone to take that away from you.”
My eyes stung with tears and I sniffed hard, biting my lip to keep them from falling.
“I know I’m not your dad,” he continued. “But the asshole we got stuck with wasn’t good enough, so I tried to make up for it. Maybe I haven’t always done a good job, but I’ll tell you one thing, no one loves you like I do.” He paused and looked down. “At least, no one did.”
He met my eyes. I’d never seen Cooper look like this before. He almost looked like he was going to cry.
“I’m so sorry, Brynn,” he said, his voice soft. “I went the wrong way with this. I assumed all the wrong things, and that was a shitty thing for me to do. I should have trusted you. Jesus, I should have trusted Chase. He’s been my best friend since Kindergarten. I should have known he’d never hurt you.”
I didn’t think I could speak without crying, so I just nodded again.
“Chase is the best guy I know,” he said. “Hell, if I was gay, I’d make him go gay so I could marry him.”
“Oh my god, Cooper.”
“I’m serious,” he said. “But I’m not gay, and neither is he, which turns out is good news for you, because holy shit Brynn, Chase fucking loves you. If I could have picked a guy for you to be with, who else would I choose but him? He’s the best. And yeah, maybe his track record with women is as bad as mine, but he’s never been in love before. And he fell in love with you, and that’s just about the coolest fucking thing I can even imagine. Frankly, I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it sooner, because it’s perfect.”
“You’re not taking credit for me and Chase getting together.”
“You never would have met him if not for me,” he said. "My friendship paved the way for you to be with the love of your life. See? I’m always looking out for you.”
I laughed softly and shook my head. “Yeah, I know you are.”
“Just promise me something.”
“What?”
He looked me in the eyes, his expression serious. “Take good care of him for me.”
That was it. I couldn’t stop the tears from trailing down my cheeks. “I will. I promise. And Cooper, I didn’t mean to take your best friend away.”
“I know.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “But if someone had to, I’m really glad it was you.”
Twenty-Seven
Brynn
“Come on, Brynncess, the party bus is leaving,” Cooper called from outside.
I slipped on a pair of flats and grabbed my purse. We had dress fittings today, and Cooper had declared himself our driver. I went out and piled into my mom’s car with Grace, Mom, Zoe, and her increasingly large baby belly.
“Ready, ladies?” Cooper asked.
The dress shop wasn’t far. When we arrived, Cooper got out to open doors for us, like he was a chauffeur, then hurried to open the front door as well.
“Thanks, Coop,” I said as I went inside.
“Anything for the bride.”
He’d done a complete one-eighty since his blanket fort apology. Now he was firmly on Team Wedding and jumped at the chance to help any time he could. He’d even called the bakery to make sure I hadn’t actually ordered a carrot cake, since he knew Chase would hate it.
Jolene, the saleswoman I’d worked with to order the dresses, came out to greet us. She was a curvy brunette in her later forties who always wore shirts that showed several inches of cleavage. We said our hellos and she led us through displays of wedding gowns, bridesmaid and prom dresses, and other formal wear, to the fitting area. They had several couches facing a little podium surrounded by mirrors. I’d been here with my mom to choose my dress and look at bridesmaid dresses. Today our dresses were in, and we’d be getting our final measurements for alterations.
Cooper came back carrying a large grocery bag. He pulled out a bottle of champagne and a package of clear plastic cups.
“Jolene, I hope you don’t mind my girls indulging in some bubbly,” he said as he popped the cork. “And I’d be happy to pour you a glass if you’d like, sweetheart. Sorry Zoe, you don’t get any, but I brough
t sparkling cider for you.”
“Thanks, Coop,” Zoe said.
Jolene smiled. “Please, have fun. I’ll go see about your dresses.”
Cooper passed out champagne and poured some cider for Zoe. “Does this mean I get to see the dress?”
“Yeah, I suppose you do,” I said. “They’ll need me to try it on again.”
“Awesome.” Cooper put the champagne down, pulled out his phone, and started typing.
“What are you doing?” Mom asked.
“Texting Chase to brag,” he said. “I get to see Brynn’s dress and he doesn’t.”
We sipped champagne and waited. A few other people wandered in and out of the store, but we had it mostly to ourselves. Cooper seemed to get restless. He alternated between sitting on the arm of one of the couches and walking through some of the nearby displays, looking at dresses. I wondered what was taking Jolene so long.
Grace chatted with my mom, which was so nice to see. The two of them got along well. It restored my faith in humanity a little bit. Despite the damage my dad had done, some really good things had come out of it all.
Cooper came over, holding up a blue sequined prom dress in front of himself. “This color would look great on me, don’t you think?”
Grace laughed. “It does bring out your eyes. But I’m not sure if you’re man enough to handle that much sparkle.”
“Gracie, I would rock this sparkle. I’m all sparkle.”
“That you are,” she said.
Roland came into the shop, making a beeline for Zoe.
“What are you doing here?” Zoe asked.
“You left your ginger candies.” He sat down next to her and handed her a small bag. “I was worried you’d get sick while you were out.”
“This is so sweet,” she said. “But I told you before I left, I’m having a good day.”
“Still, it couldn’t hurt to have these on hand.”
Sometimes I felt like I barely recognized Roland. He’d changed so much from the grouchy workaholic who’d avoided us like the plague. Back then, I’d wondered what Zoe could have ever seen in him. But I hadn’t known the real Roland. He was still serious—and sometimes too practical for his own good. But god, he loved Zoe. He treated her like a treasure. It made me so happy to see. Love looked good on my brother.
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