Boomerangers

by Heather M. Orgeron

  “Wanna know what I think’s gonna happen?” she asks, smiling so hard the veins in her neck pop out.

  “No.”

  She shuffles her feet excitedly while rubbing her hands together. “All right, I’ll tell ya. Those three boys over there—” she tilts her head in the direction of the kitchen where the kids are having breakfast “—are going to steal that man’s heart away.” She nods to herself. “And we already know, he never got it back from you.”

  She’s spouting off every dream I have like it’s just going to all fall into my lap without realizing how much it fucking hurts. I’m trying to keep a level head here, and Momma is somewhere off in Neverland. I will be alone for the rest of my life because I won’t put my own desires above my children, and I will not force another man into their lives who doesn’t wanna be there. No one’s gonna show up to wave their magic wand over this mess and fix it. If life has taught me anything it’s that it is far from a fairytale.

  “Stop. Please, stop putting so much pressure on me. I’m happy to just have his friendship again. Can we not put expectations and labels on whatever’s gonna happen between the two of us?”

  She walks around the bed to my side, and I think she’s about to hug me, but she puts her lips close to my ear and deadpans, “Friends don’t hmmhmm each other in bar bathrooms, Spencer Rose.”

  What the ever-loving fuck did this woman just say to me?

  “I...ju—huh...what?” I sputter.

  Her brows do a sassy little bounce as she rounds the bed back to the bag she’s still stuffing. “Yeah, I got that call this morning.” She tries to give me a stern look but the smile on her face makes it impossible. “You really should think about your reputation, though, Spencer. You already have kids for two guys...and you aren’t married. That kinda stuff stays with you. Luckily for us, I don’t think anyone realizes they aren’t with the same man.”

  Did my mother just call me a slut? I’m pretty sure that is exactly what just happened here.

  “You need to stop.” I point at her with the pack of wipes I’m now stuffing into the bag.

  “I’ll do no such thing. You two have been screwing this up for the last fifteen years. Nelly and I are gonna help you little love birds fix this right on up.”

  Great, Coop’s mom is in on this master plan too. We don’t stand a freaking chance.

  “The neighbor guy’s here,” Landon calls up the stairs.

  “I’m coming,” I shout back as my phone instantly dings.

  Asshole: Liar.

  Me: I said no funny business.

  Asshole: They can’t hear me.

  Point made.

  “Stop playin’ on your phone, girl, and get down there,” Momma hisses.

  I grab the bags and follow her down the stairs.

  “Hey, Coop! Don’t you look nice.” She nudges me with her elbow. “Right, Spence? Doesn’t he look nice?”

  A knowing smile spreads across Cooper’s face. “Thanks, Mrs. Elaine.”

  “I’m just gonna go make sure the kids are ready,” Momma says, nervously backing out of the room.

  The second we are alone, Coop’s eyes caress every inch of my body, and my skin heats under his perusal. “Like what you see?” I tease, nibbling on my lip.

  His eyes go all soft as he clears his throat. “Very much,” he whispers just as Mom and the kids enter the room.

  Coop hops up from the arm of the couch, any and all traces of desire have vanished. “Hey, guys, ready to go have some fun?” He looks genuinely excited...like a big kid.

  Kyle runs right over to Cooper with his arms outstretched “Hi, man! Hole me. I yike you.”

  God, my child is so desperate for a man’s attention that it breaks my heart.

  Without hesitation this time, Coop lifts him into his arms. “What’s up, little man? My name’s Cooper. Can you say Cooper.”

  “Pooper.” Kyle giggles. Little shit.

  Lake and Landon both laugh at the little comedian, and Coop answers with an exaggerated shrug and a simple, “Close enough.”

  We leave the kids with Mom for a few minutes to run over to the bar and get my truck.

  I keep feeling his eyes on me, but the moment I turn to look at him, he darts them back to the road. The drive is only minutes long, but being this near to Cooper for any amount of time has my body going haywire.

  As we make the last turn, he finally speaks. “You look really beautiful, Spencer.”

  “So do you,” I say. “I mean good. You look good, Coop.”

  He chuckles. “Don’t be nervous with me.”

  “I’m trying,” I say under my breath. “It’s just...it’s been a long time, Coop.”

  He rolls into the parking lot, pulling up next to my truck. Coop shifts into park and turns his body to face mine. He ghosts his fingers down the side of my face, fingering them through my hair, and letting his thumb trail down my jaw line, whisper soft, before pulling his hand away. “It’s been way too long,” he agrees with a heavy swallow.

  My breath catches in my throat as a chill makes me shiver, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. My eyes latch on to his, pleading with him to kiss me.

  Coop closes half the distance between us and stops. His tongue darts out to lick the seam of his mouth and all of the blood rushes to my head. “You’re gonna have to meet me halfway, Princess.”

  I don’t lean in, but rather slide my body to the center of the bench seat so that I can feel his heat pressing against mine. Reaching up with shaky hands, I cup the sides of his face, tracing my thumbs along the light stubble on his jaw. “Kiss me,” I breathe out against his lips.

  His mouth moves over mine. His kiss is soft, gentle, and exquisitely slow. Our breaths mingle as we take our time exploring forgotten territory. Last night, at the bar, this man’s tongue may have fucked my mouth. But this...this kiss is filled with heart and soul...and so much longing.

  I both feel and hear my phone buzzing in my back pocket but nothing short of this truck exploding is going to make me be the one to pull away.

  Coop’s phone dings and then dings again and again. With a frustrated groan, he tears his lips from mine. The sound of our labored breaths fills the space around us.

  Coop barks out a laugh and then holds his phone out for me to read the messages.

  Mom: Elaine just called. Did Spencer forget her phone or something?

  Mom: It doesn’t take this damned long to go pick up a car down the street.

  Mom: Don’t let me find out y’all are back in that bathroom, Cooper James, or there will be hell to pay when you get home. You better treat her like a lady.

  My cheeks warm. “Oh my God. They all know...”

  “Welcome back to Cedar Grove, Princess. Did you honestly believe they wouldn’t find out?” God, his smile is so beautiful.

  “I’m so embarrassed, Coop. I’m never leaving the house again. And your parents. They’ve always treated me like the good one. Now they’ll think less of me. We are so freaking stupid.”

  Coop narrows his eyes at me. “Hold up, little lady. One...you have three kids. They know damned well you’ve been getting busy. Two...most of those gossip mongers are probably just jealous. Have you seen the size of what I’m packin’?” The goofy smile on his face makes me laugh.

  My eyes fall on his package, which just so happens to be fighting to escape from his jeans. Guess I wasn’t the only one getting carried away.

  “Watch out!” he shouts at the same time his dick hops again. “Stare too hard and he might come get you.”

  I decide against telling him that I’d be perfectly okay if that situation were to occur because we really don’t have time for all that right now. “That is really some talent you’ve got there, Mr. Hebert.”

  He leans in close. “It’s even better without the pants.”

  Phew. Lord, it’s getting hot in here. “You’ll have to show me some time, friend.”

  Just then his phone pings again.

  Mom: Lord help me, if I have to come
drag y’alls’ asses out of that bathroom...”

  “We should go,” I say, peaking over his shoulder, but not really wanting to leave at all.

  Coop nods. “Yeah. I’m starting to think she might well show up.” He laughs. “Let’s go. We have the whole day to spend together.”

  Coop’s dad has a really nice bow rider with U-shaped seating in the back, and in the open bow at the front there are two more bench seats. It’s a gorgeous boat with plenty of space.

  I’m so glad that Cooper invited us to come along. I can’t remember the last time I saw my big boys enjoying themselves like this, outdoors, without their heads glued to screens. I doubt their own father has ever taken them fishing. They seem to be getting on well with Cooper, too. For someone who doesn’t do kids, he does a really great job at playing pretend. I think this day is exactly what they needed before starting at their new school tomorrow.

  “Hey, Spence,” Coop calls as he climbs from the back where he’s been hanging with my boys over into the bow where I’m laying out. I had my fill of fishing after the first 30 minutes. But, God, how I’ve missed just being on the water, feeling the sun warm my skin. The scent of coconut sunscreen and calming sounds of nature. It’s heaven.

  Lowering my sunglasses back to my eyes, I prop up on my elbows to face him. I don’t miss the way his eyes rove over my body in appreciation at how awesome this black two-piece makes the girls look, either. The suit was strategically chosen, of course, and judging by the lust in Coop’s eyes, it was a great choice.

  Cooper looks damned good himself in a pair of baby blue board shorts and his abs on full display. Those are new...I decide that I quite like this little enhancement.

  “Hi, Spence,” Savage mocks while wiggling out of Cooper’s arms.

  “Whoa, dude. Calm down,” he says, setting him to his feet. “That kid is slippery, and he never stops moving. How the heck do you do this every day?” Coop looks exhausted as he sits on the bench seat across from mine as Kyle crawls around the small floor space panting like a puppy.

  I let out an almost resigned laugh. “This is my life, Coop. You just get used to it.”

  “I don’t think I could ever get used to it. I mean you literally cannot take your eyes off of him. How do you sleep?”

  And there it is, another gentle reminder that Coop will never be more than a “friend.” It almost knocks the breath out of me, but that’s what I get for allowing myself to dream when I already knew the reality. He never promised me more than friendship. I’ll just enjoy the benefits while they last, and if he befriends my kiddos, even on a part time basis...that’s not a bad thing.

  I force myself to smile. “He eventually runs out of steam and sleeps, too, Coop,” I say with a wink while trying to swallow down the lump in my throat.

  “You sick, Mommy?” Kyle asks, rubbing his baby soft hand on my cheek. “You need a nap ’cause you sick?”

  I take his little hand and kiss the soft, pudgy part on the inside of his palm. “I’m not sick. I’m relaxing.”

  “What’s dat?”

  I literally laugh aloud. “I’m not really sure, baby.” I scruff his hair up with my fingers. “But, it’s nice.” My eyes meet Cooper’s and I smile in thanks.

  “You’re welcome,” he whispers, reading my look.

  “That’s you booms?” Kyle asks, staring at my cleavage while pointing right at my breasts.

  My cheeks flame as I look up to see the smirk on Cooper’s face.

  “Yes,” I answer, moving his hand away. “Those are my boobs.”

  “Oh,” my son says with such excitement that you could swear I’ve just given him the secret to life. “I wanna touch dat!”

  Cooper fucking loses it. His body folds in half, head between the knees, and I swear the man has tears he’s laughing so hard.

  I sit up, tugging my sundress back over my suit. “No, sir. You will not be touching that.”

  “It’s not fair, Mom!” he shouts, sticking himself in a corner with his knees pulled up and lip practically touching the floor.

  “I feel your pain, little dude,” Coop says, shaking his head. “But, you better get used to it.”

  I give Coop a little side eye and he shrugs, still chuckling.

  “That kid is awesome.”

  “That kid,” I say, glancing over to where he’s still sulking, “is bad.”

  “Hey, you raised him,” Coop taunts. “I think he’s advanced—like a little man already. He curses like a sailor and wants to touch boobs. He’s got it all figured out.”

  “I, uh...had a little help raising this one,” I say, glaring at the twins who are fishing with headphones in their ears and the music so loud that I can hear it clearly from here.

  “Speaking of help...” Coop says, motioning to my son who’s now heavy-lidded and half asleep on the floor. His hand scrubs over his mouth and he rubs the scruff on his chin. His head shakes slightly. “Nah, never mind.”

  “You’re curious about his father?”

  “Just forget it, babe. I have no right. You don’t owe me any explanations.”

  My eyes lock with his. “You’re right. I don’t. But, it’s not like its top secret or anything.”

  Coop nods. “Has he ever seen him?”

  My eyes well up. “Never.” Shaking my head, I stare out into the water so that pitying look on his face doesn’t reduce me to tears. “Well, we weren’t really together when I became pregnant with Kyle.” I glance at Coop’s face to gauge his reaction. He shrugs.

  “It happens.”

  “I gave him the option to be a father or to disappear.” I huff, swallowing a ball of emotion. “He chose door number two. I’ve never heard from him again, and honestly, if he was going to be a piece of shit like the other boys’ father,” I whisper to make sure they don’t overhear, “we’re better off without him.”

  He looks positively pissed. “I can’t imagine you doing this all on your own.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “Coop, I can’t imagine doing it any other way. It’s always just been me and my boys. Sure, it’s exhausting, and a lot of the time I don’t know whether I’m coming or going...But, at the end of the day—” a smile spreads across my face “—they just...they love me, Coop...unconditionally...unequivocally. They’re mine, and I’m theirs...and they’ll never leave me.”

  Cooper

  “Well,” Momma urges, practically bouncing out of her skin, “how’d it go today at the lake?”

  “It was good,” I respond, slamming another bag of ice down on the brick patio to break it up and then dumping it on top of the cooler of beer.

  When I raise my head, I bust out laughing at the look of annoyance on her face. Momma’s lips are pursed and turned to one side, her eyes narrowed, and hands resting on her hips. “It was amazing. We had sex on the boat while the kids watched. She’s pregnant, by the way. Wedding’s next week.”

  Mom swats me in the chest with the dishtowel she’s still holding in her hand from wiping down the outside tables. “Don’t be smart.”

  I wink before leaning across the ice chest and planting a kiss on her cheek. “Some things can’t be helped.” Then, without another word, I cross the yard to join my father at the boiler.

  “Mind purging those crawfish while I get the water going, son?” Dad looks like a textbook coonass in his denim overalls and white shit kickers. I’ve always admired the way the man can own a three-piece suit like nobody’s business during the week and return to his Cajun roots when he clocks out for the weekend. Dad’s always made a good living but has never been one to flaunt it. He values the simpler things in life. Those that really matter. Good family, food, and friends. He loves to fish, hunt, and drink his beer while listening to some good zydeco music.

  “On it.”

  I cut the string at the top of the sack with my pocket knife and dump the crawfish into the big metal tub. After sprinkling a thick layer of salt on top, I grab the hose and begin filling it up with water.

  As I watch th
e crawfish fight their way to the top, I’m reminded of all of the boils we had growing up. I can still picture my dad and Mr. David, Spencer’s father, perfecting their craft. They must have sampled every powder and liquid seasoning combination available, trying different variations with garlic cloves, onions, oranges, lemons, and lime juice. You name it, they probably tried it, eventually settling on the method we still use today. Weekends during crawfish season were spent back here beneath the mossy oaks. Spence and I running around in swimsuits through the sprinklers. Our fathers drinking their Bud Light and arguing over football and fishing spots, and really anything and everything. If you didn’t know those two ornery bastards, you’d swear they hated each other. But, Dad and David grew up on the same dead end street, and just like Spencer and me, had been best friends their entire lives. Best friends who I don’t think ever agreed on anything but the best way to boil a batch of crawfish.

  “You know you don’t have to do that.” My body tenses up, her voice pouring over me like liquid sex. She may as well have just asked me to fuck her brains out because my dick is ready to oblige. I shift my legs and discretely adjust myself. God, I am wound so tight from being with Spencer all damned day and not being able to touch her.

  Twisting the nozzle to shut off the water hose, I turn around to face her. Spencer’s changed into a pair of short denim shorts and fitted tee with a crawfish on it that says “Cajun Girls Suck the Heads.”

  I smile, running my tongue along my teeth. “Don’t have to do what?”

  “Why’re you smilin’ at me like that?” Her face blushes and I shrug, enjoying watching her squirm a little. “Uh, you don’t have to purge the crawfish. They say it doesn’t really do anything. You can just rinse ’em with plain ol’ water.”

  “Sacrilege!” Pops shouts from his folding chair about ten feet away. He must be straining pretty damned hard to hear our conversation over the noise of the boiler.

  Her eyes widen as she calls out, “Hey, Mr. Neal.”

  “Hi, sugar,” he greets, walking over to welcome Spence with a tight hug. “Good to have you back.”

  “It’s good to be home.” Home. That’s exactly what it feels like. This place hasn’t felt much like home over the past few years. Not with Kristy or whatever girl I had with me to distract myself from Spencer and her kids. God, I’m such an idiot.