Boomerangers

by Heather M. Orgeron

  He smiles. “Sure, Mom.”

  “Did he say where he was off to?” I ask without thinking and immediately wish I could take the question back. I shouldn’t involve my son in our shit.

  Lake’s face turns up in a knowing smirk. “Rough day at work. He was going to T-Boy’s.”

  The afternoons on school days seem to fly by. There just aren’t enough hours. By the time the boys and Momma get home after practice, it’s nearly 5:30. The few hours before bed are spent on showers, dinner, and homework. And sometimes we can squeeze in an episode or two of CSI Miami. Tonight was a really good night and we were able to work in three.

  After the kids and Momma have gone to bed, I take myself out to sit on the porch and soak up some fresh air. Before I realize it, I’ve passed out in the wooden rocker. When my phone dings, waking me, I realize that it’s nearing midnight. I wonder how long I’d have slept if my phone hadn’t gone off. Speaking of which, I swipe the screen to see who’s messaging this late.

  Latin Lovah: Don’t make me take you to court, ’cause I will.

  I press the power button, darkening the screen, and set the phone face down on the table, as if avoiding looking at it will make it disappear. The acid in my stomach begins to churn. I’m so scared. I should’ve had Alex sign something. I have no clue what rights that asshole actually has or whether or not our text messages will even hold up in court. I don’t know, and I’m too afraid to find out, so I’m holding on to the hope that he will give up and vanish again.

  I’m methodically rocking, gnawing off my fingernails, when Coop’s truck swerves into their drive. He’s drunk.

  I fly out of my chair without giving it a second thought, meeting him at his truck before the door has even swung open, and when it does, I fly off the handle.

  “What’re you thinking getting behind the wheel in your condition? Huh?” I shove his chest with so much force that he has to grab the door to keep from falling over.

  “Hey, Princess,” he says clutching his chest where I’ve just pushed him. “Why you gotta be so violent? Let’s make love, not war.” His words are slow and drawn out.

  “Stop kidding around. I’m serious. You could have killed yourself or someone else. You have a fucking phone. Use it!”

  “Would you misssss me, baby?” His hand darts out and grabs onto my hip. Coop pulls me forward to stand between his parted legs, his ass resting on the edge of the truck seat. “You s-smell so good.”

  “You reek.”

  He chuckles. “You always say the sexiest th-things, Princesss.” Both of his hands slip around my waist, cupping my ass. “You have the best butt ever in the whole world, Spence...”

  “You need to go inside and sleep this off.” I try to move away, but his hold is really tight.

  Coop’s head falls forward, resting on my breasts. “I had a bad day, friend.”

  “I heard,” I say softly, placing a hand in his hair and massaging his scalp.

  “You gotta esplain how this works.”

  Lord, give me patience. “How what works, Coop?”

  He hiccups, lifting his head. “The benefitsss. Can I cash in or do I have to wait ’til you wanna do it? ’Cause I could really, really use some right now.”

  Dear God, I should be pissed, but I can see the sadness in his eyes, and I know that he’s not trying to insult me.

  “Cooper, I don’t think you could get it up tonight if you tried.” I’m not being mean. I’m serious as a heart attack. Whiskey dick is real.

  “Wanna bet?” he counters, emphasizing the T.

  “Not especially.”

  “They were so sad, Spence—her parents. And when they broke down...I s-saw you.”

  I am so confused. “What are you talking about, Cooper?”

  “The f-f-foster mom. When they took her away. I pictured you and Savage and it hurts. It hurts, Princess. I don’t wanna do it anymore.”

  Oh no. I remember him mentioning the hearing in passing now. “You guys lost? Did they give her back to her mother?”

  He nods, and I feel warm, wet tears on my chest.

  “Hey,” I say, lifting his face. “I’m sorry, Coop. I’m so, so sorry.” The sadness in his eyes is too much and soon I’m crying right along with him.

  “I need you.” God, how I wish it were true.

  “Cooper, I’m not sleeping with you like this. You’re drunk.”

  “I won’t press charges.”

  How can he be stupid drunk and still so damned cute? “Coop, I’m not worried about you pressing charges,” I say with a laugh. “You hate me right now.” He shakes his head. “You do, and you just don’t remember because you’re drunk and sad and horny and you ‘need me.’ But, in the morning, when you’ve sobered up, you’re going to regret it and I won’t be able to handle that. So, no, you can’t cash in on benefits tonight.”

  His head shakes. “You’re wrong. I would never regret fucking you.”

  I find myself once again giggling. “You’re a real Casanova tonight, let me tell you.”

  “What about kissing? Is that off the menu, too?” His hands flex, squeezing my ass as he nips at my nose.

  “I guess that’d be all right.”

  He brings his lips to mine slowly and I expect his kiss to be sloppy and drunk. But Coop must not need his wits for this skill because in this kiss, I feel more connected to this man than I have ever felt in my life. And that says a lot. I don’t know if it’s because he’s not overthinking it. It’s honest and pure. I feel the emotion in my bones.

  He doesn’t try to take things further, content to make out like teenagers in our parents’ front yards. Our connection is so powerful that it overwhelms me. I find myself crying for no explicable reason.

  He feels it too and pulls his lips from mine, kissing my tears away. “Don’t cry, Spencer. Fuck. I can’t take it.”

  “I’m sorry.” I sniffle, trying to dry my tears. “It’s just...Wow, Coop.”

  “I’m a good kisser,” he beams.

  I chuckle. “The best.”

  “It feels different,” he muses, “kissing you.”

  “Different than it used to?” I ask, searching for his meaning.

  Coop shakes his head. “No, esactly the same.” He takes both of his hands and tucks my hair behind my ears. “It never felt like this...with anyone else.” He seems surprised by his own admission, and I’m starting to really like drunk, filterless Cooper.

  “For me either,” I find myself admitting.

  He nods, clearing his throat. “I was wrong.”

  “Don’t even worry about it. The kids aren’t upset.” I’m just so relieved we’re finally hashing this out and pray that he remembers it all in the morning.

  “No. I was r-right about that.”

  Okay, scratch that. “What were you wrong about, then?”

  “I should’ve never let you g-go.”

  “No,” I agree. “You shouldn’t have.”

  Cooper

  I wake up with a headache of mass proportions, and as I wretch into the toilet, I promise myself that I will never drink again. Of course, it’s a lie. One I’ve told myself plenty of times before. One that, no doubt, I will tell myself again.

  The door cracks open and Dad peeks his head into my room as I’m literally dragging myself across the floor to get back to bed.

  “Ready for work?” he teases, to which I give him the finger.

  He laughs. “Boy, when’re you gonna learn that drinkin’ like that never fixes anything?”

  “Ugh,” I groan as my stomach revolts.

  “Serves you right for keepin’ that poor girl up all night.”

  What is this man going on about?

  “Huh?”

  “Oh yeah. I had to come outside and pry your drunk ass off of her. Cryin’ like a puss, too. Lord only knows what you said to poor Spence.”

  “Ah, shit.”

  “That’s the thing with drinkin’ like that, son. You may not remember, but she will. And you’re gonna be i
n a heap of shit all over again. What part of getting drunk and crying all over the girl sounded charming to you? Huh?”

  I stuff my face into the pillow. “Go away,” I mumble.

  “I gave you some solid advice and you just wiped your damn ass with it.”

  “I’m sick,” I grumble.

  “You’re a fool’s what you are,” he says, shaking his head with a big ass grin. “Woo the girl, Cooper. Stop pissin’ her off, and for God’s sake, find your fuckin’ man card before you scare her away for good this time!” he adds, slamming the door.

  What the hell happened last night?

  I remember going to the bar and playing a few games of pool with a couple of my old buddies. Lots of shots...Too many shots. I don’t remember coming home, but I think I remember kissing Spence, although that could have been a dream. It’s so foggy.

  I grab my phone from under my pillow and there’s already a message waiting from Spencer.

  Princess: Hope you feel better.

  Me: Sorry about last night.

  Princess: Don’t be. I think I like you better drunk.

  Me: I think I like you better naked.

  Princess: I’m a lot more agreeable, for sure. :p

  Me: So, I didn’t do anything stupid? I can’t really remember.

  Princess: I wouldn’t go that far. You don’t remember anything?

  Me: I think maybe you kissed me?

  Princess: Hey, you promised not to press charges.

  Me: I what?

  Princess: Nothing. You were really quite charming, actually.

  Me: That’s not what my Dad said.

  Princess: It’s fine. Don’t even worry about it.

  Me: I do worry about it. I’m fucking this all up, aren’t I?

  Princess: I don’t know about you fucking it all up. I think I’m doing my fair share. I’m really sorry, Coop. I don’t wanna fight with you. I’m sorry I freaked out.

  Me: I’m sorry if I overstepped. I wasn’t trying to make you feel like a bad mom. In fact, I think the exact opposite. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. I admire you so much, Spence. Please know that.

  Princess: Thank you for saying that. I feel like a crazy person lately.

  Me: Must be something in the air around here.

  Princess: Hey, are you not going in to work today? Just saw your truck is still here.

  Me: I don’t think I’m getting out of this bed today. I could be dying.

  Princess: I’m off to check out daycares with Savage. Call if you need anything. Feel better, Coop.

  Me: Later, babe.

  I set my phone down on the nightstand, plug it in to charge, and then slip into some sort of alcohol induced coma.

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  It takes me a minute to realize that the sound is coming from my bedroom door. “Yeah?” I shout, still half asleep.

  The door opens just a crack and Spencer’s face appears. “Oh no. Were you asleep? I can come back later.” She slinks back through the opening to leave.

  That wakes me up. “No. No, come in, Spence. I need to get up. What time is it, anyway?”

  “It’s almost six,” she says, walking into the room and placing a few Tupperware containers on the nightstand before sitting at the foot of my bed. “I brought you some gumbo. It, uh...always helps to coat my stomach after a hangover.”

  “You made me dinner, Princess?” A stupid grin overtakes my face.

  “Well, I mean, it’s not just for you. We’re eating some, too. Don’t get a big head or anything over it.” She pokes out her tongue, and if my mouth didn’t taste like ass and I didn’t smell even worse, I’d have her pinned to this bed.

  I smile and feel some shit starting to form in my throat again. Dad’s right. I’m a pussy gettin’ all emotional over a bowl of gumbo. “Were you making gumbo before you found out I wasn’t feeling well?”

  She smirks. “What’s with the interrogation?”

  “Answer the question, counselor.”

  “That lawyer talk is kinda hot.” She smiles over at me, waggling her brows.

  “Were you?” I persist.

  “No.” Spencer wrings her hands in her lap.

  My head swells at her admission, along with my heart and my cock. “Thanks for cooking me dinner, Spence.”

  “You’re welcome, Cooper.”

  Our eyes lock and the space between us becomes charged. “You making me dinner is hot.”

  “That’s so caveman of you. You gonna start carrying a club and dragging me around by the hair?” she teases.

  “Is that an option?”

  “No.” She laughs, rising from the bed. “I have to get back and feed the kids. I hope you start to feel better.” She places a hand in my hair and moves it down, tracing the side of my face. “Is there ever a time that you don’t look absolutely gorgeous?”

  I feel sick again and not from the hangover. It’s because she’s leaving and I don’t want her to go. “Will you come back?”

  “When?”

  “Tonight...after you get the kids to bed. I’ll shower and change the sheets and we can maybe watch a movie? If, you know...you don’t have plans or anything.”

  She smiles. “I’d like that.”

  The minute she leaves, I hop up and jump into the shower. Then, I strip my bed and throw on a fresh set of sheets and blankets. I tidy up the room, and when it’s cootie free, I sit and enjoy the best damned bowl of gumbo I’ve ever eaten.

  “Coop,” Mom calls out, advancing down the hall to my room. The door opens and she walks in. “Elaine said that Spence is coming over tonight. I guess that means you’re feeling better.” Her eyes dart around the room and she nods, looking impressed. “I was gonna ask if you wanted me to come freshen up in here, but I can see you’ve been busy.”

  “Thanks, Ma.”

  “You’re welcome, baby.” The back of her hand goes to my head to check for fever. I don’t bother telling her that hangovers don’t produce temperatures. She never listens, anyway. “You still don’t look too good.”

  I shrug. “Still kinda queasy. We’re just watching a movie.”

  “I’m happy the two of you made up. I was getting worried,” she says, sitting next to me on the bed. “Elaine’s worried, too.”

  I stare up at the ceiling, releasing a frustrated breath. “Y’all need to stop worrying and back off.”

  “Oh, Coop,” she says, patting my cheek, “that’s what mommas do. We worry. And then we step in and offer some divine intervention when our little ducklings lose their way.”

  There’s no use arguing with this woman. She’s bound and determined to mettle in my affairs. So, I try a different approach, hoping to get rid of her quicker.

  “Thank you for everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Her eyes tear up. “You’re welcome. I just want the best for you.”

  “I know, Momma.” Leave already...

  “Be a gentleman, Coop. I mean, I’m not gonna tell you not to have sex, because she seems to really like that sort of thing.”

  My eyes get huge when I spot Spencer standing in the open doorway with a finger to her lips, indicating for me to be quiet. Oh shit.

  “Just you know,” Mom continues, completely oblivious, “try to be more tender this time. Take it slow and show her how much you really care about her...that she’s more than just a quick romp in a dirty bathroom.”

  Spencer literally spits out a laugh, and Momma’s face turns beet red when she realizes her speech was overheard.

  “Spencer!” Momma says nervously. “When did you get here?”

  Spencer cannot stop laughing long enough to answer. Her response is broken up between guffaws. I think she says she just got here. I can’t be sure.

  Momma looks ready to cry with embarrassment, and, well, she should. She walks over to the door, giving Spencer a pat on the back in greeting. “Y’all have a good time, and, uh...well, holler if y’all need anything.”

  “You’ve done enough.”


  She clears her throat. “Right, well...I’ll just leave y’all to it, then.”

  “Bye, Mrs. Nelly.”

  Spencer is still giggling when she shuts the door.

  “Lock it,” I tell her before she starts walking to the bed.

  “Feeling a little sure of ourselves, are we?” Spence teases, doing a little shimmy as she twists the lock.

  I waggle my eyebrows with exaggeration. God, how I wish. “Actually, I’m still not really feeling well. Just trying to keep the crazies out.”

  “I thought my momma was bad. Is she always like this?” Her thumb points over her shoulder toward the door that my mother just left through.

  I shake my head and shrug. “Just since you came back. She’s got Dad on my case, too. It’s, uhh...it’s been interesting, to say the least.”

  Her lips form a little O and her eyes get big. “Your momma just gave you permission to fuck me in your bed, Cooper James.”

  “You misunderstood. She specifically forbade me to fuck you in this bed. I think she used the word tender.”

  “It’s a good thing I like that sort of thing, huh?”

  I’m so embarrassed. “I’m really sorry, Spencer.”

  “Pfft.” She waves her hand. “Don’t be. The whole town seems to think that enjoying sex makes me a whore. It’s not just her.” She’s saying that it doesn’t bother her, but I can see the sadness in her eyes. Hear the tremor in her voice. “Funny thing is, I’ve only had sex with three people, Coop. Three. I kinda feel like if I’m gonna get labeled, I at least should have had the fun that goes along with it.”

  I’m ashamed to admit that I’m shocked by her confession. Not that I ever assumed she was giving it up to everyone. But that means she’s only been with her kids’ fathers...and me. “Well, I for one am A-okay with the fact that you missed out on all of that fun.”

  As Spence walks over to the bed, I lift the covers for her to crawl in beside me.

  “I bet you are,” she whispers, climbing in.

  I place a kiss on her forehead as I reach across her body to the table for the remote. My heart starts pounding as her warmth and the smell of her perfume engulf me.