Boomerangers

by Heather M. Orgeron

  “Coop,” she says nervously, her fingers fiddling with the button on her shirt.

  “Yeah?”

  Spencer takes a deep breath. “I probably shouldn’t ask, and I know it’s none of my business, but...Were you with a lot of girls?” Her cheeks flush as she gnaws on her thumbnail. “Never mind. It’s been fifteen years. Of course you were.”

  I really don’t want to answer. It’s uncomfortable. “I don’t know,” I say honestly. “So, I mean, yeah. I guess there were sort of a lot. I don’t remember most of them, to tell you the truth.”

  She nods, and I watch her throat move as she swallows.

  “Before you married Tate, there was only you,” I add, because I want her to know that I didn’t go off to college to fuck around.

  Spencer’s body stiffens.

  “I just wanted you to know that.”

  “Thank you,” she whispers, her voice clogged with so much emotion that it pierces my heart.

  “Can we watch the movie now?” I ask, wanting to end this conversation before we make ourselves feel any worse.

  “Yeah, what’re we watching?” She moves closer, snuggling into the crook of my arm.

  “You’ll see.” I already chose the movie and ordered it while she was away, so when I power on the TV, the title is on the screen. Bad Moms.

  Just like I hoped, she busts out laughing. “You are too much.”

  “I try.”

  “See, the bad moms are the cool ones.”

  “That was hilarious!”

  “It was. I’m glad you enjoyed it.” I fish around in the blankets for the remote and click off the TV.

  Spence moves to leave, and I pull her closer. “Stay with me?”

  She blows out a long breath. “Coop, I have to go. I can’t be sleeping over at men’s houses. I have kids.”

  “I want you so bad,” I groan. “You have no fucking idea.” I can’t believe that after all these years I finally have this girl in my bed and I’m too nauseous to do anything about it.

  Her hand trails down beneath the blankets. “Oh, I think I have some idea.”

  My body jerks at her touch.

  “Ooooh!” Spence pulls her hand away and flies out of the bed.

  “Where’re you going?”

  She flips on the light switch before returning and throwing the covers back. “Do it.”

  She’s lost her marbles. My brow furrows. “Do what? There are lots of its I could do, Princess. You’ll have to be a little more specific.”

  “Do your trick.” She is absolutely bursting with excitement. It could be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

  I can’t stop laughing. “You’re serious right now?”

  She bobs her head while staring at my crotch. “Of course I am! You said it was better without the pants. Now get ’em off,” she orders, snapping her fingers. “I made you dinner.” Bribery.

  “You take ’em off.”

  “You think I won’t?”

  I smirk. “I know you will.” I just want her to touch me.

  Spencer straddles my legs at the knees and grips the waist of my basketball shorts and underwear. I lift my hips, and in one fell swoop, she has them down. It’s a damn good thing I’m not shy because Spencer is staring like it’s the first time she’s ever seen a dick. Which, I know for a fact, is not true.

  “Is something wrong?” I ask, amused by her reaction.

  Her mouth droops, hanging open for a moment before clamping shut. She doesn’t make a sound. “No,” she finally whispers, shaking her head. “It’s just, well...bigger than I remember. You think maybe it kept growing after we broke up?”

  “I don’t know, Spencer. I didn’t keep a growth chart or anything.” I laugh.

  “Right. Okay.” She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and releases it with a sigh. “I’m ready.” The bed starts to shake as she bounces on her knees, rubbing her hands together with excitement.

  I can’t help but to shake my head at the absurdity of this moment before putting on a little show for my girl.

  “That’s amazing.”

  “I like to think so.”

  Spencer pokes out her tongue, scrunching her nose. Then, her eyes light like she’s just gotten the most incredible idea. She leans forward while peering up at me through her long, dark lashes, and without breaking our gaze, she runs her tongue along the tip of my cock. “I think you’ve earned yourself a reward, Mr. Hebert.”

  High school Spencer refused to ever put her mouth anywhere near my dick, and I never asked her to do anything she was uncomfortable with. Apparently, grown up Spencer is a little more adventurous.

  And really fucking talented. “Holy shit, Spence,” I groan, fisting my hands into her hair. “Where’d you learn to...” Nah, I don’t even want to go there. “Never mind. Just...don’t...stop...”

  And she doesn’t. Not until she’s sucked me dry. Spence kisses her way up my stomach, teasing my nipples, sucking my neck. She feathers her soft lips along my jaw before planting a final kiss in the center of my forehead.

  I am boneless, blessedly numb. Lost in sensation. My heart beat echoes in my head as the blood whooshes in my ears. “Spence,” I say, cradling her face between my hands.

  “’Night, Cooper,” she answers as she cups her hands over my own, pulling them down from her face. She slips out of my bed, rushing to the door before I can try to convince her to stay. “Feel better,” she calls as she twists the lock and pulls it open.

  “Already do.”

  She beams. “Ah, the healing powers of orgasms.” Spence winks at me before squeezing through the crack. When I hear her footfalls clambering down the steps, I know that she’s really left.

  I find myself smiling after her minutes after she’s gone. A lovesick fool, more desperate than ever to win her back. Game on.

  Spencer

  I’m in the middle of the most delicious dream starring Cooper and his massive erection when I feel little eyes staring at me. Go away...

  “My pull-up all quishy, Mommy.”

  Hello, reality.

  I peel my eyes open, blinking a few times to clear the fog from my vision. “Mornin’, baby,” I grumble.

  “I all wet.”

  Still half asleep, I reach out, scruffing his hair.

  “You not mess up my hair, Mom!” His little hands fly up, swatting mine away.

  “Sorry, Savage.”

  After stretching my arms and legs while releasing a groan that could wake the dead, I force myself to roll out of the bed and take my son to the bathroom. I clean him up and brush his teeth then my own before carrying him down to the kitchen for breakfast.

  “Mornin’, Princess,” I hear as I step through the doorway. “Hey there, little dude.”

  Cooper is seated at the table with my mother, sipping on a cup of coffee, already a few rounds into a game of Yahtzee. It’s such a casual scene that for a moment it steals my breath. I drink him in, all 6’2” of his delectable frame. The Saints ball cap that’s turned slightly to the left. His Brees jersey and khaki cargo shorts. The bare feet resting on the bottom rung of his chair.

  Kyle squeals, squirming in my arms to be put down. “My man here, Mom!”

  Screw you, Mom. Cooper’s here.

  I bend over, setting my son on his feet while completely forgetting that I’ve only just woken up and haven’t gotten dressed yet. It isn’t until I look up to find Cooper’s eyes fixed on my breasts, which are completely visible through the gaping neckline of my sleep shirt, that I realize I’m not even wearing a bra.

  Quickly, I stand, crossing my arms over my chest, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

  Cooper winks and a sexy smirk fixes itself on his face just as my son barrels in to his lap.

  “What’s up, Savage?” he asks, settling him on his right leg while casually resuming his game and rolling the dice.

  “Mornin’, Spence,” Momma greets after finishing up her turn. Thank God she was too busy tallying her scores to see me flash Cooper. T
hat would have been infinitely more embarrassing.

  “Mornin’, Momma,” I return, kissing her on the cheek. “I’m gonna run upstairs real quick and put some clothes on. I didn’t realize we had company.” I look pointedly at Cooper.

  “Don’t hurry on my account,” Coop teases, his eyes glistening with mirth. “I’m fully on board with freeing the tatas.”

  “I wanna free tatas, too!” Savage announces in worship of his new idol.

  Momma snorts out a laugh. “Behave, Cooper,” she chastises, pointing a finger at him.

  “You’re ruining my kid.” I narrow my eyes, trying for a serious look that just doesn’t work with the smile that’s plastered on my face.

  “Enhancing,” Coop corrects.

  “Maybe try enhancing age appropriate behaviors, huh?”

  Coop’s brows dip toward his nose and his lips pucker in a sour face. “What fun is that?”

  I shake my head while still smiling. “I’m going to get dressed,” I announce, backing toward the stairs with my eyes fixed on Coop’s booboo lip that could put Kyle’s to shame.

  I don my favorite pair of distressed jeans and my pink Saints jersey with pink chucks. While I’m running the flat iron through my hair, my phone dings.

  Gina: On my way! Can’t wait to see you and those boys.

  Me: Same here. Drive safe!

  I take my time artfully applying my makeup and styling my hair to try to redeem myself for the ratchet state I was presented in this morning. I don’t know how that man hasn’t gone running for the hills yet.

  An hour later, I’m descending the stairs and through the screen door I find all three of my boys throwing a ball around the yard with Cooper.

  My heart bursts in my chest. Just explodes. It physically hurts to feel so much all at once. It’s like I’m staring at a movie of what my life—our life—could have been. It’s watching my boys get the attention they’re starved for from a man who doesn’t owe them a damned thing. From a man who genuinely seems to enjoy their company. It’s a punch in the gut, a slap in the face, a tease. It’s what I want more than anything else in the world. But it’s a mirage. It’s only temporary.

  Coop is a good man, but he’s not looking to raise his own, much less anyone else’s children. And something tells me especially not mine.

  The door creeks open, breaking my trance. “They’re having so much fun out there, Spence.” Momma’s smile fills her entire face. It makes me happy to see her smiling again. She’s only fifty-one and has been living like an old woman. I’m glad my boys seem to be helping to pull her back from the depression that’s been weighing her down.

  “I can see that.” I’m once again staring as I make my way down the last two steps.

  Momma slips her fingers through my hair. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks, Ma.”

  “Now, go on out there and have some fun, huh?” She swats me on the butt to get me moving before disappearing into the house.

  “Hey, Mom,” Landon calls as I step out onto the porch. He’s lying on the ground with Cooper and Lake piled on top of him, and Kyle screaming that it’s his turn while trying to strip the ball from his hands.

  The rest of the boys all turn my direction with huge smiles.

  “How ’bout a little two on two?” Coop suggests, rising to his feet and dusting the fresh cut grass from his shorts.

  Before I can answer, Lake bursts into laughter. “Mom doesn’t run...or sweat. She probably can’t even catch a ball.”

  Ohhhh, that little shit.

  “Oh, I don’t know. You’re momma used to be able to keep up with us boys pretty well.”

  I really haven’t done anything physical in so long. “It’s okay. I’ll just watch y’all.”

  The next thing I know, the ball is soaring toward my face. My hands fly up without thought, catching it before it smacks me in the forehead.

  “See, she can catch,” Coop says to my boys, coming to my defense. “Pick your man.” His eyes stare into mine, issuing a challenge.

  If only it were that damned easy, right?

  I toss the ball back before lifting my hands palms out. “It’s really fine. I just got dressed and fixed my hair and makeup. I haven’t really played...well, probably since the last time I played with you. I’m good. Y’all play,” I say, waving him off.

  “When did you turn into such a priss?”

  My eyes narrow as Coop taunts me from across the yard. “Fine. I’ll take Landon.”

  “Wha? Why me? I don’t wanna lose.”

  Ass.

  “You be with Cooper. He’s good. Me and Landon can be together and the teams will be more even,” Lake suggests.

  “No, I on Pooper team!” Kyle shouts, stomping his bare foot on the grass.

  “Well, if she’s that bad, I don’t want her, either!” Coop rags.

  I grab the pony tail holder from my wrist and knot my freshly ironed hair on top of my head. “Let’s go, Coop. Me and you...and don’t make me look bad in front of my boys.” I eye him as I walk over to stand beside him and Kyle.

  Cooper chuckles. “I’ll try, Princess.”

  I learn real quick that there is a huge difference between an eighteen-year-old body and a thirty-three-year-old body. It doesn’t move quite as fast or as gracefully. And getting tackled to the ground hurts way more than it used to. My boys seem to enjoy trampling over me more than they should.

  “Babe,” Coop whispers, helping me back to my feet as I groan and slap some of the dirt from my favorite jeans, which are now covered in grass stains. Why did I agree to this?

  “Yeah?”

  “You don’t need me to make you look bad.”

  “Screw you,” I spit back with a grin. I’m freaking exhausted and panting like I’ve just had hours of sex. I’m filthy and my pants are ruined. I have grass sticking out of my hair and every inch of my body hurts. But, I can’t stop smiling.

  Coop’s brows bounce. “Anytime.”

  We’ve been playing for over an hour when Gina’s red Audi pulls into our drive. Her window is down, and she’s pumping the horn and screaming her hellos out before she’s even stopped the car.

  My boys, all three, rush to her vehicle. It’s been less than two weeks since they’ve last seen her, but you could swear it’s been years. They are closer to Gina than anyone else. She’s the only one who’s been around regularly since they were born.

  “Whodat?!?” she yells, climbing out of the car with her hands in the air, raising the roof. She’s of course all decked out in her Saints gear. This is south Louisiana, after all, and tonight we play our biggest rival, The Falcons, in a very rare Saturday night football game.

  My boys give their Auntie GiGi big hugs, and Kyle pulls at her clothes, trying to climb up into her arms.

  “Hey, boyfriend,” she sings after greeting Lake and Landon, swinging Kyle up onto her hip. “You been being a good boy for Auntie?”

  His eyes get big as he nods his head while the twins give theirs an exaggerated shake.

  “Of course you have, angel.” She glares at Lake and Landon while reaching into her purse and pulling out a plastic container of mini M&Ms.

  “You bring me nem-nems! Tank you, GiGi.”

  Gina kisses his face a few times before setting Kyle down to eat his snack. When she finally looks my way, her eyes bug out and she does a double take. “The fuck happened to you?” Gina’s face screws up in disgust.

  My hands automatically react to her grimace, reaching into my hair, plucking out leaves and grass. “We’ve been playing football.”

  “Well, shit...I’m sorry I missed that!”

  Coop’s laugh rumbles through his chest. “Hey, Gina. It’s been a minute.” He leans in, giving her a hug.

  She returns it, patting him on the back a few times. “It’s good to see you, Coop.” Her voice hitches and she coughs to clear her throat.

  My girl. Gina has claimed to hate Cooper for years because of the way he hurt me, but the two of them used to be r
eally close. It was always the three of us growing up.

  “You look good, Gi.”

  My eyes well up as I witness their reunion. There’s just something about being here again with the two of them. I can’t explain it, but the time we spent apart just seems to vanish.

  We’re once again the five-year-olds who got in trouble for eating paste in Mrs. Landry’s kindergarten classroom. Ten-year-olds lost hiking in the woods that had to be rescued via search party. Lemonade stands in the summer and Friday nights at the skating rink. Nick at Night marathons and choking on pilfered cigarettes. First highs, first drunks, first dances, kisses, cars, loves. We’re bonfires in the cane fields and shared limos to prom. We’re so deeply woven into each other’s lives that no amount of time or distance could ever sever our bond. We shared our most formative years, molded each other into the people we are today, and the three of us together will always feel like home.

  My bestie dabs at her eyes. “You, too, Coop.”

  “Is that a tear?” Landon jeers.

  “No.” She huffs. “I just had an eyelash.”

  Coop and I share a discrete smile while my tough as nails bestie tries to save her reputation with her godson.

  “I think Aunt Gigi has a feeling,” he teases, pointing and laughing.

  “I’m gonna show you a feeling in a minute, you little shit.” She reaches out her index finger, poking Landon in the tummy repeatedly as he folds over laughing. He hates to be tickled, and it’s Gina’s favorite method of torture. “What’s this I hear about you giving your momma a hard time, huh?” She keeps poking away.

  Landon’s hands go around his middle, trying to block her attack. “Stop,” he whines, bending at the waist. Gina is relentless, and when he takes off into the house, she is right on his heels, tripping up the steps behind him.

  “They seem pretty close,” Coop observes with a smile.

  I turn from the house with a grin still plastered to my face. “They are. She’s like their second mother. I swear, if I could convince myself to become a vagitarian, I’d have married that bitch years ago.”

  Coop chokes, his face turning bright red.

  “Don’t worry.” I wink, shifting my eyes to his crotch. “I’m a little too fond of the peen.”