“I’m sorry about what I said to Bailey, apologize to her for me.” Coop shook his head no and as his head moved I could see his profile and could see the sadness etched there.
“She won’t speak to me, so I can’t tell her anything.” The pain that laced his voice as he said those words almost undid me. Two months of no contact was tough and pretending in front of our folks was harder when we had to sit and make small talk.
After a few minutes, they moved away and I stayed sitting behind the bush. Jan was leaving; she was actually leaving. Eventually, I knew I had to go home. As I walked to my car, I saw that the door had been keyed, and the window smashed. I knew Jan had done it as revenge, but I didn’t care. I dialed Zane, but his cell went straight to voicemail. He was doing that a lot, not answering calls, and disappearing for days at a time.
It was starting to worry me, but I kept my mouth shut because I couldn’t push him away or that mausoleum we called ‘home’ would become unbearable. It began raining and I jumped into my car. I twisted the key in the ignition, but nothing happened. I tried again and again, but nothing. I texted Lish and asked where she was, finding out she was out with David, and the rest of my group of friends, so they couldn’t help me. Desperately I tried Zane again, as the rain got heavier, but there was nothing.
I sat for a few moments considering my options when a car pulled into the almost vacant lot. The headlights shone on me as the wind roared loudly and my heart hammered in my ears. The car pulled up beside me and I sighed in relief as Coop rolled his window down.
“Need a lift?” he called over the wind, smiling as I nodded at him. I dived out of my car, grabbing my school bag and lifting it over my head as the rain became so heavy I could barely see his car. Just the outline of the shape was visible.
My hands touched the cold metal and my fingers roamed along until I felt the shape of the handle under my fingers. I opened the door and jumped in, splashing him with water.
“Jeez, Bails, you’re soaked.” I shivered and pulled my belt over me. He started the car, glancing over at me every few seconds. He was driving slower than normal, but it was raining so heavily and after a few minutes he pulled over.
We sat there in uncomfortable silence as he waited for the rain to ease a little. We couldn’t drive the country roads in the dark and heavy rain. He tapped the steering wheel and stared out at the road. I glanced down at my fingers and nervously played with the strap of my bag as I waited for him to drive off.
“Bailey,” he whispered, and I turned my head to face him almost without conscious thought. The variety of emotions in his eyes confused me. I saw anger, hatred, pain, regret, and love, but he closed his eyes and turned back to the road. He breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth, but didn’t speak at all. Eventually, the rain eased off a little, and he drove home a little faster.
We finally made it onto the drive and as we pulled into the garage, I took my belt off, but before I opened the door he spoke.
“It’s just you and me in there tonight. Zane’s out again, and our parents are out of town on business. I’ll take the downstairs guest room.” I jerked my head to show I’d heard him and clambered out of his car, running for the house.
As I sprinted inside, a flash of lightning lit the yard, and all the lights in the house flickered. I tensed in surprise but forced myself to keep going. Once inside my room, I stripped off, leaving the door open. Coop wouldn’t come up anyway. He couldn’t be alone with me. I was standing at my dresser, pulling out warm pajamas when I heard a huff of surprise behind me.
I spun around and Coop was standing there open-mouthed. He had my cell in his hand. I knew he’d seen me naked, but my body burned with heat as he stood watching me without moving. I held my pj’s over my chest and walked over, taking my cell from his hand. He didn’t move, but his face burned with lust as I approached him.
I tried not to touch him, but my fingernails scraped his hand and his hand contracted.
“Bailey,” he whispered as I stepped back, and my eyes went to his. He shook his head and turned for the door, hissing over his shoulder, “You did that on purpose.” I started in surprise and threw my teddy bear at his head. It was the closest thing to me, and I wouldn’t damage him, but I was furious with him.
“No, I fucking didn’t.” I spat at him.
I moved towards the door, slamming it in his face as he glared at me. His glare made my skin heat and I knew that it was just covering how much his gaze had set me on fire, but I needed to be angry. He’d walked into my room without knocking, but he’d told me he’d stay downstairs. I had no idea he’d break his own rules to bring me something I didn’t even know I didn’t have.
I cranked the heat up in the shower and then turned it down to a mellow heat. I grabbed the showerhead and moved it up and down my body. As the water cascaded off of me, I felt the heat of Coop’s gaze burn into me. I ran my finger down and spread my folds, running my hand further down and I slipped my fingers inside, pressing against my spot as the water from the shower hit my clit.
After a few minutes, my legs began to shake, and I came hard. As I turned the shower off, my mood lifted and I walked out into my room, finding a rose on my bed with a note curled around it.
I’m so sorry.
That was it. I lifted the rose and placed it on the bedside table before climbing under the warm covers. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, there was a knock at my door, and I walked out to see Coop standing there. He was shaking, but I glanced behind him and there was nothing there.
“Bails,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms. I was feeling more than a little confused, but at the same time thrilled that he wanted me in his arms.
I tried to rein in my emotions as I attempted to lead him back into my room, but he shook his head holding on to me as though I was going to disappear. His shoulders shook, and he sank to the floor.
“Coop, what’s the matter? You’re scaring me.” He shook his head against my neck and more tears soaked into me.
We sat in the hallway for a few hours and eventually he let me go.
“Bails, I’m sorry.” He stood up and walked away from me.
“Coop, what is it? Speak to me, please?” He shook his head and turned towards the stairs. “You’ll hate me forever and I can’t risk that.” His voice was low but fierce, and he walked down the stairs without looking back.
The wind howled at my window and I sat doodling on my window seat as I watched the raindrops in distinct patterns down the window. Footsteps in my room made me turn, but there was no one there. My room door closed, and I shuddered, before going over and checking it out, but there was nothing there. I grabbed my cell; it was just after midnight.
I hoped Coop was asleep because I was starving. I hurried from my room a little creeped out by the footsteps and closed the door softly at my back. I rushed towards the kitchen and ran in as the wind howled louder. I rushed into the pantry, trying to work out what to cook when my eyes landed on the box of mac ’n’ cheese on the shelf. I grabbed it and went to work.
As it was ready, Coop walked into the kitchen and his eyes widened at the sight of me, dishing out my midnight snack.
“There’s enough for you if you want some too,” I spoke softly to him, and he smiled, not quite meeting my eyes.