I was so stupid to think he’d want that too, so fucking stupid. I finally make my way into the shower, letting the tears cascade down my cheeks. The loss of Coop, my job, and more than likely the only place I call home is washing down the drain along with so many hopes and dreams.
The pain is deafening, keeping my anguish from wailing out and bringing any more unnecessary attention to myself I keep the noise to a minimum. I’m going to allow myself this shower to cry over the shit that seems to be surrounding me. After that, though, I’m going to put my big girl panties on, get out of the house, and attempt to find a job. If worse comes to worst, I’ll lick my wounds while working at Tyler’s bar again. That age-old motto, or whatever you call it, of how things come in threes, clearly that is what’s happening to me. Except, I’m not going to let it get in my way. I’m going to rise above it and somehow fix this shit, and fast. With that thought in mind, I wash my hair and body, cleansing the quote-unquote “sins” from my body that took place last night, turn the shower off, dry myself off, and get dressed.
It doesn’t take me but ten minutes before my hair is towel dried and thrown up in a messy ponytail, with wisps of hair pulled down to help it frame my face. I put on a pair of cut-off jean shorts, a basic black tank, and sneakers before walking out of my bedroom.
I’m stopped in my tracks at the sight of Coop. He’s bent over the counter, a pair of shorts hanging loosely on his hips, his shirt nowhere on his body.
“Hey.” He looks up, seeming torn up about last night. There’s no way I’m going to let him be the one to shred me to pieces with what he has to say. Instead, I give him a way out. “Last night was a mistake. I’m sorry, Cooper.” With that, I head for the front door, my feet carrying me to the elevator before he can say another word.
I hear Cooper yelling my name as I enter the elevator. I press the close door button repeatedly until it finally shuts, locking me away from what could only rip my heart to pieces, leaving it scattered on the ground.
Six
Cooper
“Motherfucker,” I breathe out, my fist pounding at the door to the elevator, knowing Hadley is already gone. She didn’t even let me explain. I wanted everything last night, and so much fucking more.
When I woke up and she was still in my bed, I almost reached for her. The one thing stopping me was knowing I used her body hard last night. She was just as insatiable as I was, her mouth on my skin, kissing its way down my body before her hot mouth engulfed my cock. Yeah, it was enough to have me ripping her off my length, tearing open the condom wrapper, and sliding inside of her.
“Fuck.” I grab the hair at the base of my head, another reminder I’m in desperate need of a haircut, something Hadley does in her spare time. I slam my fist on the door one last time before heading back into our apartment. If she thinks I’ll take that sorry form of an excuse, Hadley is out of her goddamned mind. I felt her come around my length, heard her breathy moans, watched as she writhed against me while chasing her own orgasm. You can’t fake that kind of lust. I’ll let her lick her wounds for a bit. If she isn’t home by tomorrow morning, I’ll go out and find her, or more like drag her ass home. I already know calling Hadley is out of the question; she won’t answer when she’s upset. I still send her a text, though, even if she probably won’t respond to that either.
Me: I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you.
Hadley doesn’t respond, but my phone lets me know she’s read it. That will have to do for now. We got into one other argument where she stormed off. It was right after she moved in. Stubborn-ass woman wanted to pay a deposit and first month’s rent. Tyler already told me she was running on empty from school, working at his bar, and trying to get her feet on the ground at Gardener’s. When I told her I wasn’t accepting it, she left then too, but she came back a few hours later.
I explained what I was trying to do. She thought it was a handout, damn bull-headed woman, so this is why I know I need to give her space, as much as I hate it.
I no sooner put my phone down before it’s ringing. I look at my phone wondering who is calling me on a Saturday, and if it’s my secretary, I’m damn sure not answering. I have a strict no-work rule on the weekend for the entire office. Even though Mary said she had a few things to catch up on today, I let her know I wouldn’t be around before I left yesterday.
My phone display lets me know it’s Tyler. I answer, “Hey.”
“Hey, just wanted to let you know Hadley’s here.” I can hear the worry in his tone. It makes me glad she has Tyler, even if he does act like a Neanderthal on most days.
“Yeah, I figured that’d be the first place she ran to. I sent her a text. She’ll come home when she’s ready.” I groan, standing, before walking to the balcony, opening the door, and letting the breeze in. I noticed the lack of what Hadley was wearing when she stormed out of here. That woman gets cold when a breeze blows by, so I know for sure she’ll be freezing her ass off before too long.
“That girl, she’s full of fire and brimstone. I told her she can work here until she figures out her next step, but she won’t be making what she was at Gardener’s.” I hear him take a drag of his cigarette; it’s a vice he’ll never give up. God bless the woman who will settle him down. She’ll need the patience of a saint.
“Yeah, Hadley will figure it out. I told her she’d be fine here until she did the same thing,” I reply.
“Something else is bubbling along the surface. You have any idea what that could be?”
“Yep, not your fucking business.” I leave it at that.
“I get what you’re putting down. If she gets toasted, you want me to bring her to you, or will you pick her up?” Tyler asks.
“I’ll come get her. No sense in you making an extra trip after shutting the bar down. Keep your eye on her, yeah?”
“Never a problem, bud. I’m sure I’ll check in with you later.”
“No doubt.” We hang up, and I return to my perch at the edge of the balcony, watching the riverfront and people coming and going. It’s one of Hadley’s favorite pastimes. I miss doing it with her something fierce right now.
“Today is going to suck donkey balls,” I say out loud. Of course, there’s no one here to return the sentiment. With one last look, I turn around. It’s not as much fun without Hadley, and there’s always work I can do in my office if she’s not coming home any time soon. Which doesn’t seem like she will. I swear to God, if she spends the night at Tyler’s place, her ass will be getting spanked, and not how she liked it last night either. I shake my head. There’s no use in entertaining those thoughts right now. All they’ll do is leave me hard as a rock. This fucking woman, she’s going to give me a run for my money, that’s for sure.
Seven
Hadley
I came to Tyler’s bar to get away from Cooper and the way he looked. I was scared, and what does Hadley Monroe do when she gets scared? She runs. I’m not sure how anyone can stand me. I can’t even stand myself. In a nutshell, I fucked up.