The Risks We Take Duet Box Set

41. Cooper

COOPER

“ Y ou good, brother?” Linc and I stand in our dress whites at the end of the makeshift aisle in Emerson’s backyard next to Ford, who’s newly certified with the authority to perform the marriage, thanks to the internet. Jessie’s fussing over all three of us, making sure everything is in its place. A friend of Emerson’s from the photography department at school is taking pictures, and Theo is strumming a guitar, a skill I didn’t know he had. Now, we’re just waiting for the bride—and in my case, the maid of honor—to walk down the aisle.

I haven’t seen Carys in over two weeks.

I haven’t called. I haven’t texted. And I haven’t stopped by.

I talked to Declan and Ford. The two guys in the healthiest relationships I know who I can actually talk to, and they both told me to give her space but not too much space. She needed time, so I needed to give it to her. But it fucking sucks.

Truth be told, I think they both asked their wives what I should do.

It doesn’t really matter. I’m fucking miserable either way.

Jessie kisses Ford quickly on the cheek, then wipes her lipstick away with her thumb, and a pang of jealousy hits me right in the solar plexus. I try to push it aside. She leans in and kisses Linc, then does the same to me.

Only instead of a kiss, she whispers in my ear, “Don’t give up on our girl yet, Cooper. She’s scared, and she’s pushing you away. She might not be ready to talk now, but don’t give up on her.” She kisses my cheek, then walks away as Theo starts to play “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.

And there she is. The love of my life. Walking down the aisle in a soft pale-blue dress that ties around her neck with a long soft ribbon and skims down over her curves. Her hair is done up in a million curls, piled high on her head. And her smile... it takes my breath away. I’d do anything to be the reason that smile is on her pretty face.

She looks everywhere but at me as she walks slowly down the aisle, until she does... Until her eyes finally lock on mine, and I watch her breath catch in her delicate throat. I see the tremble of her lip. And then her eyes are gone. Focusing on Linc. Smiling at him. Happy for her friends.

This is bullshit.

T he ceremony is fast. It’s only ten minutes before Emerson is in Linc’s arms and Ford has pronounced them man and wife. Everything happens pretty quickly from there on out. The photographer sets us all up for pictures. So many pictures. And I can’t keep my eyes off Carys. She’s laughing with everyone. Jack and Theo haven’t left her alone. But not in a way that makes me worry there’s something going on. They seem protective, like they’re making sure she’s okay. And I’m suddenly glad she has them, even if I should be the one taking care of her.

Servers appear with trays of hors d’oeuvres, and people move around the yard to mingle as Jack, Theo, and Carys take their places where their instruments are already set up. Jack taps on the mic a few times.

“Hey everyone. I’d like to thank you for coming today to celebrate my baby sister and her new husband. We’re all so happy for the two of you. Welcome to the family, Linc.” Jack gets a little choked up, looking at Emerson. “Emmie picked this song for Linc’s and her first dance, under one condition.” He looks over at Carys, who’s lovingly stroking the mic in her hand. “The only present she wanted from our beautiful roommate was this song. So, could we please get the new Mr. and Mrs. out onto the dance floor for their very first dance as a married couple?”

Rook stands next to me and hands me a bottle of beer as Jack plays the first few chords of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls before Carys joins in.

“She’s fucking incredible.”

I agree, never taking my eyes off her. “She really is.”

“You gonna fight for her or just let her go?” He sips his beer, watching me.

“It’s not that easy.”

“Man up, Sinclair. What have you got to lose?”

Both our phones ring, and mine is the ringtone I assigned to messages from Command. Rook and I both look at them, then look around for the rest of the team. Looks like we’re heading out.

The song ends, and we all say our goodbyes to Emerson and Linc, who’s on leave for the next few days and won’t be coming with us.

When I turn around, Carys is no longer standing with the band, and I don’t see her anywhere, even after I scan the yard.

Emerson reaches out for a hug, stopping my search for Carys. “She just went into the house, Coop. She’s been miserable without you, but if you tell her I said that, I’ll break you.”

“Thanks, Em. I owe you.”

She smacks my shoulder. “Don’t forget it, Sinclair.”

I step into the house, full of servers and guests, and I catch a glimpse of her blue gown as the front door closes behind her. Walking quickly through the crowd, I open the door and nearly steamroll over her.

I grab Carys’s bare shoulders and hold her back against me. “Sorry, baby” leaves my lips without any thought.

“You’re leaving.” It’s not a question, so I’m not sure what she wants to hear, especially since I haven’t heard from her in over a week.

“Do you care?” I know it’s a shitty thing to ask, but I’m like a fucking bear with a splinter in his paw. And even knowing that doesn’t help.

Carys turns slowly in my arms. “I’ll always care, Cooper. I need you to be safe.”

“Will you be here waiting for me when I get home?” I grip the back of her neck and squeeze. “We need to talk.”

“I’ll be here. That’s all I can promise, Coop.”

“That’s not an answer, Carys. Your brother’s wedding is next month. I was hoping we could talk to the family about us before then.”

She closes her eyes, and her shoulders deflate in front of me. “There’s nothing to talk about. There is no us.” She reaches up and presses her lips to mine. “Be safe, Cooper.”

And then, she’s gone.