The Risks We Take Duet Box Set

88. Cooper

COOPER

“ T hat’s the last box.” My brother Declan swung by Dad’s later today after practice to help me move anything worth taking from my old room and the few things Carys had left at Chloe’s. Meanwhile, Carys and her band of merry women basically bleached the entire house while singing songs from Grease at the top of their lungs.

She emerges from the laundry room with a pile of sheets in her hands, laughing at something Maddie says. When they spot Declan and me, the laughter turns devious, and the two of them slide past us and up the stairs.

“What do you think that was about?” Declan catches one of his daughters when she dive-bombs him from a few stairs up.

“They’re talking about boys, Daddy,” Everly guilelessly tells him. “I heard Aunt Carys say Uncle Cooper likes?—”

I swing Everly out of Declan’s arms and cover her mouth. “Who wants to play helicopter?”

Declan rolls his eyes as Gracie runs into the room, yelling, “Me, me, me.”

“Come on, munchkin.” I lift her in my other arm. “Let’s go outside.”

“Cooper,” Annabelle scolds with one hand digging into the small of her back and the other rubbing her very pregnant belly. “It’s past bedtime, ladies, and we still need to pick up your little brother from Gigi and Grandpa’s house.”

I place both girls on the ground and watch them run for their little lives away from their parents. Annabelle presses a palm to my chest and straightens out my shirt. “It’ll be really good to have you around for a while, Coop. We missed you.”

I kiss the top of her head, and she places my hand over her stomach to feel a strong kick. “Definitely another little football player to add to the family.”

She glares at Declan. “The last one.”

“Yeah, babe. We’ll see about that.” He kisses his wife, then smacks her ass as she walks away. “Are you and Carys coming to the dinner at Dad’s tomorrow night?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Carys mentioned it yesterday, but we really hadn’t talked about it yet.

“Well, try if you can. It’d be nice to try to do it more often, now that you’re home.” He claps my shoulder.

I never thought about that word as much as I have in the last few days. Home. I only lived full-time in Kroydon Hills for a little less than two years, but I guess this place really is home. “Yeah, man. I’ll talk to Carys. Thanks again for the help today. I appreciate it.” I pause for a moment before getting a little sappy with my brother. “And thanks for standing up for Carys when everything went to hell last month. She said Murphy and Nattie really railed against her, but you defended her. It means a lot to know you’ve always got my back.”

“Always, Coop. But if you really want to thank me, take my kids for a night so I can have some time alone with my wife.”

I shake my head, laughing. “I’ve faced down terrorists who are probably easier than dealing with your kids. You know that, right?”

“Yeah... well, they love you, so suck it up.” He hugs me, then rounds Belle and the kids up to go home.

It’s another hour before Maddie, Chloe, and Daphne have everything washed and put away the way Carys wants and finally clear out, leaving the two of us alone. The groceries have just been delivered, so I put them away, check that the doors are locked, then go search for Carys, only to find her curled up in a ball on the bed, asleep.

I pull a blanket over her and sit on the balcony with my phone in my hands, knowing I need to answer the text messages the guys have been sending for two days but not sure how.

Cooper

Hey fuckers. Carys and I are okay. We’re back in Kroydon Hills. Pretty sure you all know that already.

Brady

Call your sister. She’s driving me crazy.

Cooper

You can’t return her now.

Brady

Dick.

Cooper

Ass

Murphy

Nobody’s putting any dick in any ass in any sentence that could involve my sister.

Bash

Nobody but you, apparently.

Murphy

You guys staying with Mom and Coach?

Brady

They’re not staying with Chloe. Nat and Chloe talked earlier.

Cooper

We spent last night at Dad’s. Then moved into a house on the lake today. We’re renting from Hudson Kingston.

Brady

Damn. That was fast.

Bash

We don’t all marry our high school sweethearts, QB.

Brady

Yo Coop, when you get married, will your kids be siblings or cousins?

Cooper

Ha Ha Ha... very funny, shithead. Get it all out now.

Murphy

NO... No. No. No. Do not get anything out now. I don’t want that thought in my brain.

Cooper

Not as much fun now that the shoe’s on the other foot, is it, Murph?

Murphy

I’m gonna shove my shoe up your ass, Sinclair.

Bash

Let’s get a drink this weekend, Coop.

Cooper

Sounds good.

Murphy

What about us?

Bash

You play for the enemy.

Cooper

You live in another state.

Brady

He just wants to hide from his pregnant wife. She wants too much sex.

Bash

WTF is wrong with you?

Murphy

Dude QB – you’re a fucking traitor. Remind me to never tell you anything.

Bash

They’ve got pills for that, Murph.

Murphy

Whatever. I’m tired when I get home from practice.

Cooper

That sounds like a you problem, Murph.

Murphy

Says the guy in love with his sister.

Cooper

Yup. I have no problems with being too tired.

Murphy

Oh gross. Fucking stop.

Cooper

Happily. Night guys. I’m going to bed.

Brady

Hey Murph – he’s going to bed with your sister.

Murphy

Assholes.

I shove my phone in the pocket of my pants and stare up at the stars, feeling lighter than I have in a long time.

“ C ooper...” Why is the ground shaking? “Cooper, wake up.”

My eyes open and flash around the room.

Where the fuck am I?

Carys presses a palm to my chest. “Hey. It was just a dream. I’m right here.”

“Shit.” I sit up and stare at her as I try to calm my rapid breathing and pounding heart. “Sorry. Fuck .”

I toss the blanket back and sit up, trying to pull my shit together, but it’s not working.

The walls are closing in around me, so I jump out of bed, throw on my sweats and look around for a t-shirt. “I’m going for a run.”

“You want some company? I need to meet the girls in a little while, but a run around the lake could be fun.” She sits up on her knees and reaches for me, but I back up.

“That’s okay. Why don’t you go back to sleep for a bit? I’ll see you when you get back from breakfast.” I grab a pair of socks and my sneakers and kiss her forehead before leaving her alone in bed.

I need space.

A few minutes later, I’m pushing my muscles to the max as flashes of my dream dance in front of my eyes.

Her face with the gun against her head.

The sinister smile on Axel’s face when he pulled the trigger.

The way she fell to the ground, but my feet couldn’t move.

My body stuck in place.

Unable to get to her.

To breathe.

To react.

Her lifeless eyes.

I pump my arms harder and move my legs faster.

Trying to outrun the demons. But not sure if I can.