The Rivals of Copper County (Copper County #2)

Epilogue

WATT

Since Jasper had come back to Copper County, I’d found myself doing a lot of things I would never have imagined.

Some things—like coaching high school hockey, having my best friend and rival back, and learning that I didn’t need to have my life or my sexuality a hundred percent figured out, and that was okay —were pretty freaking wonderful.

Other things—like falling head over heels in love with Jasper, having him fall just as hard for me, and beginning to plan a future where every day began and ended with him in my arms—were nothing short of amazing.

But there were a few things—okay, one thing—that I absolutely refused to do. Categorically, empirically, fundamentally refused, no matter how gorgeous Jasper was, or how sappy I got when his big blue eyes danced, or how my brain blanked when he kissed me.

“Watt.” Jasper glanced around the little parking lot off the Ring Road—the imaginatively named two-lane street that ringed Copper Lake—where almost all of Copper County and a sizable portion of O’Leary had gathered to run off the calories from yesterday’s Thanksgiving feasts in the name of charity. “You have to.”

“Do not,” I shot back immediately.

I meant what I said—I truly believed a man had certain core principles that were nonnegotiable, and he should not be swayed for anything—but if I was being honest, there was a strong chance I might have disagreed with Jasper anyway, just for the fun of it.

Betting, bantering, and teasing were some of the things we both liked best about our relationship—along with the way we loved, accepted, and supported each other fiercely and unconditionally, of course. Jasper challenged me every single day to be the best version of myself, to do things I hadn’t known I was capable of, and I would never take that for granted.

“Please?” Jasper wheedled softly. He stepped close—much closer than he would have gotten in public a couple of days ago, but not nearly as close as I wanted him—and whispered in my ear, “I’ll make it worth your while.”

My mind turned to static.

You might imagine, given our pumpkin-tart-fueled Thanksgiving sex-fest at my house yesterday (after dropping Zach safely at home for a long talk with his mom and after Derry had left for Rachel’s, of course), that I might be just the tiniest bit less susceptible to Jasper’s sexual wiles today.

You might think it only logical, since we’d followed yesterday up with long, lazy shower blowjobs this morning, and since I’d come my brains out mere minutes before leaving for the race, that I wouldn’t be overly affected by the heat of Jasper’s body—clad in those damn running tights—pressed against me or his hot breath tickling my ear.

You’d be so, so wrong .

“Jasper…” I swallowed hard, tangling my right hand with his left. “You’re asking me to compromise some deeply held beliefs here. Can’t do it.”

Jasper chuckled. “Watt. Baby.” His grin was warm, amused, and full of love. “You’re being so dramatic right now. I’m only asking if you’ll?—”

“Yoo-hoo! Watt! Jasper!”

Jasper closed his eyes and sighed briefly before turning and grinning at the newcomer. “Kayla! Hey. Feeling better?”

Kayla made her way through the crowd on a pair of hot pink crutches that coordinated with her pink pants and pink Pilgrim Prance 5K T-shirt. Her foot and ankle were wrapped in matching hot pink gauze.

When she reached us, Kayla gave Jasper a genuine smile. “Much better, thank you. What a beautiful day for a race, isn’t it?”

“Couldn’t be better,” Jasper agreed. He gestured toward the huge Pilgrim Prance sign hanging above the lot. “You did an amazing job organizing all this.”

“Aw. Well. Some things about today didn’t turn out quite the way I hoped.” She glanced from her injured ankle to our joined hands and gave a rueful little shrug… but then her face brightened. “Other things have turned out even better than I dreamed, though. Lawson Monroe asked me how I was doing today!” She bit her lip and leaned closer as she confided, “He remembered me from the bar the other night, can you believe it? I really think he and I have a connection of sorts. Not romantic, of course,” she hurried to add. “He’s just a tiny bit younger than me. But friendships are important, too.”

“Absolutely,” I said, squeezing Jasper’s fingers a little bit tighter. “Friendship is the most important thing.”

Kayla’s face softened. “I can’t thank you both enough for helping us out yesterday. Zach and I had a long talk last night. We haven’t come to any decisions yet, but I’m… I’m listening now.”

“Good,” Jasper said. “Knowing he has you in his corner will help him make good choices.”

“I hope so.” Grinning, she wagged a teasing finger at Jasper. “I told you that day at Lyon’s Imperial that everyone would be glad you came back to Copper County, didn’t I, Jasper Lancaster? I just hadn’t expected it would be because you’d excoriated that awful man just so you could save my Zachy.”

Jasper and I both knew his anger with Martin yesterday had been years in the making, and Zach had only been the final, final straw, but Jasper didn’t tell her any of that.

Instead, Jasper’s smile deepened, and he said, “Actually… it’s Jasper Wrigley again.” He lifted his left hand… which was still joined with mine. “Got a new life, time to ditch the old name.”

My stomach flipped. Jasper and I had spent a long time down at the dock last night curled together under a quilt, talking about what his future here in Copper County might look like—substitute teaching until a full-time position opened, starting a business doing remote admin work for small businesses like the orchard, keeping and renovating his house while advertising the campground to tourists—but he hadn’t said a single thing about changing his name back.

“Jasper,” I said softly.

He turned to give me a smirk that said he knew exactly how I was feeling about this revelation—darkly, possessively thrilled, hopeful, and happy.

“That’s wonderful news,” Kayla said. “I’m really glad… for both of you.” She clutched her crutches a little tighter an d leaned toward us. “And I’ve got some wonderful news of my own. Camp Fair Shot has a new sponsor.” She beamed. “An anonymous benefactor donated thirty thousand dollars overnight, and the camp is safe for the next year or two at least!”

“Whoa! Any idea who?” I wondered.

“Not a clue,” Kayla said. Her eyes narrowed. “But I’m going to find out.”

I didn’t doubt her for a second.

“So does that mean…?” Jasper blinked around the parking lot at the crowd assembled near the starting line. “Is the race… canceled?” He looked strangely—adorably—crushed by the prospect.

“Oh, honey, gosh no. Not when so many people have put so much time and effort into making this happen! I’m so glad you were able to partner up with Watt since I couldn’t.” She touched a hand to the sleeve of Jasper’s T-shirt—one she’d custom-made along with some other stuff and had Zach bring over yesterday in a box labeled, appallingly, Costumes . “Copper County will be thrilled to have our favorite rivals running on the same team for once… and poor Watt would have been so disappointed to miss the prance.”

I would not .

“Oh, yeah. Watt’s a hell of a prancer,” Jasper said solemnly. He gave me a sly look and added, “Though not as good as me. And he’s definitely not as well-dressed as I am.” He ran a hand down the front of his shirt and adjusted his hat proudly.

I shook my head, fighting a smile. He was not going to get me to change my mind by teasing me into it.

I refused.

I was stronger than that .

Probably.

“Don’t forget to get changed, Watt. The race is starting in just twenty minutes,” she said.

She didn’t give me a chance to express my opinion about that before hobbling away.

“I brought the outfit she made you, you know,” Jasper said softly. “It’s in the back seat of the Jag… which I might let you drive home if you play your cards right.”

I scowled. “That’s not?—”

“Jasper!” a feminine voice called. “You look epic in feathers.”

Tam walked over, a baby carrier strapped to her chest. Lucas, loaded down with a baby bag that probably could have doubled as a suitcase, walked beside her.

“Congratulations, you guys,” I said, shaking Lucas’s hand.

“Oh my God!” Jasper gave Tam a gentle hug, mindful of the small person between them. “You look amazing. Tierney looks amazing. Hi, baby. I’m your Uncle Jasper. Wait, Tam, should you be standing so soon after giving birth?”

Tam laughed. “It’s been days, Jasper, so yes. I’m only staying for an hour because she’ll be hungry, but I couldn’t miss this.” She looked utterly gleeful as she took in the sight of all her fellow Coppertians in their multicolored T-shirts. “I needed to show Tierney exactly the kind of wacky and wonderful place she’d be calling home.” The satisfaction on her face said she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I heard you might be staying in Copper County,” Lucas said.

“I am. It’s the right move for me. I had some big plans, and I was holding on to them pretty tightly, but…” Jasper ga ve me a look and stepped back to take my hand again. “I found something better to hold on to.”

“I feel that,” Tam said. She peeked at the baby nestled against her chest and ran a hand over her daughter’s head. “Speaking of which… Lucas and I have been talking, and I’m not sure I’m coming back to school this year.” She gave Jasper a small smile. “I’m gonna need more time with her. I’m planning to speak to Mike Schmidt next week about taking the rest of the school year off, so maybe you’ll have a job for a while longer, if you want it.”

Jasper and I exchanged a glance, and I nearly laughed at how giddy he seemed about this development.

“And then next year…” Tam glanced up at Lucas.

“Next year, we’ll see,” he said.

Tam nodded.

“That would be awesome ,” Jasper said. “Let’s talk about it after you talk to him. I’m bringing you muffins this weekend. Gotta keep both my girls fed.”

“We’ll hold you to that,” Tam promised. “Ooh, gotta go say hi to Angela Ross. She made Tierney the sweetest little hat… See you later!”

“About the costume,” I began as soon as she left, but then Ollie and Brew Barnum appeared out of nowhere.

“Brew,” I said, clapping the man on the back. “Good to see you.”

He gave us each a friendly nod.

“Jasper!” Ollie exclaimed. “Oh my fucking God, that shirt! That hat! Tell me you made them!”

“Nooo.” Jasper shook his head. “This was all Kayla’s creativity. I’m afraid I can’t take credit?—”

“Responsibility, you mean,” I muttered, gazing at his front. A giant puff-paint turkey covered with dozens and dozens of glued-on feathers glared malevolently from the center of his chest. Another thick layer of feathers adorned the bottom hem, the edges of both sleeves, and the neck. On his head sat a small, jaunty, glitter-encrusted pilgrim hat attached under his chin with an elastic strap.

He looked utterly ridiculous… and somehow was still the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.

“Credit,” Ollie insisted. “Definitely credit.” He grinned down at Jasper’s and my joined hands. “You hear that, Brew?” he asked apropos of nothing. “That vroom vroom sound? What could it be? It’s like a… a battery…”

Brew’s brows lowered in confusion.

“Oliver,” I said flatly, though my lips twitched. “Fuck off.”

Ollie grinned as he looked me up and down. “And where are your feathers, friend?”

“I have no feathers. And before you start trying to change my mind,” I added when he appeared ready to argue, “I’m a hundred percent secure in myself and this decision. Nothing is going to get me to change my mind.”

Though I was talking to Ollie, I gave Jasper a look of warning. His eyes danced in response as if to say challenge accepted.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Brewer Barnum!” someone called angrily.

All four of us turned our heads as Delaney stormed over. His cheeks were bright pink, and the air around him fairly crackled with annoyance. “Did we, or did we not, have an extensive conversation about moldings for my dining room four days ago?” Without waiting for Brew to reply, he went on. “Yes. Yes we did. And did we, or did we not, agree that I want white cyma recta molding. Specifically cyma recta , Brewer. Convex below, concave above.” He moved his hand in an inverted S-shape. “And I said, ‘ Do you see, Brewer? ’ And what did you say? Hmm? What did you say? You said, ‘ I see, ’” he said triumphantly. “ I see . Do you remember?”

“Uh…” Brew cocked his head to one side and scratched his neck. “Yep.”

“But when I go over to my cabin today, what’s stacked up on the floor?” Delaney threw both hands in the air. “Shaker molding. Shaker molding, which has no currrrrve at all!” He jabbed both arms in the air at forty-five-degree angles like he was doing a strange sort of dance. “And it’s stained wood. Dark stained. The exact, literal, absolute opposite of white!” He huffed out a breath and said more calmly, “And look, I… I know I’m throwing a lot of stuff at you. I know I can be picky. But I have very high standards. And if you don’t understand something I want, you just need to ask, and I’ll… I’ll explain better. I just want the house to be right. Okay?”

Brew pursed his lips thoughtfully and tilted his head in the other direction. “Okay.”

Delaney huffed. “Okay.” He glanced guiltily from Brew to the rest of us. “Sorry to be so agitated.”

Brew nodded.

“So… thanks.” Delaney gave a single nod. He turned to Jasper, then darted a glance at me. “Talk to you soon? Drinks, maybe?”

“Definitely,” Jasper said. “I’m buying.”

With another nod, Delaney walked off in Tam’s direction.

“Uh, Brew?” I cleared my throat. “What’s cyma recta molding?”

Brew shrugged. “No clue.”

“But…” Ollie frowned. “You said you understood and you’d get him what he wants, buddy. ”

Brew gave Ollie a small smile. “I said I understood that he wants the house to be right. So do I. So I’ll give him what he needs .”

“ Ah. Sure.” Oliver nodded, still frowning. Apparently, he didn’t understand the distinction any better than I did. “Anyway, Chris is over there, and I’m ninety-nine percent sure he has a charcuterie board, so…”

He raised his eyebrows at our friend, and Brew nodded.

Ollie gave us a little salute as he stepped back. “Later, guys.”

“Later,” I agreed. I turned to Jasper. “Now, about the costume thing. For once and for all…”

“You know, baby…” Jasper smoothed his hands up the front of my plain blue Henley and arranged his face into a look of feigned concern. “Delaney’s not the only one who seems upset. You seem pretty agitated yourself.”

I did not look agitated, and we both knew it, but if it meant keeping Jasper’s hands on me, I was willing to pretend.

“Do I?” I said. “Wonder why.”

“Irrelevant. The point is, you shouldn’t exist in a high-stress state for long.” He walked his fingers up over my collarbone, and I shivered. “Since I’m all about mindfulness—pretty much an expert, really—I could help you with that.”

“You do help with that,” I said gruffly. “You make things better. Cleaner. Brighter.”

It had nothing to do with mindfulness, either. It was because of Jasper himself.

Because he’d been smiling nonstop since he’d decided to stay in Copper County, and his happiness made me happy, too.

Because I’d become that sappy guy who found himself existing in a feedback loop of joy and optimism with the man he loved—a tree in full fucking bloom—and I had zero desire to change that.

Jasper was it for me. Forever.

“I could help more ,” he purred in my ear.

I snorted. “Let me guess. It would involve me wearing a befeathered T-shirt and a bedazzled pilgrim hat? No. No, thank you. I cannot be bought, Jasper Wrigley, or charmed by your wiles. I’m shocked that you’d think so little of me.”

Jasper leaned his head against my shoulder, and the tiny, elasticized pilgrim hat perched on his blond hair glittered in the sun. “It’s because I think so much of you, Watt. I want to run this race, and I want us to do it together, in the true spirit of this weird and awesome town. I have drunk the Kool-Aid. Copper County 4-eva. Come be weird with me. Everything’s more fun when we’re a team.”

“I adore you,” I told him, not entirely unmoved by his heartfelt words. “But…”

“But you still don’t wanna wear the sparkles or the feathers.” Jasper gifted me my favorite Jasper smile—the smile he only smiled for me.

It was the kind of smile a man could bet his future on… and I planned to.

“Still don’t,” I agreed.

He sighed. “Probably for the best. If you wore these feathers today, then when we got home…” He twined his arms around my neck. “I’d be really, really tempted to pluck you.”

“To…” I glanced down at him, my mouth suddenly dry. “To pluck me?”

He nodded. “I’d be thinking about it alllll morning long, while we did this run around the lake. I’d probably end up running behind you, just so I could watch your… tail feathers. I’d replay all my favorite… plucking fantasies.”

“You…” I coughed slightly since my throat had somehow gone dry, too. “You have plucking fantasies?”

“So many, Watt.” Jasper pressed a kiss to my cheek and whispered, “So many.”

I took a deep breath. “You win. Get me the fucking T-shirt,” I growled.

“Yay,” Jasper breathed. His smile widened until it was brighter than the sun. “Though I’m pretty sure this means we’ll both win, and that will always be the best win of all . ”