Chapter 9
9
Cooper
Kicking my feet up on the table, I settle my coffee cup in my lap and close my eyes.
“Don’t tell me you’re already tired from living with a gorgeous girl, Marchy,” Myles Allen quips, laughing when I silently flip him off. I feel the couch dip next to me and watch as Rhett settles in.
“What’s happening?” he asks, and I take a sip of coffee.
“Shhh. I just need to get some more caffeine in my veins. No talky until then.”
“Oh, well in that case, let’s just all sit around and meditate until you’re properly awake.”
Myles just laughs and kicks the coffee table, jostling my legs and forcing me to open my eyes. “You know, the next time either of you aren’t fully awake on a call, I’ll make sure that Cap sends your asses in first. And then if needed, I’ll turn the hose on you both.”
They both cackle and lapse into silence, before I finally look at both of them and sigh. “Sorry, I’m just exhausted. Rome didn’t sleep good last night, and I tried to help Haley get him to go back to sleep, but it was futile until she just brought him into the bed with her. I was finally able to get to sleep around two, but then they were up again at five and I swear, those three hours are all I really managed.”
“Poor kid. Is he okay?”
“I think so. He’s just your typical eighteen-month-old that doesn’t always sleep great. According to Haley, he was sleeping through the night for eight hours at only four months old, but as he’s gotten older his sleep habits have changed.”
“See, this is why I am good forever with keeping my bed to myself,” Rhett jokes, and I smack him in the head.
“You’re doing a commendable thing, buddy,” Myles points out, and I nod.
“Trust me, no matter how tired I am, it’s not a hardship to have them in my house.”
“How is Haley doing?” Rhett asks, and I finish my coffee.
“She’s doing a lot better. She’s been back to work since last week, and she seems to be getting back to normal, or as much as she can. It took a lot out of her, and when we were finally able to get into her apartment, we weren’t able to salvage very much.”
“Is there anything else you guys need?” Myles asks, and I shake my head.
“Nah, we’re good.” He reaches for a fist bump and then stands from his seat, moving into the kitchen area where Silas Feddeler is serving up breakfast for us all.
“There’s something else in there,” Rhett tells me, reaching over to poke me in the head.
“Yeah.”
“Well? Do I gotta play Twenty Questions before I get my waffles, man?”
We laugh, and I stretch my arms over my head. “I like her, Hollywood. Like, I really fucking like her, and I’m losing my fucking mind.”
“So, ask her out?” he says slowly, as if to drive the point home.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what every girl wants from her new roommate, to be asked out on a date and then have to keep living with them after they creep you out.”
“I seriously doubt that, Coop. You told me she has the means to move out if she wanted, she’s just not comfortable touching that emergency savings, right?”
“Right,” I agree, and we both stand from the couch when Silas starts yelling that food is done.
“So, ask her out. From what you’ve told me, and the very little I’ve seen in photos you have showed me, she most likely feels the same way. She might just be scared.”
Clapping me on the shoulder, Rhett moves around me into the kitchen and I just stand there for a second, pondering his words. He may be your typical Mister Right Now and not your Mister Forever, but he’s always offered me fairly solid advice in our twenty-year friendship. Deciding it’s worth the risk, because everything good in life is, I pull my phone from my pocket.
Cooper: Hope you guys have a good day today.
Haley: Thanks, Coop. Rome went to his class okay but I’m sure once he has a nap he’ll be as good as new. I hope you aren’t too tired today.
Cooper: Nothing some extra coffee won’t fix.
Cooper: Also, I wanted to run something by you before you get too busy.
Haley: What’s that?
Cooper: I’d like to make you dinner tomorrow night. Would that be okay?
There is silence for a few minutes, and for a beat I worry that Rhett’s advice was bullshit, and that I just shot myself in the foot. But then I see the little dots appear and her response comes in.
Haley: Yeah, sure. Do you need me to pick the groceries up?
Oh, sweet, sweet Haley. Shaking my head, I pull up her contact info and just say fuck it, and hit call. This is better done not over text, apparently. She answers almost immediately.
“Cooper?”
“I’m asking you out, Haley Jacobs. I don’t need you to pick up any groceries, and since tomorrow is Friday, I was hoping we could put Rome to bed prior so it can be just us. So, can I please make you dinner tomorrow night?” Silent fills the line. I pace back and forth in front of the couch while I wait for her to speak, but she says nothing. “Haley?”
“Can I request just one thing?” she asks softly, and I use my free hand to scrub my jaw.
“Absolutely.”
“We need to talk beforehand, and if after all of that you decide you’d still like to make me dinner, then yes.”
“I assure you, there’s nothing you might tell me that will scare me off. In case it wasn’t apparent that day in the grocery store, I really like you. And while I had no motives other than truly just to give you two a place to stay, it’s been really nice having you with me, and getting to know you. Both of you.”
“I like you. too,” she whispers, and I hear a door close in the background. “But it’s hard for me to admit that, because the truth is, Coop... Liking you is terrifying, and I don’t really know what to do about that.”
“Here is what we’re gonna do,” I begin. “You’re gonna finish your day at work, and then you and Roman are gonna have a fun night together. Tomorrow morning when I get off shift, I’m gonna go to the grocery store to buy what I need for dinner. Then, when you get home from work, you’re gonna take a shower and get comfy while I hang out with Roman. After he has his dinner and some cuddle time, he’ll go to bed and you and I will get to spend an evening together. And I promise, Hales, you can tell me just about anything, and I won’t go running.”
“I like the sound of that,” she admits, and I can’t help the giant shit eating grin that spreads across my face. “Okay, Cooper… whatever your middle name is March.”
“It’s James,” I tell her and she laughs.
“Fine, Cooper James March. I would love to have dinner with you tomorrow night.”
“I’ll see you then, sweet girl.”
Ending the call, I stride into the kitchen and look up when a loud bark grabs my attention. Hawk is sitting down at the table and is messing with Oscar’s favorite toy. The poor boy is trying desperately to get it from Hawk. He finally relents, and Oscar goes happily walking away with the fish in his mouth before settling on the couch with a flop.
“You do know he’s not a lab, right?” I laugh, and Hawk just shrugs.
“He loves it.”
“How’s Tori doing?” I ask, and I watch the emotions come across his face. A couple months ago, his girlfriend, Skye’s, younger sister was in a horrible car crash that we were on scene for. The collapsed lung and broken femur were by far her worst injuries. It shook all of us up something fierce, but seeing Hawk crumble the way he did was awful. Luckily, she came through with her spirit still sassy and intact.
“She’s good, man. Physical therapy is rough, but she’s getting better every day.”
“And Skye?”
Hawk just smiles, and I already know what his answer is going to be.
“She’s fucking perfect. Like always.”
Watching this guy fall completely head over heels for his sweet neighbor has been by far the most fun we’ve all had in a while. Before meeting Skye, he was what some might call a player, but the first time he mentioned her, we all knew that was it.
“I’ll have to introduce her to Haley soon. Hell, all of you, really.”
“Yeah man, how’s that going?”
“Going good, if you count that I’m finally getting my first date tomorrow night.”
“Damn. Happy for you, brother. You think she’s the one?”
I just shrug and stand from where I sat down. “I know she is.”
And it’s with that statement I move towards the breakfast bar to serve myself something to eat. But I’ve barely filled my plate when sweet old Rose Mason comes striding inside, a large cardboard bakery box in her hands.
She’s a tiny thing with gray hair and the kindest eyes you could ever see. She lives across the street from our station, and we’ve all adopted her as our granny of sorts. She’s closest with Hawk, and she’s been watching over Tori for him and Skye when they both have work.
“There is my favorite group of firefighters,” she greets, and I push past everyone to grab the box of treats from her hands. Dropping a kiss to her cheek, she swats me before returning the gesture. Finding our favorite cupcakes inside, I hold the box under my arm like a football, and pretend to try and run to the bunk room with them.
Brax grabs me by the waist and swings me back around, while Atta grabs them away from me. “Greedy fucker,” he grumbles, and I just flip him the bird.
“Cooper March, don’t you dare make such a vulgar gesture,” Rose chides, and I just pretend to be shocked.
“Me, vulgar? That was a sign of eternal love, my sweet Rose!”
“Watch it, Marchy. The shit in your pants now rivals the shit in your mouth,” Hollywood teases, and I peek to see if Rose is looking, and then flip him the bird behind my back.
“I saw that, young man!”
Ducking down, I rush around the breakfast bar and busy myself with getting some food, knowing I’m bound to end up back in trouble soon enough.
Moving up and down the aisles of the store, I take stock in what I have in my carriage. I have everything to make “marry me” chicken, along with the baby potatoes and carrots I’m going to roast in the oven. I even grabbed an apple pie from the bakery for something sweet after, if she wants it.
In the couple weeks we’ve been living together, I’ve never seen her drink alcohol, so I move into the wine aisle to grab some Riesling and sparkling cider. That way she can have a choice in alcohol or non-alcohol. I’m settling them into my carriage when my phone starts ringing with a FaceTime call from Joey. Knowing he’s at the bar tonight, I swipe to answer and tuck myself in the back of the wine section.
“Hey, man,” I greet, watching as he ducks out back to the storage room.
“Coop. I just wanted to wish you luck tonight with Haley.”
“Thanks, brother. I appreciate that. How’s the crowd tonight?”
“Oh, you know. It’s Friday night, so we’re jumping with a crowd. Some new signer is here tonight. Booked her a few weeks ago. I think she was like Blake Shelton’s friend or something.”
“Oh, that’s right. Crap, I really wanted to see her. I’d heard such good things about her.”
Joey laughs, and he steps out into the hallway. “Well, her set starts in thirty, so I’ll keep you updated. But then you’re outta luck once it’s date time. You need to be left alone to swoon my future sister in-law.”
“Dude, stop,” I groan, and he cracks up.
“What? I can’t cheer my brother on for breaking his twenty-year celibacy streak?”
“Twenty years? I’m not a virgin, dumbass. Four years is not the same as twenty.”
Joey whistles, and I watch as he grabs a bottle of beer from the walk in, and pops the top. “Four years? Geez. Do your nuts even work anymore?” He takes a swig and holds it up towards the phone.
“I am not discussing my nuts or my sex life with you, little brother. Now get your ass back to work, and I’ll fill you, Dad and Ax in on my date tomorrow morning at breakfast, yeah?”
“Yeah, sounds good. Love you, Coop. I’m happy for you, truly. Have a fun night.”
“Love you too, PITA. Keep our bar in one piece tonight, and don’t let Hollywood drink too much.”
“From your mouth to God’s ears.” Saluting me, we end the call and I stuff my phone back into my pocket. Now, to get through checkout in a reasonable amount of time so I can get home to my girl.
My girl . If I have it my way, tonight will be the start of something magical.