CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Mike
“What’s with you?” Cooper asked. “Of course, I’m real, you dodo bird. I’m as real as your butt-naked self.”
When Cooper stepped toward me, it suddenly dawned on me that I was on top of my bed naked in my same bedroom but it was daytime instead of midnight like it was only a moment ago. A moment ago, a day ago, I was unsure of how much time had passed. But with one big difference: Cooper stood before me.
I panicked as I looked around the room feverishly searching for something I could tether my reality to. Was I . . . was I awake?
Cooper grabbed the folded blanket at the foot of my bed and tossed it over my lower body.
It was definitely Cooper or a version of Cooper, someone who looked exactly like Cooper.
I pinched my arm and closed my eyes for a second.
Jesus Christ. She fucking did it. She actually fucking did it. This cannot be real.
“What’s wrong, Mikey? You look weird,” he said, moving his hand to my forehead to test my temperature. Typical Cooper. Always taking care of me. “You’re not warmer than usual,” he noted.
“I’m . . . I’m fine,” I whispered hoarsely, clearing my throat. “I guess I wasn’t expecting you.”
“It’s Sunday, silly butt. Where else would I be?”
Dodo bird, silly butt? Yep, this was definitely Coop. “Yeah, I mumbled. “Where else would you be?”
“You want me to get your mom?” he asked, his hand reaching for mine gently. I’d forgotten how loving and attentive Cooper was. His love for me was as clear as a summer’s day. “Why do you have this?” he asked, lifting my hand higher.
I diverted my eyes to my hand and focused on my mother’s ring. “I . . . I . . . well,” I stuttered.
He removed the necklace from my hand and the silver chain and ring sparkled in the morning sunlight when he dangled them between us. “Did you add this chain?” he asked. “Did I forget her birthday or something?”
“That’s not until July,” I whispered, staring into his sweet eyes and realizing just how beautiful he was. “Just like ours,” I added. My God, he was beautiful.
“Then why?” he asked, holding the ring and staring at me. “Does she know you have it?”
“I bought the necklace,” I said, terrified of what I could and couldn’t say in my current predicament.
This was one hell of a dream. “I was going to tell you,” I defended.
“I figured Mom would like to use a necklace so she doesn’t lose the ring when she’s cooking and stuff.
You know her, taking things off and losing stuff,” I added.
Cooper looked at me and then back to the necklace. “Hmm,” he mumbled. “I bet she would too. Wanna go half-sies?” he asked.
He dropped the necklace and ring into my open hand and stepped to my dresser, pulling out a pair of boxers and tossing them at me.
“Thanks,” I said, unsure of my next move. I slid the boxers under the blanket and slid them on.
His eyes narrowed. “Why’d you do that? You’re acting goofy, Mikey,” he stated, approaching me again and sitting next to me on the edge of the bed. “I’ve seen your wiener a bazillion times.”
“I was surprised is all, I guess.”
“Everything okay with you and Jennifer?”
Jennifer existed here too?
“Uhm, yeah,” I said. “I’m just tired.”
Cooper studied me carefully, suspicious about something. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“No,” I said, feeling closer to him than ever before. Our connection felt more intimate, like what we shared was real and important. I hadn’t noticed the feeling before. How had I missed the sensation he gave me? “I wouldn’t do that.”
He stood up. “Okay then, mister. I’ll meet you downstairs. Hurry your butt up too.” He headed for the door but stopped before exiting the room, turning back to me. “And you’re sure you’re okay?” he asked again.
I nodded, holding back tears of joy. “I’m fine, Coop,” I whispered. “Thank you for caring about me.”
“Anything for my bestie,” he said with a wide grin on his beautiful face. “Now hurry up.”
He stepped out, gently bringing the door to an almost shut position.
How had I not known how I felt about him all those years? How was it possible that I didn’t understand my desire for him? He was my everything back then and I never understood. And here I was. Back then. Back here.