Mace
M ace paced the floor of his small room and ran his fingers through his unruly hair again. He was sure that he looked like a crazy person by this point, but he didn’t care. Waiting for Brooke to get back from her meeting with the old man was driving him nuts. He worried that he had set her up or was going to hurt Brooke, and wouldn’t be there to protect her. Why he felt the need to protect Brooke in the first place disturbed him, but he’d unpack all that later. Right now, pacing like a wild man was working for him—sort of.
A soft tapping at the door had his heart speeding up. He peeked out the window to find Brooke and the old guy standing there. That wasn’t quite what he was hoping for. Actually, he was hoping that Brooke would come back to his motel room, admit that she wanted him, and fall into bed with him. He had a feeling that the old guy would put a crimp in his plans for any of that happening.
He pulled the door open and stared the old guy down. “Why is he here again?” asked Brooke.
“He came along to help us fill in a few blanks,” Brooke explained.
“Such as?” asked.
“Well, he still won’t tell me his name, so I’ve started calling him Mr. Smith,” Brooke said, walking into his motel room. The old guy hesitantly strolled in behind her and quickly shut the door, not wanting to attract too much unwanted attention. His motel room was starting to feel like Grand Central Station.
“Mr. Smith,” repeated, “it really doesn’t suit him, but it’s good for now. Have a seat, Mr. Smith,” ordered. The old guy crossed the small room and sat on the only chair. Brooke took a seat on ’s bed and all he could think about was how she’d look curled up on it next to him. shook his head, trying to rid himself of the dirty images that floated through his mind.
Brook seemed to take over the meeting, and wasn’t quite sure what his role was. “How about you start by telling us everything that you know about the woman that you’re accusing of murder.” She crossed her arms over her chest and was sure that she was the hottest woman he had ever seen before.
“I told that I don’t know her name. She was some woman my son was with, and I thought that she was a gold digger. Reece inherited a lot of money when his mother died. All I know is she was a pretty little blond waitress. She liked to work at biker bars and pick up guys like Reese, and him,” the old guy said, nodding at .
“Why was your son in my parking lot?” asked.
The old guy shrugged, and could tell that whatever he was about to tell him was going to be a lie. “Don’t know,” he said.
“How about you try answering that question again, and this time, we’d like the truth,” Brooke insisted. Hearing her call the two of them a “we” made his stomach do a little flip-flop. He wasn’t sure what that sensation even was, but he was pretty sure that it wasn’t good. was never one to swoon over any woman, but for some reason, Brooke made him feel things that he never had before. Hell, she made him want things he never thought that he needed. He was a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy and having her around made him question his whole philosophy on women being just a good time.
“You okay?” the old guy asked. He was smirking at as though he could read his damn mind.
“I’m fine, why?” insisted.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” the old guy said. looked him over, trying to figure out why that saying seemed so familiar.
“My mother used to say that to me,” said.
“It’s a popular saying,” the old guy insisted. didn’t feel as though any of this was a coincidence as the old guy was trying to portray. He really didn’t believe in coincidences anyway.
“Your son was in my parking lot looking for me, wasn’t he?” asked. “That’s why he was there after hours. He knew that I’d be the only one still at the bar at that hour.” The old guy sat back in the chair, not answering any of ’s questions and he knew that he was on the right track.
“Maybe he wanted to join your club,” Brooke offered.
“Or maybe he knew me somehow,” guessed. From the look on the old man’s face, he had guessed correctly. “How did Reece know me, Mr. Smith?” asked.
“I told you, I don’t know,” the old guy insisted.
“Stop with the bullshit. What’s your real name?” shouted.
The old guy sat back and crossed his arms over his chest and could feel Brooke watching him. He had a feeling that this thing with Reece had something to do with the stubborn old man sitting across from him.
“You know, I thought that I knew you somehow after our first meeting, and now, I’m convinced of it. I’m right, aren’t I?” asked. He had a feeling that this man was connected to him and that’s why Reece came looking for at the Road Reapers.
“You couldn’t know me,” the old man said. “I left when you were just a baby.” felt as though his world was going to spin off axis. He sat down next to Brooke, and she grabbed his hand.
“Are you okay, ,” she asked. He wanted to tell her that he wasn’t okay. He wanted to shout at the old man to get out of his motel room. How could the man sitting in front of him be the same man who had abandoned him and his mother all those years ago?
“How did you find me?” asked.
“I wasn’t really looking for you,” the old guy said. “I’ve always known where you were, I just thought that you’d be better off without me. Hell, Reece didn’t talk to me for years. We only just started talking and building a relationship again.”
“Wait—he’s your father?” Brooke asked as if trying to catch up. nodded, not taking his eyes off the old guy. A part of him was afraid that if he did, his father would disappear again—and had questions.
“Brooke,” he breathed, “meet James Cooper.” His dad stood and crossed the room to shake her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, officially, Brooke,” he said. She never took his hand, and his dad dropped it to his side and went back over to sit in the chair he had just vacated.
“Is that why you refused to tell me your name?” Brooke asked.
He nodded, “I wasn’t quite ready to tell who I was, so I didn’t tell either of you my name.”
“Why did Reece come looking for me?” almost whispered.
“He found a picture of me holding you after you were born. He knew that it wasn’t a photo of him and me, so he came to me with questions, and I answered them honestly.”
barked out his laugh, “So, you could be honest with him, but not me?” asked. “I guess you were playing favorites, right dad?” He emphasized the way he said, “Dad” making it sound mean. Brooke squeezed ’s hand, reminding him that she was still holding his.
“Did Reece go looking for and that’s how he ended up in the parking lot of the bar?” Brooke asked
“That’s what I’m guessing. I told Reece where he’d be able to find because he wanted to meet his half-brother. If I hadn’t given him your address, he would have never shown up there, and he might still be alive,” the old guy said.
“You can’t do that to yourself,” Brooke insisted. “You didn’t kill your son, but I can help you find who did. If his ex-girlfriend is the killer, we’ll find her,” she promised.
looked at her as though she had lost her mind. “You’re going to help him?” he breathed.
“I am because helping him will help you. We’re all looking for the person who killed Reece and if we can prove that his ex did it, you’ll be free,” Brooke said. She smiled at him, and God, she took his breath away. He found himself nodding his agreement with her instead of fighting about the fact that his old man didn’t deserve her help.
“All right,” said, “but from now on, he stays out of this. I don’t want him around.”
“I’m good with that,” his father said. “If you wouldn’t mind calling me when you get any answers, Brooke, I’d appreciate it.” His father laid on the charm that his mother always talked about, and wanted to be sick. His poor mother was left with a baby to raise on her own, all because his father didn’t want that kind of responsibility. Yet, his mom always talked kindly about his father, as though she was still in love with him. never understood that because all he felt for his father was contempt.
“I’ll let you know if we make any headway, Mr. Cooper,” she promised. wanted to tell her that she’d do no such thing, but even spending a short amount of time with Brooke told him that she wouldn’t take being bossed around by him or any other man. She proved that to him by going up against her father and staying on his case. respected that side of Brooke, even if he didn’t like it when it pertained to his father.
“Thank you,” his father said, opening the door to the motel room. “I really did this to try to help you, . I’ve never forgiven myself for leaving you the way that I did.”
didn’t bother to look over at him. “That makes two of us,” he whispered. The motel door closed, and knew that he was gone, which was fitting because his father had never really been there for him in the first place.