Chapter 17
17
Cooper
Training is finally done, and now Cap has us cleaning the side compartments in our rigs, and man, am I ready for this shift to end so I can go home. Haley and I have date night tomorrow, and Rome is going to my dad’s for his very first Papa and Nonna sleepover.
Yeah, you heard that right. Nonna. My dad and Serena are currently living in wedded bliss, and I couldn’t be happier for them. A few weeks ago, they invited us over for dinner, and we found an officiant waiting for us. Luckily, Dad was sneaky, and had already spoken to Haley, so she made sure I was wearing dress clothes, and she wore a gorgeous pink dress. And our little Rome in a sweater vest and dress pants? Cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Dad had given my brothers the same memo, and we all gathered in their living room to watch them exchange vows, and my heart was so full. Serena makes my dad so happy, and it’s been a long time since he had someone to share his life with.
I sleep easier at night knowing that his bed is no longer cold.
He’s not lonely anymore.
But it was as I stood there with Haley by my side, and Roman in my arms, that I knew I needed to move us to the next step. I know some people would say it’s too fast, but I say, when you know, you know.
Haley Rae Jacobs is the love of my life.
I want her to be my wife, and I don’t care what anyone thinks.
Pulling out the Halligan and sledgehammer, I set them down on the floor and stretch out my back. “You okay, dude?” Brax asks from the other end of the truck.
“Yeah, just sore. Rome had a nightmare last night, and Haley brought him into bed with us. That kid is like a human tornado, and I’m pretty sure he took up the entire king-sized bed.”
“Please, you love it,” he chides, and I just laugh, groaning when my back pops.
“I do. I really do, but fuck, I’m getting old.”
“Dude, you’re not even thirty,” Atta points out, before he grabs the stack of cribbing out of the compartment. “I’m pushing forty, so I don’t want to hear it.”
“But you don’t have a kid at home,” I say, and he shrugs before going back for some more equipment.
“How is your dad doing?” Grayson asks from inside the cab.
“He’s good. They’re watching Rome for us tomorrow night, and then they’re off to the Bahamas for their belated honeymoon.”
“I’m so jealous,” Rhett states, spraying the empty shelves with cleaner before wiping them down. “I could really use some sun, sand, and cocktails right about now.”
“Couldn’t we all,” I laugh. “Hey, you aren’t busy after shift, are you?”
Rhett looks up from where he’s cleaning and shakes his head at me. “No, why?”
“I have an errand to run and I could use some help with it.”
“Yeah, sure.”
My phone beeps from my pocket, and I pull it out as I lean against the engine.
Haley: I miss you, handsome. Is it date night yet?
Cooper: Almost, sweetness. And I have an idea I want to try, too ;)
Haley: Oooh. Do I finally get to try a plug on you?!
My eyes widen in pure shock, and I have to shake my head.
Cooper: Come again, Hales?
Haley: Just saying. They did it in the book I read last night and it was hot. AF.
Cooper: You and those smutty books, baby.
Haley: Hey, you don’t complain when they work me up.
Cooper: Jesus. I’m at work, dirty girl. Stop it.
Haley: You love it.
Cooper: I love YOU. Kiss my boy for me, and I’ll see you in the morning.
“What’s the red face for?” Rhett quips, stepping up to read over my shoulder. I click out of the message thread as soon as I can, but the look on his face tells me he read it already.
“Duuuude,” he drawls, holding up his fist to me. “My brother. Is that what you need me to come help you with?” he teases, and I roll my eyes.
“Of course not, fuck head.”
“Coop,” he chides, and I just huff at him.
“Shut it.”
“For now,” he says, going back to cleaning the compartment. “But you aren’t getting out of this, trust me on that.”
“Getting out of what?” Brax asks, and I flip him off.
“Absofuckinglutely nothing. Quiet. Finish cleaning, the lot of you.”
We spend the rest of the time joking around and fucking with each other, but soon every vehicle is sparkling from the inside out, and we head inside to get ourselves some lunch. As I fill my plate with baked ziti and reach for a breadstick, Rhett grabs me by the arm and pulls me aside. I start eating as he just stands there, and I raise my eyebrow.
“What?” I ask, shoveling food in. We’ve all fell victim to the bells going off as we start eating, so I always eat as much as I can as soon as food is ready.
“So, if it’s not a prostate massager you need, what are we going errand shopping for?”
“A ring,” I state around a mouthful of food, and his eyes widen.
“Seriously?” he rasps, and I just give him a sheepish grin. “Hell yes.” Rhett is mindful of my food as he pulls me into a bear hug, and I just laugh at him.
“I’m everyone will think I’m nuts but…”
“Nah,” he assures me. “We all see how you guys look at each other.”
“I just.” I take another bite of food before setting it on the table next to us. “I know what it’s like to watch someone you love more than anything die. I know what losing my mom did to Dad, but at the same time, he doesn’t regret it. Not only because of us boys, but because he loved her, and making her his wife is one of his best decisions. His words, not mine.”
“I get that,” he agrees, scratching at his chin. “You really love her, huh?”
“More than anything. I’d give up anything for her to be mine.”
“Even your butt virginity?” he laughs, and I just choke on air.
“I have no idea where she got that idea from,” I argue, and he just grins.
“No, but it’s all you’ve been able to think about huh?”
“I’m not telling you shit,” I grumble, and grab my food again as I walk away.
“Don’t worry, bestie! I got your back. I’ll find the perfect place to get you one!”
I flip him the bird and stuff my mouth with food, that way nobody will be tempted to ask me what my jackass best friend is talking about.
I swear to Christ.
Nervously pacing, I wait for Rhett to pull in next to me. I found a jewelry store not too far from the station, and he agreed to meet me here, but he got caught up having to talk to Chief and he texted to say he’d meet me. So here I am, slowly losing my mind. Thankfully, he doesn’t keep me waiting too long, and he pulls in a few minutes later.
“Dude, calm down,” he yells through the window as he finishes parking, and then with a flick of his wrist, he shuts the engine down and climbs from the car. “It’s gonna be fine.”
I take a deep breath and nod, Rhett grabbing me by the shoulders and giving me a shake.
“I better get to be your best man,” he says, and I narrow my eyebrows.
“You’ll be up there with me, yes,” I say, pretending like I have no choice.
“Oh, I see how it is.”
“I wouldn’t pick between you and my brothers, alright? I haven’t even asked her yet.”
“Like she’d say no,” he points out, and I let out a sigh.
“We can only hope.”
Stepping inside the store, it’s bright and there are cases all along the perimeter and several more in between.
“Good morning, gentleman. I’m Marie, what can we help you with today?” An older woman stands in front of us, giving us a kind smile. She reminds me of Granny Rose, although she’s a bit younger than her. I’m immediately at ease.
“I’m Cooper March, ma’am, and this is Rhett Ferguson. I’m here to look for an engagement ring,” I say, and Rhett just jostles me around in excitement.
“Well,” Marie says. “Congratulations to you boys.”
Rhett starts laughing, using me to keep himself upright and on his feet. “Oh, hell. That’s too good,” he cracks up.
“No,” I begin, but Rhett just kisses my cheek.
“Isn’t he just so cute,” my ex best friend drawls, and I shove him away from me.
“Sorry about this doofus. I’m the one getting engaged,” I inform her, before hitting Rhett in the shoulder. “And he’s here to help me pick something out for my girlfriend.”
“And I’m the best man,” he greets, and I roll my eyes.
“We haven’t decided that yet,” I groan, and she just laughs at us.
“Well, how about you tell me a little bit about your significant other. Then we’ll see what we’ve got that fits them.”
“She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Long auburn hair, big blue eyes, and a smile that could take you to your knees. Plus, she’s the mother of my child, so she’s extra special to me.”
“Does she wear any other types of jewelry?” Marie asks, and I shake my head.
“Not really. She’s pretty simple. And she works at a daycare, so she doesn’t like to have anything that could get caught or pulled.”
“Alright. And what price point are you looking at? So, we can make sure not to look at anything outside of your budget.”
I shrug. “No budget really, but maybe not too much over three thousand?”
“Perfect. Come take a seat and we’ll bring you some options, unless you know what type of stone and band you’d like?”
I spent all of our free time scrolling through photos online, so I have an idea of what I’d like to see, but I’m not entirely sure either, so I just shake my head.
When I see the right ring, I’ll know.
Rhett and I take a seat at the counter while we watch in silence as Marie walks back and forth to different sections of the case, holding a small velvet tray that she collects rings into. When she finally comes over, there are about half a dozen rings, and my stomach starts rolling.
“Breathe, dude. One of those is for your future wife. Don’t puke on them.”
Letting out a shaky laugh, I watch as she sticks each one into a slot so that they stand up straight, and then places them down in front of us. I take my time looking at each one, holding them up in my fingers and inspecting them from all angles. But it’s the last one she picked that draws my attention.
It looks tiny in my big ass hands, but it’s stunning. An emerald diamond on a simple white gold band. Nothing overly flashy, but the simplicity of it is its beauty.
Much like my Haley girl.
“This one,” I state, and Rhett looks at it with a smile.
“That’s perfect, Coop.”
“How much is it?” I ask, and she pulls out the small tag attached.
“$1935.”
“Perfect, I’ll take it.”
Marie gives me a big smile, before I hand it over. “Just let me go check out back to make sure we have her size. Do you know what that is?”
Oh shit. “Uhh, no. Crap, I don’t.”
“That’s okay, honey. I can make a note of it, and you can come back to let me know.”
My stomach sinks, because I really wanted to get one today. And then the lightbulb goes off in my head. “Give me just one moment,” I tell them both, and I walk out of the store, moving down the sidewalk to where there’s a small bench.
Sitting down, I grab my phone from my pocket and thumb through the contact list until I find the number I need. Taking a much needed second to get my nerves under control, I hit call and pray the call is answered.
“Hey, Coop,” Jensen greets, and I swallow thickly.
“Jens, hey. Listen, you got a second to talk?”
“Of course. You caught me at a good time. I just got in my office.”
“Perfect.”
Scrubbing my hand over my face, I let out a couple deep breaths and then get right to the point. “I’m calling because I love your sister more than anything in this world. I love her boy, and I want to do right by him and officially become his father and give them both their last name.”
Jensen is silent for a beat, and when he speaks his voice is thick with emotion. “Are you asking me for permission to marry Hale?”
“Yeah, I am. Because it would mean everything to both of us if we had your blessing. And knowing my girl, she’s really going to want you to walk her down the aisle.”
He lets out a cough that sounds suspiciously wet, and I wait for his next words with bated breath. “I’ll be proud to call you my brother, Cooper. Yes, you absolutely have my blessing.”
“Thank you.”
“When are you going to ask?”
“Not sure yet. Soon. As a matter of fact, I’m about to pick out a ring for her, and I need to know her ring size. I don’t suppose that’s something you would know?”
Laughter rings through the line. “Six. I bought her jewelry for her prom and it had a ring set with it. I can’t imagine it’s changed much in five years.”
“Appreciate that. Do you want to switch to facetime and I can show you?”
“Yeah, I can make time for this.”
I head back inside the store, and when I take my seat next to Rhett again, I switch the call and turn it around so we can all wave at him. My suspicions were correct when I see how watery his eyes are, so I flip the screen and aim it down at the ring I chose.
“It’s stunning, Coop. She’s going to love it.”
“Simple and not too big.”
“Yeah, it’s my sister, alright. You did good, man.”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure she calls after I ask, okay? Plan on flying out for a celebration by Christmas, if I have it my way.”
He laughs, and his smile that’s so much like my girl’s has me missing her something fierce. We end the call, and I turn back to Marie with my own watery smile.
“Size six, please. And can I take it home today?”
Rhett holds tight to my shoulder the whole time she gets it cleaned and boxed up, and the second I slip it inside my pocket, I finally feel like I can breathe again.
Haley Jacobs is going to be my wife.
I can’t wait to ask her the most important question of my whole life.