16. Nese
NESE
The alarm on my cell phone goes off and I spring out of bed.
My body hasn’t felt this good in forever, all because of how Coop played it last night.
If only he wasn’t so serious about his divorce.
While I believe sex isn’t the ultimate reason for a relationship—it’s to be enjoyed until the next guy comes along.
If only Coop would relax and enjoy the ride.
In the shower, I use a loofah to wash my boobs where he made them feel like a part of the whole experience for the first time. Usually, guys play with them for a couple of licks before getting on to what they deem to be “the good stuff.” With Coop, though, it was all good stuff.
The water caresses my pussy, and I drop the loofah in order to tease my clit with my fingers, the way he did in the pool. An orgasm builds, so I rub harder and fly over the edge. While it was satisfying, it doesn’t compare to how Coop made me explode. Hmmm…
Making quick work of drying my hair, I spritz on some of my cotton candy perfume, put on a full face, and slip into a cute outfit I got myself while Coop was trying on trousers.
The dress swings around my legs and makes my waist look tiny, like Scarlett O’Hara’s in Gone with the Wind. Jenna and Hayden are going to love it!
Not wanting to bother Coop after last night, I reserve a car service and make my way to the front curb, ensuring I don’t touch one miniscule grain of sand in his Zen Garden. Who knew this was a thing? I have to admit, though, it was peaceful putting it back in order.
The car pulls up and takes me to the coffee shop listed on my Restaurant Bingo card. When I get out, both of my friends are standing outside. I race to them, arms outstretched. “Hi!”
They give me hugs. Jenna explains she and Bennett got into LA last night while Hayden and I admit we’ve been too caught up with our own stuff to hang out before now. Inside, we have to wait for the hostess to seat us.
Jenna leans in. “If the boys were with us, we’d be seated already.”
Hayden replies, “But then we’d also be surrounded by fans and not be able to hear ourselves think, let alone talk.”
“When I’ve been out with Coop”—I add—“he’s not recognized as often.”
Hayden agrees, “He is the quiet one.”
“007’s quiet too,” I note.
Jenna adds, “That’s true. Neither of them wants to stir the pot.”
The hostess calls Jenna’s name, and we’re escorted to our table in the center of the room. “Wow,” Jenna notes. “We’re usually in a corner. It’s nice to be at the heart of the action.”
“It certainly is unusual,” Hayden says. “I almost forgot what it’s like.” She places her hands on both of ours. “I don’t want to forget. Promise me we’ll go out at least once a week to keep ourselves grounded.”
“It’s a deal,” Jenna pronounces.
Hayden says, “We might need to add in Marni come Australia, as rumor has it she’s joining the tour to help Luke.”
Jenna agrees. “I heard something similar. Darren’s sister wants to support UC in honoring her brother.”
I say, “You got it. Another woman with us on the tour is definitely a good thing!” I could ask her if she has an old photo of Darren and Coop. I’m sure he would appreciate the replacement.
We open our menus and check out the breakfast options, in addition to the long list of coffee selections. When the server comes, we place our orders, then I turn to Jenna. “So, how’s your husband?”
She smiles and shows us her rings. “Sometimes I feel as if I’m living someone else’s dream. It’s funny when I read one of those articles about him, saying he’s a perfect god. I look over at him sleeping with his mouth open and snoring—and simply laugh.” We all join in her mirth.
“I’m happy you two found your way together,” I note. “I was rooting for you right from the start, when you were giving him physical therapy.”
“Feels like ages ago,” Jenna says, then goes quiet. She’s probably thinking about her mother. She turns to Hayden. “Enough about Bennett. Tell me, have you really tamed the drummer?”
Hayden extends her left hand adorned with a gorgeous diamond engagement ring, over which both Jenna and I fawn. “This suits you,” I declare. “Río did good.”
“He sure did,” Hayden admits. “We had some moments, but he’s more settled now. We’re finding our way.”
Jenna asks, “How’s your sister doing with him?”
“Oh, she loves him,” Hayden waves her hand, the diamond winking in the light. “It doesn’t matter at all to him that she has Down Syndrome, he’s so good with her. When we call, Mila insists on talking with him alone. It’s adorable.”
Both of their heads swivel toward me. “How about you, Nese? You’re our footloose and fancy-free friend. How are the pickings out there?”
I smile at Hayden. “Oh, you know. Something new is always around the corner.”
“Please share,” Jenna presses. “I would tell you about my sex life with Bennett, but—”
“Noooo!” Both Hayden and I protest simultaneously, causing Jenna to laugh.
She nods. “I rest my case.”
“Well, I had the most amazing time with Coop,” I admit.
The two women exchange a glance. “As in UC’s guitarist?” Hayden asks.
“The one who routinely turns women down?” Jenna adds.
“The one and the same,” I confirm.
Just then, the server comes and drops off our coffee drinks, telling us our food will be here shortly.
Conversation stops while we doctor our beverages—Jenna with a cappuccino, Hayden with a latte, and me with an espresso—I need a double shot of caffeine!
Soon, the entrees are delivered, and we dig into them.
While my mouth is full of corned beef hash, Hayden demands, “Now spill. Are you really telling us you and Coop actually did the horizontal rumba?”
I nod. Placing my napkin in front of my mouth, I say, “Yup.” Wiping my lips, I continue, “In the pool. And his bedroom.”
Two sets of eyebrows raise to the sky. Hayden finds her voice first. “Wow. I mean, that’s great. Congrats on getting him out of his slump. I’ve never seen him hook up with those skanks who hang around the band.” She puts more of her omelet on her fork. “That is to say, young ladies.”
We all laugh.
“Me neither,” Jenna concurs. “Bennett started to mention something about Coop’s past during our one-night honeymoon, but said it was his story to tell.” Both sets of faces turn toward me. “Has he told you what he’s hiding?”
I consider divulging what Coop told me about his wife. He said this happened ages ago, and isn’t a secret. Plus, these are my friends. His bandmates’ partners.
My mouth drops open.
Coop’s failed marriage is for him to share.
I quickly shove the remainder of my corned beef hash inside. After I swallow, I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe he got himself into some weird Zen meditation posture and had to call the cops to untangle him.” Good job, Nese.
Jenna leans back into her chair. “I would love some photos of that.”
Hayden laughs, “I’m relieved I didn’t have to deal with a Coop pretzel!” She finishes her omelet. “So tell us, was he worth the wait?”
I grin. “He sure was! I would tap that again, but he kinda weirded out at the end.” Thank you, Lillian.
Jenna nibbles at the blueberries in her oatmeal. “He is a fantastic guitar player, without a doubt. I’ve seen him on stage with Pierce and they rock it. A lot of ladies yell for him.”
“They do,” agrees Hayden. “You got him in super-sexy jeans that are shredded in exactly the right place on his thigh.” Using her napkin, she fans her face.
“But,” Jenna interjects. “Coop’s the one all the guys go to for advice. The crew and roadies too. If you have an issue, he’s your man. He seems older than the rest of the band. Sort of stodgy…”
I sigh. “I hear you. He does give that appearance, especially since he’s so into Buddhism and Zen and meditation. I’ve seen a different side of him, though.”
Hayden drops her fork and leans over to me. “Do share with the class.”
“Well, when we shop, I know he hates it with a capital H. He tells me this every time he can. He actually told me he would’ve ordered clothes from the internet and been done in a day.” I shudder.
Looking over at my friends, they’re doing the same exact thing.
I continue, “We’ve talked about a variety of things, though. Even had a flour fight in his kitchen.”
“A what?” Jenna holds up her hand as she takes a long while to swallow her cappuccino. “You had a flour fight with Coop?”
I nod slowly. “After we baked this delicious beer bread. It was so easy. I’ll have to send you the recipe, you’re gonna love it. It’s the perfect texture, and there are raisins. You never would’ve thought beer bread would have raisins, but it’s so good!”
“Thanks,” Hayden says, then pauses. “Now back to throwing flour around Coop’s kitchen, please.”
“That’s just it. He can be all grumpy and disappear into meditation for twenty hours. Then, the next thing you know, you’re making him earrings while watching The Lord of the Rings.”
“I still can’t believe we’re talking about Coop.” Jenna crosses her arms. “Here’s the million-dollar question—are you going to do it with him again?”
I pick up my espresso and bring it to my lips. “I’m not sure. Honestly, it was the best sex I’ve ever had.”
“Then you have to do it again,” Hayden decrees.
“It's afterward… we had a fight. I don't think I want to have sex and then fight, right?”
Both of them give me knowing nods.
“Plus, I really hate it when guys get controlling. He has a penchant for doing that.” Although I hoped I had broken him of such a bad habit. Him ordering me out of his bedroom last night certainly was a wake-up call.
Not that I wanted to stay there anyway.
“Perhaps you can talk with him? I mean, if the sex was that good, it might be worth a try?”
I give Jenna’s advice some thought while the server clears our table.
Hayden asks, “Besides the sex, do you like being around him?”
“I do.” My immediate answer surprises even me. “We share the same favorite movie, and our conversations are fascinating. I’m comfortable with him.”
Jenna asks, “Do you find yourself confessing things to him you’ve never shared with anyone else?”
I think back to telling him about my time in the cult. “Yeah.”
She continues, “And you made him some jewelry, right?”
“A pair of earrings.”
“Oh boy.” Jenna smiles at Hayden, who returns it. “Nese, do you remember when you told me Bennett and I were good together?”
“And how you rooted for Río and me, even when he got drunk in Lisbon?”
With caution, I answer them both. “Yes.”
“Yup,” Jenna pronounces, to which Hayden agrees.
“What are you saying? No way! I’m way too young and carefree to get entangled in the guitarist’s mess of a life! Besides, I’m not looking for anything beyond a night. I’m twenty-four for heaven’s sake. No way am I settling down for a good five, ten years!”
They simply nod their heads.
“I’m not interested in Coop like how you were with Bennett,” I point at Jenna, then turn my gaze to Hayden. “Or you with UC’s drummer. I’m much younger than you guys!”
They shrug at each other. “Only time will tell.”
“You have it all wrong. I have sex with lots of men. So what if Coop was fantastic in the sheets? He’s a trainwreck, and I’m not down with putting him back on the tracks. I can go out tonight and meet someone else who’ll rock my world.”
“Like how Coop did that for you, better than anyone else?”
I stare at Hayden. “I shouldn’t have told you how good he is.”
“Alright, let’s give Nese here a break. So what if she bagged the only member of UC who doesn’t partake in this aspect of their fame? It’s no biggie.”
“Thank you, Jenna.” Finally, some vindication.
“The rest of them are—or in the case of Bennett and Río, were—total manwhores. You and I got those two back in line.” Jenna kisses her finger. “We reap the benefits, though.”
“For sure,” Hayden responds, smiling. “007 and Tris have to carry the load going forward.”
Jenna adds, “I can’t quite imagine it. Tris is so polite. Can you picture having sex with him? It would be like, ‘May I please take off your bra now?’”
Hayden giggles. “And 007 is so broody. He’d probably sit there and make you do all the work.”
Happy the spotlight is off Coop and me, I say, “The rest of UC has big shoes to fill.”
“That’s true. Except for Coop. He’s taken himself off the market,” Hayden says. “That is, until you came into his life.”
They’re right back to needling me. I smile.
“If you don’t stop it this second, I’m going to have to do something to their wardrobe in Australia.
I could tamper with the seams of Bennett’s leather pants, so he really gives the audience a show.
Or, I could rub oil all over Río’s arms so he looks like a Chippendale!
” The look of horror on their faces makes my suggestions worthwhile.
Still, I have to shake their teasing about Coop and me as a couple. They got it all wrong.