17. Coop #3
I begin reading. A short time later, my cell rings and it’s 007. I look at my new bookmark for a moment, place it between the pages I was reading, and pick up on the second ring. “Hey there. What’s going on?”
He replies, “I’m drinking this fantastic IPA, watching the waves roll in from the Atlantic, and remembering how we all used to talk big at Amazing Amusements.”
I chew on another piece of chorizo. “I think we’ve exceeded even our wildest expectations. An Oscar. We won a damn Oscar.”
“I know. It’s hard to believe. If Darren were here now, can you imagine what he would say?”
If Darren still were with us, there would be no movie about our comeback. Hence no Oscar. I don’t say this. “I’m sure he’s rooting for us from above. Probably telling all the other angels that his boys made it.”
He laughs. “Yeah. That’s about right.”
“How’s the Jersey shore treating you this break?”
“Oh, it’s great. I’m having fun hanging out at the boardwalk and getting a tan. I’ve been checking out the club scene, and it’s pretty hot.”
“You’re having much more fun than I am. Luke sent Nese to help me—to clarify, the word help is in air quotes—build a new wardrobe. What you just told me proves my point, though. No one cares about us bassists and guitarists from UC, as we can go anywhere and not be recognized.”
“Hate to break it to you, bro. I do have people hit me up for autographs and selfies. Women know me, if you get my drift.” I’m able to see his eyebrows wiggling from across the continent. “I’m not mobbed like a certain lead singer is.” He pauses. “Was.”
I don’t comment on his acceptance of Jenna. “Yeah. Okay. Same here.” I take another sip of my Manhattan. “Still, shopping sucks.”
“It’s a necessary evil. I can’t believe your luggage is MIA, though. We fly damn private.”
“I know. Luke has Elias looking into it.” I select a piece of Manchego and put it on a cracker. “Enough about my miserable life, what exciting purchases have you made since we’ve been on break?”
“Nothing much,” he replies. “Picked up a cool video game for the tour, a couple of sweet straps for my bass guitar, and a new boat.”
I shake my head. “There it is. I knew you had to get yourself an expensive toy. Tell me about this boat.”
“It’s fast, man. Like superfast. It’s going to be awesome on the ocean. It sleeps six, has two stories, and is certified for deep sea fishing. I can’t wait to take the band out on it.”
Everyone in the band enjoys fishing from time to time. Except... “Has Tris gone out fishing yet?”
“Nope.” He chuckles. “I’m eagerly anticipating his inauguration.”
“Let’s hope he fares better than Luke.” The one time he joined us, our poor manager hung off the side, puking his guts out. Never went again.
“I’ll make sure Tris takes Dramamine.”
I finish my Manhattan. He’s a good person to talk with about Nese, considering he’s not annoyingly paired off like Bennett and Río. “So, I mentioned Luke sent the band’s stylist to help me replace my wardrobe.”
“Yeah. At least you don’t have to do the shopping.”
“Ha. I wish. She’s been dragging me to all these stores. I swear I tried on no less than fifty pairs of jeans and ended up with five. Today, we shopped for luggage. Dude. Luggage shopping. Who does that?”
He chuckles. “Sounds like you do.”
“Well, she scored a set for free, provided I do a photoshoot for them.”
“That’s pretty nice. What brand?”
“Uh—” I remember driving to the store. “Twin? Tuni? Tumi! That’s it, Tumi.”
He whistles. “Damn. That’s some good stuff right there. You say you got it gratis?”
“Not exactly. The cost is a photoshoot.”
“Nice deal, Coop. Those pieces cost a small fortune.”
“I’d rather pay than do this stupid photo op.” I stuff more chorizo in my mouth.
“Come on. Make it fun. Think of the camera crew in sexy lingerie. That always gets me.”
An image of Nese in only her birthday suit surfaces, which I shove away. It doesn’t matter how well we fit—physically. She and I are from opposite sides of the world. 007 understands. I pick my words carefully. “The last thing I need or want is any sort of entanglement.”
He swallows. “I hear you. Women are good for a few hours, then they can go back from wherever they came.”
My stomach tightens. “That’s certainly a way.”
“We have the life, man. I get my needs met then join you in doing important things like creating music or playing a video game. God bless Bennett and Río, but we don’t need their lifestyles.”
“Good point. So long as I can wail out on my guitar in front of a stadium of people, I’m happy.”
“My brother.”
After our conversation ends, I put my dishes into the dishwasher.
On the way to my bedroom, I pass by a sleeping Nese.
She’s curled into a tiny shrimp. Is she chilly?
Not wanting to be a worse host than I already am, I grab a throw blanket and toss it over her perfect form.
Something inside of me unlocks when she sighs at the added heat.
I study her in slumber for a long minute. Stop my hand from reaching out and stroking her soft cheek.
Lillian laughs at me from the doorway.
No way. I’m not falling for UC’s stylist.