19. Coop
COOP
Nese didn’t warn me this was going to be a five-hour ordeal. I dump my new luggage and backpack into the Range Rover’s trunk. At least it’s over.
On my drive back, I can’t stop thinking about my stylist. Her spontaneity doesn’t fit with my calculated choices. Her rambunctious laugh clashes with my quiet chuckles. Her youth makes me feel older than my thirty-one years.
Then why is she stuck in my mind?
Needing to get set straight, I call my best friend. “How’s Hayden treating you?”
Río hums. “I wake up with her in my arms, we fuck like rabbits, and have amazing conversations. So, pretty damn good.”
“Glad it’s working out for you.”
“Listen, Coop, there might be another woman out there for you, too. Lillian isn’t the be-all and end-all.
She was a demanding bitch during high school, and UC took up almost your every waking moment during your short marriage.
What she did was a symptom but we both know your marriage had flatlined way earlier.
Don’t you think it’s time you got back on the horse? ”
Gotta love Río. He always paints a picture. It’s usually crude, but accurate. “I like how things are going.”
“Dude. I’m not saying to throw an orgy to get over your hump. Just get laid.”
“Why did I call you again? I didn’t comment on your love life.”
“That’s because it’s fucking awesome. I want you to have some of this.”
Dare I tell him about Nese and me? Before I called him, I thought I might. After talking with him, though, I’m not so sure. I dip my toe to test the waters. “I’m on my way home from a photoshoot. Nese arranged for me to get a free set of Tumi luggage so long as I agreed to the shoot.”
“No. Fucking. Way. You got to do a photoshoot for that brand, and you didn’t even bother inviting your best friend?”
I chuckle. “I think they wanted to be sure their model was wearing a shirt.”
“Dick. Tell me, is the luggage worth it?”
“Nese says so. She called it luxury. How can luggage be luxury?”
“Easy. If a carry-on costs more than one thousand dollars, it’s luxury.”
“Fine. It’s luxury then.” I exit the freeway.
“How are things going with Nese?”
It’s easy to read the question behind his question. Río is fishing. “She’s gotten most of my wardrobe all set. Drags me to all sorts of stores and makes me try shit on.”
“I think that’s what stylists are supposed to do. You have to admit, getting new clothes was long overdue for you.”
“Said the man who doesn’t wear shirts.”
“Onstage,” he corrects me. “Mostly. But I digress. Are you happy with the stuff Nese is making you get?”
He’s still fishing. Might as well give him what he wants. “She’s done a good job. Both with my wardrobe and other things.”
“Finally! I knew that little firecracker could restart your libido.”
I stop at a red light and women from the next car wave. My gaze darts around to confirm I’m the only car within their eyesight. I offer them a small wave, then hit the gas as soon as the light turns green. “Let’s not go crazy here, Río. She’s a kid.”
“How old is she?”
“Twenty-four. Like I said, a kid.”
“Coop, she’s beyond legal in my book. In any book you pick up, including your Buddhist ones. You should tap that.”
“I did,” I admit in a low voice. Ignoring Río’s whoop, I drive past my street because I need to continue this conversation without prying ears. “She’s the yin to my yang. She’s all outgoing and exuberant and spontaneous. I’m, well, me.”
“Putting all that aside, Bro, I’m proud of you. It’s way past time you fucked Lillian out of your system. Good on you.”
“Yeah, well—”
“My only regret is I’m totally devoted to Hayden. Can you imagine if we were both on the prowl? The women on tour would have no idea what hit them.”
“I sincerely doubt—”
“But 007 and Tris are still single. You should troll with them for some good pussy.”
“You know I’m not like that. Never was.”
He’s silent for a beat.
“Dude. Are you telling me Nese is it for you?”
His question hangs in the air. “Of course not. I’m merely stating the obvious that I never was the tomcat you and Bennett were.”
“Hey! Bennett was way worse than me!”
“Fine. I’ll grant you that. But you sure did give him a run for his money. Besides your vice was alcohol, not women.”
“Haha! Damn straight. Speaking of… what’s your vice? Books?”
I consider all the Zen and meditation books I’ve read over the past decade. “Never met one that let me down yet.”
“Dude. You really do need to get out more. Now that you’re out of your slump, I’m sure you will. Luke can hook you up.”
I protest, “It doesn’t have to come to that.” Images of Nese prancing around in the various stores flit through my mind, as do her eating dim sum, and confessing her difficult upbringing. In my pool.
And bed.
Ignoring my comment, he says, “I’ll take care of you, buddy. We’ll get you hooked up at every city UC goes to in Australia. Those women from Down Under will make your down under sing!” He laughs at his own joke.
I can’t bring myself to join him. “I’m not doing that.”
“Oh, come on. I’ve been waiting for ten years for you to be back on the market, and now I’m off it. You have to let me have some fun.”
“No, I don’t. It was a one-off thing with her anyway.”
“One-off as in you’re not doing it again with her—or one-off as in you’re not doing it again with anyone?”
“I don’t know.” My fingers rake through my hair. “Either. Both?”
He’s silent. Never a good sign. “Or, you want to do it with her again but you’re afraid.”
Boom. There it is.
In my silence, he continues, “Nese is the full package. I wouldn’t be sorry if you got together with her.
In fact, Hayden recently went out to brunch with her and Jenna, and hasn’t stopped singing her praises.
We could double-date. Who knew? My best buddy is brought low by a stylist, several years his junior. ”
“Stop it. Get these crazy ideas out of your brain. I’m not—nor will I be—with Nese. It was something that happened. She’s like the lot of you… She's not exactly looking to settle down.” However, now I know Nese went out to brunch with Hayden and Jenna the other morning…
“That may be true, but you do not. Hell, you were with Lillian all through high school and... No one since. Until Nese.”
I pull into a parking spot on the street and close my eyes. It was a bad idea to call him. What was I thinking?
“Listen, forget I mentioned this to you, alright? It was a one-and-done and not ever happening again.”
“Riiiight. Sure. You tell yourself whatever lies you need to hear. Just know I’m rooting for you!” Laughing, he clicks off.
Damn. The asshole makes some good points.
Before Nese, I’ve only been with Lillian, and what we did blew away what I ever had with my wife.
Nese was so responsive. And genuine. I’m finding her crazy rants more and more endearing instead of annoying.
Plus, no one other than Mom ever made me bread from scratch.
Not to mention my earrings. My hand rubs my right ear, only to find Darren’s hoop. I should’ve worn her gift.
My chest expands as I take a cleansing breath. Maybe all I need is a good meditation session. Clear out these cobwebs and get myself ready to hit the road again with UC. Yeah, that’s it. A reboot.
With my Zen Garden in mind, I restart the Range Rover and drive the couple of blocks to my house.
Letting myself in through the side entrance, I sit on one of the boulders and blank my mind.
Let the fresh Pacific Ocean air waft into my nose.
Allow the light breeze to caress my cheeks.
Pure harmony with nature. For the first time in a very long time.
I slip my sunglasses upward on my forehead and enter the house.
Nese isn’t where I left her in the family room.
A quick check of the kitchen doesn’t turn her up, either.
On my way to her bedroom, I glance out at the pool, but she’s not there.
When I stop at the threshold of her room, I see her standing in front of the mirror. Wearing only her bra and panties.
I clear my throat. “What are you doing? You should be icing your foot.”
“I’ve had ice on it all day, Grandpa. I had to get up and take a shower. I was going stir crazy.”
I stalk into her room. “How does it feel?”
She lifts up her left foot, now sporting a pedicure that wasn’t there before. “I did my toenails. You like?” She wiggles her toes, only to scrunch back in pain and lower her foot to the floor.
In an instant, I’m at her side—my hands on her back to steady her. Her naked back. “It’s angry. You shouldn’t do things to make it clap back at you.”
“I’ll be more careful. It’s been good all day.”
“Because you were icing it and keeping it elevated.” I should remove my hand. Now. It’s beyond time for me to let her go. With my hand still on her back, I say, “What were you doing?”
Her palm sweeps over her body. “I thought taking a shower and getting dressed might be a smart idea.”
Or it could be the worst idea she’s ever had. “You don’t have to bother on my account.” My hand still hasn’t moved.
Nese’s head ticks upward, her eyebrow piercing catching the sunlight. Her eyes narrow. “You’d have to be careful of my foot.”
This is my cue to stop her wild thoughts. We’re not going to have sex again. We’re totally wrong for each other. I don’t do things like this. My hand lowers and unclips her bra. “I will.”
Bending down so my mouth is even with her pink nipple, I tease it with my teeth. She hisses and presses the back of my head closer. This is not me. But damn. It doesn’t matter. I want Nese under me. Now.
Grabbing around her ass, I stand and bring her to the bed. She slides down my straining body. “One of us needs to get out of his clothes.”
She pulls on the bottom of my shirt, which sails across the room. The button at the top of my new trousers unhooks, followed by the zipper going down. Standing back, I unlace my boots and take off my socks and trousers so I stand in front of her totally naked. “Now who’s overdressed?”