Epilogue – Coop #2
“So very Coop,” she quips, then kisses me on the cheek. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
A text pings, and I open my app to see Río telling me to get my ass in gear and get to the rockin’ club. I reply with a photo of my middle finger. I’m about to put my phone into my pocket when I remember the picture I took of Emilie Dubois at the gym. I pull it up and show Nese.
Her reaction doesn’t disappoint.
“No way! You saw her? Did you talk with her? What’s she like? I’ve heard she’s totally chill and super nice. Did she say anything about what you were wearing? Wait. What were you wearing? The new workout clothes we picked up? The blue or the grey one?”
When she has to take a breath, I jump in, “I didn’t talk with her. But I can take you to the gym when we’re back in LA. I’m sure she’d love to talk shop with a fellow stylist.”
She fans her face. “You are the best boyfriend ever!” Then she launches herself into my arms.
A little while later—and a lipstick touch-up for her—we drive to the club. After getting a ticket from the valet, I assist Nese out of the Range Rover and put my arm around her. Staring at the pavement, I admit, “I’m thinking about buying a different vehicle.”’
“Don’t. The Rover suits you. Plus, it’s black, your color.”
“Only if you’re sure. I hate you got hurt because of it.”
“I’m all better. Not to mention, I got a personal chair lift in and out of it.” She laughs.
The knot surrounding my choice of vehicle loosens, but I’m confident it will be revisited at a later date. Now it’s time to reconnect with my brothers and enjoy a fun night out. We both adjust our new sunglasses and are directed to the VIP area of the club. When we enter, Río calls me over.
Meaning he yells my name loud enough for the next block to hear him.
Some things never change.
Nese and I meet him and Hayden in the middle of the room. Río takes one look at us standing locked together wearing our sunglasses, and turns to his fiancée. “Damn, you’re right.”
Hayden’s chin rises. To Río she says, “I’ll collect tonight.” Beaming directly at Nese, she opens her arms wide. “I’m so happy for you.” The two hug.
I lift my eyebrow toward my best friend. “Don’t you dare hug me, dude.”
“Your virtue is safe with me.” He does extend his fist, which I bump. “So you and our stylist, huh?”
I counter, “You and our PR manager.”
“Scholarship administrator,” he corrects.
I lift my chin in acknowledgment. “Your hair’s getting long,” I observe, removing my new sunglasses and tucking them into my shirt. I don’t feel the need to hide from anyone in here. Besides, I’m mimicking how Nese is currently wearing hers.
He runs his fingers through the mess on his head. “Yeah. Makes me look more like a drummer god.”
I roll my eyes. Then, glancing at the two women, I admit, “I love her.”
He whacks me on the back. “Welcome to the club, Coop. This time, you’re in it for real.”
“Don’t I know it. Nese causes me to question everything, in a good way. With her, I feel lighter than I have for over a decade. She even got me to like shopping.”
His eyebrows raise to his forehead.
“Fine. It doesn’t suck as much.”
We both laugh.
Soon, 007 and Tris join us. Nese and I get some good-natured ribbing but mostly we fall back into our roles defined when we were kids. Well, Tris is new to the group but he’s starting to establish his own place.
Our manager walks over to our group. Río, ever helpful, tells him about Nese and me. Luke appears… satisfied. I frown at him. “Don’t tell me you knew we’d get into a relationship.”
He replies, “I thought two opposites like you might hit it off. That’s all.”
“Are we adding matchmaker to your list of duties?”
“Hell no. When you lost your luggage, it was natural to send UC’s stylist to help. You did the rest. Obviously.” He leans in toward me. “Elias is all mysterious about some angle he’s tracking down.”
“Well, I did get a new wardrobe—and girlfriend—out of the deal, so I honestly don’t care about the Vanishing Luggage Mystery anymore.”
For a brief moment, I pause in remembering the photograph that disappeared with my suitcase. Darren would’ve adored Nese. My attention is diverted when Bennett and Jenna enter the club. Within minutes, Nese and she jump up and down.
Luke checks out my threads. “Have to say, UC’s stylist did an excellent job replacing your old clothes. Tris is going to have to up his game.”
I have to agree with his compliment. This outfit does make me look trendy. Glancing at all my bandmates, I fit in with them now rather than fade into the background. It’s a new feeling, but one I welcome.
Nese walks over, slips her hand into her purse, and pulls out a bag.
“Guys!” All eyes focus on her. I grin, aware of what she’s about to do and confident everyone will be grateful.
She points at my ears. “I gave these awesome earrings to Coop, and Luke suggested you all could benefit from a small makeover from your stylist.” She beams at my brothers.
She takes out a bold ring with UC stamped on it and heads for Bennett. “I think your ring wardrobe could use this update.” He nods in thanks. Jenna hugs her.
To Río, she hands him a square with UC’s logo on it. “It’s a belt buckle, since you refuse to wear anything on your upper half when performing except for Jenna’s pendant.” He whoops, slips his belt out of the loops and attaches it, then scoops up Hayden.
She approaches 007, a studded leather cuff in her palm. “I thought this would match your belt.” His eyes widen, then he carefully puts it around his wrist. It matches his—Darren’s—belt to a T.
“Tris,” she says. “Coop and I want you to have these.” She holds out the keyboard earrings she created for him, with Untamed Coaster spelled out on each key. Tris looks from the earrings to Nese and then to me, his mouth agape.
I put my hands over the gift. “Wear them in good health.”
He says, “Thank you.” His voice is gruff.
Nese reaches into her bag one final time and turns to Luke.
“Don’t think you got away without something new!
” She holds out a friendship bracelet, he extends his wrist, and she ties it.
He lifts his wrist displaying the bracelet that says “#1 Manager” and making sure the UC logo is visible. We all cheer.
A minute later, the new hit from Cole Manchester plays.
Bennett, Río, me plus our better halves rush to the dance floor—while 007 and Tris hang back with Luke.
Like my other two bandmates, I burn up the space, making Nese laugh.
I pull her into me and, surrounded by all my friends, kiss the woman I love with all the passion burning deep within me.
Pulling away, I smile at Nese. From the corner of my eye, I catch Lillian staring at me.
The real Lillian.
I stumble.
Stare ahead of me.
Become aware of Nese dancing to the beat.
Regain my footing.
I give my back to my first wife and focus on the woman who owns my heart. Not wanting there to be any secrets between us, I lean toward Nese’s ear. “Believe it or not, Lillian is here.”
Nese puts her arms in the air in time with Cole’s song. “No way!”
“In the flesh.”
She lowers her arms. “I have a few choice words to say to her.” She stops dancing.
I place my hands on her shoulders. Everything I needed to communicate to that woman was said through attorneys a decade ago.
The NDA is keeping her mouth shut. I realize she hasn’t haunted my meditation sessions since Nese and I reunited in Georgia, and there’s no possible justification to invite her back.
“I have zero reason to speak with her, and you shouldn’t either. She’s not worth an ounce of our time.” I kiss her hand.
Nese comes into my embrace, tilting her head upward. “You make me so happy, Coop. I love you.”
Bending down, I kiss my girl for the hundredth time, uncaring of who might witness it.
When the song ends, Luke calls us over. A short woman with brown, curly hair is at his side. Marni Hilliard, Darren’s sister.
Our manager begins, “Guys, the plane leaves for Australia tomorrow evening, so be ready at five o’clock to be picked up.” He looks between Nese and me. “I presume you’ll be flying with us?”
I answer, “She will.”
“As will Marni. You all have given me too much to do. Marni’s agreed to be my assistant.”
Even with this possibility floated at the Oscars, you could hear a pin drop among the band members in this busy club. Except for 007, who simply leaves our huddle.
The women surround Marni, offering congratulations.
Luke sighs, then makes eye contact with Bennett, Río, Tris, and me. Licking his lips, he says, “I better talk with our bassist.”