Chapter 21
Eva
EVA
Is it okay if I ask you a question?
The sight of my brother’s name flashing across the top of my phone made me smile for the first time today. He was predictable if nothing else and I should have known he would call rather than reply via text like a normal person.
“You do know how to message right?”
“This is quicker and I’m driving,” Sebastian replied, also ignoring the need for a greeting.
“Can I ask you something about Cooper?” Leaning against the now closed door of the office, I didn’t bother with the preamble. He would only see straight through me anyway.
“Yeah.” His answer was curt, almost tinged with unease and I too was apprehensive.
I hadn’t so much as seen Coop since we arrived hours earlier, yet I could feel his presence as if I was still wrapped around him.
The edge of need lingering despite the closed door separating me from anyone on the distillery floor.
“Do he and Preston ever fight, not just arguing but like physically?” I bit the inside of my lip, nervous for whatever the answer was.
“Do Cooper and his dad ever fight?” He repeated, as if the idea was absurd.
“Yes!” I said, my voice unusually high. “I know it sounds weird but we both know how much of a prick Preston is. And Cooper was out super late last night and now he has cuts and bruises all over his face. I figured maybe he went to see his parents.”
Seb was silent long enough that I called his name to check he was still there and was met with a deep sigh.
“As far as I’m aware, he and his dad have never had a physical fight.” I knew the second he finished speaking that he was being evasive. Almost as though he was mulling over how to answer my question without lying, but also not revealing what he did know.
“Do you know who he fought then?” I asked deliberately. My brother wouldn’t lie, but I also knew there were only a few people who would make him second guess oversharing with me and one of them was my painfully moody boss.
“No.” He stated apprehensively.
“Sebastian, cut the literal answers. What happened to Cooper’s face? Who was he fighting? And why was he fighting?” God, there were so many unanswered questions, I was starting to feel nauseous.
“Evangeline,” he sighed, and I could almost picture his deep stare of frustration. “I can’t answer that.”
“Can’t or won’t?” I gritted, already knowing the answer.
“Why don’t you just ask him?” He said, an edge of curiosity in his voice.
“Because he woke up this morning like a bear with a sore head. You know, your friend is as moody as you are and it’s starting to piss me off.
” I was now pacing the small office, occasionally peeking through the glass window to make sure no one could overhear my conversation.
The last thing I needed was the man in question thinking I was prying into his business.
Which I most certainly was but didn’t need him knowing.
“Baked dinner of 2010 mad?” His laughter filled my ear eliciting one of my own.
“Almost,” I remembered, “But I was mad at both of you then.”
“Wow.”
“So, you’re really not going to answer me, huh?”
“Look, I’d tell you more, but it’s not my place. He’s a good guy, but sometimes he gets into a dark space, and he isn’t the easiest to be around.” I was hanging on every word, desperate for more but scared to interject for fear he would stop.
“I probably should have told you before you moved in, but if you notice he is starting to retreat into himself, just let me know, okay?”
I nodded, my mind swirling.
“Eva?”
“Oh, sorry. Yeah, yeah, I will.” I replied, feeling as though this conversation had given me more questions than answers. “Although I have no idea what that means and I am still no closer to knowing why he has a black eye.”
“Are you at Golden Spades?” He asked.
“Yes,” I sighed, “I think I’ll be here all night at this rate.” I added wearily, looking at the large pile of documents I planned to work through today.
“Good. I’m coming in and I’m bringing lunch.”
By the time the door to the office finally opened, I’d been back at the books for almost another hour, stopping only to make another tea not even five minutes ago.
The space was finally sorted, the files which had once haphazardly encased every visible surface were now organised into specific accounts and actions.
There was still plenty to be done, starting with a forensic examination of the more detailed documentation, because from the brief analysis I had conducted, something seemed amiss.
The numbers just weren’t adding up although without enough proof, I wasn’t going to mention anything just yet.
“Hey, Sebby,” I said, stretching my neck before greeting him with a hug.
“How are you?” He asked, looking around. “You’ve done a good job here, this is the cleanest I’ve ever seen the place,” he added, sounding genuinely impressed.
“It was clean before, just more organised now,” Cooper called as he walked through the door bare chested with his shirt tucked into his jeans.
“I never knew my desk was this big though.” His easy grin directed at my brother made my stomach flutter despite the whiplash I was currently experiencing at his change in mood.
He didn’t look my way and again I wondered what had happened between me leaving for dinner last night and now.
“I never knew you were such a hoarder,” I mumbled.
Sebastian laughed, “I could barely walk in this office before. I half expected to come here one day and find him buried amongst piles of inventory.”
“I must admit,” Cooper chimed, “I am enjoying the way my office always smells like mint.” Lifting the mug I just made, he brought it to his lips and took a sip.
“Do you mind?” Reaching for the cup, I avoided looking at both the chiselled chest and his face. There was no way I was ready to play pretend after the way he’d treated me this morning, nor did I want to be in the same space with him right now.
“I don’t know how you drink that shit,” my brother said, thankfully oblivious to any lingering tension.
“It’s good for you,” I replied, “and I love mint.” It was as refreshing as it was cleansing, and I drank at least two cups per day.
“Mum wants us over for dinner soon so consider this your warning.” Seb said, handing me a sandwich just as my stomach grumbled.
“Thank you, I’m starving.” I admitted, ripping off the cling wrap and audibly groaning as I bit into the freshly made chicken and salad delicacy.
“I would have gotten you food if I knew you were hungry.” Cooper admonished quietly, and I forcibly worked to withhold the eyeroll.
“Based on your mood this morning, I didn’t think you would want to be reminded of my presence,” I said with a snarky edge, having had enough of this facade.
I glared at him, taking the opportunity to really look at the purplish bruise moving alongside his brow.
I was desperate to ask him if he was okay - to run my fingers across the cut and ask who hurt him - only the smirk he was biting back was making it difficult to remember why.
I held his infuriating gaze, feeling bolder now I had someone else here and refusing to soften.
“Was wondering how long it would take for you to piss her off,” Seb said, causing my scowl to shoot at him.
“Undeserved rudeness is my number one pet peeve,” I said around a mouthful of bread.
“Mine is people who speak with their mouths full.” My brother retorted, glancing towards a smiling Cooper, before wiping that grin from his face with his follow up question. “Why were you rude to her?”
It was my turn to smirk as Cooper’s frown returned.
I was keen to hear this response because despite the hours I’d spent scrutinising everything I did or said, I couldn’t for the life of me work out what I’d done.
I knew we’d entered unchartered territory last night, the off-limits passion of the kiss still enough to elicit a spine deep shiver, but Coop wouldn’t announce that in front of Seb.
And Cooper had kissed me.
He’d pressed me into the wall with his ungodly–
“I wasn’t rude,” he finally replied, ripping me back to the present. “I just didn’t sleep well.” He tried, refusing to look in my direction.
I visibly rolled my eyes this time, disappointed with his cowardice.
The man was insufferable with his bare-chested arrogance, and I just didn’t sleep well. I wasn’t going to argue, especially with my brother here, but I also wasn’t going to just bat my eyelashes and play into his game.
If superficial garbage was what he wanted, that was what he would get.
“When exactly does Mum want to have dinner?” Taking another bite, I gave Seb my full attention. I wouldn’t engage with my boss unless necessary.
“Sometime over the next couple of weeks.”
Opening my calendar with the hand not holding my sandwich, I spoke around another mouthful of food. “Yeah, I’m pretty clear. Just let me know.”
“Perfect. I’ll get Marlee to message, or I’ll buzz you both. That good with you?” He asked my astounded boss. I knew Mum was desperate to see us together and loved Cooper as much as she did us, so this was ideal for her.
“Yep,” he answered, his reply holding a little more of his regular charm. “Should be free most nights. We can head over after work.”
This morning he couldn’t look at me and now it was a we. The emotional ping-pong was real and starting to pierce itself under my skin.
“What are your plans for this afternoon?” I asked Seb
“Not too much now but Marls’ booked dinner.”
“Any chance you can drop me home when you leave? I’m getting a headache.
” I lied, needing an excuse to get out of here.
I’d spent most of the day on my own, leaving the office only to make tea or use the bathroom and I was already in dire need of more time alone.
My mind was buzzing, and the confines of this office weren’t helping.
I needed my headphones, to get some fresh air in the greenery and restore my equilibrium before I could do anymore.
“You okay?” he asked, suddenly concerned and I ignored the way I could feel Cooper’s gaze on me also.
“Yeah, yeah, too many numbers, just need a reset and can do more later at home.”
“Coop’s going to show me a couple of the new pours really quick but I’ll come grab you before I leave.” Seb confirmed and I nodded.
Once they left, I slipped off my glasses and rubbed my eyes.
No headache yet, but I was certainly flirting with one - too many hours spent with uncertainty and too many unanswered questions still hanging in the air.
I was very ready to go home, take an absurdly long shower, and unwind with some baking.
Unfortunately, I’d be dragging work along with me.
After hours of cross-checking, things still weren’t adding up, and the frustration was becoming unbearable.
Maybe mint brownies would help things make sense, and if they didn’t, well, at least there’d be chocolate.