38. Chapter 38
Chapter thirty-eight
Sutton
I can’t focus for the rest of the day. I stared at my computer and tried to read the same three sentences about twenty times before I had to give up and close the file. The interview I couldn’t reschedule was a mess. Well, more I like I was a mess and I’m pretty sure the candidate could tell my heart wasn’t even remotely in it.
Every thought, every moment, is preoccupied with Cooper.
I feel as if I let him down.
He might lose his job over my mistake. And I might have just ruined his plans to help his parents.
I messed up by withholding the truth from Cooper.
I should have known better.
So it’s my job to fix this mess I’ve created. I owe it to Coop.
So instead of sitting and staring at the surrounding wall, I make a call.
The phone only rings once, and before they can say a word, I ask, “Can you meet me at Shots and Ladders?”
It’s not even two in the afternoon when I order my second lemon drop of the day.
“Hitting the booze hard?” Nate asks from beside me with his usual dimply smile.
“You would be too if your ex put your boyfriend’s job at risk.”
Nate’s smile drops. “What happened?”
I relay everything Cooper told me to Nate.
“Why didn’t Cooper call me? And why didn’t you call Viv?”
“Because I needed booze to help not only wash away the guilt but also get my scheming mojo going, and it isn’t fair to Vivian to bring her into an alcohol zone when she can’t partake.”
“I’m not partaking either.”
“Yeah, but that’s because you are a simp.”
“I prefer the term sweet, supportive spouse.”
“Noted,” I tease before tossing back the last of my drink.
“Back to why you chose to call me instead of Viv. That’s a bullshit answer, and you know it.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “Why do you have to be so smart? Okay, you want the real answers?”
“Yes.”
“I called you because I needed someone who is team Cooper. Not team Sutton.”
“But I am team Sutton.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, but if it came down to picking a team to be on, who would you choose, team Cooper or team Sutton?”
“Team Cooper.”
“That’s what I thought. I needed someone who would put him at number one, and that’s you, not Viv. I’m Vivian’s number one, so she would spin anything into my favor. I need the truth. Not my best friend’s love.”
Nate looks me over for a moment before he nods. “So what’s the plan?”
“You tell me, Mr. Romantic Gesture. What can I do to make this better?”
He gives me a sad smile. “From the sounds of it, you’ve done everything you can. You are already planning to be Cooper’s rock should the waves come crashing down on him. And that is more than enough.”
“It’s not enough,” I argue. “He deserves more. Better.”
“Sutton, he deserves you. That’s all he wants and needs.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. But if you want to mess with that dipshit Dillon, I am game. But don’t for a second think your love and support isn’t enough for Cooper. Because it is. And I know if you asked him, he would confirm.”
“Okay,” I agree because it’s true. I know deep in my bones that Cooper doesn’t blame me for any of this, but the problem is, I do.
My phone chimes with a text from Cooper. I instantly send him the video links I had prepared for him. It’s the least I can do.
“Seriously, Sutton, are you going to be okay?”
I flash him my teeth in what’s probably the least reassuring smile ever. “I should be fine.”
Nate stands, paying my tab before slapping me on the back. “You’re good for him.”
I snort. “Yeah, tell that to his career.”
“I mean it, Sutton. He’s been really happy since you two got together.”
“So have I,” I admit. It’s not a secret. But it’s painful to know that same happiness is in the process of burning to ashes because I felt the need to give my loser ex closure.
“You need a ride home?” He twirls his keys around his finger.
“Nah, I’m going to get some food in me, then head back into the office to grab my stuff before heading home in a couple hours.”
“If you need me again, don’t hesitate. Okay?”
I nod. “Thanks for talking with me.”
“Anytime.” He waves and walks away.
I have no idea how to fix this situation for him. But I do want to try. For Cooper, I have to try.
Leaving Shots and Ladders, I find the nearest taco place and sober up.
Okay, I attempt to sober up.
I’m seventy-five percent sober when I make my way back into the office. The majority of the staff has already cleared out for the day, thankfully, because even with the greasy tacos soaking up my many drinks from earlier, I’m still slightly swaying as I walk. I blame the heels. My gorgeous, expensive heels. They weren’t meant to take me on a booze break in the middle of the workday blocks away from my employment.
I’m halfway across the lobby when I notice a light coming from Mr. Tillan’s office.
Instantly, I know I need to speak with him. I have to see what he can do for Cooper.
I walk faster than I would’ve thought possible mere minutes ago and knock on his door before cracking it open.
“Mr. T?” I call out.
“Come in.”
I poke my head through and smile before walking into the massive office. Sitting behind his desk, Mr. T stares at a stack of papers. He looks up, a smile lifting his lips. “Ms. Hale, I thought you left hours ago.”
“I had,” I concede, flopping into one of the chairs across from his desk.
He puts down the paperwork he’s been looking at, giving me his full attention. “Then why are you here?”
I sigh. “I have a problem. And I’m hoping you might be able to help because it deals with an individual we both know and love.”
He sits up straighter. “Is this an official HR visit?”
“What? No.” I wave him off. “It’s about Cooper.”
“My financial adviser?”
“That’s the one.”
“What about him?” he asks, leaning forward.
“Buckle in, Mr. T, because this story is a doozy.”
I tell him everything—well, not everything. I leave out the parts about Coop and I banging like energizer bunnies, but he gets a good picture of the situation.
“So you want my advice?”
I shake my head. “No, I want your help in saving his job.”
His face softens. “Sutton, I don’t know how I can help in this situation. He isn’t one of my employees.”
His words sober me, and my eyes water. I have to look up and stare into the fluorescent lights for a moment to get it under control before I return my attention to Mr. T. Giving him a quick nod and a smile, I stand to leave. “Please, think about it.”
“I will,” he promises.