Safe Travels

by Alex Dafney

  “Come in!” He calls from the other side. I push the door open as Cooper follows me inside, taking a seat in front of his desk. “Hey, Ophelia. I just wanted to check with you, see how your first week is going.” I fold my arms over my chest as I sit back. “Going great. If that’s all you have for me, I need to get home and clean up before leaving.” Jim looks between Cooper and I. “Leaving? You just got here.”

  I sigh, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose with my fingers. Reminding myself I’m irritated with Cooper, not Jim. I look back to him. “I need to go back to Alabama and pack the rest of my things. I only brought enough for this week and I’d like to be able to wear more than one outfit.” He nods his understanding. “Very well. I’ll let Dominic know that he needs to cancel any plans he may have for the weekend so he can come with you.” I scrunch my forehead, opening my mouth to object, but Cooper beats me to it.

  “No need. I’m going with her.” Jim sighs, removing his glasses and raking his hands down his face. “No can do, kiddo. You’ve got a mission you need to work on. Dominic can accompany her.” Cooper stands, his hands clenched at his sides. “This isn’t up for debate. I’ll be going with her.” Jim sits back in his chair, scowling at Cooper. “I don’t have time for high school bullshit, Cooper. You have a mission. Dominic is the brawn of Ophelia’s team. Enough said.”

  Cooper slams his hand down on Jim’s desk. “I don’t give a shit what you have time for! I’m telling you what’s going to happen.” I let out a long sigh, closing my eyes and visualizing my bathroom at Cooper’s house. When I open my eyes, I find myself exactly where I need to be. I turn the shower on as I quickly shed my clothes.

  Once out of the shower, I quickly throw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I know Cooper will be barreling through the front door any minute. I grab my purse from the bed and pull out my cell phone, calling Mom. “Hey, Ophelia!” I close my eyes, following Mom’s voice through the present, finding her standing in the kitchen at home. I feel the climate change before I even open my eyes. “Hey, Mom.” She spins around from the kitchen counter as I toss my phone and purse on the table.

  “Did you shift here? In the present?” She stares at me with wide eyes as I nod. “Yeah. Something to do with the Prophecy and mine and Cooper’s gifts getting stronger.” I roll my eyes as I stalk to the refrigerator, grabbing a bottle of water and slamming it shut. Mom gives me a weary smile. “Boy problems?” I close my eyes and let out a long sigh. “I just left. He doesn’t even know where I am right now. I mean, he knows I was coming here this weekend, but I didn’t know if I could even shift this far in the present, so, yeah.”

  I spin the cap back on my water bottle, placing it on the counter next to me as I lean back. “He just went all macho crazy style this morning. He told me that if he couldn’t come here with me then I couldn’t go. I know he’s got a mission coming up Monday and he’s stressed, but damn. He can’t just think he’s going to keep me locked in a closet only allowed to come out and play if he can watch me.” I shake my head in frustration.

  Mom surprises me. “I kind of agree with him, O.” My mouth falls open as my forehead creases. “What!? How can you agree with him treating me like some child who needs to be babysat?” She rolls her eyes slightly, tilting her head with brows drawn. “Ophelia. Stop with the dramatics, firstly.” I huff as I fold my arms over my chest. “Secondly, you’re not privy to the information that Cooper receives. Not yet at least. If he feels the need to be by your side right now, I can almost guarantee it has to do with your safety, not the fact he wants to babysit you.”

  My shoulders slump slightly. “Crap. He just told me this morning that more Society members have disappeared and five Assembly members.” Mom shakes her head as she leans on the counter, dropping her head in her hands. “Damn. I didn’t know about the Assembly being under attack as well.” I push off the counter, walking toward the table to grab my phone. “I should probably call him. It wasn’t right for me to leave like that.”

  Just as I grab my phone the doorbell rings. I look over to Mom. “Don’t look at me. I’m not expecting anyone.” I walk toward the door, already knowing who’s going to be on the other side. I take a deep breath before pulling the door open to find Cooper and Grant. “Hi.” I say sheepishly as Grant nods and Cooper scowls. I push the door open allowing them to step in. I can feel the stress radiating from Cooper as he walks past me.

  “Hey, Cooper.” Mom calls brightly from the kitchen. “Lillian.” He says with a nod. “This is Grant. Grant, Lillian.” He says as he gestures between them. Grant walks over to Mom, offering his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Cooper turns to me. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” I nod as I walk down the hallway toward my bedroom, Cooper following me. He steps in and I close the door behind us, turning to face him with my back pressed against the door.

  “I’m sorry, Coop. I shouldn’t have left like that.” I say before he has a chance to speak. His face softens slightly. He puts both his hands on his face, sighing heavily as he sits on the edge of my bed. “You can’t just take off like that, O. Not without someone with you.” I sit down next to him, gripping one of his hands in mine. I take a deep breath, feeling all his worry and anxiety course through me. I exhale, allowing it all to slip away.

  When I look back to him, he has a small grin. “Thanks for that.” I shrug lightly. “I really am sorry I worried you. I’ll be sure to take someone with me next time.” His grin fades as he looks at me. “I owe you an apology too. I had a meeting with Calvin and Jim early this morning.” He stops and shakes his head before lying back on my bed with his hands over his face. “Things are getting worse, O. The Hunters know that the power couple has reappeared. They’re doing everything they can to capture our kind and harvest our gift.”

  I lie on my side next to him, propping up on my elbow so I can look at him. “What does that mean?” He tilts his head to look at me. “It means you and I are in serious danger. If something happens to either of us, that’s the end of the Prophecy. That’s why I’ve been so worked up today.” He closes his eyes and lets out a tight breath. I reach my hand up, cupping his cheek and turning his face to me. “Then we can’t let anything happen to us.” I say with a faint smile.

  He rolls to his side, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me to him. “I’m serious, O. No more traveling alone. Okay?” I nod lightly. He closes the few inches between us, his lips finding mine. The soft kiss quickly turns to more as I run my hand into his hair and bite his bottom lip. He lets out a growl as his hand drops from my hip to my ass, pulling my leg onto his. I can feel the hardness in his jeans against my stomach, sending a dozen emotions spiraling through me.

  We pull apart quickly at a knock on my bedroom door, both breathing heavily. Cooper sits up, running his hand through his hair. “Shit.” He curses while trying to calm himself. I stand up, combing my hand through my hair and brushing down my clothes before opening the door. I open it an inch or so to find Grant. He peeks over the top of my head at Cooper. “Ahh. Glad to see you two kiddies have made nice. I’m just letting you know I’ll be heading out now.”

  He turns and walks down the hallway toward the living room as I close my bedroom door, leaning back against it. Cooper runs his hands through his hair as he looks at me. “You make me crazy, O.” I chuckle as I walk over to him, pushing him back on the bed and straddling his waist. “You make me crazy too, Coop.” I say before leaning forward and kissing him.

  He places both of his hands on my shoulders, pushing me back as he sits up. He grips me under my ass and stands, turning and placing me on the bed as he leans over me, his face inches from mine. “If we start that back up, I may explode.” He drops a brief kiss on my lips before taking a step back and offering me his hand. “We need to get you packed. I’ve got to be back in the morning.” I take his hand and stand, looking around my room. “Crap. I’ll need to go get some boxes.”

  Cooper walks out of my bedroom as I survey the room. He walks back with a
handful of boxes and Mom behind him. “Let’s get you packed up.” She says with tears in her eyes. I tilt my head and give her a sad smile. “Don’t do that, Mom.” She waves a hand at me as she sniffles. “I’m fine. Really. Let’s figure out what you want to take.”

  Mom and I start in my closet as Cooper builds the boxes. Folding my clothes and stacking them inside. Mom picks up my travel box, turning to me. “What about your travel box?” Cooper peeks his head in the closet. “What’s a travel box?” I shrug as I take the box from her. “Just a collection of things I’ve found over the years. Each item takes me somewhere different.” Cooper steps into the closet as Mom continues folding my clothes and stacking them into boxes. “May I?” He says as he holds his hand out.

  I hand him the box and go back to packing, watching him from the corner of my eye. He pulls out the keychain with the big pink Pom Pom. I chuckle. “Fraternity Party. 2005.” He gives me that grin that he saves just for me before placing it back in the box and rummaging through. He pulls out the button, holding it between his thumb and forefinger. “Woodstock.” I reply as I toss a pair of jeans in the box beside me. “Woodstock” As in 1969?” I nod.

  He replaces the button, flipping the lid to the box closed. “You are most definitely taking this with you.” He says as he places it in the box of clothing. I give him a little smile. “Why? We have a room filled with items that we can use to travel.” Cooper chuckles. “Ryder is a huge Hendrix fan. There’s no telling what I could have him do at an opportunity to see him live.” I drop my mouth open in fiend shock. “Cooper! You would extort your own teammate?”

  He laughs as he walks out of the closet. “Damn right.” Mom laughs and shakes her head next to me as I chuckle. Cooper’s phone rings and he excuses himself to the living room. Mom looks over at me. “So, tell me about your new team.” I let out a short sigh. “I don’t know much about them. Charlie is the only one that really seems to want to get to know me. Dominic had a power struggle with me at first, but he seems to be coming around. Raven looks at me like I’m a bug she just squashed, and Reese seems shy and would rather be left alone.”

  Mom nods as I tell her. “Well, sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you, but if anyone can pull it off, you can.” She gives me a bright smile as she steps forward to hug me. She looks over her shoulder briefly. “How is living with your boyfriend working out?” She whispers. I shrug my shoulder. “Good. I have my own bedroom and bathroom. He lets me drive one of his cars, so I didn’t have to be assigned one. We eat dinner together and watch TV when we get done with our day. It’s… nice.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “Mhmm. Do we need to have the birds and the bees talk again?” I widen my eyes at her. “No, Mom! I sleep in my room, alone, and Cooper does the same. We’re not having sex.” I whisper yell. She takes a step back, folding the last shirt on her side of the closet and tossing it in the box. “I was your age once, O. I see the way the two of you look at each other.” I open my mouth to protest, but she holds up her hand.

  “I’m not thrilled by the idea of you living with your boyfriend, but some things that seem unorthodox to normal people, works for our kind. Just… just be careful. I was your age when I got pregnant with you.” I toss the remaining clothes in the box as I shake my head. “We’re not doing that. We’re taking things slow.” I look up to Mom who has her hands on her hips and a disbelieving look. I strike the same pose. “I’m serious, Mom. I want to get to know him better before we take the next step.”

  She steps forward giving me a big hug. “I’m so proud of the woman you’re becoming.” I hug her back, tears filling my eyes. I can’t believe this will be the last night in my bedroom, in my house. She pulls away as Cooper walks back in the room. “Oh, uh, I can go back out there.” He hooks his thumb toward my doorway. She wipes under her eyes as I do the same. “No, no. We’re good here.” She looks between the two of us. “Why don’t I go make us some dinner while ya’ll finish up?”

  Chapter 11

  After dinner and an unbearable amount of childhood stories about me from Mom, we all decide to call it a night. “Ophelia can show you to the guest room, Cooper.” Mom says as she loads the dishwasher. Cooper runs his hand along the back of his neck in a nervous manner. “With all due respect, I’d prefer to be in the same room as Ophelia for the night. The Hunters know the power couple has emerged and we’re not protected here as we are at the Compound.” She turns, giving him a suspicious look.

  “Mooom.” I warn her. She huffs, closing the dishwasher with a little more force than necessary. “Fine. Ophelia, get Cooper some blankets from the hall closet. The floor isn’t all that comfortable, but if he’s hell bent on it.” She gives a little shrug as she gives a triumphant smile. I roll my eyes as I walk down the hallway, stopping to grab a few blankets from the closet on the way. “Goodnight, Mom!” I call over my shoulder as I follow Cooper into my bedroom.

  We take turns in the attached bathroom. I step out in a pair of short shorts and a tank top with my hair piled on top of my head. Cooper’s eyes travel the length of my body, stopping on my eyes. “I, uh, I’m just going to get changed.” He says as he hastily steps around me into the bathroom. I climb in my twin size bed, pulling the covers over me and settling in. He steps out of the bathroom in nothing more than a pair of boxer briefs.

  My eyes widen briefly as I take in his body. I thought his chest was impeccable but add his tone legs and the v that dips below his waist band. A girl could use a cold shower at this sight. I look back into his eyes to find him smirking slightly. “Like what you see, O?” He gives me a conceited grin. I roll my eyes at him. “Shut up and go to sleep.” I reach over and turn off the light as he settles on the floor.

  An hour later and he’s still tossing and turning. I’m sure, trying to find a comfortable position on the hardwood floor. I roll over, turning on the bedside lamp. He looks up at me with an impish grin. “Sorry. I’m just trying to get comfortable.” I simply shake my head. “There is no comfortable position on a hardwood floor.” I scoot to the very edge of the bed, flipping the cover back. “Come on. You won’t be able to move if you sleep down there all night.” He gives me a hesitant look. “I don’t think so. Your Mom may kill me in my sleep.”

  I sigh heavily. “Cooper, no one is going to sleep with you down there tossing about. Besides, you have a mission in two days, and you don’t need to be hunched over, barely able to move.” He gives me a faint smile before standing up and stepping over to the bed. I roll to my side, so my back is to him. He lies on his side behind me, his front to my back, placing one arm around me, nuzzling into my neck and sending goosebumps down my entire body. “Mmm. I could get used to this.” I giggle. “Shut it and go to sleep.” He responds by pulling me closer to his body. “Good night, love.”

  Waking up the next morning, I find myself sprawled across Cooper’s chest, my leg thrown over him and his arm weighing heavily around me. My leg is dangerously close to his… I slowly slide my leg off him and carefully slide out from under his arm. He mumbles in his sleep and rolls to his side. I throw on a pair of jeans and smile at him as I walk out of the bedroom, closing the door behind me.

  I find Mom in the kitchen. “Good morning.” She glances at me over her shoulder. “Morning, dear. Did you sleep well?” I yawn as I stretch my arms above me. “I slept great.” I pull a bar stool out hopping onto it. “I’m surprised either of you slept in that tiny bed of yours.” My eyes widen in surprise as she glances at me with a smirk. “Come on, O. I may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night.”

  I roll my eyes at the saying I’ve heard all my life. “I couldn’t let him sleep on the hard floor. He has a mission tomorrow. He needs his rest.” She makes a mmhmm sound as she continues cooking. I hear my bedroom door open and look to the hallway just as Cooper emerges, fully dressed in the clothes he had on yesterday. “Good morning, Lillian.” Mom returns the sentiment as Cooper places a quick kiss on my cheek. “Good morning, love.”

  He s
lides onto the barstool next to me, picking up my hand and lacing our fingers to rest on his thigh. “Micah, Grant, and Reese will be here shortly to help get your things back.” I look at him with a slightly shocked expression. “Reese agreed to help?” He gives me a charming smile. “You’d be surprised how much your team is willing to help, and vice versa.” Mom slides a plate of French toast in front of us both.

  The front door flies open, and we all turn toward it, watching Gamma barrel through. “Thanks for the invite, Lil. I’ve already eaten anyway.” I chuckle as Mom sighs. Gamma comes over to me as I hop off the stool, wrapping my arms around her. “I’ve missed you, Gamma.” She pulls away wrinkling her forehead at me. “Now, how on earth have you missed me when you’ve had your own, personal, Abercrombie and Fitch model?” I blush as she places a hand on Cooper’s shoulder. “Thanks for the wine, boy.”

  He nods his head as he tries not to laugh. “You’re more than welcome. You know it comes every month, right?” She places her hand to her chest with wide eyes. “You’re shitting me!” Cooper laughs as he shakes his head. “I shit you not.” He laughs as Gamma smiles widely. “This one’s a keeper, O.” I blush as my eyes lock briefly with Cooper’s.

  Micah, Grant and Reese materialize just in front of the door. “Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t really land us all on the front stoop.” Grant says as he walks into the kitchen. He walks straight to my Mom, placing a kiss on each of her cheeks. “Looking lovely as ever, my dear Lillian.” Mom actually blushes as she flips her hand at him. Cooper stands, shaking Micah and Reese’s hands. “Thanks for coming guys. I really appreciate it.”