by S. A. Wolfe
On Friday, he has to excuse himself to find a quieter room to speak to me. In the background, I can hear constant commotion, children screaming and adults shouting for them to stop running in the house.
“Whose home are you at?” I ask, overly excited that he’ll be back in Hera in a few hours.
“We’re all at my mom’s place today.” He sounds tired, and once again, he’s not divulging anything new.
“Is it always that crazy around there? Is everything okay?”
“It’s always loud here. Sometimes I walk across the street to go to my dad’s house to get some peace and quiet in my old bedroom.”
“Cooper, do you know how strange it is for me not to know anything about your family? You know all the important people in my life, and you’re just telling me now that your parents live across the street from one another? That’s plain weird. Maybe it’s a Brooklyn thing.”
Cooper lets out a small laugh. “They’re divorced. No, it’s not a Brooklyn thing. My family has a lot of stuff going on. I’m leaving here in an hour and going right to your house. How’s that?”
“How are you getting here? Dylan came back two days ago with the company truck.”
“I bought my brother’s old truck since the idiot decided he needed something bigger and more expensive. And I need a new vehicle because those dirt roads in Hera are killing my bike. I have to be able to haul stuff now that I have a country house,” he says with a deliberate twang.
“Okay, I’m going to close up here at five and go home to pack. I’m giving you the heads up. I will probably complain endlessly about the camping trip, but I’m looking forward to seeing you.”
“Looking forward? That’s it? That’s what you say in a letter you send to a parole officer. I thought you’d be climbing the walls, panting in heat for me.”
“That, too. I didn’t know how to say it without sounding desperate.”
“Imogene, it has been a long week. I want you to sound desperate for me because I’m sure as hell going crazy, thinking about you. And, as far as this camping trip goes, we can spend the whole weekend in our tent, naked.”
Everyone decides to meet at my house to follow each other on the drive to the campsite. I haul my bag outside and run down the porch steps, excited to see Cooper. I run by Lauren and Leo, who are loading coolers with food into Leo’s truck, and Emma and Dylan, who are securing their bags in the back of his Jeep. Then I wave to Jess as I rush by her and Carson as they organize gear in the back of his truck. I just want to see Cooper.
And there he is in faded jeans and a fitted gray T-shirt. He looks superb. He’s leaning against his new truck, smiling when he sees me huffing my way over to him with my overstuffed duffel. I drop the bag on the ground and throw myself at him. Unladylike and not so sexy, my weight slams his back against the truck, and he lets out a short laugh before sliding his arms around me for a tight embrace.
“Hi.” I smile and grip his shoulders, gazing at his handsome face and those silvery gray eyes that stop me dead every time.
“Hi, beautiful.” It rolls off his tongue in that seductive, deep purr that gives me a little shiver.
Then he leans down, his lips meeting mine in a long, tender kiss. I let my body fall against his completely as I savor his mouth.
“That’s enough, lovebirds.” Jessica claps her hands to get our attention. “We have to get on the road.”
Leo and Lauren drive around us and stop their truck in front to lead the caravan of couples to our destination. Cooper picks up my bag and tosses it in back, and then he opens the passenger door, staring at me as though he wants to say something.
“This is really nice for a used truck,” I say as he climbs in the other side. “It looks practically brand new.”
“Because my brother only had it a year before he decided he needed something else. I made him have it detailed before I drove back. It’s in great shape and more comfortable than making you ride on my bike everywhere.”
“You bought this because of me?” I blush, a little thrilled that he’s making decisions based on us as a couple.
“You’re the main reason, but it’s true that my bike wasn’t made for this off-road business. And I need a proper vehicle for carrying equipment. Come here.” He puts his hand behind my head and pulls my face towards him for another searing kiss. If the console weren’t between us, I’d climb into his lap and have my way with him.
The kiss ignites my bravado. I trail my hand down his chest to his groin and cup the hardness in his jeans.
“Nice package,” I mumble against his lips.
His breath intake pauses briefly as I palm him more firmly.
“This is going to be a painful drive,” he whispers.
A sudden honking makes us both jump apart. Through the back windshield, I can see Dylan and Emma in their Jeep, waiting for us to go. Even with his sunglasses on, I can see Dylan’s glower as he lays on the horn with Carson and Jess waiting in line behind them. Up ahead, Leo and Lauren have already driven down to the main road.
“Guess we better catch up,” I say with a little laugh. “We’re pissing off the Blackard brothers.”
After Cooper starts the engine and waves to Dylan in the rearview mirror, we drive down the hill where Leo’s truck waits for all of us. When Cooper shifts into high gear on the county road, I open my window and let the hot air blast my face and hair. I need this escape with him. I need to be with him away from home, family, and work. Although we aren’t alone on this trip, I’m hoping to squeeze in some time where Cooper and I can have longer stretches together that aren’t bound by the parameters of other obligations.
I study his profile as he drives. A long, blond lock of hair curves from his high cheekbone down to his strong jaw. Keeping one large hand resting on the wheel and the other on the gearshift next to my leg, he glances over at me and catches me staring.
“What?” he asks with a slight smile.
“You. I thought I had you figured out. I didn’t want to have anything to do with you because you seemed like another playboy who couldn’t offer anything more than superficial conversation and a good roll in the—” I almost say hay.
Cooper shoots me a look before turning back to the road.
“Sack. Roll in the sack,” I mutter. “But I like talking to you. That’s not it.”
“But?”
“You’ve told me a little about your previous work, and I think I understand why you quit and why you moved here … but for someone who loves talking to people and making friends here, I find it odd that you never say much about your family. And they don’t live far away.”
“Not everyone is as close to their family as you are.”
“I realize that, but I also felt like there was something else going on when your brothers and uncle came to visit you. It was nice to see you working with them, but in hindsight, I have a feeling you told them some topics were off limits with me. I got the sanitized version of one of your family gatherings.
“The cop stories were pretty funny, but they didn’t say one personal thing about you. Usually, people like to talk about entertaining childhood stories or current family stuff when they are being introduced to a girlfriend. That’s me, by the way. I’m the new girl, and they seem to like me, so why didn’t I get the girlfriend treatment?”
Cooper chews on his lower lip and stares straight ahead. Then he looks over his left shoulder to change lanes and play some kind of game of chase with Dylan on the interstate, anything to avoid my question.
“Well?” I ask. “Am I wrong?”
“No.” He glances at me. “You’re not wrong. There’s some tension in my family and some drama that I’ve been trying to stay away from. I don’t want to drag you into it. They do like you, though. My brothers and Uncle Fraser all think you’re pretty great. And you are.”
“So what am I missing? What don’t you want to tell me?”
He sighs with exasperation. “Imogene, I
just spent two days with my family where everyone was in my face about every fucking problem in my screwed up family. I really want to be away from that and be here with you. Just you. Can we discuss my family another time?”
“Sure.” I shrug and turn back to look out my window.
Cooper gently squeezes my thigh. “I’m sorry if I’m making you feel insecure.”
“I’m not insecure about who I am,” I say defensively. “I like me.”
“I meant insecure about us. You touch your chin with two fingers whenever you’re …”
“Whenever I’m what?”
“Not being completely open,” he says grimly.
“You mean, when you think I’m lying. I’m not lying. I’m omitting the fact that I’m a little skittish about some things. I’m asking you about your family and life because you’re very vague about all of it. Maybe that’s a product or symptom of your former career, but if I’m your girlfriend, I should be in a position to have the highest security clearance with you.”
Cooper’s laugh breaks the tension. “You’re right, and in time, I will tell you more, but let me have this weekend with you, without my family drama.”
“Okay. Just remember, I’m a very good listener, and I promise to refrain from making any jokes at your expense.” I smile and take his hand, holding it in both of mine to bring it to my lips for a soft peck. Then I hold his hand up, pinched between my thumb and forefinger. “Here, you can have this back.”
He smiles and shakes his head, putting his hand back on the steering wheel.
“Maybe you should take Lois up on her offer to learn how to meditate. If you’re dealing with a lot of family problems, maybe meditation would be helpful.”
“I already meditate.”
“You do?” I ask, finding it hard to imagine Cooper chanting and sitting in the lotus position.
“Don’t look so shocked,” he laughs. “I don’t do group meditation classes or any of that stuff. I learned years ago how to deal with the stressful shit I was involved with every day. Before work and every night before I go to sleep, I spend about five to ten minutes putting myself in a complete state of relaxation where my mind isn’t thinking about anything.”
“I’ve never seen you do it.”
“When I’m with you, sex takes care of the mind-numbing for me.”
“Interesting. So when I’m not around, you meditate. Do you hum and have a mantra?”
“No. I sit down, close my eyes, change my breathing, and clear my thoughts. It’s harder to do than you think. It took me a while to get into it and make it effective. In Siddartha, he says meditation is ‘fleeing from the self.’ Basically, it’s an escape from the agony of being, and it numbs the senses ‘against the pain and pointlessness of life.’ ”
“Well, that’s a big, fat downer. Siddartha?”
“Herman Hesse.”
“I know. I saw the book in your room. Oh, God, you’re not one of those depressing guys who thinks life has no meaning, are you? That really doesn’t suit you.”
Cooper chuckles at my summation. “Not at all. I like to read a lot of books to get different perspectives, but I don’t necessarily agree with everything I read.”
“You keep surprising me. In a good way, though.”
“Good. I’m no longer on your wanker list?”
“How did you know about the list?” I practically shout.
“You talk in your sleep. Kidding. You’ve mentioned the wankers before, and Lauren told me you had an actual list.”
As the heat crawls up my neck, I look away, pretending to get caught up in the beautiful scenery, which is stunning but surely only offers more bug bites and an uncomfortable setting for sleeping.
It’s not long before our caravan quickly takes an exit onto a wide, unpaved road. We travel uphill and enter a narrow, wooded, bumpy road. I hold onto the armrest and my seat as we follow Leo’s pick-up.
“Getting nervous?” Cooper asks with a mischievous smile.
“Why? Are these woods haunted? Am I going to have to deal with the Blair Witch or some slasher nut job in a hockey mask?”
“Wow. You’ve got some imagination.”
“My favorite part of summer camp was the ghost stories around the campfire. Then I’d cry myself to sleep and sometimes pee in my sleeping bag, thinking every noise was a vengeful ghost.”
“Sounds awful.” He smiles. “I was thinking more along the lines of sharing a tent. Maybe you’re getting nervous about that. It’s the first time we’re out with our friends as a …”
“A what? Are you afraid to say couple?”
“No. I’ve been gone all week, so I’ve been wondering what you’ve been telling people and how you refer to me.”
“I tell them I rejected you for so long because I assumed you were a misogynistic, sleazy playboy, but that was all a misunderstanding.”
“Jesus, is that really what you tell people?”
I grin. “Nope. I’m screwing with you. We are a couple. And, no, I’m not afraid of sleeping in a tent with you. I’m ready to jump your kcuffing bones, mister.”
“Good, because I’ve built up five days of sexual frustration waiting to be with you. I didn’t even cheat.”
“You didn’t have sex with yourself?”
“Nope. That would have been too easy. My fantasy Imogene is almost as spectacular as you, but I was waiting for the real deal.”
“Aww, how sweet.” I pat his hand as he slips the gearshift into park.
“When I get you naked, sweet is not what I have in mind.” His expression is dead serious.
“Another hot quote from Herman Hesse. Love it.”
Twenty-Two
We have a secluded camping spot for our group: a large, open area surrounded by trees with walking trails that lead to a small lake and all those unknown territories of wildlife I will most fervently avoid. Despite its beauty, there’s not a bunny or Bambi in sight. The swarms of gnats that float above our heads make me shudder, and the shrieking caws of a nearby angry bird make me wish I had a shotgun to fire off and scare all the non-human inhabitants away.
I like animals, I really do, but I have a hard enough time sharing a home with humans, let alone a whole forest of different species. We’re not meant to sleep in the same space, although I remind myself that we are doing this for sweet, lovable Leo who is both nostalgic and romantic when it comes to his friends and his fiancée.
The men begin setting up the four tents, placing them at the perimeter of the clearing, far enough apart so we all have some privacy if we talk in quiet voices or have noiseless sex. Yes, I’m totally thinking about sex, especially since I’m watching Cooper from my very uncomfortable spot on one of the dead tree trunks positioned around the fire pit where Jess is trying to figure out how to stack the pile of bricks left by the previous campers.
“Jess, reposition the bricks so they’re in the same place as before. You can see the outline of the circle,” Emma explains.
“I’ve never done this before. I can tell from the ash where the firewood goes, but I don’t know how to do the rest.” Jess sits back on her knees. “Imogene, you went to camp. How do you do this?”
“My camp had a dining hall and indoor plumbing. Stagger the bricks in a circle like Emma said. Make the wall high enough so we can rest the grill on top. You don’t want it too close to the flames.” I chomp on a carrot stick and go back to observing Cooper. “Look at those guys. I think they’re arguing over where the tent flaps should face. It’s hilarious. They look so serious.”
As if he knows my eyes are glued to his backside, Cooper turns around and grins at me.
“What are you smiling about?” Emma asks, taking the plastic bag of carrot sticks from my hand before I devour them all.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing my ass,” Lauren chides. “She’s crazy for Cooper.”
“Of course she is,” Jess adds. “And he’s sweet on her, so it’s all
good. No more complaining about being single and all the dud guys out there.”
“I barely said a word about the duds.”
All three women stop what they’re doing and stare at me.
“All right. Maybe I complained a little too much about men.”
“Imogene, that’s an understatement,” Lauren says. “You terrified the male customers at the diner. Your parents wanted to fire you so you’d break that crabby rut you were putting everyone through, but Bonnie has a soft spot for how you give guys a hard time. She thought it would at least keep you from getting hurt again anytime soon.”
“I am my grandmother’s favorite.” I shrug.
Emma chuckles.
“Okay, I was a beast … to everyone. It was a bad year. But things are looking better,” I say, glancing back at Cooper as the men walk towards us with a little swagger even Leo seems to have picked up.
“Dylan, you’re the chef; you set up this fire pit, grill thing, please.” Jess stands and looks at her palms covered in soot.
“She’s right, honey,” Emma confirms. “You know it’s really your area of expertise.”
“Sure thing,” Dylan replies, dropping to his knees and quickly constructing the bricks and the grill rack. “You guys would be eating beef jerky and trail mix if I wasn’t here to cook.”
“Yep, and when we catch all those fish tomorrow, we’ll let you clean and cook them for us,” Carson adds, cuffing Dylan’s head.
I tune out their conversation, focusing on the nice, warm body settling down next to me on the big, fat log. Cooper puts an arm around my waist and gives me a delicious smile. The two kisses hours ago are not enough to hold me over. I want to go test out our tent now, but Leo is making a big deal about the steaks he brought and the dinner he and Lauren have planned for the evening. The others begin unpacking food and cookware while Cooper and I take a moment to catch up.
“I missed the hell out of you this week,” I whisper into his ear.