Boomerangers

by Heather M. Orgeron

  “You wouldn’t have come,” she answers simply, crossing her arms on her chest.

  I shake my head. “No.”

  “Well, there ya have it. Now go wash up. You look like hell. I got these hooligans for a few hours. Take a nap.”

  This woman. My eyes well up as my heart swells. I’ve gone it alone for so long with no one there to worry about me. The simple offer of a bath and a nap in the middle of the day is the greatest gift she could’ve given me.

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “No problem, baby girl. It’s time you start taking better care of yourself. You aren’t gonna win that man back walking around looking like something off that walking zombies show.”

  I choke. “It’s The Walking Dead, Momma.”

  “Whatever, you get the point. Now’s your chance, Fancy...Don’t let me down.”

  My Momma is obsessed with Reba and has been since I was a little girl. The reference brings a smile to my face, even if her meaning sort of pisses me off. “Momma, I’m not looking for a man.”

  “Of course you aren’t lookin’. The only one you ever wanted is right under your nose,” she says, tapping her pointer finger to the tip of my nose. “Don’t fuck it up this time,” she whispers so the kids can’t hear.

  What the ever-living hell? Why does everyone seem to think I’m to blame for Coop and I not ending up together?

  “You’re going senile, old lady. Coop dumped me. Not the other way around. And did you just say fuck?”

  “Sometimes sentence enhancers are necessary to get one’s point across.”

  “Well, your point is out of line. And anyway, Cooper doesn’t like kids. So, you can get those thoughts out of your head. You should’ve seen the way he acted with Kyle. It was insulting. Cooper isn’t the same boy he was when we were growing up, Momma. He’s sort of an ass.”

  But, God, does he have a fine ass...and his face. That body. It’s better than ever. My skin begins to tingle remembering the way it felt to have my body pressed against his just moments ago.

  “He just needs time to fall in love with ’em, baby. I was watching the two of you out there. I saw the longing in his eyes when he looked at you. That boy isn’t over you, not by a long shot. And we both know that...well, you never got over him, either.”

  The truth hurts, and now it will be staring me in the face each and every day. But, what if she’s right? What if he still loves me, too? Would it even matter? The answer is a resounding no. My life isn’t about me anymore. I gave that up when I had children. They come first, and I could never be with a man who couldn’t love my babies.

  As tears begin to creep out the corners of my eyes, I excuse myself. “I’m gonna go lay down now, Momma. Thanks for everything.”

  “Oh, baby. It’s gonna be okay,” she whispers after me with a little catch in her voice as I rush off.

  “I’m fine, Mom,” I yell from the top of the stairs before making my way across the hall and into my room.

  I shut the door and lean back against it, taking in my old bedroom fit for a princess. The white, four-poster bed dons a pink canopy adorned with bows in each corner. The pink netting drips down to the floor and is pulled back at the middle and tied to the posts on each end. The bedding is white and fluffy, decorated with varying shades of pink throw pillows.

  My first ballet shoes still hang above my old desk and on top sit four ornate picture frames, each holding a memory of Coop and me.

  There’s one from when we were toddlers, both of us in only our diapers, running in the field between our houses. I looked like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man with all of my rolls, and Coop was a skinny little thing. His hair was a lighter shade of brown, thin and wispy, curling at the ends. Mine jet black and already past my shoulders.

  In the next picture, we were in junior high. He was in his football uniform with his helmet held in his right hand, which was also gripping one of my legs to keep me from falling from his back. I matched him in my cheerleading getup. My long hair in pig tails, topped off with bows. My smile was huge, and there was a sparkle in my eyes. But, what I love most about this picture is the way Coop stared up at me instead of the camera. Even then he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered. I never had to wonder where I stood with him because Coop wore his love for me loud and proud.

  That’s why I don’t understand how things ended the way they did. How we ended up where we are today—living, and then again, not really living separate lives.

  The third frame holds a picture of the two of us standing in front of the limo the night of our senior prom. Coop was so handsome in his tux, and I felt like a princess in that white dress. The bodice was fitted and strapless with sequins, and the skirt consisted of layers upon layers of tulle. He stood with his legs about a foot apart with me cradled in his arms. I remember thinking that this was a prelude to our wedding day. The white dress, the tux, the limo...I’d dreamt of our wedding for practically all my life.

  By the time my eyes drift to the fourth and final frame, the tears are steadily falling. Graduation day...Judging by the smile on his face, I’d have never guessed he was planning to break my heart later that night. We stood hand in hand under the large oak in my front yard. Piano key smiles on both of our faces. We were happy. We were in love. Or at least I was. God, I was so crazy in love with that boy.

  After graduation, we’d gone out to a fancy dinner with our parents at Marceaux’s Steak House. From there, we rode together in Cooper’s single cab Chevy S10 to join our class for the after party: a bon fire in the cane fields. Old Mr. Dugas pretended not to notice the hoards of teenagers who invaded his property every weekend. There’s no way he didn’t know. We left behind plenty of evidence. I think he just wanted us to have a safe place to hang out. We lived in the middle of nowhere. There wasn’t even a movie theater within fifty miles.

  Looking back on it now, I can’t believe our parents allowed us to be so stupid. We drank, we smoked, and Coop and I made love for the last time on a pad of blankets in the bed of his truck. Coop drove us home, and when we parked in his spot, he asked me to stay because we needed to talk. A few different scenarios ran through my head. He had changed his mind and was coming to New Orleans with me instead of taking that stupid scholarship to Boulder. He was going to propose. But never did I imagine he’d kept me there to crush my heart.

  “I don’t know how to say this, Princess.” His beautiful brown eyes swam with unshed tears. “I think we need a break.”

  I was in shock. I didn’t have the ability to utter a single word as my heart shriveled up and died. I stared at the boy I’d loved for all of my life like he was a complete stranger, and I guess he was. I didn’t know this person at all.

  “Don’t do that, baby. Don’t cry...” His own tears began to fall, but that didn’t stop him from digging that knife in and gutting me. “All we’ve ever known is each other. And I love you. I know you probably don’t believe that right now, but I love you, and that’s why we need to do this. I need to know. I need to know that you’re with me because there’s no one else out there, not because I’m the boy you’ve shared a bed with since we were in diapers. Not because it’s convenient or because it’s how it’s supposed to be. I want us to come back from college in four years and know without a doubt that this—” he waved his finger between the two of us “—that what we have is the real thing.”

  His hand darted out and he cupped my cheek, wiping my tears with the pad of his thumb.

  I shoved him away. “Don’t. Don’t you dare. You don’t get to break my fucking heart and touch me like you care.”

  He sniffled and began crying harder. “That’s not fair. You know me. You know how much I care about you, Spence.”

  I scoffed. “No, Coop. I thought I knew you. But, the boy I love wouldn’t need to fuck other girls to decide if I was good enough.”

  I gripped the door handle and pulled before the door swung open. I moved to get out, but Coop’s hand reached out, wrapping around my wrist.


  “I love you, Spence. Don’t give up on us.”

  Was he freaking serious with this shit? “I never would have. This...this was all you. Now let go of my fucking arm before I lose my shit, Cooper.”

  He closed his eyes and took two deep breaths before releasing me from his grip. As I climbed down from his truck, he started crying louder and harder, his fists pounding on the dash.

  I slammed the door shut, and without looking back, ran through the wet, muddy yard that separated our houses. My chest heaved and tears blinded my vision. I slipped, falling over one of the roots of the big oak tree. I didn’t even have the strength to lift myself up. Cradling my hands to my chest, I cried with a broken heart.

  Sometime during the night, Daddy came out and found me lying there. I was soaked to the bone, freezing, trembling, wailing. He lifted me into his arms then carried me up the stairs to my room. He called for Momma. Daddy sat on my bedroom floor and rocked me. And as Momma rushed about gathering clean clothes and dry towels, he cried with me.

  Momma dried me up and helped me into my pajamas. She got me into bed, and in that bed is where I stayed for weeks on end. Cooper tried to visit. I heard Momma and Daddy send him away almost every day. He called. I deleted every voicemail without listening to them. And the day I left for college, I made a promise to myself that I would fall in love again.

  Boy, did I ever fuck that promise straight to hell. My chest feels tight as I swat at the tears that are rolling down my face. God, I feel like such a fool to still be crying over Cooper all these years later. My stupid heart is nothing but a big fucking vagina.

  I fall back onto my childhood bed, and just as I’m starting to drift off, my phone buzzes in my back pocket. With sleep-bleary eyes, I strain to read the message.

  Gina: Did you guys make it yet?

  Me: Yeah. We’re here. Sorry, it’s been a little overwhelming. About to take a nap.

  Gina: Did something happen? Landon still being a little fucker? Want me to come over there and give him some Auntie Gina tough lovin’?

  God, I love this girl.

  Me: Nah. I mean, yeah, he’s still upset, but it’s okay. Coop’s here.

  Gina: Here as in with you right now? Spencer...he’s married.

  Me: He’s not.

  Gina: Not there or not married?

  Me: Both.

  Gina: Well, if he’s not married, then why the fuck aren’t you fucking his brains out and showing him what he’s been missing out on for the last fifteen goddamned years?

  Me: The whole reunion was a freaking disaster. I’ll call you later and fill you in. He invited me out for a drink tonight, but I don’t think I’m gonna go.

  Gina: Uh...yeah, you are. You haven’t had sex in like three years, Spence. You could have twat rot for all we know. Take a nap. Groom the lady bits. Put on something sexy and a pair of fuck me heels and go get you some!

  Me: Maybe...Going to sleep now. Love you, Gigi!

  Cooper

  She didn’t call.

  I don’t know why that surprises me, but it does. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Spence since I held her in my arms this morning. I thought for sure she’d felt what I had. The pull. The spark. The electricity buzzing between us.

  I unlock my phone, checking one last time for any missed calls or messages, finding none. Ah, well. There’s always tomorrow.

  I turn off my truck and step out onto the gravel parking lot in front of T-Boy’s. There are exactly three other cars in the lot. Much to my disappointment, none of them are a black Tahoe.

  The sinking feeling forming in the pit of my stomach is pissing me off. I know better than to get too attached to Spencer. Those kids aren’t going anywhere any time soon, and I can’t handle being around a constant reminder of what Spence and I should have had—what we’ll never have because she’s already given away our chance at a family. I can feel the bitterness threatening to consume me.

  Taking a deep inhale of the cool, night air, I head for the hot pink neon sign that reads T-Boy’s in cursive letters.

  T-Boy’s bar is a hole in the wall that’s been here for forever. The outside is dingy cypress, and the inside is exactly what you’d expect in a small-town bar. There’s a stage in the far right corner where local bands sometimes play on the weekends. The stage is empty tonight. In the center of the room are two pool tables with Budweiser lights dangling above and straight ahead is the bar. Working behind that bar is T-Boy’s niece, Josie.

  Roy is already seated, chatting up the pretty blonde with a drink in hand.

  “Howdy, stranger,” Josie shouts as I pull out the stool next to Roy. “What brings you back ’round these parts? Thought you done got married and hauled off to Texas?”

  Good old Cedar Grove, where everybody knows all your business half the time before you do. I’m surprised word of my divorce hasn’t made it around town yet.

  “Heya, Josie. You look good.” And she does. Always has. Josie has big, blue eyes and long, blonde curls that reach the middle of her back. She has perky tits and a nice, firm ass, which are both on display tonight in a low-cut crop top and booty shorts that do little to cover her ass-ets.

  “Nuh uhn, don’t you try flatterin’ me, thinkin’ you’re gettin’ outta answerin’ my questions.” She shakes her long, bony finger in my face.

  “Nothing gets by you, does it, girl?”

  “Not a thing.” She reaches beneath the counter and pulls out a Bud Light, popping the cap and setting it on a cocktail napkin directly in front of me. “Now, spill.”

  “All right. All right.” I hold up my hand, indicating for her to hold on while taking a long pull from my beer. “By the way, hi, Roy.”

  “Hey, man.” He hits me with a handshake and a firm slap to the back. Then with a smirk, he dips his eyes at Josie. “Go on, now. Don’t keep the lady waitin’.”

  “Get on with it,” she encourages.

  I chuckle to myself, shaking my head as I answer. Guess they’ll all know by tomorrow. “I was married, and I did move to Houston for about three years. Got divorced a few months ago, and since Pops is getting ready to retire, I figured it was time to come back home and take over the firm.”

  I know better than to think that’s enough to satisfy nosy-rosy. “I’m not tryin’ to be nosy or nuthin’...” I do my best not to roll my eyes. “But why’d y’all end up gettin’ divorced?”

  I hate sharing the reason behind our divorce because people always give me that same “What the fuck is wrong with you?” look. But, I am nothing if not honest.

  Josie and Roy both stare at me in anticipation.

  “She, uh...Well, Kristy wanted children and I didn’t—don’t. So...yeah. That’s kind of a deal breaker.”

  Just like I’d expected, Josie looks at me like I’m the devil incarnate. What kind of man doesn’t want to give his wife children? Even Roy has to clear his throat and take a pull of his beer to keep from reacting.

  In Cedar Grove, marriage is still forever and divorce is just not done...That I threw a perfectly good marriage away over what is to most a natural progression when you’ve committed to sharing your life with another person will be the talk of this little town for years to come.

  There’s an awkward moment of silence before Josie’s eyes widen and a shit-eating grin spreads across her face.

  “Well, hot damn, if it ain’t Spencer LeBlanc.” Her hand starts waving wildly over her head.

  She came...I spin around in my chair to find her, but I don’t have to look too hard. Because there she is, standing a foot behind me with an expression on her face that tells me she’s been there for a while. Long enough to confirm her suspicion that I’m some child-hating ass.

  Fucking hell.

  “Hey, Princess,” I say with feigned confidence. I’m fucking shaking in my boots beneath the glare in those haunting blue eyes. “You’re, umm, giving me that Momma look again, Spence.”

  She crosses her arms on her chest, pushing her tits up in her low-cut black
top. “Yeah, well. I can’t help that I look like a mom, Coop. As much as that may disgust you.”

  My eyes roam over her body. From her waist-long black locks, mouthwatering cleavage, painted on jeans, and fuck me heels...Kids be damned, I need to touch this woman tonight. It’s been too fucking long.

  Spencer’s hands move to her waist as she cocks one hip to the side, continuing to stare as if she’s waiting on me to do or say something.

  I rise from my stool, taking a few steps forward ’til I’m close enough to feel her body heat without actually touching her. God, she smells so damned good. I snake my right arm around her waist, cup her ass, and pull her body against mine. Dipping my head down to her ear, I whisper, “I’m finding you very—” I thrust the evidence in my jeans forward, making damned sure she can feel it “—very not disgusting right now.”

  Her breath hitches and her eyes go all soft and wanting. Slowly, I begin to lean in, sure that she’s about to let me kiss her, when Spence pushes me away with both hands on my chest. “I’ll have that drink...or ten you promised me earlier.” She slaps her hands together a few times like she’s shaking off something dirty then walks over to the bar.

  My heart is racing. My dick twitches as I scrub my hand over my face with a groan. Biting my lip in frustration, I return to my seat beside her.

  It’s gonna be a long night.

  “Is it just me, Roy Nelson, or did it just get awfully hot in here?” Josie chimes, fanning herself with exaggeration.

  Roy laughs, Spencer blushes, and I take deep breaths trying to cool myself down. For once, I am definitely in agreement with Josie.

  “Hey, girl,” Spence offers, ignoring her comment. “I’ll have a Crown and Coke.” Her eyes dart in my direction and she smiles. “Go ahead and make that a double, will ya?”

  “Sure thing, girl...and can I just say that you do not look like you have three children.”