My One and Only(37)
Newborn or no, he likely wouldn’t have gotten much sleep anyway. Who knew what she might have done. If he’d played his cards right, she might have done him.
Being a good guy sucked.
When he and Haleigh finally did have sex—and they would be having sex—neither of them would be drunk. Or have recently hurled into a bed of pansies. Speaking of, he still needed to get the hose for that.
Last time he’d seen the clock, it had read three forty-five when Cooper had passed an exhausted Emma off to an even more exhausted Jessi, who carried with her a bottle and a dream. That her baby would pass out and stay out for at least five hours. Heck, four would have been an improvement.
At the same moment the scent of fresh coffee hit his nose, Cooper heard a door open down the hall. Jessi was in the kitchen, and Abby in the shower, so that left only one person. How nice of Haleigh to join them.
She breezed by the couch without so much as a glance in his direction. As she rounded the corner, he heard her say, “Coffee. Now.”
Cooper could have told her that one bottle of water was not going to be enough.
Several obvious sounds followed. A cupboard opened and closed. A mug hit the counter. Coffee filled the mug. All followed by a woman’s low moan.
And now all of Cooper was up and ready for the day. He made a quick trip to the facilities, brushed his teeth with his finger, and smoothed his hair as best he could. He’d been meaning to get a haircut for a couple weeks but hadn’t gotten around to it. That had to change today.
Ready as he’d ever be, Cooper strolled toward the kitchen, but stopped short when Jessi’s voice caught his ear.
“I don’t get it,” she said. “Why are you and Cooper not a thing?”
Something he’d like to know as well.
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a nosy kid?” Haleigh replied.
Just answer the kid’s question already.
“Just answer the question,” Jessi echoed. “He’s hot. He clearly has the hots for you.” Even the teenager figured that out? “I’ve seen you checking out his ass more than once.”
“I’m not going to argue that Cooper isn’t hot,” Haleigh said. “I’d have to be dead not to notice that. And he’s sweet and funny and probably the best guy I’ve ever met.”
Jessi’s tone turned sarcastic. “Right. Who would want a guy like that?”
“I didn’t say I don’t want him—”
“Good, you’re ready,” Abby said from behind him, startling Cooper.
“Were you a ninja in a former life?” he asked. “Warn a guy, would ya?”
Abby propped her hands on her hips. “Maybe if you weren’t eavesdropping, you’d have heard me.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” he defended. “I was trying not to interrupt their conversation.”
“Then you should have tried not interrupting from the couch.” Stepping around him, she said, “All right, girls. We’re heading out.”
Haleigh lifted a mug that read Death Before Decaf in silent salute while Jessi said, “Take me with you. I can have Emma ready in five minutes.”
“We’ve been over this, Jessi. I can’t take you and the baby to work.”
“But I’m going crazy. I’ve forgotten what the sky looks like.”
Abby filled her travel mug with coffee as she said, “Step outside and look up. It’s in the same place it’s always been.”
Even Cooper thought that was a bit harsh. “See if our mom will sit with Emma this evening, and I’ll come take you for a ride.”
“Mama has a date,” Abby said, then stared at the silent faces gaping back at her. “What?”
“Since when does our mother date?” Cooper asked. “And why haven’t I heard about this before now? Who is he? Have you met him?”
Grabbing a breakfast bar from the pantry, Abby said, “Gee, I wonder why she hasn’t told you? Could it be that reaction right there?” She grabbed her keys off the hook by the light switch. “See you ladies tonight. Haleigh Rae, find me at work. I’d like to hear the story of why I’m taking my brother home at seven in the morning.”
When had his cheerful sister gotten so stern?
“Hey,” he said, tracking her into the foyer. “I want to know who Mama’s dating.”
“Just move it,” she tossed over her shoulder. “I’ll tell you on the way.”
Chapter 12
Jessi stared at Haleigh with wide eyes. “Do you think he heard us?”
“I don’t know,” she replied, distracted by Abby’s parting comment. Haleigh knew that tone. Abby wasn’t happy with her. But then Haleigh wasn’t all that happy with herself, either. Last night had been bad. Very bad. She’d be lucky if Raquel didn’t drive over from Memphis just to smack her upside the head. A beating she well deserved. “He’s too upstanding to eavesdrop, so I doubt it.”