Page 68 of The One Before

“This and that. Nothing important.”

They must have been discussing something, and Coop’s not telling me. That’s not a good sign. He steps forward and kisses me, this time on the lips. When I back away, he pulls me in closer, sliding his tongue into my mouth, then moving to my neck.

“What do you say we break our little pact?” he asks. “Just for tonight.”

“Now that the wedding is moved up, it won’t be much longer,” I whisper, giving him a playful push.

“Tonight reminded me of the old us. It made me realize how much I’ve missed you.” He leans in again, nuzzling my neck and rubbing his hands atop my skirt.

I pull his head close to mine and give him a passionate kiss. Enough to make him think I’m longing for intimacy the way he is. “Some things are worth the wait.”

He backs away slowly and smiles. “As you wish, Mrs. Douglas.”

He walks upstairs. I stay in the kitchen doing mindless chores for the next twenty minutes. When I enter the bedroom, I’m happy to see Coop is fast asleep.

Fifty-Three

June 16, 2006

As they bumped over the water, Roman thought about Celia. He’d always had his eye on her, even when he was still in high school. When Cooper made his move, he backed off, but he couldn’t ignore his feelings. Sleeping with his brother’s girlfriend was the most dishonest thing he’d ever done, but he believed, in time, his brother would forgive him. Cooper would understand she wasn’t just some girl. She was Celia. Cooper would move on and find another; Roman wasn’t sure he ever would.

Roman wanted to tell her how he felt, but he knew a debate with Celia could last hours. For whatever reason, she wasn’t ready to commit to a relationship yet. That was okay. She was young, too. He knew eventually she’d come around. She’d have to. After the few weeks they’d spent together that summer, he could no longer imagine a world without her.

It was now completely dark. The dock posts were decorated with lights, but they weren’t enough to combat the black skies. Roman turned on the boat’s overhead strobe and eased closer to the bank. Celia sat with crossed arms at the stern. Roman didn’t speak, but his aggravated maneuvering of the boat said enough. The way he threw down the anchor, stomped from one end to the next. He couldn’t stop thinking about the one thing he couldn’t have, the only person who didn’t want him back. And yet, Celia looked so beautiful; the light falling on her features at the perfect angle made him want her even more.

“I love you, Celia,” he said, against his better judgment. He’d never been so forward with another girl, so desperate. Maybe if he could make her understand the lengths he’d go for her love, she’d change her mind.

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“I mean it. I do.” He kneeled in front of her, rubbing from her knees to the fleshy tops of her thighs. She felt slick from suntan lotion and lake water, but he didn’t care. He wanted all of her.

“I don’t need you to love me,” Celia said, pushing him away. “I’m with Cooper.”

“Cooper is a follower. He’s my brother, and I love him, but he’s never going to be with you the way you want.”

Celia started to tear up. She had to know parts of what he said were true. Roman knew that’s why she’d slept with him in the first place. Being with Cooper felt like work. She must be tired of trying to mold him, show him the way. With Roman, she could just be.

He kissed her. She gave his shoulders a light nudge, but eventually relented. Celia could never turn down a good kiss, and this was one, in the comfort of Roman’s arms at the dark dock. They were so lost in that moment, they didn’t hear the crunch of footsteps on grass. They didn’t see the flashlight’s glare. They didn’t realize they weren’t alone until they heard a voice.

“What in the hell is going on here?” a person shouted.

Roman and Celia froze in fear.

Fifty-Four

Madison

After Coop leaves for work, I slide into leggings, a sports bra and jacket. I slick my hair into a ponytail and drive straight to Whisper Falls Park. This is the first time I’d describe the weather as cold. According to the weekly forecast, it’s probably just a spell. Winter won’t fully arrive for another month or so. Today it feels like a different season. Something about the gray sky and stiff grass. I jog toward the running track and then my phone rings. It’s Cooper. Adrenaline shoots up my neck, hot and sharp. Does he know I’m here? I answer.

“Are you still at the house?” he asks. He must know. He probably checked my location on our phones. Does he do this every morning now? I wonder.

“No,” I say, keeping my voice steady and calm. “I decided to go for a run in the park.”

“In this weather?”

“It’s not too bad, once I break a sweat.” I can hear phones ringing and the copier going in the background, so I know he’s at the office. I try to shake off the feeling I’m being watched. “What’s up?”

“I left my lunch at the house. I was wondering if you’d bring it to me.”

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