Page 55 of You Can Make Me
“You weren’t stupid. I was bad at communicating?—”
“And we’re so much better now. We’re a team. And before you say it, because I can see you coming up with excuses, I know I can take care of myself now. I don’t expect you to take care of me.”
“I love taking care of you.” That was a most surprising admission. Before Cooper, before his injury even, I never pictured myself being the domestic guy. Never thought I’d get married again, never thought I’d have someone else in my space, but I loved it with Cooper. It had been hard, so hard, but never because I didn’t want to be doing it.
He pressed his forehead to mine again, and whispered, “I let you go before, and I never want to let you go again. Please say you want me, too?”
“Keep me. I want you.”
He pulled back and his entire face lit up. He put his hands on my cheeks and kissed me deeply. “God, I love you. Okay, I’ll call the moving company I used last time to pack up and move you out of your?—”
“I gave up my place almost two months ago. Gene helped me arrange it, once he was done being mad at me.” He had the cutest perplexed expression. “I’d already decided no matter what happened, I was done with Bakersfield. Without my job, there was no reason for me to stay.”
His smile fell. “I’m so sorry, Denny. I didn’t mean for you to give up your job.”
“We already talked about this, baby. I’m an old man. It was time for me to go. If this whole situation hadn’t happened, I’d have likely stayed until I really got hurt, or worse.” I lifted his chin so he’d look at me. “I’ve had surgery on both knees, my back is shot, and there’s this bullshit with my heart to consider. Plus, I’ve got more important things to do now.”
“You do.” He blew out a breath and nodded. “Let’s call tomorrow, and we can arrange to have your stuff there when we get home. Today is what, Sunday? And my appointments are on Wednesday? We can head back tomorrow or Tuesday, get settled. I can arrange for my assistant to come by on Monday morning, she’s super flexible and great about getting the basics for me so I don’t have to worry about groceries when I get home from a trip.”
“Ginnyisgreat. She and I have been in touch since you were in the hospital.” I winked at him. It was a relief to hear Cooper strategizing his return to real life. We’d come such a long way.
“I’m… Sorry, sometimes I forget you’ve taken care of everything for me this whole time.” His eyes filled with tears, and my chest tightened, waiting for his next move. I knew it was part of his new normal, but it hurt my heart every time he cried, especially over little things, like when he buttoned his shirt crooked three times in a row.
Cooper’s emotions remained close to the surface, a lingering effect from his brain injury. His appointment Wednesday was with the neurologist for a follow-up CT scan and to check his progress with physical therapy. They also needed to discuss medication for migraines, which continued to plague him from time to time. He had a list of plastic surgeons and dermatologists he wanted to talk to about his scars, but he seemed less concerned than before. The redness was nearly gone on his facial scars, and with the neatly groomed beard, the one by his mouth and cheek was much less noticeable.
“Don’t cry, baby,” I said, stroking the back of his head. “I have loved every minute we’ve spent together, the tough parts and the great ones equally. Whatever happens next, we’ll face it together, yeah? I’ll be right by your side.”
I hoped my hesitation didn’t register in my voice.
I was scared, and I hated that feeling as much as he did.
Cooper leaned across me to pick up my buzzing phone the next morning.
“I swear, you sleep so hard. I wonder how you used to pop right out of bed and run to crime scenes in the dead of night.”
I rubbed my face and took the phone from him.
“Guess this old dog can learn new— Oh God, Coop.”
He’d crawled under the blankets and was loving me so good, but the text on the screen had me halting what probably wouldhave been yet another mind-blowing orgasm. I placed my hand on his jaw, and he stilled.
He pulled the covers back and frowned at me. “You better get used to this, now that we’re making it official and you’re moving in with me. I plan to wake you like this most days. Others I’ll?—”
“They think they found Evans’ body.”
Cooper got to his knees. “That’s…wow. Good, right? It means Dee Dee and Walter can breathe a little easier?”
“Meanswecan breathe easier.” The three dots floated for a few seconds and then another text from Walter came through.
I think it’s time for a sitrep.
I pushed up and leaned against the headboard, debating what my response to Walter should be.
He and I had been texting the past month, but I’d warned him not to share any personal information with me. I knew Cooper would ask, and I didn’t want to keep anything from him. I also told Walter I wanted Dee Dee to decide when and if he was ready to talk to Cooper. Based on Walter’s texts, both men were open to it, whenever we were ready. I just had to talk it over with Cooper and decideifwe were ready.
“Yeah. I think we all will.” Cooper lay back down and did his morning hip stretches, and going by the look on his face, he was sore.
“Did we go too hard with the deadlifts yesterday?”
