Page 80 of You Can Make Me
“Sir, yes, sir.” I waggled my eyebrows, dropped my gaze to his boxers and back up with a pointed look.
“I’m surrounded by jokers.” Denny groaned. “Come on, Kal,” he said, shaking the big guy’s hand. “Be an adult with me?”
“Maybe when you’re not in your underwear.”
Everyone laughed, and it was fine. I was fine. Everything was fine. I could breathe.
Nineteen
Denny
I finally understood why Cooper was surprised about my, what did he call it? Penchant for casual nudity? I never would have thought twice about hanging out with my Marine buddies in my skivvies, but these guys looked at me different. Not, like, inappropriate. More like it meant something different to them.
Got it.
I excused myself to shower, and when I came back, fully dressed this time, Dane had a plate ready for me and everyone was sitting around the table chatting and laughing. My heart soared to see Cooper talking excitedly with these men who I knew would be good for him. Cooper needed to resuscitate his social life as well as his career, and this group of men were exactly the kind of caring, understanding, and intelligent people he should know in case…
A sharp pain lanced my chest, and I rubbed at the spot.
Good for him if something happens to you.
Fuck, I didn’t want to even think about that, but it was true. The previous night’s little episode was a reminder of my vulnerability, and I hated it. It wasn’t fair. We’d been through so much. I needed to find the sweet spot between cautious and optimistic when it came to our future together. I had to be positive for Cooper, even if I had my own worries.
It was as if I’d brought something back from that little nightmare to have me quaking in my boots, and I hated it.
I took my seat next to him and thanked Dane for the breakfast with a prayer hands gesture. Cooper reached over to squeeze my leg but continued his back and forth with the guys about their new collaboration, Ryan Wells and The Travellers.
“Wait, do you prefer Dane or Dee Dee?” he asked, his eyes wide.
Dane wrinkled his nose. “I don’t mind either of them, but if there’s more than just us around, it’s gotta be Dee Dee. Not that we’ve been around too many people other than Gene and Sam, our moms, Walter’s kids, and Walter’s ex-wife Lisa. Things will be different when we go out on tour.”
Dane’s smile faded a tad, but Kal reached over to pat his hand. Dane leaned back in the chair and hugged his knees in front of him.
“Are you happy to be back playing? Touring? I guess it will be very different than what you’re used to. The technology for sure is different.” Cooper’s tone was gentle and kind, which was what always won him the respect and trust of the people he interviewed. I hoped it worked the same with potential friends.
“Yeah. The whole time jump has taken a lot to get used to.”
“I can only imagine,” Cooper breathed, leaning forward. I figured he’d be fascinated by Dane and his tale, just as I was.
“So what do we know?” Ryan asked, and the table got quiet. He addressed his question to Dane and me.
“They should have the ID on that body they found sometime today, but Walter is convinced it’s not Evans.”
“It’s not,” Kal said, and all eyes turned on him. He cleared his throat. “I’ve dreamt of him.”
Cooper gasped. “I have, too.”
“So have I,” Dane admitted. “But I can’t tell where he is. It’s not like last time. He knows I can find him, so he’s masking his presence somehow.”
Bastard.This helpless feeling was not attractive on me. How the fuck was I supposed to fight an enemy I couldn’t catch by the usual methods?
“So we use the board,” Kal said.
Cooper’s eyes flared, and he looked to me.
“I don’t know,” Dane said, rubbing at the scar on his cheek. “I’m afraid to go in unless I’m confident he won’t be able to get to us.”
“What’s it like?” Cooper’s voice was so quiet.
