Page 132 of Cougar

“Where are you going?” Cam asks in a deep, sleepy voice.

“I’m gonna go wash my face and change out of these clothes.”

“Okay,” he murmurs. “Hurry back.”

Exiting the bathroom, I’m met by the sound of Cam’s soft snore and I smile. I knew that between the Grammys after-party, the three-hour time difference, a five-hour flight, and all the drama in between, it would eventually catch up with him.

Grabbing my robe, I head to the kitchen, just rounding the corner when Harper says, “Cole and I had a fight earlier. I think he cheated on me with Ashton, the same girl who did this to my chin.”

“What is wrong with these boys?” Grace asks, but it’s rhetorical.

“They’re idiots,” I say as I wrap my arms around Harper from the side and stare down at the picture on her phone of a girl sitting on Cole’s lap. “Sweetie, if you learn anything from me, it’s that pictures aren’t always what they seem. Have you seen the ones of Jay online? It didn’t take those assholes long to try and dig up dirt on my kid, but all they found was a picture of Ace kissing her. I’m pretty sure I know who leaked that picture, and as soon as I confirm it, I’m going to destroy that little bitch.” I release her and move to the other side of the kitchen. “Cole’s a cocky little asshole, and right now, he and Zach are on my shit list for the way they treated Jay tonight. But neither of them is dumb enough to cheat.”

“What did they do to Jay?”

“I’m not really sure.” I set three mugs on the island and drop a tea bag in each one. “She won’t talk to me.”

Grace begins pouring hot water into each cup. “Mr. Z was upset with her over the pictures.”

“Of Ace?” I ask.

“The ones from this afternoon with Tyge Reynolds,” Grace explains.

Harper frowns. “I didn’t see those.”

I blow on my tea before taking a sip. “Tyge’s father, Jack, is our lawyer. Tyge and Jay both just happened to be in the same place at the same time.”

Harper wrinkles her nose. “That’s so messed up.”

“It is. And it’s why I do what I do. This is the shit her father and I tried to protect her from for the last eighteen years. Her skin isn’t thick enough to handle the bullshit stories or the criticism. That bitch reporter, Kelly Cuntinger”—Harper laughs out loud and Grace giggles. I smile and wave dismissively—“Cunninger, whatever, went too far this time harassing my daughter. If it had been five minutes later, I would’ve been arrested for knocking that orange bitch on her ass.”

“Is Jay okay?”

“She will be.” I sigh, staring down at the counter. “I hope.”

My gaze moves to Grace, who gives a slight shake of her head.

“So what are you and Cole fighting about?” I ask Harper. “Did you tell him the truth?”

“No. Believe me, I’ve wanted to tell him the truth many times, but things between us are—were—just so… intense. I’m afraid.”

I frown. “Afraid of what?”

“That I’ll lose him. But I don’t think it matters now.” She nods toward her phone, the screen now dark. “My ex showed up at Mac’s this afternoon before my shift. He said he divorced his wife.” She rolls her eyes. “Then he kissed me. I didn’t kiss him back, but Cole saw the whole thing. Josh threw out some shady insults and made things worse before he took off. Cole wouldn’t even let me talk. He just left.” She nods to the phone again. “And ran straight into the arms of the enemy.”

“Harper, I know it looks bad, but just like I’ve told Jay, don’t assume. I think it’s time for you both to have the talk. Lay it all out for him.”

“Yeah.” She wipes at a couple tears. “I think so, too.”

* * *

The next morning, Jay is at the counter pushing her half-eaten breakfast around on her plate. Leaning with my elbows on the counter, I ask, “Are you gonna talk to me today, or do you still hate me?”

“Jesus, Mom.” She throws her hands out, clearly exasperated. “I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. You’re my ride or die. Just give me some time to process, okay? The past twenty-four hours have been pretty freakin’ shitty.”

“I don’t know what ‘ride or die’ means, but I’ll take it.” I reach into the pocket of my robe and set the box on the counter. “Happy Valentine’s Day. This is from your dad and me.”

Her eyes welling up with tears, she reaches for the box and removes the lid to reveal a white gold necklace with a heart-shaped diamond pendant.

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