“What do you want now?” I muttered.
The cat sat motionless while we stared at one another.
“What?” I pleaded.
The patio light flickered, causing me to glance over my shoulder at the door. When I turned back, the cat was gone.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: Mike
Eleven Years Ago
My senior year started a few weeks after the tragic death of my dad. The loss of him that summer was devastating and I’d leaned on Coop to help me with the hurt. He was there for me from day one. He was also there for Mom. If it hadn’t been for his family stepping up like they did, Mom and I may have crumbled from the loss.
Cooper and I had turned seventeen that July. We both felt like grownups as we pondered what being seniors actually meant. I particularly felt thrust into the role of being man of the house even though my mother was more than capable of running things. Mom had always been head of our household but now I felt the pressure to be more supportive.
To help distract me from my grief, I filled out college applications with Cooper. We were both hoping to be accepted at Washington State University which was just across the border. Jennifer complained about me wanting to be with Coop in Pullman, instead of with her in Seattle.
“What is it with you two?” she griped. “Personally, and this is just my opinion as your girlfriend, I think it’s time for the two of you to move on from this . . .” She needed a moment to define our closeness. “This . . . what should I call it?” she continued. “Well, I dunno, but it’s weird. You know, the closeness and all,” she explained.
“You think our friendship is weird?” I asked. “Coop is like a brother to me.”
“And I am like your future,” she countered. “You two will soon be eighteen and he needs to go his own way so we can go ours.”
“That ain’t happening, Jen,” I insisted. “Not in this lifetime anyway.” I stole a French fry from her tray and stuffed it in my mouth. “He ain’t with us right now is he?” I argued.
“Surprisingly.” She slapped at my hand when I went in for another fry or five. “People are talking about you two.”
“Bullshit!” I hissed. I’d heard chatter over the years but Coop and I never ran from the gossip. He was an out gay guy and I had the hottest chick in school. “That shit has been batted around for years, Jen. Even if I were gay, I wouldn’t give a shit telling anyone. You missing anything from me?” I asked.
She blushed, knowing exactly what I was talking about. She pulled the straw in her milkshake toward her and sipped on it as she raised her eyes to me and smiled. “No,” she admitted.
“Well, good then,” I stated. “You lemme know when I’m not a good boyfriend.”
Jen giggled and tucked loose strands of her blond hair behind an ear. She was stunning to look at and she knew it. I wasn’t the type of boyfriend that followed her around school or hung out at her locker while other dudes fawned over her. That was why she chose to be with me. Jealousy wasn’t one of my problems in regards to her because I was smart enough to know my indifference was what kept her interested in me. She hated guys that drooled over her even though their attention fed her ego. Most guys my age never understood that playing it cool worked better with girls. Besides, the only jealousy I felt was because of Cooper and the new guy who had moved to town at the end of our junior year.
“Is Cooper with Mike Hastings today?” Jen asked. “The rumor is they’re dating,” she added.
I knew she was studying my reaction so I did my best to keep a calm face. “So now people are saying they’re boyfriends? Not him and me?” I quipped. “I’m not sure where he is,” I lied. “Cooper doesn’t tell me where he is every five seconds.” He actually did but she didn’t need to know that. Coop and I texted constantly and updated each other throughout the day. Perhaps it was a bit much but we were close like that.
“Hmmm,” she mused, raising an eyebrow and still studying me. “He is sorta cute though. You know, Mike Hastings.”
“I know who you’re talking about,” I fumed. So much for my nonchalantreaction to her line of questioning. “Rumor has it he’s not gay,” I added for clarity.
“But I heard that Cooper is highly persuasive,” she countered, quoting the air with her perfectly painted fingernails. “I don’t suppose you’ve ever been persuaded have you, Mike?”
I glared at her and leaned forward so the nosy old geezer next to us wouldn’t hear me. Grampa had been staring at Jennifer and her low cut midriff top since we walked in. “I might be if you don’t give it up soon,” I said.
Jennifer attempted to slap my face so I leaned back. She turned fifty shades of red. “Stop,” she giggled. “He’s listening,” she added, gesturing to the older man next to us who was munching on his Big Mac.
“I ain’t gay if that’s what you’re asking?”
“I know that, silly, besides I’m saving myself for marriage.” Jen pulled the lid off of her cup and dipped a fry into the milkshake. She moved the fry to her lips where it lingered for a moment before she licked off the cool dessert. “Mmmm,” she teased, taunting me. “Tasty.”
“I wouldn’t know,” I quickly complained since I’ve been wanting her to suck on my cock since we first started dating. “I got something bigger than that fry,” I added, grinning at the dude next to us as he perked up after hearing my wisecrack.
“I don’t do that,” she declared. “That’s gross and us cheerleaders will not be partaking.”
“Partaking?” I asked, acting all offended. “Who the fuck are you? Mother Teresa?”
