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“Maybe I was wrong. Looks like you’re about to eat my sausage.”
Nikki takes a deep breath and turns toward him. “It’s a little small for my liking, but I can see that’s a common thread in this house.”
Coop’s jaw tightens, and I realize I should probably intervene before they beat the shit out of each other.
“Everything okay in here?” I walk into the kitchen and grab some plates from the cabinet.
“Your brother is an asshole.” Nikki pushes Cooper out of the way so she can rotate the bacon and sausage.
Coop shoots me a she’s crazy look, and I sigh.
“Nikki, could you please play nice with my brother?” I’d swear I’m talking to a room full of four year olds.
She doesn’t answer, just continues cooking the food. After a minute she plates the meat, along with scrambled eggs. She sets a plate on the table in front of Coop, and I frown.
“I want some.”
Nikki ignores me and looks at Coop. “I was making you breakfast so I could apologize for the way I acted toward you yesterday and thank you for letting me stay the night. But I can see now you don’t deserve the apology or the gratitude. Enjoy your breakfast, Coop.”
Nikki turns away, wipes down the counter where she was working, and heads for the hallway.
I kick Coop in the shin under the table. “I think that was her way of saying I’m sorry. She’s my manager, bro. At least play nice.”
Coop rolls his eyes and looks at Nikki’s retreating form. “Where do you think you’re going?” he hollers.
She stops but doesn’t turn around. “Don’t worry, Coop, I’ll be out of your house by the time you clean your plate.”
“Shit.” He looks at me like I somehow caused this. “Get your ass back in here and eat breakfast with us.”
Nikki looks over her shoulder.
“Now’s not the time to let your pride get in the way,” I warn. “Get in here and eat. Whoever eats the fastest eats the most.”
She ponders my offer but ultimately gives in. With a huff and a little quickness to her step, she comes back into the kitchen and makes herself a plate.
We eat in silence, which is totally cool with me, and once our plates are empty, Nikki starts to clean off the table.
Coop stops her. “You cooked; I’ll clean.”
“See?” I chastise. “Look at us getting along. That wasn’t hard, was it?”
They both answer at the same time: Nikki with a rolled-up napkin aimed at my head and Coop with a fuck off.
“You got any plans today?” Nikki asks, looking at me.
“Umm…” I glance at Coop. He holds up his hands.
“Count me out. I’ve got to go to Dirty Dicks this afternoon and work on inventory.”
“If you’re not busy, I was thinking you could take me out to your parents’ ranch and show me around.”
“Yeah, I guess we can go out there, check out some spots for the shoot.”
Nikki places her hand on my arm and smiles. “As long as you don’t mind spending the day with an old friend.” She winks.
Not at all. You’re just not the old friend I was hoping to spend it with. “If I have to.”
She slaps my arm and stands up. “I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be ready in an hour.”
