AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Have you lost your mind!”I scream at him. “You’re going to go to jail. Just let me out like this fine officer said.”
“Fine?” he grumbles. It’s an all too familiar sound.
I can’t believe he’s giving me a hard time about a word I used to describe the officer when he just kidnapped me. Actually, I can believe it. Cooper was possessive from the second I met him. Until he suddenly wasn’t. I’m not sure what changed all those years ago, and I’m also not sure what has once again changed for him.
“You stole his kid?” Big Ed asks. Of course, he would point that out. Men always stick together no matter what.
“This is bullshit. I didn’t steal shit. I got the papers. You signed over your rights. The only name on his birth certificate is mine, and I fought to have that. I fought for him when they wanted me to give him away. So fuck you!” I’m not about to take shit from either one of them.
Both Cooper and Big Ed stare at me with wide, shocked eyes. I try to seize the moment and make my escape by diving into the passenger seat. My hands wrap around the handle to open the door, but Cooper’s giant ass arm comes out and stops me.
How has he gotten bigger? He already had a broad frame when we were kids. But now he’s all man. Not that I’m looking or anything. I’m just trying to size him up and figure out my next move.
“I have no fucking clue what you’re talking about,” Cooper grits out.
“Don’t curse at me, asshole!” I hiss at him. I’m so mad my hands start to shake. I try to get myself together, knowing exactly what’s coming next. But it’s too late, the stupid tears begin to roll down my cheeks before I can calm myself down. “Let me out.”
“Coop.” Big Ed finally speaks again. “Maybe you should let her out so you both can calm down.”
“I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Too. Late.” I snap out each word. Cooper stares at me, and I think that maybe he’s going to let this go.
This is a mess already. Sadie saw what happened. She's going to ask questions, and then Van will ask them too. I know she already called her dad based on what Big Ed said about the call that was made to the mayor. It didn’t go unnoticed by me how Cooper’s grip had tightened on the steering wheel when Big Ed said the wordhusband.
“I can’t. I let you go once.”
“You did. You let me go. Now—” I’m cut off by the sound of screeching tires. I whip my head around to see Van’s Jeep pull in behind us. He’s out of his vehicle almost before it comes to a stop. Oh crap. Things are about to get real interesting now. This is not how I would have ever wanted to tell him about Cooper.
“Hey!” Big Ed shouts at him.
“It’s my son!” I shout.
“Well, shit. He does look like you,” Ed mutters to Cooper.
“Where is my mom?” I quickly wipe my cheeks, trying to hide that I was crying. I don’t want Van to see me upset. Nor do I want his first interaction with Cooper to be on a negative note.
“Let me out.” Cooper’s arm doesn’t move. “Please. Don’t meet him this way,” I beg. Finally, he lets go. “I’m fine.” I step out, reassuring Van that there’s nothing to worry about.
“Fine? Sadie said someone kidnapped you.”
“It was a joke. He’s an old friend.” My laugh is forced. I hate myself for it.
“Mom—”
“Did you leave school? You can’t walk out of school. You’ll get in trouble.”
“What’s going on?”
“We’ll talk about it later.” I can tell he doesn’t want to leave. “I took Sadie to school, but you’re taking her home,” I remind him.
“I know, Mom.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you tonight.”
He gives me another skeptical look but gets back in his Jeep. Probably because there is a cop here so he thinks I must be fine. I let out a breath of relief when his Jeep turns around and heads back toward the school. I drop my ass back down into the passenger seat sideways with my feet still outside.
“I have a son,” Cooper whispers. I thought we already established that, but it might be sinking in for him finally.
