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NINETEEN
COOPER
Maren and I have spent every minute together since I had surgery. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she wanted to spend the rest of the day or night alone, but I get a text from her as it’s getting dark.
Maren:
Pops and Corbin caught a ton of catfish. They’re frying it up for dinner. Want to join us?
Me:
Absolutely.
Maren:
Eight o’clock?
Me:
I’ll be there.
That gives me enough time to shower. The bandages have been removed from the three small incisions on my abdomen. Standing naked in front of the mirror, I can’t resist running my fingertips over them. Tender to the touch, they’re a deep pink color and don’t look too bad. A good tan this summer will probably cover them up.
After getting cleaned up, I drive down to the convenience store to grab a twelve pack of beer, then head over to Maren’s.
“What are you doing?” Maren asks as soon as I step inside, carrying the beer. “You aren’t supposed to be lifting anything.”
“It’s not a case, for fuck’s sake.”
“I swear I’m going to tie you to the bed.”
“You know that’s not a threat, right?”
Ronnie pokes his head into the room before she can reply. “Did I hear something about beer?”
Chuckling, I set them on the dining table. “Already cold. Thanks for the invitation. Need any help?”
“Nope, we have everything under control. Get yourself comfortable.”
He retreats to the kitchen with the beer, and Maren gestures for me to join her at the table. “I escaped. Those two are impossible to cook with.”
Corbin’s voice comes from the kitchen. “Would you move your ass over?”
“If you’d stop standing in front of the one damn drawer I need to get into, I would,” Ronnie replies.
“Where would you like me to stand?”
“Middle of the road sounds good.”
Maren and I grin at one another while the good natured arguing continues. “I see where you get it from.”
“My quick wit?” she teases.
“Your argumentative nature.”
“I’m not argumentative. You’re just wrong a lot.”
“You’re now arguing over being argumentative.”
