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“I do. And I think you can count on them to be in your corner if and when you do decide to tell them.”
“I keep thinking I should be ready to confront my mother with the truth by now. She’s obviously kicked her drug habit. I’ve had several meetings with her and multiple phone calls and texts. She seems like a genuinely nice person. You and your mom seem to think so too.”
“Go at your own pace. You’re the one bearing all the risk here.” The ultimate risk for her, he believed: rejection.
“Thanks.” She gave a wry laugh. “You always make me feel so much better.”
A warm wave flushed through him and his lips melted into a smile. “Right back atcha, Skittles.” He checked the clock. “Unfortunately, I’m out of time. I’ll have to head to work now.”
“I’ll be praying all of this works out, Cooper.”
He started his truck. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
They said good-bye, and with one last glance at the apartment door, Cooper pulled from the parking lot. He only hoped the rumor didn’t spread far and wide before he could get Megan to set it straight.
28
Cooper was sliding into his cruiser when his phone buzzed for an incoming text. He’d been called out to a Poppy’s Pizza, which had alarmed. Turned out the manager was getting forgetful and couldn’t recall the password. Cooper’s ears were still ringing from the piercing alarm, but the security company had finally helped him shut it off. The manager, Helen, had been upset and disoriented at first. He stayed, offering comfort and reassurance, until Poppy showed up.
Cooper started his cruiser, jacked up the air, and checked in with the office. When he was all caught up he checked the text that had come in. Mom.
I need to talk to you. Can you stop by or meet me for lunch?
Dread rippled through him. The pregnancy rumor had definitely gotten back to Mom and before he’d had the chance to warnher. He slammed a palm against the steering wheel. He should’ve known it wouldn’t take long, not for something this juicy. He didn’t want to talk about this at the station, and he sure didn’t want to discuss it at the diner, surrounded by prying ears.
I can grab lunch and meet you at the house about 12:30?
Sounds good.
He scowled as he pulled from the parking lot. So much for getting on top of the rumor.
Cooper held no grand hopes that his mom’s favorite chicken salad sandwich would soothe her ruffled feathers—but that hadn’t stopped him from waiting in the deli line for fifteen minutes. The speculative stares from the deli workers and a stilted conversation in line with Gus Ferguson confirmed Cooper’s suspicion that the rumor had circulated.
The minutes ticked by slowly as he waited for his food. His face flushed and his skin prickled. The air seemed thick and stuffy. By the time his order was in hand, he was relieved to leave the crowded shop behind.
The drive to his mother’s house was short. She met him at the door, uncharacteristic frown lines drawing her brows together. “Hi, honey. Come on in. I already have the table set.”
He kissed her cheek as he passed, then headed to the kitchen, where he set the bags on the table. They sank into chairs on opposite sides of the table, unbagged their lunches, then Cooper offered a quick prayer.
“I heard a rumor when I was in town this morning,” Mom said.
Cooper held up both hands, palms out. “I’m sorry. I should’vecalled you earlier, but I got busy and I didn’t think it would spread that fast. I already know all about the rumor—and it’s not true.”
“You’re my son. I already know that. Now start from the beginning.”
Cooper told her about Amber’s accusation on their date Sunday night. Then caught her up to speed through this morning when he’d gone to Megan’s apartment, making sure she understood he’d never gotten physical with Megan. “Things did end on a bad note though. I suspect she might be a chronic liar.”
“Well, you know how I feel about lying.” She set down her sandwich. “This rumor sounds like the spiteful work of a bitter woman to me. And I know you said it ended because of that lie, but...” Mom gave him a pointed look. “Maybe she actually had feelings for you. Sometimes women take relationships far more seriously than men do.”
The comment stung as it hit its target, especially since she wasn’t the first to mention it. Did he play a little too fast and loose with women? Maybe. He was definitely noncommittal, but he made a point of not drawing things out if he wasn’t feeling it. It was how he managed to maintain the friendship after he ended things.
Mom was still giving him that disapproving look mothers everywhere had down pat. This was not the first such warning she’d extended, and it was as close to anI told you soas she’d ever give.
“Point taken,” he said.
“I’m not saying this is your fault. Clearly she has a problem, and her behavior is inexcusable. I could just wring the girl’s neck.”
“The rumor’s making the rounds. I could tell by the way people treated me at the deli.”
