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"I don't sound ticked off. I'm just... curious," I added lamely.
"Could've fooled me. Look, I don't want to get into all the details because they are hers to share. But she's had a rough few days, so take it easy on her, would you? I don't get it. You and Haley used to get along so well, but since college, you act like she’s your sworn enemy."
I sighed. "That’s not it. I think she got... too good for us," I admitted, hoping the truth wasn't showing through.
"Speak for yourself," she huffed. "Look, I shouldn't be telling you this, because it's none of your business, but the guy she was going to marry was not a good dude and she found out the hard way literally right before the ceremony. I'm just grateful she had the guts to get out of there when she did."
Everything in me stilled. I didn't like the sound of this. For all of my anger with Haley for what she did to us, she didn’t deserve to be treated poorly. I was dying to know what happened, so I would know who I needed to hurt.
I grimaced to myself. Only Haley could still make me want to protect her after everything that happened between us.
"Cooper? Do me a favor. I know she's not your favorite person for whatever reason, but can you keep an eye on her?"
I laughed, "Keep an eye on her? Why would she need me to do that?"
"She probably doesn’t. But I need you to do it for me. I wish I could've gotten away long enough to come with her and make sure she's all right, but we're short-staffed and..."
"I know Tess. You need to be at home."
"She’s been put through the wringer the last couple of years. Life hasn’t been easy for Haley since her parents died. I'm afraid this crap with Marcus will bring everything to a head."
I could hear the concern in Tess's voice and I couldn't help but feel concerned myself. Turns out there is still a piece of me that worries if Haley is okay or not.
"Yeah, I'll look after her, don't worry," I assured my little sister.
"Thanks, Cooper."
"No problem, but you know once Hanalei gets its hands on her, they'll be the ones looking after her."
She laughed, "Good, she needs that more than anything right now."
We said our goodbyes and hung up as I paced around the house until I couldn't take my own restlessness anymore. I marched out to the carport and grabbed a surfboard.
It would be hot out there right now, and busier than I prefer, but I needed to do something with my body other than worry about Haley, and then fantasize about all the ways I could make her forget about her troubles.
But my hope of burning off a little steam when I got in the water was short-lived.
I was bobbing on the water, staring at the same shoreline where I had taken a young Haley a dozen times. I'd promised her the world, and I had every intention of giving it to her until she took that option away.
I wouldn't have done whatever this Marcus asshole did to her. Tess hadn't elaborated, but it was clear he didn’t deserve Haley.
I tried my best to stay out of the loop when it came to the girl who broke my heart. Of course, I knew she was an art teacher at an elementary school and when her parents died in a car accident, I'd sent an anonymous bouquet of flowers. The only reason I knew she was getting married was because Tess keptgoing on and on about the horrible maid of honor dress she was being forced to wear. But I tried to tune out anything else I heard about what she was doing because I couldn't stand the thought of her living her life without me after all the plans we had made.
"Shit," I cursed to myself as I swam back to shore. I scooped up my surfboard and headed in the opposite direction of the bungalow towards to the General Store.
I walked inside looking for anything to distract me when Mahina called out, "What's got your panties in a bunch?"
I looked at her sharply. "Panties? What panties?"
She rolled her eyes. "Good God, Cooper, do you always have to be so literal? What's wrong with you? You look a little... tense."
"I'm just thinking," I snapped.
She raised a devious eyebrow at me. "I can see how that pains you," she said dryly. "This wouldn't have anything to do with a pretty young lady staying next door to you, would it?"
I looked away, not wanting her to observe me too closely and reveal my true feelings.
"No," I said, hoping that sounded nonchalant. "What would make you say that?"
