Page 7 of Rebels and Roses

Cooper had a decent idea already. But there was always a chance that Fiona had changed in the years they’d been apart.

“She told me I was being paranoid, and I needed to get my shit together. She said I was talking like a crazy person.”

Nope, she hadn’t changed. Fiona didn’t beat around the bush. She was a straight talker who didn’t coddle anyone’s delicate feelings.

“Did she suggest you call me?”

“No, she’d never do that. She suggested that I get away. Take some time from work and go on vacation. Rest up. She suggested that I’d been working too hard. I took her advice. Sort of. I put in for a vacation and came here.”

“Here?” Cooper echoed. “Not Las Vegas or the tropics? You came to a tiny town in East Central Illinois?”

“I visited Chicago first before I came here. I…know someone there.”

The way Tom said it made it sound like something more.

“You know someone?”

“She’s a girl,” he said with a shrug. “We’re not a couple or anything, but we see each other whenever I’m in the area. It’s kind of a situationship, if you will.”

“Even though you have a girlfriend in Denver already?”

Christ on a cracker. Was Tom really this dim?

“I don’t think I need to be a genius to figure out who might be watching and following you,” Cooper replied with a sigh. “If you’re catting around on…what’s her name? Erica? She might just have someone tailing you to see what you’re doing.”

“That doesn’t explain the burglary.”

“The two things may not have anything to do with each other. Listen, I don’t think there’s anything I can do to help you. Go back to Denver and stop cheating on Erica.”

“You cheated on Fiona,” Tom protested. “You don’t have to act so holier-than-thou.”

What in the what?

Cooper leaned forward, locking his gaze with the younger man. He wanted to be sure he was heard loud and clear.

“I never cheated on Fiona. I want to make that clear. I don’t know what she told you, but it didn’t happen.”

It could have. He’d been given opportunities, but surprisingly, he hadn’t done it. With his upbringing, he should have been a total asshole with women, but he’d gone the other way. He’d always made sure the lady that he was with understood exactly how Cooper felt and what he was able to give them. With Fiona, he’d even made vows. They’d meant something to him, even when they’d been absolutely miserable together. It had been a mutual decision to pull the plug, and hehadn’t regretted it. It had been the right thing to do, and they were both relieved when it was over.

“I’m just going by what she said. Take it up with her.”

Cooper had no intention of speaking with Fiona. He was going to have to let this one go. After all, it didn’t matter anymore.

An image of Jane flashed in his brain, all golden skin and long, dark hair, wrapped up in one of his sheets. He definitely should have ignored the damn text and stayed in bed with her tonight.

“I can’t help you, but you can stay at my place tonight, if you want. Tomorrow we can talk more about what you should do, but frankly, I’m exhausted and barely awake.”

“That’s great.” Tom had perked up visibly at the news. Cooper doubted that Tom had thought about where he was going to stay or perhaps, he’d just assumed that he would crash at Cooper’s place. “I’m grateful. I really don’t know what to do about this. It’s creepy as hell.”

“Do you have to be back at your job soon?”

Cooper didn’t mind putting up Tom for a night, but he wasn’t looking for a roommate. Even a temporary one.

“I took two weeks, so I don’t need to be back for another ten days. I was only in Chicago for the long weekend. The fact is, Fiona was right. I could use a vacation. I’ve been working way too much.”

The young Tom that Cooper had known would never have been accused ofworking too hard. He’d been the king of sloth. His greatest ambition - self-confessed - was to play video games, drink with his buddies, and spend his trust fund.

“What is it that you do?”

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