Page 61 of Rebels and Roses

They’d stopped at McDonald’s for cheeseburgers, fries, and chocolate shakes. It was only much later that he’d realized that Lily had known they heard the argument. She’d taken them for fast food as a way to say she was sorry that they had to deal with that.

“He can see you now.”

He’d been so lost in the past he hadn’t heard Leigh return. She was giving him an odd look, but he simply smiled in response. It wouldn’t take long to tell Joel that he’d failed again.

Cooper thanked Leigh and walked into his father’s office. It looked almost identical as to when he was a child. The same desk, the same shelves packed with books and photographs. There was a black and white of Cooper’s grandparents on the credenza against the wall, along with a much more recent photo of his now stepmother Kim.

He didn’t see any pictures of Lily Winslow.

“This is a surprise, son,” Joel said, rising from his chair. “Have a seat. Can I have Anna bring you some coffee?”

“I’m good. This will only take a minute. I know that you’re busy.”

“I have time for my son. Sit down and relax. What can I do for you?”

Joel was almost smiling. As if he was in a good mood. He must think that his little ploy with Fiona was working, and that Cooper was here to talk about some sort of reconciliation.

Really, Dad? Did you think it would be that easy? C’mon on. You know better.

“I think I’ll just stand,” Cooper said, walking over to the framed photo of his grandparents, picking it up to take a closer look. “Zack looks a lot like Grandpa Leo. Piper looks like Grandma Ella.”

“Yes, you look a little like him, too.”

“Nah, I look like Mom.” Cooper placed the frame back on the credenza before turning back to his father. “I just wanted to let you know that Fiona let it slip you offered her cash to bring me back to the family. That is not going to happen. And I won’t be reconciling with her either. She’s a car crash in slow motion, and I want no part of that. I guess you thought she would be easy to manipulate. Unlucky for you, she’s a sloppy drunk these daysand couldn’t keep her mouth shut. I have to say, Dad, that I’m a little disappointed. Is that what you want for me? An alcoholic wife and mother for my children?”

Joel wasn’t happy. He’d pressed his lips together, his jaw tightening with anger. Yet, he showed no other outward signs. An uninitiated person would have no idea as to mood change in him.

“All of that didn’t bother you before.”

“She wasn’t a drunk before, and I’ve grown up since then.” Cooper smiled, leaning a hip against the desk.

“Is that woman that you were with last night what you’ve grown into? She’s been divorced, you know.”

Joel was going to bring Jane into this? That was a terrible mistake.

Cooper leaned down, resting his palms on the cool wood of the desk so he was eye to eye with his father.

“Aunt Kim is, too. Three times, I believe.”

“Jane—”

“Stop,” Cooper commanded. “Shit, you’ve already been sniffing around her, trying to see what you can find out. Did Leigh fill you in on all the town gossip? You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Dad. You of all people should know that.”

“I’m just looking out for you.”

“No, you only look out for you. We all only exist to orbit around you. And stay away from Jane. She’s far too good for the Winslow family, but for some reason, she’s overlooked that for me.”

“For your money.”

“She liked me before she knew I was S.S. Cooper.”

“I was talking about Winslow money.”

“Winslow money,” Cooper laughed. “I don’t want any of our dirty family money. You can give it all to Sam. He’s fuckingearned it, dealing with you every day. What he ought to get is sainthood.”

“You’re only saying that because you don’t understand.”

Cooper didn’t have the patience to deal with his father’s excuses.

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