Page 68 of Vegas Heat

She’s quiet a beat, and then she exhales loudly. “Okay, fine, point taken. It would be weird. But Janice Roberts is fifty-eight, which puts her at twenty-five years older than you, so it’s a little different.”

“Is it, though? Is it the age gap that makes it weird, or is it the fact that she’s your best friend?”

“I get it, honey, but I also saw you with her, and I don’t meanwithher, with her, but I saw how you were on your own when she was part of your life the weekend after you met her. You were different. You were the Cooper you used to be before your injury, before that damn Stacy dragged you down. You were lightand free. And now everything’s heavy again. I can feel it in your voice.”

“Itisheavy, Mom. I feel like my heart is breaking.” My voice breaks at the end just to really drive that point home, and I’d be mortified if I was talking to anyone other than my mother.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I wish I could make it all better for you.”

“Then make it better,” I whisper.

“I love you,” she says. “I’m here no matter what you decide, but that’s the thing. Onlyyoucan decide.”

“I know. I’m almost back and I need to call Kaylee, so I better go. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Take care of yourself, okay?” she says. “Your mom worries about you.”

“I will. I love you.”

We hang up, and I instruct my truck to call Kaylee Olson next.

“Cooper Fucking Noah,” she answers, venom in her voice.

“Shit. What did I do now?”

She giggles. “I’m teasing. What’s up bestie?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “It’s been a day.”

“It’s barely noon and you’re already having a day?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I mutter.

“What happened and whose ass do I need to kick?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it, and I guess if there’s anyone who deserves a kick in the ass, it’s me,” I admit.

“How can I help make it better?” she presses.

“I’m not sure. Distract me with work?”

“You got it. Is your girl still interested in coming to work with us?” she asks. Her tone is careful, as if she senses that the girl is at the root of my issues.

I clear my throat. “I’m pulling that particular offer.”

“Oh, Coop,” she says, and the sympathy in her voice is exactly why I didn’t want to talk about it. I don’t want anyone’s sympathy. I’ll get over it. I’ll move on. “What happened?”

“Her dad is Troy Bodine.” My tone is flat, and I hear her gasp. “Can we just…” I trail off and sigh. “Can we not talk about it right now?”

“Ben will be home a little later. Do you want to talk to him about it instead of me?”

“No,” I say with a frustrated sigh. “I don’t want to talk toanyoneabout it. I just found out this morning, I told her we couldn’t move forward from it, and that’s it. End of story. On a separate note, I have an idea for SFK and a huge local sponsorship opportunity if you’re interested in setting a time to chat.”

“I’d love to. Name the time and the place, and I’ll be there,” she says.

“I’ll text over the details once I have them. Thanks, Kay.”

She pauses. “I’m here for you, you know. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

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