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TWENTY-NINE
Cooper
“You can do it,” he whispered, giving her waist a squeeze
They were lying in bed, a little sleep deprived after the best night of his life, and Jessica had just told hi her Theresa’s number
He’d suggested she call while he was there to support her
“Maybe it’s too early” Jess stared at her phone “It’s only six o’clock there”
“I don’t think she’ll mind”
She heaved a shaky sigh and pressed the call button Her hazel eyes flew to his, ith fear He squeezed her waist again, wishing he could take the fear away
But only the woman on the other end of the line could do that
“Hello” Jessica suddenly tensed, alert “Theresa?” She grabbed Cooper’s hand and held on for dear life “It’s Jessica” Whatever her aunt said to her in return made tears well in Jess’s eyes
He held his breath, worried he’d done the wrong thing in encouraging her to contact her family
But then Jess sood to hear your voice, too”
Cooper grinned and relaxed, lying down, his head on the pillow, to watch his woht with joy and relief as she talked softly with her aunt
Joey was sitting in a booth at the back of the bar, watching the cartoons Cooper had put on the television for him
It was never an inconvenience for his sister and nephew to drop by to see hi after he’d had the best night of his life, on thewhen he’d sat with Jess while she had an emotional talk with her aunt, Cooper wasn’t really in the mood for a lecture from Cat
And the look she was giving him screamed lecture
She glanced over at her son toto scowl at Cooper “You’re back with her?” she hissed
“Yes” His tone told her not to argue with him
It only made Cat narrow her eyes “Did she tell you whatever the hell it is she’s hiding?”
“Yes”
Surprise flickered over her expression, softening it “Really?”
Cooper sighed and leaned toward her “Really And believe me when I say I understand why she was so fucked up about it But we’re all good now”
“Well, as the secret?”
He loved his sister, but sometimes she was a nosy brat “None of your damn business”
“You’re my brother Of course it’s my damn business”
“You shouldn’t be using the word ‘damn’!” Joey called over to them, his eyes still on the screen
Ahter aze Her alad Jessica told you as going on with herbut she knows she can’t pull this crap again, right?”
The only thing that stopped hi impatient with her lack of faith in Jess was the fact that it came from a place of absolute love And the truth was that if their roles were reversed and souy had“I don’t think she will, but that doesn’tthe way Jess has been through a hell of a lot”
Sympathy softened Cat “Is she okay?”
“She will be,” he promised
“I really wish I knehat she’s been through I’s”
He reine how horrible the truth is”
Cat flinched “God, Coop,” she muttered
“Maybe one day she’ll tell you her story—but it is her story to tell”
His sister heaved a sigh but nodded “It’s hard to i that horrible She hides it well”
“She’s tough She’sa”
Cat suddenly smiled at him “You really love her”
He nodded No point bullshitting about it
“You never spoke about Dana the way you speak about Jess”
“Dana and I were just kids We didn’t knohat love is—confused sex for love”
Her nose wrinkled “Right”
He grinned “Conversation over”
“Yup Once lanced over at Joey “He’ll be glad He likes Jessica a lot”
“Always trust a kid’s instincts”
“Or at least my kid’s instincts”
They shared a proud smile just as a knock caht of Jessica brought on a flood offor her throughout the night, unable, it seeh of her
Now she alking into his bar with this flushed glow on her face, not just from the sex, but from her talk with Theresa, and that made him feel damn pleased with himself It took him a second to realize she wasn’t alone
Really not alone
Confused, Cooper frowned, watching as Jess, along with Bailey, Iris, Ira, Vaughn, Dahlia, and Emery, filtered into his bar
“Jess!” Joey shouted, running across the bar to her He skidded to a stop inches fro an arainst her Y-NINE