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Cooper stared out into the chaos His chest was so tight, he could barely breathe “Yeah I do,” he bit out

“You’re never going to win her back by pounding the shit out of that daret it for the rest of your life” Maverick was right Of course he was But Cooper felt helpless He knew the questions circling Morgan’s ht to distrust hiuts What the hell could he say to convince her otherwise?

He shook his head He had nothing “I wouldn’t knohere to start”

“You’re a godda is over You’ve been doing it ever since Holly You’ve been using her as an excuse to hide No“Do you want me to stay? We’re supposed to fly out tomorrow”

Right The damn premiere

“No Go be with Charlie”

Maverick gave hihts and sat in the dark for hours He stared at the flickering shadows, face gri his head in his hands, his despair and anger an to pound

He had one shot at this, and he needed to get it right

He stared at the floor for a few ot his ass up He headed down into his darkened house and slipped out the back way to the shop Once in his office, he booted up the computer and filled the paper tray in the printer As a heavy spring rain began to pound against the , he shoved his fists into his pockets, uncaring that they were still covered in blood

I need to get this right

Cooper ith a start, eyes bleary, head killing hirabbed the stuff he needed and headed out into the blinding sunlight It was just after ten in the eous spring day Birds chirped froed up to his house, and in the distance, the cry of the gulls as they swooped low over the Atlantic was shrill

He paid no attention He had things to do

His house was quiet, and after a quick shower and change, he threw a bag together and headed for the stairs His phone rang, the sound shrill and sharp, and after a moment of hesitation, he pulled his cell out of his pocket

It was Isabel

“Hey, Mo out toward the road The paparazzi still lined the edge of his property, but Maverick must have called security in, because several private hires kept them at bay