It’s been almost six weeks since she had a nervous breakdown, but some nights I believe that was for the best. Each one of us is working toward being together. She’s fighting her demons. I’m trying to work on mine when my schedule allows it, and… time will make it happen.
Won’t it?
Coop: I love you, my beautiful butterfly. Fly down to Cali this weekend. I want to see you.
Coop: I have to be in Cali this weekend. Please come down with Thea.
Matt: I’ll try and see what I can do. You know she’s afraid of the boogieman, and that’s where the asshole lives.
Coop: No pressure, Butterfly. It’s a suggestion. If you can’t, I’ll be there next week.
Matt: She’s on board. We’ll fly down tomorrow.
Coop: Let’s stay at my house.
Matt: I’ll coordinate that with Mason’s people. Call me tonight after Thea’s asleep. Maybe we can have cybersex because my balls are hurting.
Coop: Jerk in the shower. That’s what I’ve been doing. I love you. Talk to you soon, babe.
Matt: I do that three times a day, so I guess that’s what I’ll do until she’s ready. I really love our woman—I love you too.
I laugh, because he does. Adores her and kisses the ground she walks on, and I’m right next to him doing the same.
My father clears his throat. I lift my gaze, and everyone is watching me. “Sorry, the club is having a new promotional, and… you wouldn’t understand.”
“Well, gentlemen, I think that’s all for today. Thank you for coming,” my father says, glaring at me. “Tristan, I’ll see you in my office, now.”
I swallow hard, gather my things, and like the good boy I am, walk to his office.
“This meeting was critical to the future of this company, Tristan.”
He slams the door and storms toward me, stopping just far enough to reach me but not too close. I toy with the idea of moving away, the kid in me afraid he’ll use his fists.
“Where were you?” He pokes his temple. “Not here, with us. We can’t leave anything to chance. I need you with me. Sell your stuff and move back.”
Is he for real? Anger runs through my veins. “You want my opinion? You sell your stuff and leave me the fuck alone.”
I flinch the moment he raises his hand, but the sound of the handle opening stops him right before it lands on my cheek.
“Isn’t he a little old to be reprimanded, Daddy?”
My sister. The pain in my ass. Dark, pixie haircut, same green eyes as me, and wearing a tailored skirt suit that makes her look professional. Fey Cooperson is here to ask for money. It’ll be for yet another fake charity that is in the middle of nowhere in the world. Two years abroad saving our poor, poor brothers and sisters in need.
“I already told you, Fey, no,” my dad says with the least endearing line I’ve ever heard toward the apple of his eye.
“But, Daddy.” She stomps one pricey heel against the carpet. “You don’t understand. Helping others is my life.”
“Help me, Fey, convince your brother to move back to Greenwich,” Dad says in exchange. “Then maybe he can find the money to sponsor your ridiculous trips.”
“Try your trust fund,” I suggest, knowing she blew it the moment she had access to it. “You can even use that money to help the food-packing division of our father’s company.” I give my father a sharp nod. “There, I found you money for both charities, now I’m leaving. Next time you have an impromptu meeting, count me out, Father.”
My changes in personality are like night and day when I’m around them. This is hard to keep up. I need to find strength to say no. Strength to… to fight for myself, convince them to accept who I am, and maybe someday accept who I love.
With that last thought, I poke the elevator key and wait.
“Hey, Trist.” Fey stands next to me. “Any way you can let me borrow some of that money?”
I shake my head.