“The fuck did I just hear you say, Sarah Jane?”
She has the fucking nerve to look ashamed. The fucking nerve to look like she is the wrong party here. Hell. Fucking. No.
“Did I hear you correctly, bitch? I’m just a goddamn game to you?”
“Asher—” she starts.
“Oh fuck no. Let me tell you what’s going to happen now. You’re going to take my miserable diamond off your finger, get your fucking shit, and leave. I don’t ever want to hear from you again, and while we’re at it, I better not see you step a foot near Coop. You think you’re going to use me as a pawn for your shit, then think again, darling, because this shit ends now.” I step forward, my chest brushing her ample tits. “It’s a shame you let the cat out of the bag. Who knows? Maybe you would have known what it feels like to be taken by both the Cooper men. Such a pity. But hey . . . no sweat off my back, bitch. Your pussy is so worn that I could have dropped a coin in there and never found the bottom.”
I don’t waste time seeing her reaction. I stomp right out the door, past a laughing Coop, and into my truck. I wait because I know Coop will be quick behind me. We don’t even talk before the rubber of my tires is screaming against the pavement and I’m tearing ass to the bar.
Time to get fucked up and try to remember why I ever thought that I was good enough for someone.
*
We have been at the bar for a few hours. I’m well past drunk, while Coop is just chilling and keeping the drinks coming. I’m not drinking because I’m heartbroken or anything. I’m drinking because I’m pissed. I wanted so badly to prove Coop wrong. I don’t want him alone; I don’t want him to keep thinking that he should avoid a relationship. I want him to believe that there is more out there for us. It’s the hope I’ve had as long as I can remember. I would see people who seemed so in love, so happy, that I would pray that one day we would find that.
Unfortunately for me, Coop has made it perfectly clear that he will never settle down. Never give a woman a chance to hurt him again. And I hate that for him. He has so much to give, so much of him that deserves to feel that love we see.
“You ready to believe me when I say all chicks are good for is spreading their legs and enjoying our dicks?” He laughs.
“No, I’m not. One day, there’s going to be more than sex. We’re going to meet someone who proves all this bullshit wrong, Coop.”
“Doubt that, brother. I’m not setting myself up for that shit ever. Don’t get me wrong. I love the ladies . . . but that love is for what we can give each other between the sheets. Never. I will never settle myself down with just one.”
“How can you be so sure? Don’t you want to share your life with someone else?”
“Yeah. I’ve got you.”
I shake my head. I know he believes that too. He really thinks that the only thing he will ever need is me, and even though I know I’m not going anywhere, I wish he would see things differently. I’ve seen our friends settle into good, loving relationships, so I know it’s out there. He just refuses to believe it. And I know it all has to do with our fucking mother. She’s done this to him, and just when I thought I couldn’t hate her more than I already do, I’m proven wrong twice in one day.
“What about kids, Coop? Do you really never want to have kids?”
“What the hell is this, Dr. Phil?” he laughs. “Hell no I don’t want kids. I won’t take a chance that anything that evil bitch has could be passed on to my kid. No way will I take that chance. The poor thing would be doomed from the fucking beginning. There isn’t anything in me worth giving a kid, and you know that.” He sobers for a second, shaking his head. “It’s better this way, Ash. I’ve got you. I’ve got the boys. There’s no need to shake things up now.”
“I wish you didn’t believe that, brother.”
“Just give it up, Ash. Please.”
If it weren’t for the raw desperation in his stare, I would press longer. But I do what he wants and keep silent. We sit there, together, just like we always have been. He’s right about one thing: I’ll always be here and nothing could change that.
CHAPTER 20
Chelcie
Three Weeks Later
Today is the day. The day that I find out if I’m having a little boy or little girl. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always dreamt of having a little princess. Someone I can dress in all pink, do her hair and nails, bond with like my mother did with me.
However, today I’m hoping and praying that they tell me that I’m having a boy. I’ve been dreaming of a perfect little blond-haired, blue-eyed prince for the last month or so. I’m not sure what it is, but I feel like I just know this is going to be my son.