“If she’s still alive, why doesn’t she contact Riley?” Izzy seemed as incredulous about that fact as Cooper.
“Fuck if I know.” Cooper fisted his hands in frustration born from years of dealing with his sister. He’d like to punch something, but knew he couldn’t. “As soon as Russ finds her, he has strict instructions to tail her until I can get there.”
“Then what?”
Cooper was pretty certain this would circle back around to Riley any moment, but he stepped into her carefully laid trap anyway. “I’m going to find out what the hell she’s been doing and why she walked away from her son almost six weeks ago without a word.”
Izzy nodded. “He’s a good kid. He doesn’t deserve a mother like her. From what I understand, he raised himself and watched over her. He needs security, Cooper. He needs to know that someone is always going to be there for him, no matter what. He needs you.”
“Oh, fuck, I knew you were going to flip this around on me. I can’t be that person, Izzy. Don’t you understand? I’m not that guy, but I promise you I’ll make sure he’s well taken care of either by a sane and sober mother or my parents. I won’t dump him back out on the street.”
“If that’s the best you’ve got?” Her disappointed scowl made him feel like a shit, as if he were failing Riley.
“It is,” he said, wondering if he was believing his own words any more.
“At least do me one favor. One little favor.”
“It’ll cost you,” he slipped into his teasing mode, hoping to be free of the uncomfortable and confusing subject of what to do with his nephew.
“Name your price, sweetie.” She stood and sashayed around the counter to stand before him. He grinned down at her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He should’ve sensed another trap, but he ignored the warning bells blaring in his head.
“Let’s start with me, you, a shower, and lots of steamy, hot water. Your mouth on my dick as the water runs down your face.” He couldn’t stop smiling at the thought, and his dick hardened appreciatively. He put his hands loosely on her hips and kissed the tip of her nose.
“Deal.” She smiled, as if moving in for the kill. “Now for your part of it. Come to Riley’s next game.”
The smile slipped off his face. He sighed in resignation. “When is it?”
“Next Thursday. They play every Thursday.”
“I’m on a road trip.”
“Then the following week.”
“Okay, I’ll do it.” By then he should know more about Riley’s mother. Russ was confident he was on her trail and just a day or two behind her.
“Thank you.” Izzy’s smile lit up the room. He’d attend a hundred freshman football games to see her smile like that.
He pulled her against him in a gentle hug, burying his face in her soft hair and inhaling the scent of her shampoo. Emotions swelled inside him, emotions which scared the living hell out of him. He was falling for her, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop it, even if he’d wanted to. Only he didn’t want to stop caring for her, adoring her, didn’t want to lose her. Not today. And not when he finally left Seattle.
Chapter 14—Slap Shot
A slight gust of crisp fall air lifted the collar of Cooper’s coat as he walked to the edge of the field and scanned the smattering of people sitting in the bleachers. Weather wise, he’d missed the seasons living in Florida where every day seemed like the one before it, but he’d be the last to admit that he enjoyed any aspect of Seattle, especially its weather. Cooper couldn’t believe it was already the second week of October, and Riley had been living with him for a month.
Last night the Sockeyes played their very first regular season game in Seattle. The place had been electric, packed to the rafters with rabid fans. Cooper played lights out with a goal, a couple assists, and a penalty. He was especially proud of the penalty, because it’d been against Tanner Wolfe’s asshole brother, Isaac, and the jerk deserved it.
Yet, something was missing from the game, and Cooper didn’t have to delve too deep into the psychology of his feelings to know what it was. Neither Izzy nor Riley attended. Izzy couldn’t. She had a senior citizen wedding to attend. Riley begged off when Cooper invited him, claiming he had to study for a test. What kid studies for a test when he’s offered seats on the glass to watch the first regular season NHL game ever played in Seattle? Hell, he’d even offered a ticket for Riley’s buddy and his coach.
So maybe that was why he was here today. It hurt like hell that the two people in his life hadn’t attended his game. He’d never given a shit about stuff like that before, but he’d never been in this weird situation either. It shouldn’t matter if they attended or not. Yet, it did. His feelings didn’t make a damn bit of sense to him, but they were what they were.
There were times when the three of them almost felt like a family, and those feelings made Cooper vulnerable and scared as hell.
Regardless, here he was at Riley’s game to show Izzy and Riley that he supported them both. He didn’t want Riley to feel abandoned like he had last night.
Cooper caught sight of Izzy waving at him from the stands. He walked toward her before he noticed that asshole Wolfe sat next to her. He couldn’t stand Wolfe’s arrogant hockey-playing brother, who he grudgingly admitted might be the best defenseman in the league, and Tanner was cut from the same douche-bag cloth.
Did that fucking jerk attend all of Riley’s games? Now that really pissed him off for reasons he rather keep to himself. Yeah, he hated Tanner sitting next to Izzy, sharing popcorn with her, and making her laugh. But he didn’t like the douche watching his nephew as if the kid were his blood, not Cooper’s.
How stupid was that?
Cooper walked toward Izzy and Tanner. He’d play nice for Izzy, but he didn’t give a shit about the jerk sitting next to her.
Izzy’s face lit up with approval when she saw him and his heart kicked it up a notch. Seeing her smile made putting up with Wolfe that much easier.