“A big storm is coming.”
It slowly built over the town, but it was an ordinary storm, not one of ours.
I glanced at my friends, they were both watching me look at the storm. Coop said, “Not him, you know?”
“Yeah I know, not expecting it to be.” I picked up the menu again to look busy.
Then I put it down and asked Jen. “How’s school this week?”
“Great, the monsters are putting on a play for the end of the year, so I just wrangle them constantly. Pretty sure I’m going to be standing in the wings feeding them all their lines. Not one of them has memorized anything.”
“What’s it about?”
“It’s a musical calledThe Thirteen Colonies.” She put down her menu. “I’m having the burrito.” She added, “It’s absolutely ridiculous how bad it’s going to be, not one kid can sing, no one can act, none of the parents can sew. The costumes are going to be pillowcases with a note safety-pinned to the back that says who they are supposed to be. I should be fired, seriously. I’m putting you each down for ten tickets.”
I laughed. “Of course, I’ll be there. You make it sound great.”
Cooper said, “I wouldn’t miss it, but not sure I can afford to buy nine extra tickets. I’m in between things, as you know.”
She said, “Speaking of, Cooper, what’s your plan?”
He cut his eyes to me. “Well my plan was to win Lexi back, but that’s not working.”
I shook my head.
Then he teased, “Even after watching my muscles ripple while I built the stables? Did you notice I took my shirt off? Pretty great, am I right? You miss me, Lexi?”
I said, “I do miss you, I do… I have loved you for a long time, you’re family, and yes, your muscles rippled. But I’m in a place right now where everything is upended and I don’t want to be in a relationship…”
He shook his head. “We do not need to re-litigate this, Lexi. I know where you stand. And I know why. I knew as soon as I came home from the meeting, that we were over.”
I said, “You’re still blaming Torin?”
“No, to be honest, I knew before he ever showed up. The whole way home from my meeting I was thinking about how much I didn’t want to tell you about what had happened, because I was embarrassed?—”
Jen said, “Should I be here? Maybe I should let you guys talk.”
He said, “No, I’m just saying that Lexi is right. I was not behaving like someone who was in a relationship. I wasn’t starting the business for us, I was doing everything for me.”
Jen raised her brow. “Wow.”
He exhaled. “And I’m really sorry about that.”
I said, “Thank you, Cooper, that means a lot to me.” The waitress came up, took our order, and left with our menus. I poured some more margarita into my glass from the pitcher.
He exhaled, “But now my plan is to get a job. I have a lead?—”
Jen clapped, “Good! What is it?”
“Andrew’s getting me work with his dad?—”
I frowned. “Construction, Coop? Really?”
“It’s all good. If I work with them, I can barter their help for building on my land. It’s gonna be fine, and just til I get my feet back under me.” He drank from his margarita. “The good part is I’ll be able to get out of the back-shack. Andrew has a room, I’m moving in there tomorrow.”
“Are yousure? This is just...” I huffed. “You had such a big plan. This sounds so…”
He narrowed his eyes, “What? What are you going to say, Lexi? I’m trying to do what you said, move on. I know it’s not great, but it’s what I’m going to do.”
