Page 47 of Driving Beats

When have I ever given this much thought to having sex? It’s usually a quick yes, followed by a fuck in whatever room’s closest. But with Coop, it’s different somehow.

Shaking my head, I decide to knock. “Special delivery!”

The other side of his door is quiet. I reach back to bang on it once more when it opens. Coop’s now wearing the grey sweats I picked out for him to use at his retreat. No shirt. No shoes. My earrings are nowhere to be found. Only the UC pendant around his neck.

He studies me from against the doorjamb. “Hey.”

I thrust the bread forward. “Thought you might be hungry.”

His hazel eyes dip to my present. “I’m good.”

“Come on. Everyone needs a little pick-me-up. Especially when it’s the warm bread you love.” I brush past him and enter his space. Finding a dresser, I lean my towel-clad back against it.

“Listen, Nese, I’m not sociable company tonight. I appreciate what you’re doing, but it’s best if you return to your room. Or go to the Media Room and watch something—I have all the streaming services.” He stays at the threshold.

Choosing to ignore him, I place the bread down on the dresser and unwrap it. I pick up one slice and take a bite. “It’s as good as when I first made it.” I take another bite.

He sighs and walks across the room. Without a word, he takes the other slice from the top of the dresser and starts munching.

When both slices are gone, I walk around his bedroom. Pick up some framed photos, most of which are of UC. Some are people I don’t recognize. I hold up what I presume to be his parents.

“Those are my parents. The other one there is my brother and his wife and son.” He straightens. “I’m the godfather.” Then he deflates. “She’s pregnant again.”

I nod. Me? I don’t have any desire to have kids. Him, though? I can tell from his body language they’re in his orbit. “So you’re the doting uncle who sweeps in, brings fabulous presents from all your travels, then breezes out. Sounds like a perfect set up to me.”

“Something like that. Andy—he’s my brother—invited me to a party they’re having to celebrate the pregnancy.” He looks away. “I can’t go because we’re going to be in Australia.”

Despite the rippling undercurrent, his tone is even. Does he really want this in his life? “Are you happy or sad you have to miss it?”

“Maybe a little of both. Family parties can be crushing, but I did want my own family for a while there.” His brown hair shakes. “Probably for the best I’m single. Let Andy have the kids. I’ll stick with making music that lets people forget their real lives for a while.”

“Very practical of you.” I pick up a photo of a pre-teen Río arm in arm with Coop. “Oh my! What the fans wouldn’t do to see this picture!” I giggle.

He approaches me, and plucks the picture from my fingers. “He was such a drummer, even back then. It took UC a few missteps before we found our core.” He shows me another shot of the band on stage. He points to Darren. “He was a good guy. I miss him every day—we all do. 007 probably the most, but he seems to be tight with Tris. I’m happy he found someone new.”

“I’ve never had a true best friend like you and Río, or 007 with Darren or Tris. I’m getting close with Jenna and Hayden, though.” I look at the photo he’s showing me, then return it to the dresser. “What’s it like being on stage with your close friends?”

He closes his eyes. “It’s really awesome.” His hazels open. “We know each other so well we can anticipate issues. For example, when Río breaks a drum head. The second that happens, we dive into a synchronized rhythm for him to change it while we keep the beat on our own instruments. Same if I break a string. We never have to say anything—simply give each other a look and we go into crisis-fixing mode.”

“Pretty cool. I’ve seen you do that from backstage a few times. I thought you had practiced it.”

“Nope. It’s instinctual at this point.” He walks over to the wall of windows. “It’s more than onstage performing, though. We get each other. It took a while for Tris to catch up with our shorthand and quirks, but he’s one of us now. I have to admit, whether it was Bennett’s sexcapades—before Jenna, of course—or 007’s ongoing depression over Darren, we got each other’s backs. That’s what playing in a band with your brothers does.” He turns to look out the windows. “At least for me.”

“Gives new meaning to the phrase ‘Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ You guys are living it.”

“Very true.” He faces me. “I’m glad you’re making friends with Jenna and Hayden.” He pushes away from the windows. “It’s late. Why don’t you get some rest. We have shopping to do tomorrow.”

I don’t want the evening to end. Not like this. Since he’s in a chatty mood, I raise my chin. “Those sweats fit you perfectly. Retreat-goers won’t be able to concentrate on meditation with you in the same room.”

He glances down at his sweats. “Everyone wears something similar.”

“But they don’t fill them out like you do. I’m sure of it. And I’m a stylist, so I would know.” I take a breath. “Unless it’s Bennett. He could wear a burlap sack and still be sexy.” I pause. “Everyone else on the planet covets what you have.”

“Bennett is unique, true. But Jenna really saw through his packaging and gets beneath the surface. Ever since she came into his life, he’s been much more open and… happy. I’m glad for him.” He crosses his arms. “Same for Hayden with Río. She’s good for him too.”

He’s talked about the two band members who are coupled. “What about 007 and Tris? Are they simply adrift?” This conversation must be handled with care.

“They’re still finding their footing following Darren’s death. Well, that’s 007. Tris is the new guy. They’re doing their thing. It’s good.”