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He nods and smiles as he finishes chewing, takes a sip of the Coke he ordered, and wipes his hands on a napkin.
“Yeah. Lizzy’s getting older, and it just feels right. I don’t want it to always feel like a frat house when she’s not there either.”
“I mean, I don’t think you have to date someone to change that.”
“No, but I think… I’m getting older too. If I was going to have more kids or if I want my wife to know Lizzy, better sooner than later, right? Time’s probably running out on that front.”
I freeze up at the mention of kids. I have no idea if Rob ever told Cooper or anyone else in his family the real catalyst in our breakup: the fact that we couldn’t have them, and I wanted to adopt, and he didn’t. It had been the final straw on a mounting list of problems. But I can’t imagine Cooper bringing it up so casually in front of me if he had.
“I suppose so. But I still think you should do it because you want the relationship. That it’s something you want for yourself, not because it’s something other people want for you or something you should do for Lizzy.”
I didn’t mean for it to come out quite so soapbox-y, and I can feel him studying me intently. Hear his cogs turn as he takes in what I’ve said.
“That what you and my brother were? Something society told you you should do by a certain age?”
“No.” I shake my head, laughing. “We were the opposite of that. My parents hate that I’m involved with football and sports at all. My dad nearly died when he found out I was dating a football player.”
“Your parents not much for sports?”
“No. Well, my mom is mostly just content for us to do whatever we want to do as long as we’re happy, but my dad hates the fact Xander plays. Although I think he’s secretly proud of him, he can’t stand that I’m involved in it at all. Thinks my talent’s being wasted on ‘children’s games’ when I could be making a difference in the world.” I hold up the air quotes.
“What does he want you to be doing?” Cooper frowns but doesn’t say anything bad about my father.
“Politics. Like him. He wants Xander to follow in his footsteps and me to do PR in his world. Ever since Rob and I called it quits, it’s all he talks about. He’s… well, it’s an open secret he wants to run for president, and he’s hoping my brother will be done with football and take up where he left off in the Senate. He wants me to run the campaign for my brother and wants me to get my feet wet by working on his team now.”
“But you don’t want to?” Cooper probes further. I’m surprised he’s this interested in my family’s political machinations.
“No. Not really. I mean, if Xander asked me to, I would do it for him. But being back in my dad’s world means being back around all the people I grew up with. All the money and politics and backroom dealing. I don’t think I have the stomach for it.”
“But you have the stomach for guys with massive egos and brand deals and all the team politics?” He gives me a look, and I can tell he’s teasing.
“I mean, fair point, but it’s not the same. I make my own way here. With Madison’s help. I’m sure our last names give us an advantage, but it’s not the same way it would be in politics with my dad. There, Xavier means something else entirely.”
“Much better in this world where it means don’t piss Xander off if you don’t want to end up face down in the turf.”
We both laugh, and I shake my head.
“Be nice. He’s been better since Harper. He’s like a different guy, honestly. Mellowed out and happier. It’s been good to see the change in him.”
“Yeah, I still get why your dad thinks he’d make a good politician though.” Cooper grins. “Very cutthroat.”
“True…” I take another small sip of my lemonade, hitting the end where the sugar’s settled and it’s extra sweet. “I’m sorry for dumping all that on you. I doubt you wanted to know it all. I’m just at a bit of a crossroads. I didn’t really want to admit that. But I guess it’s not easy to hide either.”
“I’m happy to listen, Trixie. I asked.” He gives me a small smile. “So what are you doing here then? Hoping you can stay and work with Madison, or do you have other plans?”
“We had a whole plan out in Colorado, and it fell through. We’re working on Plan B, but we both need to work while we wait. She found this gig. She didn’t exactly plan on it being Quentin, but it’s work for both of us while we figure out what to do next.”
“What was the plan that fell through?”
“We were going to start a PR resort for athletes. A place to help them work on their image and get away from everything while they do it. We had investors and a place up in the mountains on a gorgeous piece of land. That fell apart thanks to wildfires, droughts, and some interpersonal politics, so now we’re looking for a new spot and new investors.”
“You mean I can go to a resort while you work on me?” He laughs. “Sign me up. I could use more time in the pool. I don’t get enough in my own.”
“Yes, well… someday, hopefully, if this works out. I’m just not sure if it will…” I trail off because, seeing how Madison and Quentin interact, I have my doubts about whether she’ll be ready to leave this place. I’m fairly certain Quentin’s plan is to do anything he can to get her to stay.
“Well, if you need an investor, tell me where to sign.”
“I barely told you anything about the place,” I scoff.
