Page 56 of Driving Beats

“You have it all wrong. I have sex with lots of men. So what if Coop was fantastic in the sheets? He’s a trainwreck, and I’m not down with putting him back on the tracks. I can go out tonight and meet someone else who’ll rock my world.”

“Like how Coop did that for you, better than anyone else?”

I stare at Hayden. “I shouldn’t have told you how good he is.”

“Alright, let’s give Nese here a break. So what if she bagged the only member of UC who doesn’t partake in this aspect of their fame? It’s no biggie.”

“Thank you, Jenna.” Finally, some vindication.

“The rest of them are—or in the case of Bennett and Río, were—total manwhores. You and I got those two back in line.” Jenna kisses her finger. “We reap the benefits, though.”

“For sure,” Hayden responds, smiling. “007 and Tris have to carry the load going forward.”

Jenna adds, “I can’t quite imagine it. Tris is so polite. Can you picture having sex with him? It would be like, ‘May I please take off your bra now?’”

Hayden giggles. “And 007 is so broody. He’d probably sit there and make you do all the work.”

Happy the spotlight is off Coop and me, I say, “The rest of UC has big shoes to fill.”

“That’s true. Except for Coop. He’s taken himself off the market,” Hayden says. “That is, until you came into his life.”

They’re right back to needling me. I smile. “If you don’t stop it this second, I’m going to have to do something to their wardrobe in Australia. I could tamper with the seams of Bennett’s leather pants, so he really gives the audience a show. Or, I could rub oil all over Río’s arms so he looks like a Chippendale!” The look of horror on their faces makes my suggestions worthwhile.

Still, I have to shake their teasing about Coop and me as a couple. They got it all wrong.

17

COOP

Ican’t believe Nese dragged me out shopping again. At least we’re not looking at clothes. As long as she continues to remain mum about last night—and I keep the memory shoved away like it never happened—things will be fine.

But it did happen…

She wheels over a suitcase. “What do you think of this one?”

My stomach flips at how cute she looks, which I bury. Instead, I shrug. “Seems great to me. It’s black and holds clothes. Let’s get it.” And be done.

She picks up the tag, which says Samsonite. “What am I thinking? Luke told me ages ago that Tumi wants to partner with UC.” She smiles widely at me. “We need to go to the nearest Tumi shop.” Abandoning the suitcase, she marches toward the exit.

Trailing behind her, I click my key fob to unlock the Range Rover’s doors. I don’t have the desire to open hers—not after how last night ended. While I slip into the driver’s seat, she plugs the next store into the GPS, which indicates it’ll take us forty-five minutes to get there.

“Seriously? I’m fine with the Samsonites back there.”

“As your stylist, I need to make sure all parts of your wardrobe, including where you keep it, are fashionable and up to date. Tumi is the best luggage out there, and it has the name recognition you deserve. This is perfect.” She puts her finger up in the air. “I’m going to reach out to them to make sure everything’s set up.” She punches keys on her phone.

I put the Range Rover into gear and start the long trek for my new luggage. Meditation, don’t fail me now.

After a few minutes, she hangs up. “You’ll be happy to know that Tumi is excited for this collaboration. They’re setting up a photoshoot as we speak.” She beams at me.

My right hand twirls the hoop earring I put in this morning. The one Darren gave me all those years ago. “I’m sure no one will recognize me.”

“Pshaw!” She rolls her wrist. “You’ll be surprised. I bet the guy from the bathing suit store will be the first in line to purchase luggage like it.”

I sigh. “He’s only one person. I don’t want to make a big spectacle out of this. I would like to buy whatever I still need and be done with it.” As if on cue, it starts raining.

We ride in silence, with the windshield wipers pretending to be the metronome.

Finally, we reach the Tumi store and I put the SUV in park. At least the rain has tapered off to a miserable drizzle. I should reduce the stress here, not exacerbate it. “I appreciate what you’re doing for me, but don’t you think this is overkill? It’s only luggage.”