Coop laughs. “You would know. You’re the king of keeping things from her.”
“I was. You’re wearing that crown now, buddy. And Laken and I aren’t together because of the fact I kept things from her. You think you’re so special? You think she’s so into you that she wouldn’t mind at all that you were keeping something big from her?”
His eyes expand a moment. “I guess this is the part where you threaten to tell her like a little bitch.”
“Nope.” I shake my head emphatically. “I already did that the day Skyla revealed herself to be living in Chloe’s body. My guess is that you made up some dirty lie that you deemed justifiable. A lie to cover a secret. How does it feel to become the new Wesley Edinger? No, I’m not telling her a thing. The longer the rope you have, the farther you’ll swing. This is all you, buddy.” I take a step in toward him. “Butyouwill tellme.”
“No.” Coop doesn’t miss a beat, and I don’t either.
I snatch him up by the shirt and pull him in close just as Laken runs over.
“Hey, whoa.” She carefully removes my hand. “No way. Behave, Wes.”
“It’s him who needs to behave,” I tell her.
Logan pops up, looking good and pissed. “What the hell.” He closes his eyes a moment. “Laken, what’s going on?”
She lifts her hands. “I’m just here to strengthen my core. Coop and I ran into Wes. I disappeared for one second and these two almost came to blows.”
Logan shoots me a hard look as if he innately knows I’m the problem. Innately he would be wrong. And that’s half the problem with Celestra leadership these days—and perhaps always.
Logan nods my way. “Wes, Coop, why don’t the two of you continue this conversation outside? I’ll help Laken strengthen her core.” He gives a cheesy wink my way, and I shake my head at him as he leads her off.
“You heard the boss. Outside.” I navigate Coop toward the back door that’s partially open, and before we know it, we’re standing in the Paragon woods surrounded by fog as thick as pea soup. The Christmas tree lot that Logan runs is just a few hundred feet to the left. The sound of goofy Christmas carols can be heard from afar along with the happy screams of children. I happen to know he’s got a dozen bounce houses on the lot. Tobie is begging me to take her there. “What is it, Cooper?” I give his chest a hard push. “Tell me right now what it is you’re keeping from everyone, or I’m going to be forced to beat the shit out of you—for the good of our common people. How would you like that?”
He glances to the gym as if he were thinking of bolting.
I give him another hard shove. “What’s the matter? You thinking of running back to Mommy? Laken can’t help you right now. She’s busy with Logan. And if you keep this silent routine up, she just might like him a little bit better than you. She’s left you once. She can do it again.”
He glances to the sky as if it were an impossibility I was preaching.
“She’s not leaving me, Wes. Not for Logan. Not for you.”
“All right, we’re not talking about Laken and me. That’s a subject that’s off-limits to you. Go ahead and tell me what has you clamming up. It’ll be good to get it off your chest—before I sock a hole through it and rip out your beating heart.”
“You’re funny.” He scratches the back of his neck. “I’m not telling you. Not yet anyway. Besides, when I do sing, I’ll make sure you’re the last to know.”
In one quick move, I pin him to the nearest evergreen with his chest to the bark and his hands tied around his back so hard I’m about to snap them both right off.
“Shit.” Cooper lets out a pained cry. “Let the hell go. You’re about to do some serious damage.”
“Damn right I am.” I glance down and note a series of dots over his flesh. “It looks as if that nasty allergy has hit hard. You’re still allergic to the serum, aren’t you? I can help. I shine where Ezrina goes dim.”
“No thanks. I’ll take my chances.”
“Why are you still taking the damn thing? You keep this up, and it could kill you. I’m the only one allowed to kill you, got that?”
Coop sags as he leans against the tree for support. “She’s giving me micro doses to build up an immunity.”
“Tell her it’s not working. But first tell me this ridiculous secret that you think nobody else on the planet can handle. Let’s start at the beginning. Who whispered it in your direction?” I crank his arm the wrong way and he lets out another howl.
“Wes,” he barks as if he means it and I let up a notch. “Fine. Nobody told me anything. I figured it out on my own.”
“Keep singing. How did you stumble upon whatever the hell it is?”
Coop turns to look at me. “You gave it to me. This secret was in your possession, but apparently you’re dim on occasion yourself because you didn’t figure it out. I don’t think you wanted to.”
“What?” I loosen my hold another notch. “What the hell are you talking about?” I shove him hard into the tree and he grunts.
