Thisisour life.
But here, I get to justbe.
Not quite as easily as I get to justbewith Cooper’s family, but there’s no pressure to have to perform, and nothing feels weird.
Until about thirty seconds after I give him theI’ve had enough and am ready to go home and decompresssignal.
We’re making our way to the exit when one of my younger half-siblings whispers Cooper’s name. I don’t remember meeting her, but her nametag says she’s Maple. She’s slightly taller than I am, with dirty blond hair that’s cropped short, pale white skin, and wide green eyes. She’s wearing a plaid flannel shirt open over a plain white crop top, cargo pants, and army boots, and I have this instant sense that she and Aspen would be besties, and not just because they both share names with tree species.
Provided Maple’s not someone who doesn’t understand boundaries.
Not gonna lie.
The way she whispered Cooper’s name was kinda creepy.
He and I both stop and glance at her.
Her gaze darts between us.
“Mac,” he says quietly to me out of the corner of his mouth as we both turn to face Maple, and after the number of stories he’s told me the past few months, I understand exactly what he’s saying.
Maple reminds him of Mackenzie back in the days when Mac couldn’t talk to him.
I squeeze his hand.Go on. Make her comfortable. We have a minute.
And here it comes.
That dazzling Cooper Rock smile, dialed down to human levels that won’t intimidate. “Hey. Maple, right? Nice to meet you. You grow up around here, or are you one of the siblings from somewhere else?”
“I have to tell you something,” she blurts. Her voice is smoky, and I wonder if she can carry a tune.
“I’m all ears,” Cooper says.
She darts a look around and steps closer to us. I feel Kiva coming up behind us, clearly getting thesomething’s offvibes too.
Cooper’s relaxed posture doesn’t change.
And Maple stares at his feet while her words come out in a rush. “You made me famous.”
Cooper blinks.
I blink.
Kiva stops beside me, and she doesn’t blink. Pretty sure she’s sighing internally.
“How’s that?” Cooper asks.
Maple reaches behind her, under her flannel, and then everything gets a little blurry.
Kiva doesn’t really fuck around when someone’s reaching behind their back.
“Gack!” Maple squeaks from the ground beneath my security agent, where she’s been pinned so effectively, so quickly, that it’s a wonder she can still make noise.
Cooper shoves me behind him and starts backing me toward Hiramys, who’s still manning the only entrance to the picnic area.
My half-siblings and their families all gasp and turn to stare at us.
“Why do you have a phone?” Kiva barks.
