Page 7 of Cooper’s Promise

“When will Hudson be back?” He bit out the question.

She sighed. “He went to pick up some barbeque. He’ll be back soon.”

“Why isn’t he answering his phone?”

“He was talking to Mom when he left. Look, Coop. Call Hudson, I don’t have time for this.”

He could tell she was going to hang up. “Brenna, wait! Aren’t we still friends?”

She sighed again. “Yes, we’re still friends.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me about the creep bothering you?” Cooper bit out the question.

“I knew you were awake last night!”

“Just tell me. Tell me his name, and I’ll have a talk with him.”

“I’m not telling you or Hudson. He’s harmless. I can take care of myself.” Brenna sounded adamant, which just scared the hell out of him.

“He’s not harmless if you brought him up. Obviously he upsets you. How often have you complained to Tanya?” He let didn’t say anything else, letting the question sit.

“I’ve talked to her a few times about him.”

“See, if he bothers you that much, he’s crossed the line. Hudson or I need to have a talk with him. We need to make it clear that he needs to back off.”

“Maybe you’re right. But it sure won’t be you. Even though you think you are, you’re not my brother, so I’m not going to have you act on my behalf.”

“Brenna, we’re friends, you said so.”

“You are not my champion, Coop. I’ve got to go.” She hung up.

Not her champion. Could she have said any words that would hurt more? He pounded in Hudson’s number again. This time when it went to voicemail he left a message. “Call me immediately.” He shoved his phone back into his jacket, and stalked back into the conference room.

“Everything all right?” Athena asked.

“Fine. Let’s figure out our game plan. I want to be on a plane tonight, and back here as soon as possible,” Cooper ground out.

“Agreed.” Grey said. They all started to talk about how they could handle Didier Peltier.

* * *

It was stupid. She shouldn’t care about some of the photos she had taken of the Everglades. Tenderly, she flipped through the pages of the photo album. She had taken them in black in white, with a Nikon camera that she had purchased with her tip money from a waitressing job back in Michigan. Everybody had scoffed at the idea of actually buying a camera instead of just using her phone. Everybody but Cooper. He had been the first person she had shown the pictures to after she’d had them developed.

She slammed the album shut, not wanting to think about that night. What had happened? All she could figure is that one night he had realized that she wanted more than just friendship, and he couldn’t run far and fast enough. Well, fucking fine, she was beating him to the punch. Australia, here she came.

“Are you sure you only want to send these few boxes to Mom?” Hudson asked, as he came out of her bedroom.

“I might end up sending one more.” She looked at the three cartons in her brother’s arms.

“And you’re only going to take your clothes?” Hudson asked, as he put down one of the cartons he had been discussing, and came to sit next to her on the couch.

“Yep. I’m making a clean break.”Her hands stroked the front of the photo album.

“What’s this?”

“Nothing.”

He pulled the book from her lap and opened it up. “Oh, Coop told me about this. Brenna, this is amazing.” Hudson flipped through the pictures until he got to one of pelicans taking flight. “You took this?” He looked at her with a huge smile. “Can I get a copy?”