Uncut (Unexpected Book 4) (66 page)

Pria and I decide on the dates when we’ll be releasing the information to the press. “I’ll need you in my office on Monday. We need to set up your personal account. You’re hiring me as your PR person, right?”

“Of course I am,” I say, and the receptionist waves at me, signaling that my plane is about to board. “Look, my plane is leaving. As soon as I check in at my hotel, I’ll give you a call. In a couple of days I’m starting the next part of my plan.”

“It’s gonna come down to how much you are willing to give, to sacrifice. To really hand your heart over, and go the distance. We’re betting on you.”

Her words evoke a mountain of fear inside me, but I’m done being afraid. I’ve done the risk/reward assessment, and for once, I’m choosing the risk. “Thank you, Pria,” I mumble, still overwhelmed by her words.
We.
Jacob and Pria have been that supportive family I never had over these last few weeks.

“Sure. And, Tristan?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t fuck it up,” she warns me.

I end the call solidifying what is probably one of the best decisions of my life and my career. There’s a spring in my step as I head to the lounge’s en-suite before I board the plane that’ll bring me closer to them. I take a long hard look at myself in the mirror. For once in my life, I am proud of the reflection staring back at me. For the first time in months I feel lighter, hopeful, free. Like I’ve made the right choice.
My
choice. I reach into my pocket and give a reassuring squeeze to the crystal and our napkin. The one that reminds me that I’m not alone. I can’t wait until today’s decision is a part of them.

Pria: You awake?

Thea: Yes, want to meet at our bench?

Pria: Yes, please.

I
kiss Matt’s back, cover him with the blankets, and make sure the blinds are perfectly closed to avoid the light. He stayed up all night cleaning Pria’s trending hashtags, after she fainted while Jacob serenaded her on stage. It never fails that a few of Chris’s old articles appeared, a couple of mine too, and then Jacob was thrown into the mix. My poor man worried all night that things would get uglier, but they didn’t. By the time he came to bed, the net was cleared of any negativity.

Heading outside, I smell the fresh air. The chilly morning is perfect for a cloudy sunrise. Pria sits by the pond, watching the lake from that spot. We both like this lake. Our men proposed here. Each during a different period and in a different spot, but both chose to do it close to where we’re planning on having our happily ever after.

I peek at the beautiful ring on my hand. It has a huge oval diamond and two butterfly designs drizzled with diamonds and amethysts on either side of the center stone. Mattie didn’t wait long after posting that picture on Twitter. He proposed the same night we moved into the new house, after we had what I called a mind-blowing-fusion-experience lovemaking session. We’ve moved on, and found a place where we are happy. The empty space that Coop left is there, in Matt’s heart and in my heart. That’s okay. He’ll always be a part of us.

“You worried me last night. What happened?” I take a seat next to her, she hands me a cup of tea and drinks hers.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers so low I almost miss the last word. My lips twitch. I’m trying not to smile because she’s so serious, but I do. “Twins.” She hands me a black and white picture of two little blobs. “I feel like someone is going to pop out of a tree with a camera and say, ‘the joke is on you.’”

I put an arm around her and side-hug her tight. “You have a miracle growing inside you, Pria—two.”

“I know, we saw them.” She shows me the picture again. “They’re so tiny. We’re having two babies, Thea. Two.” Her lips twist from one side to the other. “Anything new with you?” I shake my head, while staring at her tiny babies. “Your mom?”

I bite my lip.
Random.
“I haven’t heard much from her.” She twists her mouth a couple of times. “Why do you ask?”

"I just think it’s nice you’re open up to the possibility of having her in your life again. It shows that you’re open to second chances,” she replies, sipping her tea. “Finding your place in life can sometimes mean forgiving those you love for their mistakes, and letting yourself be happy.” She gives me a kiss on the cheek, and what I think is supposed to be a meaningful look but I feel like I am missing something.

I nod anyway, because I do find beauty in her words, even if I am not quite sure what she means by them exactly. “Yeah, sure.”

She smiles lightly before jumping off the bench. “Well, I gotta go back home,” she says, her dark eyes studying me for a few moments. “Don’t forget I’m right around the corner if you need me.”

“I’m glad you’re back,” I offer, watching her walk to her house.

I stay on the bench for a while, fidgeting with the chain attached to my neck. My fingers find the pendant; the triquetra I received last Christmas. My heart slows its beating. The yearning along with the sadness trying to make its way through my blood stream. But I don’t let it. We’re doing fine. Matt and I are happy. I touch my chest lightly covering the empty place that will forever remain. I ponder what Pria meant with those words, but order myself to stop over-analyzing or wondering about the
what ifs . . .

Jacob steps into the Silver Moon and looks around at the bones of the building. The structure was finished a few months back. The outside looks perfect, but we have to finish the inside. “Hey, Cooperson, how are you?” I nod, but before I can respond, he asks, “How long do you think this will take?”

“About two months,” I answer. He crooks an eyebrow and crosses his arms. “The contractor has several crews working around the clock.”

Jacob whistles. “That’s going to cost you a lot. Next time try not to fuck shit up.” He laughs, and I just watch him. His strange humor doesn’t bother me anymore; in fact, some days I laugh at whatever he says. His body turns slightly and he finally hands me the envelope he’s carrying. “Look, I have to run, but here’s what you asked for. Please, be careful about what you say, because if he finds out that I gave you this before you three are back together,
if
you three get back together, I’ll break your neck,” he warns me, but with a smile that says he’s talking shit. “No, seriously. He’d be pissed at me, and I’d hate to be on Matt’s shit list.”

I nod checking the audio-sound set-up for the Silver Moon. Everything from where to install them to the wholesalers that carry each piece of equipment we need is here. The sound engineer and a backup in case he’s not available.

“I like what I see—possibilities.” He scans the area one more time. “Invite Pops to check it out. He’d love to give you a few pointers, I’m sure. It would make the old man happy, trust me.”

“I’ll call him soon,” I say, sliding the papers back inside the envelope. “Thank you for giving me this.”

“That’s what family is for, Cooperson. Good luck,” he says with a chuckle, and a pat to my shoulder, “you’re going to need it.”