Chapter Fourteen

The bar was dingy, originally the kind of place that had hoped to attract college types or professionals but instead drew in the rougher element. It had eventually been sold to Philip Farina, Anthony and Aaron's Uncle.

After Aaron went to prison Anthony had been placed with him as the next nearest relative. After Aaron got out he had taken care of some loose ends before coming down to Texas to look after his brother.

After all, even vile, murderous scum could experience kinship and have loved ones. Some of the most dangerous animals on the planet have the strongest familial bonds.

Aaron's uncle had been hesitant about letting him use the back room as a hangout for his guys, but a strong hand on his shoulder and some unpleasant eye contact had worked beautifully.

At the moment the bar was occupied by several regulars, while Aaron and his boys were playing pool in the back. The lights over the tables illuminated the trail of smoke coming from the cigarette dangling from Aaron Farina's lips.

He wasn't concerned with the game, or the news on the TV, detailing the news of a three car pile up with two dead.

No, the only thing running through his mind was how strong that punk kid had been. He hadn't intended to hurt the girl, just brush his hand across her cheek.

Send a clear message that if the boy ever stepped out of line again there would be consequences. Everything would have been square, but the kid had put his hands on him. And even worse than that Aaron had felt something.

Something he hadn't felt since he had laid out his old man at fifteen, fear. Something in his gut had screamed at him to get away, to run even. Now he could see doubt reflected back from the boys.

Even Anthony wouldn't look him in the eye. His position was in jeopardy, at least he felt it was. The more he thought about it the angrier he got. He needed to teach him his place, after seeing how protective the kid was of that girl he knew just how to do it.

Truthfully Aaron didn't love forcing himself on a woman, he'd much rather seduce them. But in a pinch you had to make allowances.

Looking in the eye of that snot nosed brat as he saw his girl broken, and beaten if need be before him would put Aaron back on top.

Slicing that asshole's throat would simply be the cherry on top. The back door opened and Anthony walked in with his friends. They all settled into their usual lounging spots. Anthony hesitantly walked over to his brother.

"Aaron."

The older man gave no sign that he even registered his brother's presence. Anthony waved his hand in front of his brother's face, Aaron snapped out of it and glared at his brother. Anthony nearly stumbled back at seeing the unbridled rage etched across his brother's face.

Aaron's face softened somewhat once he realized it was his brother in front of him. Anthony put his hand on his brother's shoulder, worry covering his face.

"Are you okay?"

Aaron smiled, mischievously. "Yeah, I'll be just fine. Listen, I need you and your friends to do some digging for me, you need to find out everything you can about that Cooper kid and his little bitch."

Anthony shuddered, feeling the intent behind his brother's words. "What are you planning on doing?"

Aaron clapped his brother on the shoulder, smiling like a hyena. "Just putting things back in order 'lil brother."

* * *

Danielle and Coop were in her SUV, headed home after the DMV. Coop was stewing in the passenger seat, looking at his license. Danielle glanced over at him and broke out in a fit of giggles

He closed his eyes and pursed his lips, then he put it away and shook his head. "It's not funny."

That only caused Danielle to laugh even more.

"The cameras are built for average height people, so what if you had to bend over a little bit."

Coop looked insulted, turning to her and putting his hand over his heart. "I'm sorry, were you the one she referred to as Lurch?"

Danielle snorted, slapping the steering wheel. "Maybe she knows someone called Lurch?"

Coop threw his hands up, indignant. "She asked me what the weather was like up here!"

Danielle snorted again, unable to hold it in any longer. Coop shook his head and crossed his arms, though he snorted too before laughing. They went on for several minutes, as they came to a red light Danielle looked over at him, noticing him staring out the window.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Coop turned to look back at her.

"It's weird, I know it's only been a few days, but I catch myself forgetting I ever left. Like the last three years were a dream and I'm finally awake."

He stayed looking out the window, not noticing the way Danielle shyly smiled at him. The light turned green and she continued on, finally pulling up in front of his house.

He looked at her, smiling as his hand went down to release the seat belt. "Thanks again."

She scowled, leaning forward a little bit to catch his eye as he took off his seatbelt. "What's this again business? I don't remember the first time."

Coop shrugged. "It was implied." He opened the door, smirking. 

She shook her head. "Dummy."

He turned back to her, chuckling. "I'll see you in the morning."

She nodded as she pulled away. "Bye."

* * *

The next day, the school became more animated as the students got closer to graduation. The students at the private school knew better than to attempt a large-scale senior prank. Lest they incur the wrath of the faculty, or their parents.

One tradition the students had was writing a message on the walls of the boiler room. The main building was older and still had an old steam boiler in the basement. The seniors would go in just before graduation every year to write a message to themselves as freshmen.

If any underclassman was caught attempting to write on the wall it was dealt with harshly. The real purpose of the wall was for the new kids to learn from the children who came before and avoid their mistakes.

In order to avoid the school interfering or stopping the tradition, no vulgarity or sacrilege was allowed. The last week of school, the seniors drew lots to find out what day they'd go in to write their message, Coop and Danielle had both picked Tuesday.

At lunch they all gathered outside the door to the stairs leading down. Everyone was chatting with each other, bragging about what great slogan they'd come up with. Coop and Danielle stood in the back of the line.

She had her phone out and was looking at it. "Looks like it might rain graduation night."

Coop leaned over her shoulder, getting close enough that his chest rubbed against her back. The proximity made her shiver, and not in a bad way.

Coop pointed at her phone screen. "That's just in town though right, out at the ranch the storm might not hit there."

She looked at the map and sure enough the rain would barely miss them out there. "You're right."

Coop nodded, a shit eating grin plastered on his face. "Of course I'm right, I've never been wrong and anyone who says differently is just jealous of how right I am."

She smiled, shaking her head. Ignoring him she said. "What are you gonna write for your younger self?"

Coop's smile evaporated instantly, he fumbled with his words for a second. "It's private."

Danielle shook her head. "It's not a birthday wish, everyone can see what everyone else wrote."

Coop's face remained serious. "I'm gonna tell him to get a haircut sooner and fix his damn posture."

She knew he was lying, but if he didn't wanna tell her it wouldn't do any good to browbeat him. Finally the janitor arrived, holding the maintenance keys. The kids all clapped, giving him little shouts of thanks.

He stopped and pointed at all of them. "Okay kids, five minutes and then I'm locking up."

Everyone nodded or vocalized their understanding before he unlocked the door, the kids were so amped, but once the door was open they slowly and quietly made their way down to the bottom.

The whole way down, Danielle couldn't stop wondering what Coop was gonna write, and why he didn't wanna tell her.

'Is he gonna write something about me?' 

Her eyes lit up suddenly. If this was for their past selves maybe he'd tell himself not to leave. Or warn himself why she blew up that day. If she had been curious before coming down, now she was invested. Once they reached the bottom, the students dispersed and each found their own spot where they wanted to write.

Coop looked awkwardly at Danielle, unsure if she would follow him if he headed off in any one direction.

Danielle spared him from wondering as she pointed off to the right. "I think I'll look for a good spot, over there."

Coop smiled, relieved. "'Kay."

Danielle headed off, once she was far enough away he strode with purpose to the opposite side of the room. He found a corner underneath a window where no one else had stopped. He pulled the chalk out of his pocket and closed his eyes. Not in thought but remembrance.

It had been a couple months back when Danielle had reminded him about the senior wall. He'd spent an entire week thinking about what he would write. In the end he'd laughed, he was done living in the past. What was done was done. Wishing it could be different would be admitting he'd been wrong to say what was in his heart.

He stood by every choice he'd made when he made it. This wasn't how he wanted things to be. But he was exactly the person he needed to be going forward. No more counting on anyone else to make him happy.

He opened his eyes and began writing on the brick. On the other side of the room, Danielle stared at his back. She closed her eyes and sighed, knowing she should respect his privacy and not worry about what he was writing. She turned back and looked at what she'd written. 

'Danielle, the most precious things in life deserve the most care, don't take your love for granted.'

If only she could march him over here and show him this, would he get the message? She put away her chalk, coming around the corner and finding Coop waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

For what it was worth he looked happy, he seemed a little bit like his old self even.

Her mind was racing. 'What the hell did he write on that wall?'

The door at the top of the stairs banged open, Odysseus Moore came down, taking the steps two at a time. When he came to the bottom he stopped and looked around, a permanent scowl on his face. He noticed Coop, regarded him for a second before recognition came.

"Cooper?" Odysseus walked up to him, looking him up and down.

Cooper smiled at him tentatively. "Hey Odys, how's it going?"

Odysseus looked at Coop and did a double take. "Damn, you finally got rid of the mop-top!"

Danielle and Cooper grinned at the fact that he breezed over the other changes Cooper had undergone while away. Coop now stood an inch taller than Odys, who was 6'2, and both men now hovered around 220 lbs, fairly lean. They carried themselves eerily similar, Odys might have lost a bit of swagger, and Coop had added a little.

Odysseus held his hand out palm up. "You got some chalk I can borrow?"

Cooper nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the piece he'd used.

He held it out and Odysseus snatched it up. "Thanks man."

He walked over to the the nearest spot and quickly left his mark. He turned and tossed the chalk back to Coop. He looked as if he was gonna say something, but then thought better of it and walked back to the stairs. "Welcome back Coop."

Cooper nodded. "Thanks, good seeing you man."

Odysseus nodded as he reached the top. "Yup, same."

He left, as did the rest of the students. Finally it was just Danielle and Coop standing alone, they looked at each other.

Danielle crossed her arms and twisted her upper body. "It's hard to believe all this is really ending."

Cooper's face showed he didn't hold the same sentiment. "I see it as finishing instead of ending, we aren't losing something. We proved we could handle this much, now we get to see what else we can take on."

Danielle smiled at him. "That sounded really hopeful."

Coop Chuckled, shrugging his shoulders once. "Yeah that would probably have sounded pretty weird coming from me a few years ago. Anyways I'm hungry, what about you?"

Danielle nodded, uncrossing her arms and grabbing him. "Starving!"

They headed up the stairs, Danielle in front. As they got to the top Danielle still couldn't wrap her head around it, what did he write? This new and improved Cooper had grown so much without her always around.

As she neared the top she realized there must be some clue about how to get him to spill the love beans again written down there. In a moment they'd be outside and this door and the answer would be locked to her forever.

Deciding quickly, as soon as they exited the door she slapped her forehead. "Darn it, I can't find my compact."

The janitor was already trying to shut the door and ignoring her, Danielle reached out her hand and grabbed it to stop him. "Sir, I think I left my compact down there."

The janitor looked at her disinterested. "Compact what?"

Cooper waved him off. "It's a make-up thing."

Danielle looked at him annoyed. "It can also be used to signal for help if need be."

Coop looked at her like she was a child. She stuck out her tongue at him and then turned to the janitor, holding up her hands. "Please, I'll be real quick."

The janitor sighed and waved towards the door. Coop started forward after her. She panicked and turned, holding her hands up.

Confusion and curiosity were clear in his voice. "You don't want me to help look for it?"

Danielle smirked, waving her hands. "Nah, I'm sure it fell out when I kneeled down to write, just wait here for me."

He shrugged. "'Kay."

She turned, letting out a silent huff and racing down the steps, she looked back up the stairs as she walked towards where she'd seen Cooper writing. When she got to the spot she crouched, scanning the bricks.

It didn't take long as his writing was the newest and most pronounced in that area. He'd done it in cursive which made her wanna throttle him. She looked at his penmanship for a moment before it came into focus.

'Cooper, you're better off not knowing. When you're me, you'll be glad to have learned the lessons that lie ahead of you, despite what they cost you.'

Her mouth slid open, but no sound came out. That wasn't the basket full of kittens she had been hoping for.

It was a powerful statement. She admired him for it if she was being honest. But that sinking feeling she'd been getting since Coop came back hit her doubly now.

'Maybe he's completely, without a doubt, no longer in love with me, and I'm just his friend.'

She turned around, wanting to get back upstairs before he came down anyways. As she neared the top she brushed an errant tear away with the back of her hand. Coming out of the doorway she held up her mirror, having pulled it out of her back pocket.

"Got it, thanks!" She turned and smiled at Coop, then headed down the hallway towards the cafeteria.

Coop followed, taking a few of his longer strides to catch up. "You good? Your eyes—"

She cut him off, putting as much pep as she could muster into her words. "It's all that damn dust down there, I must have stirred it up when I was digging around."

Coop nodded, not appearing fully convinced. As they walked down the hallway Danielle's face became stoic once again. "So that was weird, with Ody, right?

Coop nodded his brow scrunching in worry. "When he quit wrestling last year, did you hear anything about why?"

Danielle shook her head. "No, one day he was walking around fine, and then he just stopped talking to people; even broke up with his girlfriend."

Cooper had only heard about it, but Odys had quit the team the same day as the final meet for the last year. Some guys had joked that he'd gotten scared of his opponent, but Coop knew that was bull. Odys was the strongest wrestler he'd ever seen, other than himself.

When they'd trained together before Coop left, Odys had a strength advantage as well as technique. Coop surmised they'd probably be pretty even now. In truth he didn't understand why Odys had chosen to wrestle for their academy rather than a more prestigious one.

"I know the guys texted him an invite to the bonfire but they never heard back."

Danielle thought about it, in all her time at the school, she'd only hung out with Ody when she'd tagged along with Coop to some event for wrestling. After Coop left the only interaction she'd had with the young man had been passing him in the halls.

He didn't make eye contact with people, or wave. He might as well be a ghost with how he refused to interact with everyone.

She shook her head, wondering. "I wonder what he wrote."

It was a rhetorical question but her eyes went wide when Coop answered. "Accept what you are."

She tilted her head. "Wait, you saw it?"

Coop nodded. "Yeah I leaned in and checked when he was walking away." 

Coop didn't like the ominous wording. 

'Accept what you are.'

What could that mean? Could someone be mistreating him because of his skin color? Somehow the thought of someone being openly prejudiced towards the six foot two, 220 lbs. man was laughable. Though hate and brains rarely go hand in hand. Regardless, it wasn't Coop's place to interrogate him.

Coop and Odys were both private minded individuals. That was what had helped them bond and become friends in the first place. At least until Coop had left. Odys hadn't exactly been the pen pal type, and there's only so much you can say over social media.

They hadn't spoken to each other in close to a year. Still, maybe it was Coop's place as the other resident loner of their school to strike up a conversation and listen if the other man needed it.

Danielle, following the same train of thought, glanced at him as they walked. "Maybe you should talk to him about it?"

She said it in a tone that showed she questioned the wisdom of approaching him too, Coop shrugged. "I doubt the best person to talk to him would be an acquaintance he hasn't seen in three years." 

"Yeah, you're probably right."

As the two continued down the hall and into the cafeteria Coop turned to her. "But if I see a chance to chat with him I will."

She flashed him a satisfied smile. "See I knew you were just a big Teddy Bear."

Coop rolled his eyes. "Well this Teddy Bear is gonna start spewing stuffing everywhere in a second if you keep implying that I am in any way nice."

Still smiling, she said, like it was some irrefutable fact. "You are nice, when are you gonna realize that?"

She shook her head at his obtuseness. She looked away and he was left looking doubtful, if not a little bashful from her praise.