The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2)(59)

About ten days later, Austin was more relaxed on his call with Cooper. He used more than one-word answers and even seemed to enjoy the conversation a little bit.

Soon after making regular calls to Austin and Spencer, and at Spencer’s invitation, Cooper packed a duffel and headed to Texas for a weekend visit. Spencer and Cooper took Austin and one of his friends, James, out for pizza on Friday night. Cooper realized that what greased their relationship best was James. The boys got to laughing and screwing around, eventually running off to play video games in the pizza parlor.

“You’re a genius,” he told Spencer. “Bringing James along made it so much easier.”

“Austin has been drowning in adults for months, especially while Bridget went through the last of her illness. He’d almost forgotten how to have fun.”

“How’s he doing back at school?” Cooper asked.

“He seems relieved to be there. Like he’s so goddamn tired of being serious, of being sad. It’s awful seeing a ten-year-old act like an old man.”

“You did a better job with him, especially through all these adjustments, than I ever could have. I wouldn’t have known where to start.”

“You would if you’d had him in your life since he was born,” Spencer said. “I think you’re doing fine.”

“Listen, something’s been on my mind,” he said, looking at Spencer. “Bridget wasn’t cheating on you or anything. You’re comfortable with that now, right?”

“Now, yes. I admit it took me a while. I know how it was. At least I think I do. You broke up. She started dating me a few months later, but we were taking it slow. She was trying to make sure it wasn’t a rebound thing. Finally she was ready to get more serious. I’d been ready first, that’s the fact. We were both pretty surprised by the pregnancy. We both thought it happened the first time....”

“I was having trouble with all the things that went along with the commitment. I was good with the fidelity part. I loved Bridget, or at least I thought I did at the time. But I wasn’t ready for stability and family life, and she was smart enough to get that. I wasn’t willing to give up anything to make us work. That’s why we broke up. But I kept coming back. We had history, that’s all it was. It was comfortable and familiar. Then I came back too late—I called her and she told me she was through fooling around, that she’d met someone who could actually make compromises and she was in love.” He gave a shrug. “I was pretty pissed, to tell you the truth. I didn’t contact her again for six months. And you know the rest.”

“She was married and pregnant,” Spencer said. He shot Cooper a melancholy look. “And said she was happy.”

“She was happy. We were over before she moved on. Bridget was a good woman.”

“You don’t have to sell me on that, you know.”

“I’m going to have to tell my family about Austin. And they’re going to want to meet him at some point.”

“I know. You tell me when and I’ll take him. It’s not that I don’t trust you with him...”

“Listen, let’s be straight about this, about anything that has to do with Austin. I don’t want Austin scared or overwhelmed. I want you to be with him. He’s just a kid for God’s sake. Until he’s ready to visit me or go to my family without you, I want you there with him. I’ll try to work out a time with my family and check it with you. I’ll pay the fare. Maybe after school is out? They’re just over in Albuquerque—not a bad flight for you.”

Spencer chuckled. “You’re something, you know that? You could be a complete ass**le about all this.”

“I’ve been a complete ass**le here and there, which might be one of the many reasons Bridget broke up with me,” he said, slapping Spencer on the back. “But I’m trying, man. I’m trying. There’s sure nothing in it for me if Austin grows up all screwed up.”

“Let’s hold off on the family visit in Albuquerque,” Spencer said. “First, I think Austin and I should come out to Oregon to visit you. On your turf. Is there a hotel in town?”

Cooper smiled. “Even better. I live on the second floor of my business, but I have an RV and a hook-up on the property. It’s nice. You and Austin can have it for a weekend. You’ll have fun, I can almost guarantee it. It’s a nice little town.” He grinned. “And I have that Jet Ski.”

Right then the boys came running back to the table. “Dad! Dad! We need more quarters!” Austin was flushed and sweaty and smelled gamey, like a happy little boy should.

“I got it,” Cooper said. He reached into his pocket. He pulled out a five-dollar bill. “When you get change, count it and make sure you’ve got the right amount. Got that?”

“Got it!” Austin said. And they turned away.

Austin’s friend, James, said, “Who’s that again?”

“That’s Cooper,” Austin said. “The bio-dad.”

* * *

It wasn’t unusual to see Landon on the beach with Hamlet in the afternoons. After school he was often with other high school kids or Eve, but today he was solo, throwing the ball for Ham all the way across the beach. Seeing Cooper up on the deck he headed over and ran up the stairs with Hamlet on his heels. Ham went straight to Cooper for a little scratch behind the ears. “What’s up, my man?” Cooper asked Landon. “Coke?”