Always For Keeps ( For Keeps part 2)

Five. Scarlett

Hearing Mandy refer to our apartment as "home" stung more as I thought about it. I had trouble sleeping that night, and the next night. Today I feel like an extra in The Walking Dead.
"You look like you need a nap." Cooper says at the table.
"I can't sleep." I sigh and grab the cup of coffee he hands me.
"Do you need something for it?"
"Maybe. I'm sore, and I can't sleep for shit. It's exhausting."
"I'll see what I can do." He says as he grabs his work stuff. "Have a good day." He says as he grabs his stuff. He kisses the top of my head and heads out the door.
I've been avoiding him since I moaned his name. He has been giving me space again.

I shower and decide to get ready for the day. I am in desperate need of some new makeup since I left my collection in Montana, so I decide to head out into the city today.
After I look somewhat decent, I catch a taxi and head to the closest department store. After getting everything I need I walk around a bit. My leg is feeling better today, but I don't want to overdo it.
"Scarlett?! OMG! It is you!" I hear behind me. I turn to see Starla Cassidy behind me.
Starla was one of my good friends. Her family comes from money and she was always bouncing around from guy to guy. She grew up with Cooper and we always ended up at the same functions. On more than one occasion, we would smoke pot in the women's restroom or get so drunk, Cooper and Brady would have to carry us out.
"Hey Starla." I say hugging her.
"I should be mad at you! You left without a word and made me face these parties alone for two whole years! But you look like shit! I saw you on the news. You saved that kid."
"Hope." I smile.
"Are you back?"
"For now." I smile.
"Thank God! Right before the Fitzgerald party! You better be there. Give me your number, bitch! I'm so glad I ran into you."
"Me too!" I say giving her my number and then hugging her goodbye.
If I want to have some fun or numb the pain, she's the girl to go to.

When I arrive back home- or whatever this is- I walk in just as Cooper opens the front door.
"Thank God!" He says pulling me to him.
"What's wrong?"
"You scared the shit out of me. I came home and you were gone-again."
"I'm sorry. I went shopping." I say holding up my make up bags.
"You should have told me."
"I didn't think to. I've been alone for so long, Coop. Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad." He says hugging me again. "I was worried you fled."
"I'm done with that." I say dropping my bags and pulling him close. I feel a pang of sadness thinking about hurting him. Again.
"Would you like to go to dinner?" He asks pulling back.
"Sure, but nowhere fancy."
"I can do causal." He says.
Ten minutes later he comes out wearing jeans and a black dress shirt.
"This good?" He asks grabbing his wallet.
"I was hoping for sweats and a t, but whatever. You look fine." I smile.

We go to a Chinese place around the corner followed by the best frozen yogurt I have ever had. Tonight proves to be a fun evening as we stroll around Central Park eating our fro yo.
"I can't believe you actually like drawing blood!" He laughs.
"I know, right! Veins used to gross me out. Now it's literally the first thing I notice on a person." I giggle.
"Weird!" He says as he throws his yogurt away.
"I know. I know. What about you? The company has expanded? That's so great, Coop!"
"I focused on changing. Growing the company and myself." He shrugs.
"And Natasha." I arch my brow at him.
"I'm really sorry about that." He says grabbing my hand as I attempt to walk on some rocks.
"There's nothing to be sorry for. You lived your life."
"She didn't mean anything. Just a void to fill."
I nod and think about Luke briefly but force it down. I take too big of a step and stumble off the rocks. Luckily Cooper is right there, because he catches me so effortlessly.
"Thanks." I say as he sets me down.
"You're welcome." He whispers as his eyes search mine. "I almost forgot how beautiful your eyes are." He says right before some clicking make us look away from one another. Some guys with cameras run before we can say anything.
"I forgot how much I love the pops around here." I say as we continue on our walk.
"Yeah they are around." He shakes his head.

We end up going home and watching some TV for a bit before I fall asleep on the couch. At some point, I wake up in my bed, still dressed in my jeans and t-shirt. I smile to myself as I brush my teeth and change into my pajamas. I grab my phone from my purse and see some texts from Luke. Right as I go to read them, he calls.
"Luke, are you okay?"
"Me? Yeah babe, I'm so good." He slurs.
"Why are you drinking?"
"Well I googled you finally and I see a picture from tonight of you and your husband looking super cozy."
"What are you taking about?" I ask as I look at his texts. There's a picture of Cooper and me from the park when I almost fell. "I tripped and Cooper grabbed me so I didn't break my face."
"Right. Because you're not in bed with him right now."
"Seriously!" I say as I turn on the light and Face Time Luke. "See-" I say as I show him my bed, but it's what I see on his screen that turns my stomach.
He is sitting on the end of our bed, without a shirt; a sleeping, naked Mandy sprawled out behind him, and a used condom on the bed next to her.
I cover my mouth and shake my head. "I see things are working out with you, two."
He shakes his head. "This is what you wanted, right? Me to fuck her so you could be with him?"
"No. I wanted you. I wanted us." I sob. "Take care, Luke." I say and hang up. He calls right back and I turn my phone off. I can't get the picture of them out of my head and I stand and throw my phone at the mirror. I watch them both shatter as I sink to the floor. I eye the sharp pieces as my hand goes to pick one up. Too quick, I'm picked up off the ground and carried out of the room.
"Put me down." I yell as I fight Cooper.
"No." He says holding me tight. He presses the intercom button and speaks. "Brady. Please clean up Scarlett's room and get her a new phone."
"If you hurt her-" Brady says when he rounds the corner.
"I didn't. I swear. " Cooper says.
He pulls me into bed and let's me sob into his chest.
"He slept with her. He slept with her and let me see the aftermath."
"I'm so sorry." He says rubbing my back.
"I'm sorry about the mirror." I say.
"It's not what I care about. I thought you were going to-"
"I wanted to." I say honestly.
"Please don't hurt yourself." He says and I feel a tear slide down his warm cheek.
"I won't." I say trying to comfort him.

I fall asleep after I've cried all I can in Cooper's arms as I listen to his heart beat.
I dread waking up tomorrow, but I have a plan to get my mind off everything.