Page 94 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

Cooper touched the still-tender spot below his eye. The color had morphed to a sickly yellow, but the bruise was almost gone. His mortification was only outdone by his self-disgust. His family still hated him—not that he blamed them.

He hadn’t seen Gavin since the fight.

At least Avery was finally talking to him again—though it wasjust barely and only about business. He’d wanted to put out a statement clarifying that Katelyn was not the pregnant woman who’d accused him of denying paternity. But apparently Kate didn’t want that and Avery agreed. Such a statement would only bring more attention to the fated kiss and pregnancy rumor.

Cooper longed to check on Kate, but that would be a mistake for so many reasons. All the regret in the world hadn’t taken away his feelings for her. No matter what he did, what he told himself, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Couldn’t stop remembering the way her lips had felt against his. The way she’d felt so right in his arms.

At first he’d checked up on her through Avery. But his sister had finally put a stop to that.“If you ask about her one more time, I’m going to slug you myself.”

“Hey, you... Officer.”

The voice shook Cooper from his reverie.

The twentysomething guy in custody peered at him from across the hall through the bars, stringy black hair hanging in his eyes. “Dude, what happened? How’d I get here?”

“You were brought in early this morning. You passed out at the bar and fell off the stool.” Cooper went back to the report.

“Am I under arrest?”

“No, I’ll release you when you’re sober.”

“I’m sober now, man. Lemme outta here. I’m fine.”

“Let’s give it a couple more hours. You hungry? I got milk and donuts.”

A moment later the sound of retching carried across the space. He hoped the guy had at least hit the receptacle. Cooper set down his pen and went to check on his guest—Jaron something. He found the man hunched over the stainless-steel commode, dry heaving. A sweat had broken out on his forehead.

Holding his breath against the stench, Cooper unlocked the cell door and handed the guy a water bottle.

Jaron moaned as he flushed the toilet and took the water.

“Small sips.” Cooper felt a moment’s pity for the guy. “Nothing’s worth feeling like this, buddy. Remember that next time you’re ordering shots by the dozen.”

Cooper left Jaron huddled on the bench seat, eyes closed in misery, muttering something about his mama and daddy. He was almost finished with the forms when he heard the station door open down the hall.

A moment later his mom swept into the office in a light-blue top and jeans, her hair up in a messy do. Her eyes looked tired, and no amount of makeup could disguise the dark circles beneath them.

Cooper took that one on the chin. “Twice in one month. This is getting to be a habit, Ma.”

Rodriguez strode into the room and caught sight of Cooper’s mom. A dopey grin formed on his face as he grew two inches in stature. “Well, hello there, Mrs. Robinson. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”

“Déjà vu,” Cooper muttered.

Mom patted Rodriguez on the arm. “Hi there, honey. How are you?”

“Better by the second.” Rodriguez held out the box of donuts. “What’s your pleasure, ma’am?”

“Thank you, but I already had breakfast.”

“Suit yourself.” The deputy snatched a sprinkled donut.

“I hope that’s not your breakfast, Ricky. You need to start your day off with some protein.”

“Aw, you do care about me.”

Cooper gave the deputy a withering look. “You mind? We were about to have a discussion here.”

Rodriguez winked at Cooper’s mom. “I’ll be in the break room if you need me.”