Page 27 of You Can Make Me (Carnival of Mysteries #28)

Fourteen

C ooper

“So tell me what happened when you met the women in Laurel Canyon?”

I had to keep him talking or I’d really freak out.

This is it. I’ll be back in public. People are going to see me…

“It was actually just before we left to go to Buttonwillow,” he said. “Right before we found you.”

I could handle talking about the attack now. I didn’t freeze up when bits and pieces of my assault cropped up in conversation.

Look at me, all evolved.

“Funny, I didn’t see them out there, and I must not have left too long before you did. Tell me, were they listening to that tinny radio?”

“They were,” he said with a frown. “Some Doors song, I think.”

“‘Love Street.’ Yeah. Same. They kept trying to get me to buy crystals. I think I got some?—”

“Quartz? Onyx?”

“How’d you know?”

“They insisted we take some as well. Charged us twenty bucks for two rocks. Then they tossed me the 8 Ball. They said it was more my speed.”

I barked out a laugh. “Mean. I wondered where that came from. I stopped to ask them questions one day on my way from my old apartment to Studio City, when I was just an intern during grad school. At the time, there was all kinds of interest in Laurel Canyon history, and I was obsessed.”

Denny chuckled. “You and Junior. Sorry, please continue.”

“It was one of the strangest interactions I’d ever had, and I grew up in Vegas.” That made Denny laugh.

“You get a lot of woo-woo out there in the desert?”

“What do you think? You know how many magicians there are in Vegas? You’d be surprised.

A lot of so-called psychics show up in Vegas, too, thinking they can work the system.

Some of them do, but fewer are smart enough to get their winnings and get out before they get caught.

Anyway, the ladies didn’t say much to me, but when one of them pointed at the crystals, she touched my hand, and suddenly there was some monologue being recited in my head.

It was so strange. Neither of their mouths moved, but I could hear them both in my head. Oh, turn up here.”

Denny had to maneuver around an accident and some road construction, which would have had me laying on the horn, but all he did was get the slightest crease between his brows.

The old women’s words had been running through my mind a lot more lately. Honestly, I didn’t know why I could remember them so vividly when my thoughts tended to be murkier now that my brain was broken.

I don’t think I’m ready for this.

I’d been tempted to run back into the cabin when Denny told me the car was ready to go.

I’d contemplated shutting the door and locking it against the world, but it was time.

I couldn’t hide in the mountains forever, although I’d grown quite fond of our hideaway.

I’d mentioned to Denny that perhaps we could go back there or find another hideout to escape to.

Outdoor sex in the city, even in West Hollywood, was frowned upon.

Once we’d gotten in the Mustang, though, I’d focused on the gorgeous picture Denny made driving the muscle car; his elbow on the door, his fingers keeping the wheel steady as he whipped in and out of LA traffic like a pro.

No road rage for my man. He was just as calm about assholes on the freeway as he’d been about my temper tantrums.

He frowned again and downshifted as he made a right onto Hollywood Boulevard. “I forgot that you really are smack dab in the middle of everything, huh? I was so focused on getting to you when I came before, I hadn’t paid attention to my surroundings.”

I turned to face him. “Is that going to bother you?”

He glanced at me, shifted gears, and then took my hand firmly, holding it against his thigh. “I want to be where you are. I can make it work anywhere. Come on, I’ve lived in Bakersfield for almost twenty-five years.”

“God, I love you. I really hope you don’t regret this, Denny. Any of it. I promise, I’ll keep?—”

“Hey, hey, what’s going on?”

I blew out a breath, pulled my hand away and rubbed my palms on my thighs.

I looked at all of the familiar sights, all the things I loved about my town.

I mean, what’s not to love? I had the Whisky right around the corner from my condo.

The Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store. The best cafes.

My Jiu Jitsu studio and gym. All of them were within walking distance.

The KTLA studios, where Sam and I got our start, were down the street, and my current position at KCAL CBS studios, in Studio City, was just on the other side of the canyon from my condo.

“It’s overwhelming,” I murmured, as he turned onto Sunset for the short drive to my place. “Turn here. Hopefully there’s a visitor spot open on the left.”

It was midday Monday, and traffic had been moderately heavy, so it took us just about three hours to get to my place.

There was indeed a visitor spot open, and Denny pulled in.

I spotted my Mini Cooper in the partially underground garage in one piece, and the relief that flooded me was palpable.

I didn’t know who had brought my car back from the scene of my attack.

I’d have to ask Denny. Probably it needed a jump, but that was a problem for another time.

I didn’t know if I was ready for driving.

Denny turned off the engine, but neither of us moved.

“Ginny texted. She had the movers put your stuff into the spare room for now. We can get everything settled?—”

“Baby?”

I burst into tears, cursing at myself, and Denny pulled me into his arms.

“I don’t know why I’m crying.”

Denny held me and kissed my forehead.“You’ve been through so much, Cooper. Give yourself some grace. Take a breath.”

“I’m so glad you’re here.” I took a couple more breaths and sat back. “I don’t know how to be here. I don’t feel like this Cooper.”

“Which Cooper do you feel like?”

I held his gaze for a long moment, then swallowed. My lips turned up in a little smile, and I sniffled. “The Cooper who has the best boyfriend in the world. The Cooper who is ecstatic to be moving in with said boyfriend?”

Denny blushed. “Haven’t been anyone’s boyfriend in a long time.”

I leaned forward and kissed him softly. “I love that you’re mine. Last chance, though. If you want to drop me off and?—”

Denny yanked me forward by the neck and kissed me hard, just how I liked it.

“Get that fine ass out of this car and show me my new home. Shit, am I going to have to get a new wardrobe and everything to fit in here? Definitely need a haircut.”

I licked my lips, swooning over this man.

“Whatever you wear, you’re going to turn heads, Retired Detective-slash-Marine Staff Sergeant Dennis Hamilton. Man, you have a lot of titles.”

He rolled his eyes. “Cooper’s Boyfriend is the only title I care about. Now come on, baby. Let’s drop off our stuff, and then I need to feed you.”

“I like the idea of christening the place right away. Good call.”

“Food. I’m serious, Coop. We need to stay on our routine. You’re doing so well, but we need to feed you food , you need your nap and early bedtime, your exercise?—”

“Well, then let’s go. Gosh, can’t believe you’re lollygagging out here.”

I climbed out of the car and swayed a little.

I’d been sitting too long, and Denny was right, I needed to eat.

I pulled out my cane. Using it was second nature by now.

The elevator was on the other side of the building.

Usually I climbed the stairs. I wanted to see if I could make it.

I met Denny around back of the car, where he was grabbing my suitcase.

He slung my bag over his shoulder, and when I reached for my toiletry bag, he touched my hand.

“I got this,” he said. “Let’s get you upstairs, and then I’ll come back for the rest of our stuff.”

I huffed out a breath but smiled at him. I knew I needed his help, and he never seemed put out about helping me, which made it tolerable. I hated not being independent, but after months of this bullshit, I knew my limits. Mostly.

We climbed up to my third-floor apartment. I was breathing heavy and leaning on my cane, but I made it.

“Next time we use the elevator.” Denny set the bags down, rested his shoulder against the wall beside my door, and looked around.

“I know this building has security, but I’m going to want to add some touches of my own.

And you know I’m going to have weapons in the house.

You’re okay with that? We didn’t talk about it. ”

I kissed his cheek. “I want you and all you come with. I appreciate the added security. I hadn’t thought much about that when I bought this place, but a couple of us have had overzealous fans end up outside our doors, so we insisted on private security on site at all times, and it’s been better.

But yeah. Whatever you think we need. I trust you. ”

I showed him the code as I unlocked the door, and I opened it for him.

“Home sweet home.”

Then terror froze me on the spot. Would he hate it here? Would he get sick of me? Was this all a big mistake?

Denny grinned and pushed away from the wall. He stalked toward me and paused.“This might be presumptuous, but…”

He bent down, scooped me into his arms, and carried me over the motherfucking threshold like I was a cherished bride.

We kissed in the middle of my entryway for several long moments—before a throat cleared that wasn’t either one of ours.

“Oh! Ginny.”

Denny set me down with a chuckle, and I hobbled over to give her a hug.

“I am so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt that fairytale entry. He’s so romantic!”

We squeezed each other and laughed. I turned to face Denny.

“Den, this is?—”

“Great to meet you, Ginny. I’m going down to get the rest of the stuff.”

We both watched him walk out the door, and we sighed at the same time, sending us both into peals of laughter.

“I’m really sorry to interrupt, Cooper, but I wanted to tell you a few things before I left.”

“Sure, okay, and thank you for taking care of everything. I cannot thank you enough.”