Pride Wounds

Cooper was getting ready to go to the gym to blow off some steam. He had a busy day at work. One of his patients needed surgery for a ruptured appendix. Cooper meant to check on the child after work but decided he would check her tomorrow. The pediatric surgeon would make sure she was okay. It took almost half an hour to calm another kid after giving him his vaccinations. Cooper was normally great with his patients but today he was distracted. He counted that Sheldon went to visit Charlotte in her office four times today. He knew it wasn't for a quickie because they always left the blinds open. It seemed like they were in serious conversation whenever he looked through her office window, which was every time he saw Sheldon go in her office. He couldn't make out what was going on with them. Were they still friends with benefits? Were they becoming close friends? Was Sheldon her therapist? Cooper couldn't get these questions out of his mind. He didn't dare ask either one of them.

He decided to work it out with the punching bag at the gym. He stayed at the gym until closing time tonight. There's nothing to go home to these days. He tried calling Pete to go out for a drink. Pete was home with Addison playing family with Lucas. He called Sam. Sam was going to spend some time with Maya and Dink tonight. Dell didn't have a babysitter for Betsy. He couldn't go out either. As he was driving home he remembered a conversation he had with his cousin, Ben, last month. One of Ben's friends and colleagues had just moved to Santa Barbara. He took a job a surgeon. The guy was recently divorced and didn't know anyone in LA. Cooper decided to give his cousin a call.

"Hey Ben, It's Cooper. How ya doing?"

"We're good. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Cooper called Ben rarely. Ben was a cardiothoracic surgeon. He was married with three kids. Cooper always felt like the black sheep in the family compared to his cousin's accomplishments. They were the same age and grew up together. He cousin was always more serious and focused whereas Cooper was all about the playtime.

"Just wanted to see how my favorite cousin was doing? How are the wife and kids?"

"Great! There's nothing new to tell since I called you last month."

"Right. You called to tell me a friend of yours, that surgeon, moved to LA. You wanted to know if I'd show him the ropes. How's he doing?"

"Good. I just spoke to him the other day. He's working at some hospital called St. Ambrose. Are you familiar with it?"

"Spend almost every day there."

"He seems happy. It's been a good distraction for him. It takes his mind off his troubles. You know his wife walking out on him."

"That's why I was calling. I'm going out for drinks tonight and I thought he might need someone to shoot the breeze with."

"Maybe. I'll give you his number. Don't call too late. He's got a kid."

"What? You didn't tell me that before. How old is the kid?"

"I think she's about six or seven. Why?"

"His wife left the kid too?"

"She turned out to be a real piece of work. Turns out she was after his money until she found someone else with more."

"I guess I can rule him out as a drinking buddy tonight if he's got a kid." Cooper was disappointed.

"You sound desperate. You're disappointed a total stranger can't drink with you?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty pathetic these days."

"What's going on with your girlfriend?"

"You mean my ex girlfriend. I really blew that. I'm gonna get going now. Go drown my sorrows alone."

"Hold on. I'll give you Jacks cell#. You can meet up with him for drinks another time."

"I can't take it down right now. I'm driving."

"His name is Jack Roberts. Look him up at the hospital. He's a pediatric surgeon."

"Will do. Have a good night."

The next morning Cooper stopped by St. Ambrose to check on his surgical patient. The pediatric surgeon was just outside the door reviewing the chart.

"Hey, I'm Dr. Cooper Freedman, Amber's pediatrician." He greets reaching out his hand to the attractive doctor, about five years younger than Cooper.

The surgeon shakes Cooper's hand with a firm grip. "Dr. Jack Roberts, pediatric surgery."

"Okay. I'm Ben Freedman's cousin."

"Is that right? He told me he had a cousin living here. Small world."

"How's my patient doing?" Cooper asks getting back to work.

"She did great. As long as everything goes smooth we can discharge her tomorrow morning." Dr. Roberts grins and Cooper notices he is a cheery type. Typical pediatrician.

"If you need someone to show you around, need a drinking buddy, let me know."

"Great, I'll keep that in mind. For the past month I've been trying to settle into the job and get my daughter settled in school. I haven't had time to do much sight seeing or check out any bars."

"Great then." Cooper responds He looks up and sees Charlotte walking over to them.

"Good Morning. Jack I need to move our meeting up to nine this morning if that's okay with your schedule." Charlotte is professional as chief of staff

"Perfect. I'll be at your office at nine Dr. King"

"It's Charlotte. See you then." Charlotte gives a small smile to Cooper and walks away.

Turning to Cooper, Jack says "I've got my first review with Dr. King this morning. I can't believe how nervous I am. My hands are sweating already."

"I know what you mean. It's like being evaluated by Cruella Duville huh?" Cooper rolls his eyes.

"No. That's not what I mean." Jack laughs. "She's the hottest boss I've ever had. Just being around her makes me sweat."

"Oh" Cooper grunts.

"What do you think my chances are with someone like her? I heard she's single."

"Ugh. She's single for a reason man." Cooper pats his back and walks away. "Call me if you want to go out drinking sometime. Just the guys."

Later that night Cooper meets Jack for a drink at his regular drinking spot.

They both order a beer to start out and Cooper asks. "So how did your review go with Dr. King?"

"Great. She told me to call her Charlotte. She's really quite nice. Not the Cruella type at all." Jack chuckles.

"You don't know her." Cooper responds rolling his eyes again.

"I'm going to get to know her better soon."

"How's that?" Cooper sips his beer.

"I asked her out to dinner Saturday night and she accepted."

Cooper began choking on his beer. He had to spit some out on the floor.

"Are you alright man?" Jack looks at him.

"Actually I'm starting to feel a little sick." Cooper throws some money on the bar and leaves.

Cooper's driving home from the bar. His mind is racing. He needs to call someone. He wants to punch someone. He needs advise. He can't call Violet. She's away. Pete and Sam will just tell him he needs to move on. He can't call Sheldon. He's on Charlotte's team. He calls his cousin:

"Hey Ben."

"What's this? You call me twice in one week?" Ben teases.

"I met your little friend, Jack Roberts."

"He told me. You guys were supposed to go drinking tonight."

"We were until he told me he wants to date my ex girlfriend." Cooper was talking very loud now almost yelling into the phone.

"Jack told me he asked his boss out to dinner. Is that your ex?" Ben asks concerned.

"Yes! It's my ex!" Cooper yells.

"Doesn't sound like she's your ex by the way your yelling about it. If she were your ex you wouldn't be this upset." Ben advises. "Do you want her or not?"

"I want her. I want her bad!" Cooper yells.

"Then tell her."

"I can't. I told you I screwed up. I called her names and treated her horrible. I just don't want her dating anyone right now."

"Try apologizing." Ben offers.

"I can't. I want to. I just can't swallow my pride when it comes to her .I need more time."

"Do you want me to tell Jack to break the date?" Ben asks.

"Oh man that would be great. I would owe you so big if you did that." Cooper begged.

"I'll talk to him. There's no guarantee he'll do it but I'll try."

Thanks Ben. Thanks so much." Cooper's talking fast.

"Listen Coop. If you're going to make a move you better make it soon. I could try and stop Jack from going out with her but there may be other guys."

"I know. I just need time to figure this out." Cooper hangs up feeling a little better.

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