Beginnings and Ends Part 3

April 2010


Across the room, his eyes landed on Cameron. His head was down, his face hidden and
Cooper knew he would be crushed, more so than anyone else in that room. He couldn't believe his ears. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn't bare to look at Brett. All hope vanished in milliseconds. His heart was dropping hundred miles per hour and he wasn't sure if it would land. The End seemed so near right then and there. The Death of Melbourne Storm. He felt eyes on him but he couldn't bare to look back at his team mates. As soon as the meeting was over Cooper left the room. He left the ground. He needed to breathe and he couldn't do it here. He couldn't face Brett. Not now, not when everything went against them staying together. He wasn’t sure where he was going but he drove on ignoring the ringing of his phone.

Brett saw Cooper's car disappear out of the ground car park. He desperately needed to talk to him. But Cooper wouldn't pick up.

--

“Cam...” Brett caught up with his captain just as he was about to leave the training grounds.

Cam looked at him with sad eyes. 'I’m sorry mate' Brett hugged his captain.
Brett felt Cameron’s hands on his back.

“Not your fault mate” when he leaned back, Cameron saw the concern in Brett's eyes.
“Where’s Cooper?” Cam asked.

“I don't know” Brett said. “He won't pick up” he added looking away.

Cameron looked at Brett. He knew what all this meant. Now there was no room for Brett at all. He felt for his five-eight. He had come to learn what a fantastic bloke Brett is. Cameron had his family. Brett had none. No one except for his mates and Cooper.

“I’ll give him a ring” Cameron said moving to the gates.

Brett gave a weak smile “Thanks mate”

“Make sure you give me a call if he doesn't turn up” Cam said. He didn't want any of his boys to be by themselves that night. There was too much shit going through everyone’s heads.

“Yeah. Ok” with that he watched Cameron disappear into the crowd of reporters.

God. He'd have to meet them as well. He went to collect his training gear so that he could go looking for Cooper soon as possible.

He checked Cooper's apartment and even called his mum to see if he was there. Nothing. Brett made his way back to his own apartment in the early hours of the night.

He sat there on his couch, not even bothering to turn the lights on. He had never felt this crap in his life. He was worried for Cooper. He spent his whole career at the storm. He achieved so much. To have that taken away and questioned... Brett didn't want to think about it. He forced his eyes shut.

“Cooper...” he whispered under his breath. He wanted everything to go back to what it was hours earlier. 'I don't know what to do' he sighed, resting his head on the arm of the couch...

... The knock on the door startled Brett out of sleep. It took him an extra second in the dark to remember where he was. He got up and turned the light on.

He opened the door to find Cooper's eyes fixed on him.

“Brett?” Cooper spoke, his voice barely audible.
“I ...” Brett hadn't prepared for this.
“You alone?” Cooper asked his eyes not leaving Brett's. Brett could tell Cooper was very close to tears.
“Yeah...yeah...Coo—” Brett's words were cut off.
“Can I......come in?” Cooper's voice choked hinting pain that he didn't show.

Brett let him in without a word.