Page 16 of Whiskey & Honey
“Right, co-workers. We still have a few weeks until school starts but I’m sure I’ll see you around. You’re going to the lake with us next weekend, right?”
The mention of the lake must be a neutralizer because she offers me a full smile. The smile that calls my dick to attention and the smile that makes me curse my sister just a little.
“Actually, Ben, I think the question is are you going to the lake with us next weekend. We go every year for Ash’s birthday, you just haven’t been around to join us.”
“Ouch. You’re right, I’ve kind of sucked the last few years. Yes, Piper, I’ll be at the lake next weekend with you all. But don’t forget, if you have a headache tomorrow from that third glass of wine, I’ll bring you Rosa’s.”
“I’ll be fine, but thanks,” she says as I step out on to the landing. Before she can say goodbye I turn toward her.
“And, I’m sorry for making your situation with Dominguez worse with that text. He’s a dick though, Piper. Please promise me if he gives you any more trouble you’ll call me.” I look directly in her dancing whiskey-colored eyes. I want her to feel my sincerity in the apology and seriousness that I will deal with Tony if he so much as says one negative word to her.
“It’s okay, he deserved to feel like shit. Well, as much as he capable of anyway. Tony won’t be any trouble, he’s really harmless. And, even though he’s a horrible boyfriend, he’s not a bad guy.”
“Just call me if you need anything, okay?”
She nods. “Goodnight, Ben.”
“Night, Piper,” I say as she closes the door and I turn toward the steps. I hesitate before I start down until I hear the lock click.
As I drive home, I contemplate a stop at Country Road to have a drink and decide against it. My mind is full of Piper and the last thing I need is for Ash to ask where I’ve been. I know we haven’t done anything wrong and no lines were crossed but I still feel protective of my time with Piper.
I hate that a part of me feels like I’m betraying my years with Laurel, that I’m not giving our relationship the respect it deserves. I absolutely loved Laurel; I still do. But this pull I have to Piper and the immediate sense of familiarity and connection is something we didn’t have. Considering I’ve had two serious relationships and didn’t experience anything remotely close to what I have felt in the last twenty-four hours, I’m feeling a little dazed.
Once I’m parked in front of the house, I take a few minutes to just sit and take it in. This house, this street, this town, they all represent the person I was and have me questioning the person I am and who I want to be.
Leaving home at eighteen, I was convinced I had all the answers. Like many driven teenagers, my future seemed laid out with a perfect plan of a successful career, wife, kids, and weekend fishing trips. The reality of it all is life can’t be planned. The man who believes the ideals of a boy hold his future is a fool.
I reach for my phone and notice the light blinking that I have a message. A quick swipe has me smiling instantly.
Piper: Thanks again for coming to my rescue.
Me: It’s what a knight in shining armor does.
Piper: Good grief.
She manages to make me smile even by text. I get out of the truck and make my way up the drive when my phone pings again.
Piper: Weatherman just said a storm is coming, better make sure the armor doesn’t rust cowboy.
Me: Cowboy?
Piper: Best Halloween of all time.
Me: Well if your best Halloween memory is when you were 8, we have a problem.
Piper: Night Ben.
Me: Night, Princess Piper.
I chuckle to myself at the memory of Piper dressed as a princess and demanding we all call her Princess Piper. She was a force to be reckoned with when she was little. Bossy, silly, and always wanting to dress Jameson and me up like peasants or something equally boring. Then something happened when she hit those awkward years. I guess part of that had to do with the age difference. Somehow at eight and eleven it didn’t feel like much of an age difference. By the time I was thirteen the difference seemed like light years and Ashton and Piper were more annoying than fun to hang out with.
I open the back door and am slightly startled by the shadow at the table also known as my dad sneaking his late-night bowl of ice cream. As long as I can remember, my dad has snuck down to the kitchen for a bowl of ice cream. Obviously if I know about it, it’s likely my mom does, too. I think that’s one of their secrets to a happy marriage – her pretending she doesn’t know and him still calling it sneaking.
“Hey, Pop,” I say as make my way to the cupboard to make my own bowl.
“Don’t tell your mother you saw me down here.”
I laugh and take a seat at the table with him.