Page 6 of A Little Luck
If anything happens to me, you’ll look after her… Rex said the words to me the night he died, before any of us knew she was pregnant, before his motorcycle slammed into a tree on the side of the highway, killing him in an instant, the coroner said.
As the words came out, my insides froze wondering if my wish was strong enough to cause something like that.
“I can’t ignore this.” Aiden’s voice is angry now. “You’re my brother, but it’s been nine months of looking the other way. There have to be consequences.”
He thinks I’m afraid of the consequences. He doesn’t know I welcome them, anything to assuage the guilt. “Okay.”
“I’ll drive you home. You can pick up your car tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.” I nod, thinking how one day is like all the rest. Nothing makes sense anymore… except her.
I blew it tonight, and when tomorrow comes, I find myself sitting across the desk from Aiden in his office at the courthouse.
I’d barely made it through my door last night, when I passed out on the couch, and he was at my house first thing this morning, dragging my ass to pick up my car and then to face whatever consequences I’m sure he sat up all night planning.
He studies the legal pad in front of him, looking just like our dad, whose job he inherited.
Shifting in my chair, I want to be out on the ocean, riding the waves. I want to lean back on the board, close my eyes, and let the ocean carry me away from all this death and loss and pain and regret.
“Community service.” My brother’s voice pulls me to attention. “We have a contract with a state mental health professional. You’re going to see her for as long as she says, and you’re joining the Navy.”
“The fuck?” I sit straighter in the uncomfortable wooden chair. “I’m no jarhead.”
“No, you’re not.” He gives me his former-Marine glare. “But they’ll figure out what to do with you. They’ll get you straight.”
“You can’t make me join the military.”
“I can put your ass in jail. This is the second time I’ve caught you driving under the influence. Do you know the penalty for that?”
“It’s only my first time on the record.” If he even filed the paperwork.
“I could make a case for it being your second offense.” His jaw is tight. “I have the power to throw the book at you, and don’t think I’m not considering it. Mom’s pleading might’ve worked with Dad, but I’m not letting you get away with breaking the law… or wasting your life.”
He adds the last part under his breath, and my fists tighten.
I’m ready to flip a table. “You’re not my dad, asshole.”
“No, I’m not.” We’re both on our feet, facing each other, square jaws tight. “But I’m the sheriff here, and you don’t have a say in the matter. It’s decided.”
At six-two, he’s a half-inch taller than me, which pisses me off even more. People say we look alike with brown hair and blue eyes, but I see nothing of myself in him. Aiden’s had a stick up his ass since I was a kid.
“You’ve been waiting for this day.”
His lips tighten, but he only shakes his head. “I love you, brother. You can’t see it now, but this is the best thing. It’s the only thing that’s going to save you from yourself. I don’t want to pull your dead body out of a ditch next time.”
I’d argue with him if I could, but my grip is slipping. Rage is in my chest, but I know he’s right. I’ve lost control, and I can’t keep going this way.
The one thing I care about… now two… won’t have me if I don’t get my shit straight, and I don’t blame her.
She was right to kick me out.
It’s time I got help.
CHAPTER1
PIPER
PRESENT DAY, EIGHT YEARS LATER