When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(36)

I laugh at her compliment.

Her brows crash together. “What’s so funny?”

“That’s the first time anyone has ever complimented my cooking skills.”

“That’s because the women you dated before didn’t appreciate you.”

Truer words have never been spoken, but I didn’t exactly appreciate the women from my past, either. “I’m going to be really blunt and say that’s it completely odd to talk to a woman who isn’t intimidated by my past.”

Piper gives me a small smile. “Oh, I’m intimidated all right, but it’s not going to prevent me from dating you.”

“I’m counting on that.”

—

Once Piper leaves for work, I head inside the garage. My old Mustang sits in the middle with an enormous tarp over it. Grabbing the edge, I start lifting it away, making dust rise into the air. I think I sneeze about a hundred times before all is said and done, but once that beauty of my car is revealed, I don’t give a damn.

Running my hand over the hood, I imagine the way her engine used to sound. How it used to purr for me when I would get her warmed up. Racing cars had been my life from the time I was old enough to drive. I loved the thrill of it. The excitement. The way other drivers would be intimidated by me.

I had the respect of the neighborhood. There wasn’t a car I couldn’t beat, a fight I’d back down from, or a woman I couldn’t show a good time to.

Damn, I was stupid. Stayed stupid for a while, too.

Standing back a little, I stroke my jaw. Piper would make this car look good. She already makes my bike look good, but her prim little dresses aren’t built for it and I’m not about to ask her to change her ways. Beautifully wrapped gift, indeed.

A throat clears and I look up. My sister is standing there with a serious look on her face.

“Ro, what’s up?”

“I was driving by and saw the door open. Thought I’d see what you’re up to.”

“Thinking about bringing this beauty back.”

“She runs good—I kept her up for you. Replaced the tires a month before you got out. Leather’s supple and—”

I hold up one hand. “You don’t have to catalog what you did. I know you took care of her for me.” We both know I’m not just talking about my car.

“Take care of what takes care of you first,” Rowan says.

I walk around to the back of the car and lean against it. “I’m doing my best, Ro. Did you know her asthma was that bad?”

Rowan nods slowly. “Yeah, she had an attack one night at the house. Seth and I were scared shitless that we’d have to call 9-1-1. But she got it under control.”

“I’m thinking about selling the house.” Which is part of the reason why I tossed and turned all night. This house is my security. It’s paid for and the neighborhood is familiar. It’s close to Rowan. I can’t see myself without her nearby. Yet I can’t see myself without Piper, either.

“Why?”

“Piper’s doctor thinks it could be making her symptoms worse. She’s had two attacks in less than two weeks.”

“You would move for her?” Rowan’s blue eyes go wide. “Things are that serious with y’all?”

I shrug in answer. How can I tell my sister what I think if I can’t admit it to Piper first? “She might not stay with me—we both know that. If she ends up reconciling with her parents or deciding that she doesn’t like the life she’s chosen, then I’m pretty damn certain she’ll go back to The Oaks.”

“To do what—be miserable with all the other Stepford wives?” Rowan narrows her eyes at me. “Why do you give her so little credit? She’s not slumming with you. You’re not some big secret for her. When I talked to her on the phone the other day, she sounded giddy and happy to be with you.”

“Everything’s new. Shiny. Easy to be giddy and happy until the shit hits the fan, and it will. Sooner or later, her dad is going to find out about us and make me pay for touching his daughter.”

“It’s not a crime to love Piper or to live with her—she’s a grown-ass woman. So unless her dad finds a way to arrest you for a crime, you’re safe,” she points out.

“I realize that, but make a man pissed enough and he’ll do whatever he can to retaliate. It made his career, you know, when he arrested Seth and me. Not only did he get convictions on two punks, he broke up a street racing gang.” I roll my eyes. “He’ll think the only reason I’m dating Piper is to get back at him.”

“Are you?”

“Fuck no.” My jaw clenches. “Why would you even think that?”

She grins at me. “Just checking.”

“Brat.” I grab her up in a hug. She was so young when Mom died, and I missed seven years of her life while I was locked up. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” She steps out of my embrace.

“For being a f*ckup. After Tony showed his ass, I should have let it go, but my pride wouldn’t let it.”

“Jase. It’s not your fault. He pulled a gun on you. Broke your ribs and beat the crap out of Seth. What were you supposed to do—be a willing victim?”

I had accidentally shot Tony that night. We’d wrestled with the gun and it had gone off in my hands. I flex my fingers. “Too bad I didn’t kill him. Would have saved those girls from getting hurt by him.”