"But, despite what those grades say on your computer, I'm not stupid. I might think my dad has lost his mind, signing me up here, but I know he can see my potential and just wants the best for me. I appreciate that. It's more than my mother ever did for me.”
"I'll do what’s required of me. I'll work hard. I'll try my best, but I'm not suddenly going to turn into some pretentious rich kid to fit in. I like rock music, the colour black, and as soon as I can convince my dad to do it, I'll have ink and a bike."
"O-okay. I wasn't going to suggest you do anything to fit in, Emmie. You are your own person and I'd only want you to embrace that."
"Great. I just thought I'd get that out now before you start talking to me about Oxbridge or some other crazy shit."
My lips part, but I soon find I have no words to respond.
"Was that all?"
"N-no. So, no Oxbridge," I smile, "but do you have any idea what you might like to do in the future?"
She shrugs. "I dunno. Not thought about it."
"That's fine. It's still early days. Knight's Ridge will open up opportunities for you, opportunities that you really should embrace."
"We'll see," she says, pushing from the chair. "That it?"
"Um... yeah. Unless you wanted to talk about anything else."
"Nah, I'm good." She's at the door with her hand on the handle when she turns back to me. "I forgot. Dad asked me to give you this." She digs about in her bag for a bit before revealing an envelope.
"Oh, t-thank you." She's almost disappeared before I gather my senses. "Have a great day, Emmie. I'm here if you need anything."
She doesn't respond. I'm not even sure if she hears me.
Holding the plain white envelope in my hand, I turn it over, looking for clues as my heart begins to race.
I should put it in my bag until I'm home later, because I just know that whatever is inside has nothing to do with Emmie attending Knight's Ridge. Everything we do here is electronic, so it's unlikely it's an old-school permission slip.
I pull my drawer open and drop it in, but despite the fact that it's out of sight once I close it, it's never out of mind.
I see three more students with it taunting me.
By the time I say goodbye to the last, I can't wait any longer and pull it out. I make quick work of ripping the flap open and pulling out the contents.
I unfold the piece of paper and something falls onto my lap.
Dawson's messy handwriting is scrawled across the paper.
The best day of my life.
My brows pull together at his cryptic message until I pick up what fell onto my lap and turn it over.
My breath catches as I stare down at younger versions of the two of us at a fairground.
A wide smile forms on my lips as I remember that weekend we skipped out of London. We weren't heading for a fair, we just happily stumbled across it where we'd booked a B&B for the night.
He's not wrong, it was incredible.
Before I can control it, my memories get the better of me.
"Come on, don't be a scaredy-cat," Dawson taunts as I slow to a stop in front of the Ferris wheel.
"Dawson, I really, really don't want to go up there."
"Why, what's the worst that could happen?"
"Oh, I don't know. We could plummet to our deaths."
He laughs at me. "Piper, you get on the back of my bike without so much as batting an eyelid. I can assure you that there's more chance of dying on that than there is on a Ferris wheel."
"Bikes don't scare me, and I trust you. Heights, however..."
His arms wrap around my shoulders. "Baby girl, I'll never let anything happen to you."
He stares down at me with so much love in his eyes that I have no choice but to nod and allow him to lead me over to the ticket booth.
My entire body trembles in fear as we wait for our car. It swings when I step on, but that's nothing compared to what it does under Dawson's weight.
"I'm going to fucking die. It's not funny," I snap when all he does is laugh at me.
"I'm not going to let you die, Piper." He pulls me close and holds me tight.
"Oh my God. Oh my God," I whisper to myself as we start moving. I squeeze my eyes shut tight and cling onto Dawson for dear life.
"You're cute."
"I'm not cute, I'm terrified."
"Come here, let me distract you." His warm fingers tilt my chin up before his lips brush over mine.
In only two seconds I forget where we are as his tongue sweeps into my mouth.
A moan rumbles up my throat as my reason to cling onto him changes.
His hand tenses at my waist as his kiss gets even deeper.
I have no idea if he was aware, but when he pulls back, we're right at the top. My heart jumps into my throat as I stare at the sky above me, desperately trying not to look down.
"Piper," he says, his hand cupping my cheek and his thumb running over my skin.
My eyes find his and I gasp at the look in them. They're dark, hungry, and full of emotion.
"Piper, I... I think I've fallen in love with you."
15
Dawson
"I need to talk to you about something," Emmie says the second we're back in the house after school.
"I'm not going to like this, am I?" I knew delivering that little memory to Piper via my daughter wasn't the right way to go about it, but I needed to do something. Sunday is a long time away; I need to ensure I'm in her head. And I'm hoping that the photo was perfect.
I almost burned everything from our time together. The day I learned of her betrayal, I shoved everything into a box and vowed to watch it go up in smoke just like our relationship. But I couldn’t do it.
What I thought was exciting and pure was in fact all fake and based on a lie.
She told me she loved me back, that day up on the Ferris wheel. It was the single most important moment of my life. I thought I'd found it all in Piper. I knew we shouldn't have been together, but the naïve boy thought we'd be able to get around it. That we could just sit our fathers down, explain how we felt, and it would all be okay.
How wrong I was.
My fists clench as I think about her saying those three little words. I believed her. Not once did I ever question her intentions. I was blinded by her. Totally fucking blinded.
"When can I get a bike?"
"Fucking hell," I mutter to myself, rubbing my hand down my face.
"What? You told me that—"
"I know what I told you, but I didn't think you'd actually want to."
Emmie has been talking about having a bike of her own since she was old enough to know what one was. I told her that when she was sixteen I would buy her one. I paid for her CBT for her birthday in the hope that she'd get on a bike and be scared witless and never want to ride one again. It backfired, because now she wants one more than ever.
It utterly terrifies me.
"Can't you just wait to get a car?" I ask, walking through to the kitchen to start the coffee machine. Although I'm not sure there’s enough caffeine in the world for this conversation.
"No, I don't want a car. I want a bike, and I’m seventeen in a few weeks, which means I can get a 125cc."
"Emmie," I groan.
"Dad," she sasses. When I turn to look at her, I find her standing with her hands on her hips and her brow quirked. "I've done everything you've asked of me since I moved here. I'm going to that bloody school. And, if you agree, then I won't even give you the twenty questions you deserve about Miss Hill." Her eyes narrow in my direction.
"Whoa, who taught you how to barter?" I mutter, almost impressed with her attempt. "First, you do what you're told because you're a child—"
"Wow, are you really going to hit me with that bullshit? I'm sixteen. I can have sex, get married, buy a lottery ticket. I can even move out if I so wanted." She tilts her head to ensure I hear that last one. "I can also legally ride a bike, as you well know."
"Okay, you're not h
aving sex under this roof." My eyes widen in horror, but all she does is laugh.
"What, you really think I'm going to pull one of those rich pricks at school and sneak him here to fuck him on your bed?"
"Emmie," I warn, my blood starting to boil.
"Relax. If there’s one who's not a total prick, then I'm sure his mummy and daddy have a mansion we could make use of."
"Christ, give me strength."
"How about we cut a deal?"
"Sure, hit me with it."
I swallow down my nerves because I really don't want to have this conversation with my sixteen-year-old daughter, but I know it would make me an irresponsible parent if I didn't.
"We can go and look at getting you a bike if..." Her brows rise as she waits for me to finish my sentence. "If you get yourself to the doctor and on birth control just in case what you threatened me with becomes reality. What? Why are you laughing?"
"Aw, Dad. I love you, but you really are clueless sometimes."
My lips part to ask what the hell she's talking about, but I can't find any words.
"I've been on the pill since I was fourteen."
"Oh."
She must see the horror on my face because she quickly adds. "It's okay, originally it was for heavy periods."
I relax for a beat. "Originally?"
"So, when can we go shopping?" she asks, swiftly changing the subject.
I stare at her for a beat in her Knight's Ridge uniform. She might have heavy eye makeup and almost purple lips, but she's right, she's done nothing but comply with all the changes in her life the past few weeks, despite a bit of sass about school.
"Go and get changed."
"Oh my God," she squeals. "For real?"
"Yes. But be quick before I change my mind."
"Oh my God, I'm so excited. Thank you so much." She flies at me and throws her arms around my shoulder. "I love you. Thank you."
"I love you too, Em." I drop a kiss to the top of her head and watch her run from the room, wondering what the fuck I just agreed to.
At least I got out of having to explain to her why she was my unofficial postman for Piper.
We end up grabbing a burger for dinner after spending entirely too long at the garage while Emmie sat on every single 125cc bike they had.
I expected her to want a moped, but I shouldn't really have been surprised to discover she basically wanted a miniature version of what I ride. My girl is a bad-arse, after all.
So after ordering her new baby, we headed for food and then home so she could do her homework.
The purchase came with some clauses. No trouble and good grades. She eagerly agreed, but I guess only time will tell how both will go, because knowing my sassy daughter, two years at Knight's Ridge isn't going to pass without a little drama.
It's not until I fall into bed later that night that I realise I never heard anything from Piper. I was sure she'd reach out after seeing that photograph.
Grabbing my phone, I hit call on her number. I could text her, but a big part of me wants to hear her voice.
"Hey," she says happily.
"Hey. It's not too late, is it?"
"No, I'm still up."
"I... uh... was expecting to hear from you today," I admit, hoping that it makes me sound more interested than it does a pussy.
"Sorry, it's been a crazy day with the lower sixth starting."
"It's okay. I've got you now."
She sighs down the line, and it's all I need to hear to know that those words are true.
"Thanks for the walk down memory lane. I needed that."
"I'm assuming because you'd just had a delightful meeting with my devil child?" I ask with a laugh.
"She'd just left, yeah. But she's a good kid, Dawson."
"I've just bought her a bike," I blurt.
"As in, a pushbike?" Piper asks hesitantly, although I know she knows it's not.
"Nope. She kinda blackmailed me into a real one."
"Wow. I think I might need to spend some more time with her, find out her tricks."
"You're funny, but I'm pretty sure both of you have me wrapped around your little fingers."
"That right, huh?"
"What are you doing right now?" I ask, my voice getting lower with every word.
"Uh-uh, we're not going there, Dawson," she warns.
"Going where?" I ask innocently. "I was just wondering what you're doing... what you're wearing."
"Something really, really unsexy, I can assure you."
"I beg to differ. You could wear a sack and still turn me on."
"As nice as it is to hear that, I'm not entirely sure it's true."
"Try me."
"Maybe I will. You tell me when I'm going to see you again, and I'll prepare my sack."
"Shouldn't that be my line?" I deadpan.
She laughs but tries to cover it. "I thought you were planning on taking me out. Treating me right," she quips.
"Oh, I am. You don't need to worry about that."
"Are you going to tell me where and when?" she digs.
"Sunday. The where is under wraps right now."
"Is that because you haven’t planned it?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out."
"Okay, well, as fun as this has been, I need to get to bed." Something sloshes in the background, and I'm instantly on full alert.
"Piper," I grind out, "are you in the bath?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she says sweetly, making me groan in pain.
"You’re naked right now, aren't you?"
"Again, no idea what you're talking about. But I really need to go. I guess I'll see you Sunday."
"Assuming I can wait that long."
"You're a big boy, Dawson. I'm sure you'll cope."
"You're right there, baby girl. I am."
"Oh God. I'm going. Thanks for the picture today. I'll see you soon." She hangs up before I get a chance to say anything in response.
Chuckling to myself, I place my phone down and slip under the covers with images of her in a hot bubble bath as my hand descends.
With each day that passes, I find a way to show Piper that I'm thinking of her. On Tuesday, I send flowers to the school, and seconds after they arrive I get a message telling me how mortified she was when her friend proudly walked into her office with them, quickly followed by a thank you.
On Wednesday, I had a car waiting to take her home after discovering that she uses the tube, and we all know how much that sucks in rush hour.
Yesterday, I sent her lunch from what used to be her favourite restaurant when we were kids. I think she really appreciated that one because before I fell asleep, I received a message from her much like the one I sent on Sunday night, only her breasts were covered in silk, and her toned stomach was on full display with her hand disappearing inside her matching shorts. Safe to say I fell asleep with a smile on my face while deciding to up the ante for the final day of the week.
16
Piper
“Your surprise is here,” Lisa announces happily not a minute after the lunch bell has rung out through the building.
“Oh God.”
“I think you’re really going to enjoy today’s.”
“Tell me it’s cake. Please tell me it’s cake, or wine.”
“You work in a school, Piper,” she admonishes with a laugh.
“I have no student meetings planned this afternoon. No one would notice, I’m sure.”
“What the hell has gotten into you?”
“Nothing,” I mutter, but it’s not quiet enough, because Lisa barks out a laugh.
“Well, you might be in luck with that little issue.”
Tingles erupt in my belly.
“Is he—”
“Come see for yourself.”
I push my chair out behind me with such force it clatters into the bookcase behind.
I shouldn’t be this excited about the prospect of seeing him, but after all his little gifts
this week and our cheeky messages and phone calls, I’m damn near desperate.
I eagerly follow Lisa until I’m able to look out over the car park. My eyes land on him instantly. He’s leaning back against his bike, wearing just a black t-shirt with his inked arms crossed over his wide chest and a dark pair of glasses hiding his eyes. I know the second they land on me, though. My blood heats and my skin prickles with awareness.
“Enjoy. You know the spot all the kids go to hide, right?” Lisa asks me with a wink.
“We’re adults, Lis. We can restrain ourselves,” I mutter, heading for the doors.
“I’ll believe that when I see it.”
I flip her off over my shoulder as I walk out toward him.
His lips twitch up into a wide smile by the time I step up in front of him.
“This is a nice surprise.”
He pulls his glasses off and tucks them into the neck of his t-shirt, allowing me to see his eyes.
“I wasn’t sure how to beat the last few days.”
“I think you’ve managed it. Tell me you brought cake and it will confirm it.”
“You might be in luck there.”
He reaches behind him and grabs a bag that’s resting on the seat.
“You know anywhere good for a picnic?”
“I do.” I point toward some benches where the kids never go.
Reaching out, he grabs my hand before allowing me to lead the way.
“This place is a little different to what I remember from school,” he says, staring out over the rolling countryside.
“I know. It’s not exactly your average inner city comprehensive.”
We both take a seat before he silently reveals what he brought with him.
“Take your pick,” he says, gesturing to the premade sandwiches, crisps, and, most importantly, cake.
“Thank you,” I say reaching for one of the sandwiches and ripping the packaging open, my grumbling belly getting the better of me.
“How’s Emmie getting on?”
“Ah, so that’s why you’re here,” I joke. “You want inside information.”
Play You: A Second Chance/Single Dad Romance (Rebel Ink Book 4) Page 12