Collision

by Laramie Briscoe

  “No, it doesn’t bother me, but I wonder. Who’s going to protect him?”

  So there it was, the worry only a child could worry. “Tell you what,” Liam leaned down so that he was eye-level with the kid, “you never have to worry about Cash, ’cause I got him. No matter what your brother needs, I’m gonna be there. I got him, you understand?”

  Remy nodded.

  “Do you feel better knowing I got him?”

  The relief was evident in the kid’s eyes. “Yeah.”

  “Why don’t you go to the clubhouse and see if one of the ladies will get you a Popsicle, huh?”

  That seemed to take the seriousness out of the conversation as he ran off. When the doors to the boxing room shut, Liam yelled at the two men in the ring, motioning for them to come down to where he stood. It was time to have a talk with the older brother just like he had with the younger one.

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  Chapter Ten

  “Where’s Remy?” Cash asked as he and Layne made their way out of the boxing ring.

  “I told him to go see if the ladies could offer him up a Popsicle. I want to talk to you.”

  Cash felt his stomach take a dive. When people wanted to talk to him, it was never good. Shit went sideways. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to sit or stand, but when Liam took a seat, he figured he should follow suit.

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  Liam shook his head and took a moment before speaking. It was as if he searched for the words to say. “I want you to know if you need to talk to someone, I’m here. You have a lot going on, my man. Most guys would have turned and run as quickly as they could have, but you—you’ve stayed, and you’ve done what you had to do to be a man for your family. I admire that.”

  Cash leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees. How did he explain there was no other way he could be? So many people had failed him in so many ways—he knew he had to make things right for Remy. Someone had to care, and he had known at a young age that he was going to be the only one. Janet couldn’t be bothered, and George wasn’t around for longer than it took to get Janet addicted to drugs again. He knew they were going to present a united front at the hearing for Remy, but he, of all people, knew better.

  “I didn’t have a choice, Liam, and to be honest, if I had, I don’t know that I would have chosen differently.”

  “That’s what makes you different, and that’s what makes you the kind of person who holds stuff in. I’m tellin’ you, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here. It’s hard to take care of everything and not have someone to discuss it with. I’m the president of an MC, I know; there aren’t a lot of people I can talk to.”

  Maybe he’d asked at the right time, maybe Cash had been waiting on someone to say that to him, but immediately words started flowing out of his mouth. “What if I lose? What if Remy’s left with them? What am I gonna do then? The last ten years of my life has been spent taking care of him and trying to forget that our mother wasn’t what she appeared to be. I don’t know what to do with myself if I can’t identify with that anymore.”

  Liam clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You find new purpose in life, son. It’s hard, but you have to do it. You and Harper seem to be making a real go of it. I don’t know what’s going on with that relationship, I admit, but I hope the two of you are in this together.”

  “We are. She’s been absolutely amazing,” Cash admitted. “She could have backed out, left, said fuck you, so many times, but she hasn’t. In fact, she took a catering job tonight in order for us to have extra money. I don’t want her coming home by herself this late at night, which is why Remy and I were hanging around here, so neither one of us would fall asleep.”

  “It’s almost midnight,” Liam said as he glanced at his phone.

  “Yeah, we gotta be gettin’, but I appreciate the talk. You’re right, sometimes you need to exchange words with someone who gets it. I have a feeling you get it better than most.”

  “I do, so I’m telling you, just like I told your brother. I’m here for you whenever you need me. He’s worried that George will get to you; he wants to make sure you’re protected,” Liam explained. “I told Remy that I got you, and I fully intend to live up to that promise. If there is anything you need, you let me know.”

  “I will.”

  And for the first time, Cash meant it. If there was one thing this whole process was teaching him, it was the fact that he could no longer go through things alone. He had to ask for help when he needed it, he had to allow others to help, and he had to believe they wanted to. It was hard to change his mindset, hard for him to realize good things sometimes happened to good people, but he had to. He was the only one who could change anything, and it had to start with him. It was going to start with him.

  *

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to wait with you?” Nat asked as she and Harper stood outside of the catering office. They had all ridden together to the job and then returned here.

  “No, I’m good. Cash should be here in a few minutes, promise! He texted me that he and Remy left the clubhouse five minutes later than they had meant to. They’ll be here. We’re all dead on our feet, go ahead and go.” Harper wasn’t lying when she said they were dead on their feet.

  “I don’t know if I feel comfortable leaving you here by yourself.”

  “Nat.” Harper laughed. “I’m a big girl. I have mace. I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, at least text me and let me know you made it?”

  “Will do. Go on and get outta here!”

  In truth, Harper was looking forward to some time by herself. It wasn’t very often, especially now that she lived with Cash and Remy, that she got any of it. She hadn’t realized how much she liked it until she didn’t have it anymore.

  She watched as Natalie backed out of her parking spot and took off with a wave. Sinking to the concrete steps, Harper allowed herself to rest for the first time in hours. It felt good to let the tension flow out of her, to let her shoulders relax, and to kick her feet out in front of her, stretching her legs.

  Leaning back on her hands, she looked up at the night sky. It was hard to see the stars in Bowling Green, especially around the university because of all the lights, but this early in the morning, or late at night, a lot of those lights were off. It was peaceful, and it was exactly what she needed.

  Rolling her head around on her neck, she caught headlights pulling into the parking area, but she knew it wasn’t Cash, because she hadn’t heard the car. Immediately she felt a chill. Something here wasn’t as it should be.

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  Chapter Eleven

  “Damn,” Cash cursed as he made his way down Veteran’s Memorial. He had figured going this way towards the university would be quicker, but he’d already seen three cops, and there was no way he was risking a ticket tonight. He already paid enough for car insurance.

  In the passenger seat, Remy had fallen asleep as soon as they had hit the road. He wasn’t used to staying up late and wasn’t a night owl like Cash had always been. As they stopped at a red light, Cash glanced over to where he was curled up in the seat. If someone had asked him months ago how to describe himself, he would have said without a doubt he was selfish. He used women, he used time that others gave him, and he used friendships to move himself forward in the racing game. He wasn’t particularly proud of that person, but he was proud of the person he was becoming.

  He woke up every morning wanting to do good things for his family, and he went to bed at night with a smile on his face and an arm wrapped around Harper. He hadn’t realized that would make him happy months ago, but it did, and he wasn’t ready to jeopardize that.

  *

  Harper knew this wasn’t going to be good as she saw the late-model truck come into view. She recognized Janet in the passenger seat, and she assumed it was George in the driver’s. Part of her was glad Cash hadn’t showed up yet, another part of her wanted him here in the worst way.

  “Can I help you?” she aske
d as the truck pulled to a stop in front of her, not getting up from where she sat on the stoop. She couldn’t show fear, or weakness. She did have her mace, and she would use it if she had to.

  “We’re lookin’ for Cash,” George spoke from behind the steering wheel¸ spitting a stream of tobacco out the window.

  “He’s not here.” Obviously. She wanted to roll her eyes, but she figured it would piss them off.

  George parked and exited the truck, walking up to her with what many would perceive as an easy gait. Harper knew better. At a young age, she’d seen her own father use that gait. It was a fabrication and was supposed to make others feel comfortable in his presence. It was a lie.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  As he got closer, she grabbed her purse and stood up. He had a definite height advantage over her, and she knew without a doubt he would use it if given the chance.

  “To talk to my son.”

  The way he said the words made her skin crawl, and she wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the way he moved his eyes over her body, or maybe it was the way he grinned at her. It was the most lecherously sexual thing she’d ever seen in her life.

  “You’re not going to talk to Remy if I can help it.”

  “Big words for such a small girl.”

  She’d heard that her entire life. That she was a small girl who couldn’t take care of herself. They were all wrong; she could take care of herself, and she knew she could, because no one would ever get the better of her again.

  “I can handle my own just fine,” she told him, trying to appear bored.

  That was the wrong thing to do. George advanced on her, and before she knew it, he stood in her face. “You and Cash think you’re so fuckin’ smart, don’t you? He thinks he can smile that panty-dropping smile and get whatever he wants. You think you can spread your legs and men will fall at your feet. I got news for you, sweetheart. I know all about your past.”

  It knocked the breath out of her, those words. She wasn’t stupid enough to believe her past would be a non-factor in the custody argument over Remy, but she had believed she had time to tell Cash. “What do you know?”

  “Men like me, we know a lot. I did time with your dad.”

  He said it in a way that sounded like he’d dropped a bomb.

  “What, you think I don’t know that my dad did time? You think that’s gonna scare me?

  George stepped closer, causing her to step back. Before she knew it, she was backed against a wall. He put his arms up, effectively boxing her in. “I don’t think that scares you. I think the fact Cash doesn’t know is what scares you. What if you’re the one thing that stands between him getting full custody of Remy? C’mon, baby doll, don’t think he won’t drop you like a bad habit.”

  She swallowed roughly against the lump in her throat. “You don’t know anything about me, and you sure as hell don’t know anything about my life with Cash. Take what you think you know and shove it up your ass.”

  He made a move to grab her upper arm just as they heard the roar of Cash’s car.

  Harper had never in her life been so glad to see him.

  *

  He didn’t even shut the car off before he had exited and was running for the two of them. Cash couldn’t recall ever being this pissed off as he saw George with his hands on Harper. He ran at full speed towards the two of them, grabbed George by the back of the shirt, and threw him to the ground.

  “Get in the car, Harper.”

  “I don’t want to leave you alone with him. I’ll be fine. Let’s both get in the car and go.” She grabbed his hand, trying to pull him towards the car with her.

  “I said get in the fucking car now.” He couldn’t even look at her, the rage was pulsing through his veins so strongly.

  He could tell by the way she hesitated that she wanted to argue, but she didn’t, and instead made her way to over where the car sat idling.

  “I’m telling you, old man, stay away from my family,” Cash threatened through clenched teeth.

  George smiled. It was eerie, and it caused Cash to shiver slightly. “It’s not so fun to have your family fucked with, now is it?”

  Cash didn’t know how to answer and knew he didn’t want the cops called. He had to keep his hands as clean as possible.

  “Stay away from all of us. We’ll see you in court.”

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  Chapter Twelve

  As they drove to the apartment, it was in complete silence. Cash thanked God Remy hadn’t woken up during the confrontation and he hadn’t had to see any of it. That would not only be risking an attack, but it would mean having to explain to Remy exactly what was going on. They’d been able to keep that secret from him so far, and it was one less thing he had to worry about. Glancing in the backseat, he locked eyes with Harper again and felt his blood boil.

  Did she not realize that she could have been hurt? Did she not realize that sometimes George didn’t play fair? The whole situation could have ended a completely different way, and she looked pissed at him.

  They got to the apartment, and Cash carried Remy up slowly, trying to give himself time to calm down. It had been a long time since he’d let his anger get the better of him, but he knew if he wasn’t careful he was going to let it happen tonight. He had to reel himself in and remember that this was the woman he lived with, the one he had made a life with. He couldn’t get pissed and throw it all away.

  As soon as he had parked the car, Harper had shot out of it, taking the stairs two at a time. When he finally hit the landing, the bathroom door was closed, and he could hear the shower running. Good, it gave him even more time to try and put this into perspective. He took his time putting Remy to bed, and then he went through his and Harper’s bedroom, taking off his T-shirt before walking out onto the balcony. Once there, he lit a cigarette and tried to calm his beating heart.

  *

  Harper stayed in the bathroom much longer than she had to. At least a full fifteen minutes longer. She hadn’t had the forethought to bring clothes with her, and wanted to make sure Cash had taken Remy to his bedroom and put him to bed. Walking through the apartment in a towel wasn’t something she liked to do when she knew she wasn’t alone.

  When she listened and heard no one moving about the living room, she slowly opened the door and peaked out. Seeing no one, she quickly ran to the bedroom she shared with Cash, shutting the door and leaning back against it. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about how her night had turned to shit. As she breathed deeply, she felt eyes on her. Opening her eyes, she glanced over to the door leading to the balcony and saw Cash standing there staring at her.

  “What?” She dared him to say something to her. She wasn’t in the mood, but she knew he had words he wanted her to hear. She could almost feel them floating around in the air on their way home. “I’m tired, and I really don’t want to mess with you tonight.”

  He scowled. “Oh, you’re going to fucking mess with me. Harper, when I tell your ass to get in the car, you get in the car. You don’t ask questions, and you don’t argue.”

  “You’re not my parent, Cash. You aren’t responsible for making sure I’m okay. That’s my responsibility.”

  “That’s where you’re totally fucking wrong.”

  Her eyes widened as he took a few steps and reached up to grip the doorframe, his biceps tightening as he flexed his fingers against the wood. On his lower half, he wore sweatpants, and they sagged as he stretched his body to fill the doorframe. He wasn’t supposed to be able to turn her on. Not when she was angry like this. She was supposed to keep herself in check. She wasn’t supposed to notice the vee of his hipbones, the way sweat still clung to his chest from the adrenaline that had coursed through his body after the confrontation with George. She was supposed to be pissed that he had been so high-handed.

  “Don’t do this,” she begged him.

  “Do what, baby? You’re the one looking at me like you want to lick me up and eat me for dinner. I’m just a man sta
nding here minding my own business.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “You’re a sexy piece of ass who knows exactly what he’s doing. I’m pissed at you, Cash. Don’t tell me what to do.”

  “I’m pissed at you too.” He looked down at his feet before lifting his head back up and meeting her eyes with his. “Don’t you know I would maim any fucker who hurt you? It’s not wise to throw yourself to the wolves, Harper, and I won’t let you do it. I won’t stand back and let you be hurt. I lost years off my life tonight when I pulled up and saw him grabbing you.”

  Harper felt tears come to her eyes. No one had ever felt the need to protect her that strongly, and they sure as hell hadn’t felt the need to tell her. “I’m sorry.” She licked her bottom lip before she pulled it in between her teeth. “I’m used to taking care of myself.”

  “And I’m used to being very selfish, so now that I want to give myself to someone else, you’re gonna have to deal with it.”

  She watched as he let go of the top of the doorframe and held his arms out at his sides. It was the universal sign for a hug, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted that. Would that be giving in too easily? While she appreciated that he wanted to take care of her, she realized that she was ultimately responsible for her own well-being. It had always been that way, and she knew she’d never be able to give up that part of herself one hundred percent to someone else. It wasn’t in her to do that.

  “I’m still pissed at you,” she whispered as she walked over to him, grabbing his hands in her own, pushing him further out onto the balcony.

  “That’s okay, darlin’, we can fuck it out.”

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  Chapter Thirteen

  Her reaction to him was instant as those words passed through his lips. Her nipples hardened against the roughness of the towel, her thighs clenched against the ache she had between them. She knew this wasn’t the answer to everything, but they did this so well. Here they didn’t have to hide how they felt about one another. Here they held nothing back.