by J. M. Walker
“Of course it matters.” I pulled away from him. “God, he’s such an asshole. I just want…”
“What do you want, Piper?”
“I want you. I want to move on with you. I want to spend my life with you. But I also want this shit to end and I’m going to kick Ashton’s ass.” I huffed. “I really am.”
Jaron smirked. “There she is. The little firecracker I fell in love with.”
I stared at him. Really looked at him. His beard had grown in some more. His light brown hair was longer on top, giving it a shaggy look. He was ruggedly handsome in a way I had never been attracted to before.
My core clenched, aching to be filled by him. Even though we weren’t at home, it was like my body didn’t care. I wanted him to fuck me. Didn’t matter where we were.
He tilted his head, probably wondering why the hell I was staring at him for so long.
When I took a step toward him, a knock sounded on the door. I jumped, our little moment ruined.
Jaron came up to me and leaned down to my ear. “Until later, Piper. I want to know where your thoughts went just now.”
“You, Jaron,” I whispered. “My thoughts were about you.”
He kissed the side of my head before heading to the door.
“Some of us have to take a piss,” Ashton grumbled from the other side of the door, banging it again.
“You say the word and I can make him disappear.” Jaron opened the door, pushing Ashton back. “Problem?”
Ashton shoved Jaron into me.
“Hey.” I stumbled back a step.
Jaron caught my hand, steadying me. “You can hit me, fight me, whatever the hell you want, but you sure as fuck better be careful when it comes to my girl.”
Ashton shoved past us. “Sorry, Piper,” he mumbled.
“It’s fine.” I closed the door, giving him some privacy. “Maybe we should go,” I told Jaron.
“You go outside.” Jaron smacked a hard peck on my lips. “I’m ending this.”
“But…” I looked between the door and him. “Now? Really?”
“I didn’t end this last time.” Jaron pinched my chin. “I’m ending this now. You and I have enough shit to deal with on our own. We don’t need Ashton’s jealousy or whatever it is that he’s dealing with, added to it.” He released me and leaned against the wall, waiting for Ashton to come out of the bathroom.
“Fine…just…”
Jaron’s hard gaze met mine. “What?”
I waited for Ashton to come back out into the hall, standing my ground. This shit needed to end.
“Piper.”
“I got this,” I told Jaron.
The door opened, revealing Ashton. “Problem?”
“I never came to see you all because I was upset. I missed Jaron and had to raise his baby on my own. Not that I need to explain anything to you. But you could have called, Ashton. You could have even shown up and checked up on me. But you never did. So this isn’t just my fault.” I stabbed a finger into his chest. “So stop being a dick.” Not waiting for him to respond, I spun on my heel and headed down the hall. “Don’t kill him. Whatever you do,” I called out and left Jaron to deal with the guy I had once considered a friend, but now, I wasn’t so sure.
***
(Jaron)
Ashton watched Piper head down the hall.
I cleared my throat.
He slowly looked my way. “We doing this now, fucker?”
Stepping toe-to-toe with him, I grabbed hold of his shirt and shoved him back into the bathroom. Kicking the door closed, I spun him, and pushed him up against it. “What the fuck is your deal?”
His brows narrowed, a tinge of red hitting his cheeks. “You broke her heart. You left and she ignored all of us. People who love her. Her family. I hardly know your fucking kid because of this shit.”
“I didn’t leave because I wanted to, Ashton.” I got in his face, our noses mere inches apart. I was so damn close, I could see the gray specks in his blue eyes. “You know I didn’t.”
“That’s the thing, Jaron,” he spat. “I don’t know shit. Sure, we’ve had our issues but…”
“What?”
“I thought we were friends,” he muttered.
I laughed, pushing away from him and moving to the other side of the bathroom. “Have we ever been friends? I wanted Piper. I wanted her this whole time and yet, you and your brother were always in the way. It was like you knew.”
Ashton crossed his arms under his broad chest. “I saw the way you watched her. I used to tell Aiden that we had to make our move before you did. And even though we did make our move, you were still able to do something better.”
“Oh?” I paused. “And what was that?”
“You made her fall in love with you.”
My blood stirred at that. Even though Piper and I had only just started confessing our feelings for one another, every time she told me she loved me, it brought out this force in me that I had never felt before. It was possessive and controlling. It was a darkness I craved.
“I don’t give a shit what you do or even say to me, but you need to show Piper that you are a friend. It’s not her fault that she’s been distant this whole time. It’s mine. And I know she’s a big girl and could have kept in touch but what happened…” My fists clenched at my sides. “It fucked her up.”
“I’ve always been a friend. And so has my brother.” Ashton took a step toward me. “It’s you who keeps getting in the way of that. And it’s her who stayed away this whole damn time.” He went to turn to open the door when I grabbed his arm.
“She’s been through hell, Ashton. None of this is her fault.”
“How can I believe that when I have no idea what the fuck is going on?” He shrugged me off of him, left the bathroom, and started walking down the hall.
“Have you ever thought that maybe it’s none of your damn business? Or that if you asked her nicely, she would tell you? No. Probably not because you’re too damn jealous that it’s not you and your brother who she’s fucking anymore.”
Ashton spun on me. “I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.”
“No?” I closed the distance between us and got in his face. I was vaguely aware that we were no longer alone. “What’s in this for you?”
“I want her happy,” he muttered.
“She is happy.” And I would make damn sure that she would be happy for the rest of her life too.
“Is she?” Ashton raised an eyebrow. “Can you honestly stand there and tell me that Piper is actually happy? With you?”
“Ashton,” said a soft voice but neither of us looked to see who it was that was speaking.
“What are you getting at, fucker?” I growled. “Is there something that I don’t know?”
“Do you love him?” he snapped at Piper.
I realized that she was now standing beside us.
Her eyes widened, a flush hitting her cheeks. “Yes, I do.”
“Interesting.” He scratched his jaw. Instead of answering, he shouldered past me and headed out to the backyard.
I glanced at Piper.
She chewed her bottom lip, looking between me and the door that led outside.
“Jaron, you got a moment?”
I turned as Vince Jr. came up toward me.
“Something’s wrong with Gigi’s car again.” He gave my shoulder a squeeze and headed to the front door.
Going up to Piper, I cupped the back of her head and kissed her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she whispered.
Releasing her, I followed Vince out of the house and into the front yard. “Trying to stop me from kicking his ass?”
Vince chuckled, leaning against the railing of the front porch. “I’m keeping my girl happy. She asked me to stop you two.”
I grunted, slumped onto the patio couch, and let out a hard sigh. “I thought it would be normal, coming back here.”
“Has it felt normal yet? Since you’ve been
out?”
Stretching my legs out in front of me, I crossed my arms under my chest. “Nope. Not at all.”
“Didn’t think so.”
“I heard about what you and Gigi went through.” I wasn’t sure where that had come from. It wasn’t like guys usually talked about this shit, but I said it, so there was no taking back the words now.
Vince’s gaze slowly slid to mine. “Gigi still has nightmares.”
I nodded. “So does Piper. I’ve heard her mumbling in her sleep. She won’t admit it though and says that everything’s fine.”
“Sounds like Gigi.” Vince pushed away from the fence and joined me on the couch. “Our girls need each other. You and I can only do so much.”
“I know.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ll get Piper to stop by more often. I think now that I’m home, it’ll help.”
He nodded. “I agree. Gigi didn’t want to pressure her, but I know she’s been missing her.”
“Piper misses her too.”
As if they knew we were talking about them, both Piper and Gigi walked out from the side of the house, arm in arm. They spoke amongst themselves.
My body stirred at the smile currently on Piper’s face. She laughed lightly at something Gigi had said and gave her a hug.
Her eyes caught mine.
I ran my fingers along my mouth.
Her eyes twinkled.
“You leaving?” Ashton asked, coming out of the house.
“Yeah.” Piper pulled away from Gigi. “We have to go pick up Brynn and then head home.”
I stood, preparing myself for whatever shit it was that Ashton had to say.
His eyes narrowed at me. “After all this time, you finally got her to admit that she loves you.” He glanced at her. “Do you think of us when he’s inside you?”
I’d had enough. I had no idea what the hell he was going on about, but I was sick of this shit. Grabbing his shirt by the collar, I shoved him against the wall.
Gasps sounded around us, but I ignored them.
“Stop being pathetic and man up, Ashton,” I bit out.
“Fuck you.”
Leaning down to his ear, I lifted him onto his tiptoes. “If you’re giving me shit because you want Piper for yourself, I suggest thinking again. Remember, I know where you live. I know where you sleep. If you’re not careful, my ugly face will be the last thing you fucking see.” I tightened my hold on his shirt. “I also heard that you gave my cousin a hard time as well. Is this your thing, Ashton? You can’t be happy without making your friends’ lives fucking miserable?”
“You’re not my friend,” he ground out through clenched teeth.
“No, I guess I’m not.” I leaned back, giving his cheek a light slap then releasing him completely. Without giving him or anyone else another look, I left the porch. When I was heading down the driveway, I texted Gigi and thanked her for having us.
My bones vibrated beneath my skin. My muscles ached. I needed to hit something, run, or fuck. Preferably the latter.
“Jaron.”
I spun on Piper.
She stopped suddenly.
Before she got a chance to ask me what the hell was going on, I closed the distance between us. “Why are you with me?”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “Why are you asking me that?”
I turned away and continued walking to her car.
“Jaron.” She rushed to my side, grabbing my hand. “Hey.” She stopped me. “What’s going on?”
“Would you be with him if I wasn’t here?” I didn’t want to know the answer but at the same time, I did.
Instead of answering me, Piper opened the passenger side door and slipped into the car.
I took a breath and joined her. When I was seated behind the wheel, Piper started laughing.
I frowned, slowly turning toward her. “What’s so damn funny?”
“This. Everything. Ashton is an asshole, Jaron. I don’t know what his problem is. I really don’t. I’ve tried coming around. Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe…”
“No.” I took her hands in mine, giving the tips soft pecks. “Everyone deals with trauma differently. People need to understand that.”
“Drive us to pick up Brynlee and then take us all home.”
I nodded, giving her fingers one last kiss before I pulled away.
“Ashton’s a dick,” Piper said softly, breaking the silence between us. She gripped my hand that was resting on her inner thigh. “I don’t know what his issue is.”
She had been friends with Ashton and Aiden since we were kids, and I could never control that part of her life or whether she was still friends with them. In bed, she was completely submissive but outside of that, she was the strongest woman I knew.
“I think Aiden’s drinking is messing Ashton up and he’s taking it out on everyone else. I’ve seen Ashton yell at his dad for no reason, but his brother is worse.” Piper sighed. “I’m sorry for how Ashton was.”
“I’d probably be the same way.” I had to admit it. Ashton liked her and I could only assume that Aiden still did as well.
“They slept with other women while sleeping with me. So them being jealous doesn’t make sense. We were never exclusive.” Her thumb brushed over the back of my hand. “I’ve only ever been exclusive with you, Jaron. I just wish that we would have started this thing a long time ago.”
“You mean before I got you pregnant,” I corrected her.
Piper turned her body toward me, her eyes burning a hole through the side of my head. “I don’t give a shit that you got me pregnant. What I do give a shit about is you constantly blaming yourself. For you shutting me out. I know we’ve come a long way since you’ve been home and…I love you.”
“I love you too.” Looking back out at the road ahead of us, I wished I could have taken her away. To go back to Paris and start over.
“Why do I feel like it isn’t enough?” she murmured.
My head whipped around. She was staring out the window, her hand tight in mine that was currently gripping her inner thigh.
“It has to be enough,” I finally said.
“What if it isn’t? What if it means that we’re not meant to be together? What if—” Her eyes shone.
I brought her hand up to my mouth because, truth was, I had no idea what to say. She was right. She was always fucking right. What if this wasn’t enough? What if our love couldn’t sustain the shit that life threw at us? What if it only got worse and we couldn’t handle it and it broke us apart?
“Piper.” I gave her hand a tug.
She turned toward me. A shaky sigh left her. She moved closer, leaning her head against my shoulder.
“I’m not going anywhere, baby.”
“Neither am I, Jaron.” Piper sighed. “Neither am I.”
Piper
Jaron had been on edge the whole time after we picked up Brynlee. He hardly said anything, even when we went to my parents’ place. I wondered if they noticed he had been acting differently. I wasn’t sure what all was said between him and Ashton or even Vince. I tried asking but he just brushed it off and that familiar tick in his jaw became more pronounced. The tiny hairs on my body tingled under his intense scrutiny. It only seemed to get worse as the minutes trickled by.
When we got home, he muttered something about putting Brynlee to bed. I gave her a kiss on the head and watched as he walked away with her in his arms.
There was a war going on inside of him. Although he felt like he had to deal with it on his own, he didn’t. I would help him battle whatever demons he was trying to fight. We hadn’t talked about what happened to him in jail. I wanted to ask but at the same time, I didn’t want to fight with him anymore. But I wanted to help him. God, did I ever want to help him.
Jaron was a private man. Especially when it came to the things going on inside his head.
I wished I could get him to open up about everything. Maybe in time. But for now, all I could do was give him whatever it was that he needed.
&n
bsp; While Jaron was putting Brynn to bed, I decided to get ready for bed myself. When I was pulling on my tank top, I felt warm arms wrap around me, followed by a kiss to the neck.
I sighed, dropping the hem of the shirt and leaning back against Jaron.
He held me against him, hugging me from behind. “I’m sorry. For everything. I’m sorry for not being able to talk. I’m just…”
I turned around and snaked my arms around his shoulders. “Enough is enough. We have time and I’m here for the long haul. Whenever you are ready, I’m here but for now we can just be us and that is enough.”
“What do you want to do instead?” he asked, his voice low.
I placed my hand over his heart. “I want you to make love—”
Before I could get the rest of the sentence out, Jaron crushed his mouth to mine. He lifted me in his arms, carrying me over to the bed and dropping me gently on top of it.
Breaking the kiss, he ripped his shirt up and over his head.
I swallowed hard, staring up at him.
“I’m not going to make love to you, Piper.” He crawled onto the bed, kneeling between my spread legs. Towering over me, he placed a soft peck on my forehead. “Ask me what I’m going to do.”
“W-What are you going to do?” I asked, my heart hammering behind the walls of my rib cage.
“I’m going to fucking own you.” Jaron flipped me onto my stomach and ripped my shorts off of my lower body, before sinking his teeth into the cheek of my ass.
I yelped, fisting the blankets beneath me.
“Are you ready for me, baby?”
I looked at him over my shoulder. “I want you. All of you.”
“Good.” He cracked a hand against my ass, and I knew, God, I knew, there was no way in hell that I would come out of this without some marks on my damn soul.
***
(Jaron)
I was brought back to that night in Paris. The night that truly sealed the deal for Piper and me. With her on all fours in front of me, I couldn’t help but just sit there and stare. Her body vibrated. A slight flush caressed her cheeks. When she glanced at me over her shoulder, waiting and wondering when I would make my next move, my heart stuttered. I loved this woman. Fuck, did I ever love her.