by Goode, Ella
“If you want to buy your way back into the game you can throw her in as collateral.” All the men start laughing. My stomach knots.
“I’ll be back.” My father grabs my elbow, and I jerk it away from him going back up the stairs. I’m pissed that he didn’t tell that man to fuck off or something. I think I’m more upset because I wouldn’t put it past my dad to consider the offer. Nothing is safe when it comes to his addiction. His first love has always been gambling.
“What are you doing here?” he hisses at me. I can tell from his bloodshot eyes he’s been drinking. What happened to his rule of never drinking when you gamble? He’s falling apart, and I don’t want him to take us with him. It’s why saving The Daily Drip is crucial to me at this point. I need to make sure Ryan is safe from my father.
“I just need you to sign off on some stuff for the shop,” I say vaguely, holding the folder up. He snaps it from my hand, putting it down on the table in the hallway before opening it. I will myself to remain calm even though I am anything but that. I’m surprised when he scribbles his name down quickly without reading the documents. He shoves them back into the folder before thrusting it back at me.
“Don’t just show up here. Call before you come next time.”
“Sorry.” I take a step back from him.
“Go.” He nods toward the door, not even asking how Ryan is doing. Whatever. I turn, heading out. My emotions get the best of me, and I slam the door behind me. He’s such a dick. He turned into this man not long after Mom passed away. He always loved to gamble, but now he’s taken it to a whole other level. He acts like he’s the only one that lost her.
I pull out of the driveway relieved that he signed the paperwork. I shouldn't be so mad. I got what I wanted, after all. A freaking forty percent increase! That’s crazy. If he comes sniffing around after the fact I’ll just show him how much better we are doing.
My excitement is short-lived when my car starts to make a weird clicking noise. The lights on my dash all begin flashing. “Shit. Don’t you do this, Betsy,” I plead with the car, but it’s already slowing down. I pull off to the side right before it dies.
I drop my forehead to my steering wheel, not sure what to do. This isn't going to be cheap. I’m not sure the car is worth saving at this point. I fish my phone out of my bag, and Miles’ card falls out, landing on the seat. I pick it up, and before I can talk myself out of it, I’m calling him.
“Hello?” Miles answers on the first ring.
“Hey,” I say back.
“Eden. Is everything okay?”
“Not really. I’m kind of broken down on the side of the road.” I sigh. Why am I putting this on him? He’s a stranger, but for some reason I trust him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn't have called you.”
“I’m already heading to my car. Share your location with me.”
“Are you sure? I think I need a tow truck. I should call for one. Maybe they’ll drive me home?”
“Let me handle the tow truck. I know someone.” I let out a small laugh. How does he always know what I need to hear?
“Okay,” I agree.
“Lock your car doors and stay inside, Eden.” I reach over, hitting the button to do exactly that. “Share your location, and I’ll be there before you know it.”
“Thank you, Miles.” I already feel better knowing that he’s coming to get me.
“Anything for you.” My heart flutters. Miles is turning out to be my knight in shining armor. He’s too perfect to be real. But I’m going to let myself enjoy it while it lasts. Nothing this sweet lasts forever.
Chapter Seven
Miles
I pull over behind the tow truck and park. Eden is sitting in her car like a very good girl. I shoot a smile in her direction even though she can’t see it before making a beeline to the tow driver.
“This car’s got rust on it,” he says in disbelief. “How old is it?”
I squint at the late model German car. It does look like it’s on its last legs. Eden climbs out and joins us.
The tow truck driver, Tim, gives her an appreciative once-over. I clear my throat. Loudly. They both look at me. I shake my head at Tim in warning. There’s a small smile dancing around Eden’s lips, which helps to assuage my irritation at tow truck Tim leering at her.
“Why don’t you go sit in my car,” I suggest. “It’s cold out.”
“It’s eighty,” Tim chirps.
It’s like he wants to get beat down.
“It is cold,” Eden agrees hurriedly. She scurries over to my Tesla and pops inside.
Tim shakes his head as if to say I’ve got a screw or three loose, but I’m fine now with Eden out of his gawking zone. “What do you want me to do with the beater?” Tim asks. Drop it on your head? “Cheaper to junk it than fix it,” he adds.
“Take it to Family Auto Repair.” Eden needs a new car, but she doesn’t seem the type to want a handout. I leave Tim to do his job and walk over to the passenger window. Eden rolls down the window as I approach.
I lean down. “You got important stuff in your car? I’ll get it for you.”
“Yeah. There’s a folder in there.” She grabs the door handle.
I shake my head. “I got it. You stay put. It’s cold out, remember?” I give her a wink before jogging over to her vehicle.
Tim’s got everything hooked up.
“You ready to pay?” he asks. I hand over my credit card and then scribble my name on his phone screen. After retrieving the paperwork, I return to my car.
Eden looks tired.
“Home?” I ask.
She nods. “Yeah. I live above The Daily Drip.”
I ignore that. She’s coming home with me. I’m treating her to—wait. What about the brother? I make a left turn. Thankfully the wheels on this car corner like it’s on a rail.
“What’s going on?”
“I was taking you to my home,” I confess, “but then I remembered Ryan. You live with him, right?”
“Yes, but can we backtrack here? You were taking me to your home?”
I can see her head tilt out of the corner of my eye. “Yes?”
“I didn’t agree to that.”
“I have a nice home.”
“I didn’t say you didn’t, but you can’t just kidnap me because my car broke down and I foolishly called you.”
“I am glad that you called me. I wouldn’t have given you my number if I didn’t want you to call me.” I pull to a stop in front of her café. “Let’s get your brother, and we’ll all go to my house.”
“What’s wrong with my house?” She folds her arms across her chest and glares. “It might be small, but it’s clean and nice.”
“I don’t doubt it, but like you, I have a sibling I live with and I don’t want to leave her alone too long.”
Mention of my sister melts the freeze immediately. “Oh, okay. You should’ve said something in the first place.”
“I’ll remember to use my sister as an excuse for everything in the future. Eden, let’s have spaghetti tonight because my sister likes it. Eden, you need to stay over because it’s too late and my sister doesn’t want me to drive. Eden, you need to move in because my sister needs the company and she doesn’t leave the house.”
Eden laughs. “Funny, but I’ll go along with you tonight. It’s nice not to have to think about dinner. Today wasn’t a great day.”
I don’t think she’s referring just to her car breaking down, but I don’t press her. I don’t want to scare her off, so I give her a non-threatening nod. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Wait here while I go get my brother. You can help him with his homework.” She shoots out the door before I ask what the homework is. While she’s retrieving her brother, I give Violet a call.
“Baby sister, I’m bringing my future wife home. Do we have food in the house or should I order?”
“Do not call her your future wife in front of her, oh my God. This isn’t the 19th century where you can just carry off any woman and
declare yourself married!” Violet chides me.
“I didn’t know that was what was going on in the 19th century. I missed out on that part during history.”
“It’s not taught in schools,” Violet sniffs. “Yes, I have food. I made a beef stew, homemade biscuits, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.”
“Great. See you in twenty.”
Eden comes down from her apartment above The Daily Drip with her lanky brother ambling behind her. He’s not done growing, and his jeans are looking a little short. Money is tight for Eden, and it’s not because her business sucks but because her old man has been robbing her blind. I wonder if I should go have a talk with him. I said I wasn’t going to interfere, but my girl is driving a dump of a car, her brother’s clothes don’t fit, and she’s run ragged at the café because she feels like she can’t hire more help.
This shit should not continue. Eden’s supporting her family just fine with her café, and it boils my balls thinking about how she must lie awake at night worried about her future and the future of her brother.
The door pops open and they climb inside. I uncurl my fingers from the steering wheel and force a smile on my face. “Glad you could make it, Ryan.”
“Eden says you can help me with calculus?”
Horror flashes across my face. “Calculus?”
Ryan groans. I add calculus tutor to my list of grievances. If not for her father, Eden would be able to swing this, too.
“Don’t worry, Ryan. Help is on the way.” I peel away from the sidewalk, determination hot on my spine. Her dad is going to shape up. Or else.
Chapter Eight
Eden
“You know I’m seventeen, right? You don’t have to drag me on your date.”
“Ryan!” I hiss his name. “It’s not a date. We’re having dinner with his sister as well. Plus you need help with your school work. And to be honest, I kind of stink at calculus.”
“Math is fucking stupid,” he grumbles from the back seat. I roll my eyes.
“It’s not so stupid when it’s money,” I say back.
“You got me there.” The car falls silent again. I try not to fidget in my seat wondering if I should fill the silence or enjoy it. I may have been a little resistant to the idea of going to Miles’ house at first, but I have to say I’m looking forward to it now. It will get my mind off what happened at my dad’s earlier.
“This is a cool car, man.”
“If you learn your calculus you might get one,” Miles tells him, making me smile.
“I’d totally do my calculus for a car like this one day.” They fall into an easy conversation about cars. Ryan sits up straighter and becomes more animated with excitement. It’s then I realize he doesn't have a male role model in his life. I can only do so much.
Hell, I’m not even doing the things I should be doing. But I know the life I’m giving him is much better than what would be provided by our father. It always makes me feel better to think of it that way.
Miles pulls up to a gate and hits a button, causing the doors to swing open. “That’s cool,” Ryan says, leaning forward to get a better look.
“Why the gate? Are we in a bad part of town?” I tease him. I wasn't really surprised when he pulled into Briarcliff Hills. It’s where all the wealthy people live.
“It makes my sister feel better.”
I smile, liking that he does things to make her feel safe.
“Does she nag you all the time like mine?” Ryan nudges me with his elbow from behind me. I roll my eyes, knowing he’s teasing me. I haven’t seen him this happy in a while. It’s nice to see him let loose a bit.
“From the start. She’s still pissed I came out first so I get to claim I’m older than her.”
“Twins?” I ask.
“Yep. We’re a close bunch. Don’t be surprised if my mom pops up at some point too.”
“Really?” Why does that suddenly make me nervous?
“How quickly depends on if Violet told her I was bringing a girl home or not.” For some reason the thought of him bringing women back to his place doesn’t sit well with me.
“You do that often? Bring girls home.” I turn my head to look at Ryan. His tone is almost accusatory.
“Never.” Miles smiles over at me as he continues to make his way up the long driveway.
“Good.” Ryan, seemingly satisfied with his answer, leans back in his seat.
“Wow,” I whisper when I see the house. Actually, calling it a house is an understatement. This is what they call an estate. It’s massive.
“Is that a fountain in your driveway?”
“Yes. Mom insisted on it. I’ve learned to pick my battles.” He opens his door, stepping out. I do the same, my head dropping back to try and get a better look at this place. It has a historic feel to it. “It’s been in the family for years.” He puts his hand on my back to guide me toward the front door. He opens one of the double doors, gesturing for me to go in.
“Wish we had shit like this in our family,” Ryan mumbles. Wouldn't that be nice.
The inside looks as breathtaking as the rest of the house. Ryan starts to wander off. “Where are you going?”
“He’s fine. There is a gym and a movie room. If you can find it.”
“Bad ass.”
“Be back in twenty for dinner and schoolwork,” I remind him.
“Got it.”
“We’ll be in the kitchen.” He points down the hallway before he leads me down it.
“Thanks for being so good with him.”
Miles stops walking and turns to face me. I drop my head back to look up at him. I know he’s a big guy, but when we’re this close he feels bigger. But I don’t feel intimidated. In fact, I feel something different altogether. Desire.
“He’s a good kid.” I say knowing I must have done something right along the way.
His eyes drop to my mouth, making me lick my suddenly dry lips. He’s so damn handsome. I’m still trying to understand why he’s so interested in me. He has heartbreak written all over him. Even if he is a good man, which I’m pretty sure he is. We just wouldn't end up being compatible at the end of the day. We come from two very different worlds.
“He is.” Miles agrees. “I’m going to kiss you, Eden.” He lowers his mouth slowly to mine, giving me time to say no or pull away. I don’t. I want this. My eyes fall closed when his mouth meets mine. His arm wraps around me, pulling me into him.
The kiss starts off slow and sweet. My lips part for him, and his tongue slides into my mouth as he deepens the kiss. I let out a small moan, unable to control myself, and push my chest into him. His other hand tangles in my hair, and he pulls my head back to deepen the kiss even more.
It quickly goes from soft and sweet to passion-filled and needy. We can’t get close enough to each other. My body screams that I want more. I rub against him, my fingers digging into his shirt to hold on to him. My body is starved for affection and yearning to be close to someone.
“Oh sorry.” I jump back at the sound of a woman. She stands there for a moment, and I know from her dark hair and eyes that she’s his twin sister. “Don’t mind me. I’ll be in the kitchen.” She turns, leaving us alone.
“We shouldn't have done that.” I say it, but I wouldn’t think twice about doing it again. I reach up and touch my lips. Miles bends down to pick up the folder. I hadn't realized he’d brought it in. He must have dropped it when we were kissing. He grabs a few of the papers that had fallen out. He slowly stands looking at them before tucking everything back inside.
“That kiss will definitely be happening again.” He takes my hand, leading me down the hallway in a daze.
I don’t even bother telling him he’s wrong.
Chapter Nine
Miles
“Is your recipe for scones a secret or can I get a personal cooking lesson?” Violet asks between mouthfuls of scones.
“I’ll trade the scones’ recipe for this stew recipe. I can make a cake or a pastry, but savor
y items I struggle with,” Eden shares.
“Hey, I’m the one that makes the pastries,” Ryan interjects. He leans toward my sister. “If you want to know how to bake shit, I’m your man.”
Violet smiles. “Is that right? What all do you know how to make?”
“Bear claws, muffins, eclairs, puffs, filled Danish. You name it and I’ve probably made a few hundred dozen.” The kid’s chest is puffed up in pride.
I swipe a hand across the back of my face to hide a smile.
“I accept your offer to be your sous chef.” Violet stretches her arm across the table.
“Sue what?”
“It’s short for sous chef de cuisine or under-chef of the kitchen. Basically, I do what you tell me until I’m proficient enough to become a master and then I open my own rival restaurant putting yours out of business.”
“Too far, Violet,” I tease.
“Yeah. I’m still the master and will gain skills as I get older. You’re always going to be behind me,” Ryan says.
“Is that so? I better start learning how to bake right away. Every minute that passes is a lost opportunity.” She shoves away from the table. “Let’s go.”
Ryan sits glued to his chair.
“What’s wrong?”
His shoulders slump. “I don’t have all the recipes memorized but, hey”—he has an idea—“we can drive over to the café. They’re all taped up in the kitchen.”
I hold my breath. Is this kid going to miraculously get Violet out of the house?
“Sorry, buddy, but I don’t leave this place.”
“Ever?”
“No. I’ve got some cookbooks in the kitchen. Let’s work with one of those.”
“How come you don’t leave?” Ryan presses.
“I mean why would you? This place is beautiful.” Eden reaches out and squeezes her brother’s shoulder. “And don’t forget you have calculus homework.”
Violet sends Eden a grateful look for the help.