Chapter 25
i’m just another burden
DOMINIC
November
The garage is cool today, the November air crisp and cold. But I barely notice as I stand at the threshold of my dad’s office, my shoulder propped against the doorframe, my phone to my ear and a smile on my face.
I have no idea why Coach McDermott thinks I deserve this opportunity, but after lots of coaxing from Mia, I decided to give him a chance to explain.
I owe it to my younger self, the boy who dreamt of playing in the NFL one day—even if that boy grew into a self-destructive asshole who ruined his future with one reckless decision.
“Yes, sir,” I say. “I’ll be in your office next Friday.”
After I end the call, I slip my phone into my pocket and saunter over to Miles, who’s leaning against the workbench, wiping his hands on a towel and wearing street clothes.
“So,” he drawls as I approach, his lips kicking up on one side, “wanna tell me why your high school coach was calling you?”
There’s no stopping the grin that overtakes me. “He wants me to work as his assistant coach next season.”
Miles straightens. “What? That’s awesome! Is this the first time you’ve talked to him, or has this been in the works?”
“We’ve talked about it a little, but I haven’t mentioned it to anyone.”
He cocks a brow. “Not even Mia?”
“She knows,” I admit.
He throws his hands in the air, full of fake bluster. “I am your best friend. Me. I should’ve been the first to know.” But his frown lacks any real animosity. “I don’t like your secretive side, Watson.”
I lift one shoulder. “I don’t have any more secrets.”
“Yeah, now that the world knows about Mia.” He laughs darkly. “If you’d told me about her sooner, I could’ve covered for you with Matt, you know.”
I snort. “What? You want to be our guard dog?”
His lips curl up in a wicked smile. “She didn’t mind when I was watching.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “Watch it. I don’t like to share.”
“Sharing is caring, my friend, and you’re missing out on a lot of fun.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Does that mean you finally found two girls for a threesome?” His face lights up in a silly smile. Roughing a hand over my jaw, I shake my head. “Are you planning to see them again?”
“If they’re down for it again, I wouldn’t say no. It was the best sex of my life.”
Realizing we’re dancing into territory I’d probably rather stay out of, I clear my throat. “Dad hooked us up with an old friend of his. He’s got a Harley and is looking for custom work. Looks like we’ve got our first client.”
“Fuck, man. I can’t wait. But…” His good humor fades. “What are we going to do about design options? We’re nowhere near ready to hire someone to work on them exclusively.”
I grin, my chest expanding. “Mia did some mock-ups for us. They’re pretty badass actually.”
He scoffs. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope.” I pull my phone from my pocket and navigate to my photos. “She’s got mad skills.”
“Let me see.” Miles sidles up beside me, looking over my shoulder as I flip through the images. There’s a decent selection already, including designs for Harleys and Hondas, some classic, some modern, all unique and beautiful.
He whistles. “Damn, man. She’s good.”
“Hell yeah, she is.”
“Do you see her often? Seems like you’re always here.”
That single question is enough to tank my mood. Disappointment stirring in my gut, I pocket my phone. When I look up, Miles is watching me, all his playfulness from a moment ago gone.
“Not as much as I want to,” I admit.
“Because of her mom?”
“Uh-huh.”
With a loud exhale, he claps my back. “Sorry, man. I can’t believe she’s that relentless.”
Frustration mixes with longing, making my chest ache. “You have no idea.”
Silence settles between us, thick and sticky.
I want to fucking scream. Maybe I should’ve seen it coming. Monica has always treated Mia unfairly, but I didn’t expect her to be such a roadblock. How the hell does my dad put up with her?
What pisses me off the most is that all her anger is focused on Mia rather than me.
I can take any shit Monica throws my way.
I’m used to pushing back when people try to shut me down.
But it’s not my life Monica is out to destroy—it’s Mia’s.
It always has been. Even when they were kids she favored Matt, leaving Mia with crumbs.
With our relationship thrown into the mix, Monica has gotten so much worse.
Placing my hands on top of my head, I stare at the wall ahead of me.
It would be easier if Mia weren’t so stubborn.
She’s confident and bold, and she has this desire to prove her haters wrong, especially when the person hating on her is her mother.
Matt has tried talking to them both, my dad too, but it’s like talking to a wall.
They push and push, both so sure of themselves.
I’m proud that Mia is fighting for us, but she’s burning out. This shit is hard on her.
I can’t help but think one day, she’ll wake up and realize this isn’t worth the energy.
That I’m not worth fighting for.
Fuck. I shouldn’t let my mind go there. I blink and fix my focus on Miles. “How about dinner?”
He smiles. “I could eat.” As he walks past me, he says, “You could’ve just said you wanted to see Mia. I would’ve gone with you either way.”
My body is so attuned to her, I spot her the second I walk in. The place is crowded and noisy, the low music piped in through the speaker barely audible over the loud conversations and laughter. But it all fades away when I set my sights on her.
She’s taking an elderly couple’s order. Her smile is radiant, warming me from the inside out.
The uniform is nothing special, but on her?
It looks incredible. The beige dress fits her like a glove, and the small white apron tied around her waist is hotter than it should be.
The skirt is short, exposing her long, tanned legs.
Her hair is pulled into a little bun on top of her head, a pencil tucked behind her ear.
She’s beautiful, and she’s all mine. I can’t take my eyes off her.
Chuckling, Miles nudges me toward a booth. “You’re so fucking obvious.”
I slide into one side. “I have nothing to hide.”
Across from me, he smiles. “I like the way you act around her, the way you talk about her. It’s nothing like it was with Remi or any of the girls I’ve seen you with.”
“I’m not the same guy I was in college.”
“Or maybe you’ve finally found the right girl.”
While we wait for our food, all I can do is watch Mia. She moves from table to table, taking orders, smiling and laughing with her customers. She makes it look easy…but it’s not.
Last time she came over, she fell asleep within minutes of putting on a movie.
Another time, she stayed up all night working on a sketch she promised a new client.
Studying, working, freelancing. I have no idea how she finds time for it.
She should be home after class, relaxing and spending time with her friends, working on designs for fun, not busting her ass in a place like this just to have her own money.
I’ve mentioned my concerns and offered her money so she can quit waitressing, but she gets upset every time. I want to help, but I don’t know how.
“Hey, hey.” She stops at our table. “My favorite customers.”
“I’m your favorite too?” Miles bats his eyelashes at her.
She snorts. “You are.” Then, she places one hand on the table and leans forward, eyes level with his. “But if you hurt my best friend, you’ll end up on my shit list in the blink of an eye.”
“Your best friend?” I glance from her to Miles and back again. “Chiara?”
She lifts a shoulder and straightens. “Maybe it’s Jeff.”
Miles coughs. “Look, Jeff is handsome, sure, but I don’t swing that way.”
Her melodic laughter infuses me with a warmth that makes me grin. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her onto my lap. With her hands on my shoulders, she smiles softly. Then, she inches forward and presses her lips to mine for the quickest kiss.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I tighten my hold on her. “Any plans for tonight?”
She shakes her head. “No. I have to finish an essay and submit an art project before midnight, so I’m headed home after my shift.”
“Your man here showed me your designs.” Miles sits back, crossing his arms.
Mia tenses a little in my lap, her expression nervous.
“I had no idea you had that kind of talent.” He grins widely, eyebrows quirking.
A relieved smile breaks out across her face. “Thank you.”
“And he told me his secret. I can’t believe he hid it from me and not you.”
“A secret?” She looks at me, lips tugging down.
“Coach McDermott called. We’re meeting next Friday to talk about the assistant coach position.”
“I’m so happy for you.” She plants a tender kiss on my cheek then cups my face. “And I’m proud of you. Living on your own, helping your dad, working your ass off to open your own shop—I always knew you had a bright future ahead of you.”
The waitress who took our orders—Leslie, according to her nametag—returns to the table. “Mia, you’ve got a customer asking for a refill.” She tilts her head, signaling to a couple sitting a few tables away.
“Sorry.” With one more peck to my cheek, she stands. “I have work to do.”
While we eat, I ask Miles about Chiara, but he skirts the subject, so I let it go, mostly because my mind is full of thoughts of Mia.
From the moment she came back to Monterey, my life has improved. Work is going well. Dad has agreed to support us as we branch out—and from the look of things, we may have our first client, and I have a place of my own, just like I wanted.
But for Mia? Every day is like a battlefield. She works her ass off here and at school, and she deals with Monica’s bullshit constantly. Thanks to me. I’m part of the reason she’s barely keeping her head above water.
As Miles rambles on, I pick up my soda and chug the last of it, hoping it’ll ease the dryness in my throat.
My gut twists as thoughts I’ve been pushing out of my mind surface. She might be my blessing, but I’m her curse. I’m just another burden, but I want to be as supportive of her as she is of me.
She catches me watching her from across the diner and breaks into a quick smile before she focuses on a group of high schoolers who just sat down.
I sigh and force myself to listen to Miles.
There’s no fucking way I can walk away from her.