28. Pecker
Chapter 28
Pecker
We slip into the row behind the glass and take a seat. I glance around, surprised that Sophia and her family don’t like to sit in a box or club seats.
“Do you guys always sit here?” I lean in closer so Sophia can hear me over the noise.
“Yes! I like to be right in the middle of the action!” She places a drink in the cup holder for us to share.
“What she really means is she likes to scream and yell at the opposing team when they try to slam Jax and Cody into the wall.” Wyatt smirks and leans back into the seat on the other side of me.
Charlie was planning on coming to the game, but she decided to stay home. She didn’t want to deal with the crowds or the noise level when she only has a few weeks left of her pregnancy. I can't say I blame her. Honestly, it’s nice to spend some time with just Sophia and Wyatt.
Wes and Addi are here, but they’re on the other side of Sophia and are happy letting us talk amongst ourselves. They’re really kind to give me time to get to know Wyatt better before I go home.
Sophia wasn’t joking when she told me Wes is the world’s greatest dad. This morning, he handed me a cup of coffee and motioned for me to go outside. He spent over an hour talking to me. He wanted to know how I felt about Wyatt being my brother. How I liked Mulberry Lane. If I was truly willing to move here, or was I entertaining the idea to make Sophia happy.
He really cares about where my head is at and made sure to give me his phone number in case I ever needed to talk to him. Before we headed back inside the house, he told me any time I wished I could talk to my dad, I could call him instead.
“What up, squirt?” Jax bangs on the glass, making Sophia shriek and latch onto my arm.
“You’re such a jerk, Jax!” She bangs right back.
Jax sticks out his tongue, a grin taking up most of his face. I don’t think I’ve ever tormented Sydney as much as Jax does to Sophia. Yet, my girl doesn’t stay mad at him. Sure, she’ll yell and hit him, but she doesn’t do anything more. I'm shocked she doesn’t retaliate though.
“Does she ever do anything to get back at Jax?” I lean in and ask Wyatt so Sophia can't hear me.
She’s too preoccupied with Jax and Cody though. When Cody saw Jax teasing Sophia, he came up from behind and slammed him into the glass. That brought a massive smile to Sophia’s face.
“Sometimes. Normally Cody sticks up for her and Jax rarely takes things too far. Though, I’ve seen her do some nasty things to Jax in the past.”
“Like what?”
“Well, he teased her at school when she was a freshman and he was a sophomore. She put hair removal cream in his hair gel.”
“Seriously? What happened?”
“All of his hair fell out.” He chuckles. “He was so mad, until he got to school and all of the girls swarmed him. Some thought he looked cute with a bald head. Others wanted to know what was wrong that he lost his hair. I think he had dates lined up for weeks after that.”
“How pissed was Sophia?”
“She wasn’t pissed at all. She actually didn’t go to school that day because when she saw Jax without hair, she started crying and couldn’t stop. Wes told her to stay home and think about how stupid it was to do that to her own brother. When Jax got home, she threw herself into his arms and begged him to forgive her. She couldn’t handle the idea of him being mad at her.”
“Wow, that’s not the response I was expecting.” I shake my head. I wish I knew what Sophia was like when she was younger. I know I would’ve followed her around just begging for her attention if we had met earlier.
“She tries to act tough, but she’s not, Peck. She wears her feelings on her sleeve and doesn’t have the heart to be mean to anyone. She’s just like Charlie.”
“They’re both amazing.”
“Yup. They steal your heart before you even know what’s going on and refuse to give it back. Even when your life takes a wild turn, they’ll always be there for you, holding your hand and offering you comforting words when you need it. I know if Charlie never entered my life, everything would be completely different for me.”
“I don’t plan on going back to a life without Sophia. I’d be lost without her.”
As soon as the buzzer sounds and the game starts, our conversation quickly ends. We’re both too wrapped up in the game and watching Jax and Cody dominate the ice.
Sophia spends most of her time on her feet. She’s screaming and yelling like a crazy fan, pounding her fists against the glass. I stare at my girl with wide eyes, wondering what the hell has gotten into her. Gone is the sweet and innocent woman I'm used to. In her place is this aggressively protective sister.
“Is she always like this?” I motion to my girlfriend who is shrieking at the ref for putting Jax in the penalty box after he was slammed into the glass right in front of us.
“I’ve seen her at games Jax and Cody aren’t playing in and she’s fairly calm. But put her family on the ice and she’s crazy.” He shakes his head with a smirk. “Obviously, I’ve never been around her when she watches me play, but Jax and Cody say she acts about the same. I guess she’s slightly less intense, but baseball isn't as intense of a game either.”
“You know I can hear the two of you, right?” She says without taking her attention away from the action. “Wyatt, stop making me sound insane. Peck, you’re in love with a crazy person. Deal with it.”
I chuckle and reach forward, wrapping my arms around her waist. I tug her onto my lap and hold her down when she tries to stand again.
“I don’t care if you’re crazy. I’ll always love you,” I murmur in her ear. She stops struggling against my hold and leans into my chest.
“And I’ll always love you.”
“I’m only giving you back for two months, Sophia. I expect you to return and be living in that new house in sixty days. Do you understand me?” Wes wraps his daughter in a tight hug and doesn’t let go.
“Yes, Daddy. Though that means Pecker needs to move in ninety days.” She smiles at me over Wes’ shoulder.
“Why ninety?” I frown at her. “I’ll have to find a new job before I can move.”
“Don’t worry about that. I'm sure with Mason and Maddox’s help, we can find you something.” Wes waves off my concern.
“Well, I don’t think I can live without you for longer than a month.” Sophia sticks her bottom lip out in a pout.
“Oh my gosh! You lived almost twenty-one years without him.” Jax rolls his eyes. “You’re being dramatic.”
“That’s rich coming from you. You’re the most dramatic person I know!” Sophia glares at him.
“Whatever. I only want Pecker to move here so I can have a new best friend. Plus, you’re kinda cool to have around, squirt.” He ruffles Sophia’s hair, making her swat at him. He couldn’t care less. He just laughs and tugs her into his arms. “I love you, Soph. I need you back here soon.”
“I love you too, Jaxy.”
“Take care of my little sister, Peck. I don’t have a replacement if something happens to her.” Cody gives me a hug and pats me on the back.
“I’ll protect her with my life.”
“Good, because if anything happens to her, that’s what we’re coming for,” Wes grumbles under his breath, earning himself a glare from Sophia.
“Daddy, stop it. You love Peck.” She places her hands on her hips and glares at her father.
“He’s like having another son.” Wes watches me carefully. “I wasn’t joking, Peck. Any time you wish you could talk to your dad, you’re free to call me.”
“He’s the best dad.” Sophia smiles up at him.
“He’s alright. There’s always room for improvement.” Jax pats him on the back.
“We’ll be coming to visit Maple Springs in a few weeks. I can't wait to meet your family, Peck!” Charlie wraps me in a tight hug. She doesn’t care that she’s squishing her belly between us. “Thank you for loving her the way you do and being so amazing,” she whispers in my ear. “And for being exactly what Wyatt needs in his life.”
“You have no reason to thank me. I'm lucky to have all of you in my life now.”
“Drive safe. I’ll be keeping in contact with you, Peck.” Wyatt squeezes me tightly in his arms. “It feels so weird to have a little brother… other than Creed. Damn, our family really is complicated.” He chuckles, slipping his arm around Charlie’s waist.
“I want all the updates on the baby! Every single thing that happens.” Sophia points a finger in Charlie’s face.
“Obviously.” She rolls her eyes like keeping us up to date is the only clear option for her.
“If either one of you need anything, call us. We’ll be in Maple Springs as quickly as we can.” Addi hugs both of us before cuddling into Wes’ side.
“Love you all,” Sophia and I say as I open the passenger’s door and she climbs inside. After shutting her door, I get in my side and start the car.
We both smile and wave, taking the long way around the circle so we can wave to the entire Mulberry Lane family. As we pull onto the main road, Sophia swipes at her cheek. I reach my hand over and she intertwines our fingers.
“We’ll be back soon, baby. I promise.” I squeeze her hand, trying to stop her from crying.
“You’re really going to move here with me? You like Mulberry Lane?”
“I love Mulberry Lane and I’ll really move wherever you want me to… but I need to make sure Sydney will be ok first. I know that could push back my move a little, but I moved to Maple Springs for her, Soph.”
“I know. I just want to be with you. I guess I could stay in Maple Springs longer than two months.” She worries her bottom lip between her teeth.
“I know this is asking a lot and it’s going to be frustrating, but can we take things one week at a time and figure it out that way?” I glance at her before returning my gaze to the road. “I don’t want to make any promises to you and then not be able to keep them.”
“We can do that.”
She’s quiet for a long while. The next time I glance over at her, she’s sound asleep with her head resting against the window. I smile and keep driving in silence. She looks so beautiful.
“Peck?” She says softly a few hours later.
“Yeah, baby?”
“Will you stay at my house tonight?” She moved all of her things into Zoey’s old house before we left for Mulberry Lane, but she hasn’t stayed there yet. I’m sure part of her is scared to sleep there after Jimmy found them there.
“Of course. I’d love to sleep next to you.” I lift our joined hands and place a kiss on her knuckles.
“Will you stay at my house tomorrow night?”
“Sure.” I smile, keeping my attention on the road.
“Will you stay at my house every night?”
“I’d love to, sweetheart.”