25. Ren
Chapter 25
Ren
“D o you know where that asshole lives?” I barked at Hunter as we walked to my car.
“Yeah, and just so you know, I never liked that prick.”
Hunter matched my pace, his jaw set in a grim line. He didn’t say much, but I could sense his dislike simmering beneath the surface.
Hunter got into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut. The intensity of the moment weighed heavily on both of us as I started the engine.
“Where to?” I muttered, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. The streetlights cast eerie shadows, mirroring the turmoil inside me.
He gave me directions, then we were off.
“I grew up with Paige,” he told me. “So I know Piper pretty well, too. She was always a sweet girl. She doesn’t deserve this. I’m more than happy to back you up.”
“Thanks. I’m done letting him get away with this ridiculous bullshit.”
Even though Richard was a Honeybrook Hollow local, the drive felt endless, but eventually, we pulled up to the curb in front of his house.
The engine hummed softly as I cut it off, and the silence that followed was almost deafening. Hunter and I exchanged a look, the resolve in his eyes mirroring my own.
We stepped out of the car, the cool night air washing over us, heightening our senses and steeling my nerves.
The house loomed ahead; its facade bathed in the dim glow of the streetlights.
I knocked firmly, the sound echoing through the quiet night. Hunter stood beside me, waiting. I had the sense that there was more to why he was so willing to help me tonight, but I could find out later, whatever it was. The waiting seemed to stretch on forever, the anticipation gnawing at the edges of my patience.
I wanted Piper, and this asshole was the only thing standing between us. I was done with waiting, done with his shit, and done with him treating Piper as his punching bag.
Finally, the door creaked open, revealing Richard. His expression shifted from surprise to disdain as he took in our presence.
“What are you going to do?” he snarked. “Kick my ass?”
“No. I’m going to sue you. For harassment. Stalking. Verbal abuse. Making threats. Trespassing on private property. Theft. And anything else I can think of.”
Hunter shrugged. “I’ll kick your ass. I never liked you.”
“Call your attorney and tell him who is representing Piper,” I growled. “So you’ll know exactly who you’re messing with.”
His eyes shifted to the side.
“You already know, don’t you?” I laughed. “You don’t have a chance. That’s why you won’t leave Piper alone.”
“What of it? What do I care about some stupid bakery? I’ll help Dana open a new one. Big deal.”
“We went to school together, asshole.” Hunter jabbed a finger in Richard’s chest. “Piper is practically family, and you know it. So you know what I’ll do to you.”
“So, it looks like you know Jake’s reputation and Hunter’s. But you don’t know me. Piper is mine. And the only thing standing in the way of her being happy right now is you. Which means that I am now your nightmare. Aside from suing the shit out of you and reporting you to the local police for breaking into Piper’s house and stealing Cody, I will do anything else I think of to make your life a living hell. And trust me when I say that unless you move to another planet, I can do it. We’re taking Cody and you will not do one fucking thing about it. Do you get me?”
“Yeah, I get you.”
“And when Jake gives you the papers for Piper to buy Dana out, what are you going to do?”
He didn’t answer.
“What are you going to do?” I bellowed.
“Dana will sign the fucking papers, all right? Damn.”
“And Cody?” I ground out, ready to shove my way inside and get him if I had to.
“He’s a good dog, but I can get another one.”
“You’re pathetic,” I bit out.
“Jesus Christ.” He snarled. “This is not worth it. Dana,” he shouted. “Bring Cody down here.”
She showed up screeching. “What are they doing here? The damn dog is mine.”
“Damn dog?” Hunter bit out. “Nice.”
Richard’s eyes slid shut as he shook his head side to side. “Just get Cody, please, Dana. We’ll talk in a minute. I can get you another dog whenever you want.”
She stomped off up the stairs, muttering to herself as she walked, returning a few seconds later with Cody following. He peeked his head out from behind her, so I called him over.
“Go on, boy,” Richard told him. “Go with Ren. It’s okay.”
Cody trotted over to me, tail wagging, with his cute doggy grin on his face.
“What the fuck is going on, Richard?” Dana tugged on his arm, demanding an answer. “You’re giving Cody back to Piper?”
“I said, give me a minute. Baby, please.”
“Fine.” Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. “But bet your ass we’re talking about this after they leave.”
“Great,” he muttered. “This ends here. Tonight. Right now. I’ve had enough of this shit. We’re done.” He grabbed Cody’s leash from the coat rack near the door and hooked him up.
“As long as you stay the fuck away from Piper and sign the papers, we’re done,” I confirmed.
“Later, man,” Hunter smirked. “Have fun with your lady tonight.”
“You’re an asshole, Hunter.”
“You reap what you sew, dumbass. Keep that in mind.” Hunter shot back.
“I’m almost disappointed I didn’t get to punch him in his smug fucking face,” I muttered as we got into my car.
“He’s not worth it. He crumbles like a little bitch. Very unsatisfying.”
My eyes shot to Hunter. “Really?”
“Oh yeah. Ask around town. Anyone who knows him has probably taken a swing at him a time or two. Which is why I was so surprised he managed to get Piper.”
“What about Paige? Didn’t she set them up?”
“She had no clue. Her ex had her blind for years. Richard was his friend. She probably thought it would be fun for her sister to date her husband’s friend.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah, damn. That pretty much says it all.”
“Should I drop you back at the Honeybrook?” I asked.
“Yeah, my car is there.”
I pulled away from the curb. I glanced over at Hunter, who leaned back in his seat with a contemplative expression. The residual tension broke, and we laughed as Cody propped his paws on the console and licked the side of my face.
“Thanks for backing me up,” I told him as I pulled into the Honeybrook’s parking lot. “It’s appreciated.”
He smiled as he opened the car door. “Anytime. It was good to meet you.”
“You too.” I nodded, watching him disappear into the night.
Pulling back onto the road, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. The drive to Loganberry Lane was quiet, save for Cody happily panting in the passenger seat.
Once I pulled into Piper’s driveway, I took a moment to collect myself and prepare to go home alone after I dropped Cody off.
Paige answered the door at my knock. Bending to pet Cody after he barked his hello.
“Is she okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, we’re just sorting through all the shit he left her with, you know?”
“Yeah…”
“She’s not great when it comes to dealing with her feelings. Usually something big has to knock her on her ass before she starts to deal.”
“That’s relatable.”
“Don’t I know it.” She laughed. “I mean, sticking our heads in the sand is a Darlington family trait.”
“Can I talk to her for a minute? I’ll stay on the porch, I promise.”
“I’m not worried about you, Ren.” Her eyes softened. “It’s why I—never mind.” She turned away toward the entryway. “Piper,” she yelled. “Company.”
“Hey,” she whispered. “You got him.” Tears filled her eyes when Cody rubbed against her legs. “I can’t thank you enough.”
She stepped onto the porch, shooing Cody inside before closing the door behind herself. I smiled when I saw her in another caftan—purple with pink and lavender paisley swirls. God, she was beautiful.
“This was never fake for me,” I blurted. “Time and time again, I tried telling myself that it wasn’t real yet, or that we had an expiration date. But then I kept ending up here with you, right here on this porch, never wanting to leave.”
Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, the turbulent emotions seemed to still within her. She took a deep breath, her voice steady but soft. “You know, I spent so much time convincing myself that I never wanted to fall in love again. But I was just scared of being hurt. Maybe we told ourselves it was fake because neither one of us was ready.”
“Maybe,” I murmured, reaching out to take her hand. “Probably.” I smiled at her.
She squeezed my hand, a tentative smile forming. “I don’t want to pretend anymore, Ren.”
“I don’t either. No more lying to ourselves about what we have.”
“I still need time. I have to get him out of my head. I don’t like how I feel right now. And it’s not fair to drag you along while I get over all of it.”
“I understand.”
She released my hand and stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. “I need to figure out how to deal with all this. I don’t want to keep making the same mistakes. But I promise you, it won’t take long.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”
She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek. “Thank you for bringing Cody back to me. And I’m not talking about years, Ren. Maybe like a day or two.”
I laughed. “Good. How could I ever live without my golden girl?”
“I won’t make you find out. Okay? I promise.”
As she turned to walk back inside, the sun cast a warm glow over her silhouette, highlighting the vibrant colors of her caftan. I watched her disappear through the doorway; my heart full yet aching with the weight of patience.
With a hopeful smile, I whispered to myself, “Just a day or two.” Then I turned to go home. And wait.