CHAPTER NINETEEN #2
My cheeks heat up, which causes a big grin to blossom on his lips. He drops his cleaning supplies and starts up the stairs at the same time I thump down them toward him. We meet in the middle and he presses a kiss to my lips.
“I love it when you blush.”
The comment just makes me blush harder. I fist the front of his shirt, bringing him in for another kiss. “I love it when you make me blush.”
He searches my face for a moment, looking like he wants to add something else.
Instead, he covers my mouth with his, pressing me against the wall.
I smile through our kisses, the abandoned, woody scent of the barn mingling with the manly, cedar scent of Kru.
A lightning bolt of happiness strikes me, splitting me down the center. This man. This project. This future.
Even while there are so many things that aren’t quite right, somehow Kru overrides it all.
When we break from the kiss, we’re breathless. My chest heaves as I search his face, wondering if he felt the intensity I did.
“Those were some of the best kisses I’ve ever had,” I admit weakly.
He nuzzles my neck. “Absolute same. You need to spend the night at my house tonight.”
He drags his drugged gaze up to find mine. Something heavy shudders between us. I can feel the steel of his cock pressed against my belly and I move against him slightly. He looks like he wants to say more, but before he can, the barn door slides open again.
"Piper? Are you in here?"
Bella's voice echoes through the barn. For a moment, I can’t understand what I’m hearing. Bella? In the barn? Kru and I exchange a panicked look and he steps down, away from me. Across the barn, both Bella and Jackson are inside the threshold. Bella’s watching me with eyes the size of saucers.
“Bella!” I call out cheerily. “What are you doing here?”
Kru waves. “Hey, guys.”
Bella’s surprise morphs into understanding. “Well, if it isn’t Piper and Hot Cleveland Hookup Landlord.” She crosses her arms over her chest, looking immensely pleased with herself. “This certainly looks like ‘nothing going on’ here.”
I groan and stomp down the stairs, Kru following me. “Bella! I really don’t need your shit right now.”
“Is that what you call me?” Kru asks with a half-smile, looking a little smug.
“It was once. Well, a few times.” To Bella and Jackson, I say, “What brings you guys to Barny?”
“Barny?” Jackson asks, Kru echoing him.
“It’s the barn’s name,” I say.
“You named it,” Bella says slowly.
“Yes. Because it’s deserving of a name.” I gesture around us, as though this explains everything. “Listen, I told Jerrica to turn everyone away unless it was an emergency, so I need to know how you made it out here. Did something happen?”
Bella dips her chin. “Nothing happened. I was just curious. The way she answered my questions made me think you were somewhere around here. And then she said she could only summon you in the event of an emergency. So I told her it was an emergency because I wanted to snoop. Jackson and I are going back to LA soon, I can’t have mysteries like this hanging in the air before I leave. ”
I groan. “I should have given Jerrica clearer instructions when it came to the Keegan family.”
Jackson’s head is tipped back, looking into the rafters and all around. “Can I ask what you’re doing in Barny? Or is that an inappropriate question?”
“We’re in Barny because…I’m working on Barny,” I say.
Bella’s eyes round once more. “Oh my god. Is this for the business expansion you were talking about the other night?”
I nod. She squeals, grabbing my forearm.
“Is this the place?” she asks in a shriek-whisper.
“It is,” I say, unable to contain my smile.
“Holy shit, Pipe Cleaner! This is incredible! This is gonna be an amazing event space.” Now she’s looking around like she’s seeing into the future alongside me. Jackson is nodding as well, a grin overtaking his face.
“I know Piper’s going to turn it into something epic,” Kru says, squeezing my arm.
“Thank you. There’s a long road ahead, but it’ll come together. I’ve cleaned nine windows so far, so, you know, I’m basically at the finish line.”
Bella snort laughs, then her gaze returns to me and Kru. “So is this, like…official?”
“Barny?” I ask.
“No, you two ,” she clarifies.
“Oh,” I blurt.
“Well,” Kru says at the same time.
“We’re—” I look over at Kru. “It’s…”
Bella and Jackson are both laughing as we fumble to answer.
“Just don’t say anything to my brothers, please,” I finally spit out.
“I’m her dirty little secret,” Kru says, though I can hear a note of unhappiness there.
“Just like Barny here,” Bella says. “I take it your brothers don’t know about either of your secret men.”
“Hell no,” I say. “And it needs to stay that way. For now.”
She sighs. "Piper, you know they're going to find out eventually."
"I know," I acknowledge. "I'm just waiting for the right time to tell them."
"And when will that be? The grand opening?"
I roll my eyes. "Very funny. I'm just trying to avoid another lecture about taking on too much, not doing things the right way, not doing things their way…"
"Well, I’ll say it since Aunt Laura isn’t here to say it herself: they mean well." Bella’s tone suggests she understands my frustration all too well.
"I know they do." I sigh. "But this is important to me, and I don’t want them getting in the way."
“You really paint your brothers to be lovely people,” Kru cracks, crossing his arms.
“They are lovely. And intense. And overbearing. And…” Before I can add too many more adjectives, my phone rings in my apron pocket. I pull it out, expecting to see Griffin's name and preparing my excuse for why I'm not at the shop. Instead, it's Dane. “I gotta take this, guys. Hang on.”
"Hey," I answer, turning away from Bella's knowing gaze. "What's up?"
"Mom's awake," Dane says without preamble, his voice tight with emotion.
My heart skips a beat. "What?"
"She just woke up like three minutes ago. She's groggy but she knows who we are. The doctor's on his way now."
"Oh my god." My free hand flies to my mouth. "I'll be right there. Bella and Jackson are with me, so I’ll bring them, too."
I hang up, turning to the others with wide eyes. "Mom's awake."
Bella screams, covering her mouth with her hands. “Are you serious? That's amazing!" She immediately wraps me in a hug. "Let's go!"
"Yes. Let’s fucking go,” I tell her, already gathering my things. "I'll meet you there."
Bella and Jackson hurry out, promising to see me at the hospital. I turn to Kru, who's watching me with a huge smile.
"That’s incredible news," he says. “I’m so fucking happy to hear it.”
"It really is." I'm practically vibrating with a mixture of relief and excitement. "I need to get to the hospital."
"Of course." He helps me gather my cleaning supplies. "Do you want me to drive you? You seem a little wobbly."
I consider it for a moment, tempted by the offer, but shake my head. "Thanks, but I should go on my own. My brothers will all be there and…" I trail off, not needing to finish the thought.
"Right." His face falls slightly. "Text me later, okay? Let me know how she's doing. How you’re doing."
"I will." I hesitate, then impulsively rise on tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his lips. "Thank you. For everything."
His hands catch my waist, holding me there for a moment longer. "Anytime, Maven."
It’s still nice enough this time of year to be biking instead of driving, so I race outside to hop on my bike.
The ride to the hospital is a blur of stop signs and my own racing thoughts.
Mom's awake. After five days of uncertainty and fear, she's finally awake. The relief is so overwhelming, I’m streaming tears for the second half of the ride to the hospital.
I find Asher, Dane, Jett, and Bella already clustered around Mom's bed when I arrive. Griffin is apparently on his way. Mom herself is sitting up slightly, looking pale and tired but undeniably awake.
"Piper," she says when she spots me, her voice hoarse.
"Mom!" I rush to the bed, carefully embracing her. "Oh my god, this is the best day of my life. You’re awake!”
"So they tell me," she says with a weak attempt at a smile. "Though I feel like I've been hit by a truck. On the inside."
"Smoke inhalation and burns will do that to you," Dane says.
We’re all crowded at her bedside, beaming down at her. I’m holding one of her hands; Asher is holding another. Dane, Jett, and Bella are gathered around the foot of the bed.
The doctor comes in shortly after I arrive, gently shooing us out so he can do a quick exam. We huddle in the hallway, all of us too keyed up to sit quietly in the waiting room.
"This is good, right?" I ask, seeking reassurance. "She seems like herself."
"She knew exactly who she was and who we were when she woke up," Asher confirms. "But she was surprised to hear how long she’s been out. They'll know more soon."
Relief floods through me, exhaustion on its heels. I lean against the wall, suddenly aware of how tired I am. Between the shop, the barn cleaning, and the emotional rollercoaster of Mom's condition, I'm running on fumes.
"Where were you when Dane called?" Jett asks, eyeing my dusty clothes. "You look like you've been rolling around in an attic."
I tense slightly. "Just…cleaning the storage room at the shop. It was overdue."
Jett raises an eyebrow but doesn't press, which I appreciate. The last thing we all need right now is to talk about the barn.
Griffin arrives, slightly out of breath, having clearly rushed from whatever he was doing. "How is she?" he demands.
"Awake, alert, and knows who we all are," Asher reports.
Griffin's relief is palpable as the tension visibly drains from his shoulders.
The doctor emerges after what feels like an eternity, clipboard in hand. "She's doing remarkably well," he tells us. "We'll need to keep her for observation for a few more days, but barring any complications, she should be able to go home by early next week."
The collective sigh of relief from the Keegan siblings is probably audible three floors down.
"Can we go back in?" I ask.
"Of course. But be aware she does need rest. Try not to overload her with conversations. She’s been through a lot, and rest is very important right now.” The doctor offers a warm smile before striding away.
We file back into the room, where Mom is looking more tired than before, but still alert.
"The doctor says you're getting out of here soon," Jett tells her, perching on the edge of the bed.
"Not soon enough," she says with a weak smile.
We laugh, the sound both relieved and a little tearful. For the first time in days, the knot of fear in my chest begins to loosen.
“Next game night will be at home,” I tell her.
“Mmm. Did we miss one?” she asks softly.
“No, Mom. We brought it to you.” Jett smiles down at her, taking her hand in his. “Could you feel us here?”
She mumbles something, but it’s clear she’s getting ready to conk out. We all take turns pressing kisses to her forehead, getting ready to clear out.
“I’ll stay until Asher comes for the night shift,” Dane whispers once Mom’s eyes have drifted shut. “I’ll let you know when she wakes up again.”
After saying our goodbyes, we head to the parking lot, all of us walking a little lighter than when we arrived. Before I hop onto my bike, I pull out my phone and type a quick message to Kru.
PIPER: We talked to her, she’s groggy but things are looking up. Should be home by Monday.
His reply comes almost immediately.
KRU: That's great, Maven. I'm so happy for you.
I smile at the screen, warmth spreading through me at his words. A second message follows.
KRU: You coming over tonight?
I bite my lip, fighting a smile.
PIPER: That sounds like a good idea.
KRU: I’ll make it a great idea.
PIPER: I’ll try my best to stay up that late. Text me when you’re done at the restaurant.
KRU: I could always come to you…
PIPER: Not with Griffin there!!!!
KRU: When are you gonna be real with them? Not gonna lie…I’m sick of hiding this.
PIPER: Well…what is this?
My phone rings immediately. My stomach is in all sort of fluttery knots as I answer. I can’t believe we’re about to have this talk.
“No more texting,” his deep voice rumbles. Pinpricks of desire skate through me, and suddenly I’m desperate for him to be in front of me, wrapped around me, inside me .
“I didn’t mean to make it all serious,” I tell him.
“Will you just be my girlfriend already?”
I gnaw on the inside of my cheek, fighting a grin that I know will split me in two. “I could arrange that. But I’ll be honest…I can’t date someone if I don’t know his first name.”
“Herman.”
“Oh, wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Now is your formal name Uncle Herman Lobster Krueger, then?”
“If you want. I’ll respond to whatever you call me. I happen to like the names you come up with, Pipesqueak.”
My entire body feels warm and buzzy now. I’m covering my mouth with the back of my hand, I’m smiling so hard.
“That’s a new one,” I tell him.
“Come over tonight,” he says again, his voice gritty. “So we can celebrate the Pipe Crew. And if it doesn’t happen tonight, then I’m absolutely getting my hands on you tomorrow.”
“That sounds like a threat,” I tease.
“A promise,” he clarifies. “Because I don’t break my promises to my girlfriend.”
The way he says it sends me into the clouds. I didn’t realize something so forbidden— prohibited —could feel so damn right.