Chapter 4
Holt
I heard Meg depart, telling Piper to call her if she needed her.
Looking over at Piper I can see that the visit did her good.
However, Meg’s words echo in my ear. You need to sleep sometime.
Is she not sleeping? With the schedule she is keeping, she is going to make herself sick if she doesn’t get some kind of rest soon.
My mind is turning. Carter is looking at me.
“Do you have something you would like to share,” I ask him. My teeth clenched. He chuckles. Carter is not affected by anything. I would like to think he isn’t afraid of anything. As a matter of fact, dangerous situations tend to amuse him.
“It’s just interesting to me. When you and your brother fall, you fall hard,” he chuckles again. As annoying as he is, he isn’t wrong.
“For the last 8 years I have watched both of you avoid a committed relationship like the plague. And now, it is like you are kamikazes running head first to your demise,” he takes a sip of his coffee thoughtfully. I take the opportunity to fire back a bit.
“Please, it isn’t like Holt and I are the only ones that have commitment issues. I don’t even think you let a woman spend a whole night in your bed,” I retort quickly. Carter blanches a little, but doesn’t deny it.
“I don’t,” he states simply. The tactic works. Without him arguing with me, I can’t continue to point out his commitment issues. Carter surprises me again.
“Your girl is tired, and it isn’t just from the job.
Looks like she has a bit of PTSD. If I were you, I would see if I could find a way to crash at her place.
Sleep does a world of good for that shit.
Well, sleep, time, and talking about it,” he says.
After dropping that bombshell, he stands up and walks away.
Stopping at the counter briefly, he says goodbye.
I watch her wave at Carter and turn to the customer at the register.
Once some time has passed, I make my way to her. My wheels are turning. How do I stay at her place—without making it look like it is because I’m worried about her. Usually I can think on my feet fairly quickly. This woman tends to jumble me up a bit.
“It’s almost closing time,” I point out. Uselessly. She knows when her shop closes. She looks at the clock though and her eyes widen. It is almost comical. Maybe it wasn’t a useless fact to point out.
“What are you doing for dinner tonight,” I ask her. An idea is formulating in my brain. It is half-baked, but it is the only thing I can think of at the time. She hums as she starts counting the cash in the drawer.
“I was thinking of picking up some pizza over at Angelos, I could bring it by your place with some beer. You must be exhausted,” I offer. She shrugs her shoulders.
“Holt, you don’t have to babysit me. You must have better things to do,” she states quietly.
“Piper, please I’m begging you. Save me from eating a whole pizza by myself,” I jokingly state. I hope she takes the bait. I see her starting to give in.
“Okay, fine—but I can’t stay up too late. I have to go to bed no later than 9:30. 4:00 in the morning comes quickly,” she explains.
“I promise, I will tuck you in myself no later than 9:30. Scouts honor,” I give what I think looks like the scouts salute. The brief look of amusement on her face confirms that I have missed the mark.
“Any topping preferences,” I ask as I pull out my phone. I watch her think it over. She seems to overcome some kind of internal struggle and finally speaks.
“Do you care if half is just pepperoni,” She tentatively asks. It is almost like she doesn’t want to inconvenience me.
“I mean, it is okay if you want something else. I don’t mind. Really—,” She trails off when I hold up my hand.
“Pepperoni sounds great,” I say in what I hope is a relaxed and good natured tone. This woman worries too much about other people and not herself.
“I’ll order it and swing by your place in about an hour. Does that give you enough time,” I ask her. I don’t want to rush her, but also don’t want her staying here too late. She nods at me thoughtfully. Before she has a chance to complicate my plan, I start heading for the door.
“See you soon, Piper,” I promise. As far as plans go, pretending to fall asleep on her couch and camping out for the night is as basic as it gets. It is all I have. I’m just going to have to take it one night at a time. I pull my phone out to call Sterling. On the fourth ring he picks up.
“If you aren’t dying, you will be soon,” he grits out. I chuckle. My brother is all bark and mostly no bite. I hear Meg in the background scolding him to be nice.
“Jesus, don’t you come up for air. It is 4 o’clock in the afternoon,” I tease him. I am taking advantage of being the instigator. Soon the tables will turn. Sterling will be giving me hell about Piper.
“Just wanted to let you know I’ll be at Piper’s tonight,” I casually announce to Sterling. He is silent for a moment.
“Look, I’m not going to get into this with you now. I have other things on my plate, but don’t do this if you aren’t serious,” he warns me. I’m almost offended.
“Sterling, you know me. I wouldn’t be doing this if I weren’t serious,” I leave my explanation there. I’m sure we will hash this out in person soon. Right now, it seems to be enough for Sterling. Before he can respond to me, I hear a bit of commotion and then a female voice floats through my ear.
“Holt, be careful with Piper. Oh, and don’t let her push you away. She will try,” Meg says to me. I chuckle.
“Thanks Meg, I didn’t plan on that. I may need your help down the line though,” I am not too proud to use resources at my disposal to get what I want.
“Sure thing, oh and Holt—hey, I wasn’t finished,” I hear her say as the phone is taken from her.
“Holt, don’t call me again tonight,” he says. I laugh, but don’t respond. Hanging up the phone, I mount my bike and pull on my helmet. I head down to Angelos.
Angelos is on the other side of our small mountain town. We have a lot of seasonal residents and tourists that cycle through here, but a few of our restaurants stay open year round for the locals.
High Ridge is known for attracting diverse groups of people from hikers and nature enthusiasts to the upper class.
The skating rink has just been set up and holiday decorations are coming out.
Before we know it, the town will be inundated with families trying to chase the snow, and come to the mountains for winter break.
I enjoy the peaceful and short ride to the other side of town.
It is only 2 miles, and Piper lives in a small cottage just a mile from there.
While her place is only a mile outside of town, I’m not a huge fan that it is in a desolate area.
Around here, it is rare not to be in a desolate area.
The lack of security that she has is enough to drive me to drink.
Before I get to Angelos, I decide to pull into Darkside Brewery. I can fit a 6 pack in the saddle bags on my bike. High Ridge is home to a few breweries, but Carter, Sterling, and I frequent Darkside for the food, atmosphere, good beer, and convenience.
It doesn’t take me very long to find a good spot for my bike. I check my watch. I might beat Piper home, but that isn’t a bad thing. I can do a quick perimeter sweep. You can never be too careful.
Within 20 minutes, I have hit all of my stops and am on my way to Piper’s.
I need to get a copy of her house key. I should have asked for her key before I left.
I pull into her driveway and park. Slipping off my helmet, I quickly walk around the house.
Stepping around the laurels that are scattered around, I am on high alert.
Satisfied that there is no one around, I make my way to her front door.
I look down and spot a fake looking rock.
She doesn’t have a a hide-a-key rock right outside her front door, does she?
I bend down and pick it up. I am furious.
How reckless of her. She should know better.
Anyone would have spotted that from a mile away.
I grit my teeth, tamping down the sudden urge I have to turn her over my knee and spank her luscious ass. I unlock the door and pocket the key. I guess I don’t need to make a copy after all. Going back to my bike, I unstrap the pizza, grab the beers, and make myself at home.