Chapter 13
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Am I on board?
“Hell, yeah!” my dick says, while my mind yells, “Fuck no!”
However my body refuses to listen to reason, and I shift in the seat, my leg that’s touching Piper’s pressing closer against hers.
She doesn’t move away.
Why did she say it’s a good idea for us to kiss? To help me out? Or because she wants to?
Is she feeling guilty for questioning my motives at the hotel? And is now going above and beyond what we agreed to?
I’ve noticed that a British accent is … appealing to her. But is that what does it for her, or does she actually like me? Am I going to have to change my name to Lord Brody of Hideaway and permanently speak like I’ve stepped out of a period drama with a silver spoon lodged up my butt?
My mind is whirling, trying to find a pattern in her behavior that points to her seeing me as someone more than a friend.
Does she have a Google Alert set up for my name?
It sure looks like that. And if so, how long has she had it?
And why? Research? Does she know every fuck up I’ve been involved with over the last couple of years?
If she does then there’s no way in hell she’d want to have anything to do with me.
And it’s why I can’t entertain the idea of a kiss, or anything more than friendship. Every relationship I have turns to shit. Love is a luxury I can’t manage and don’t deserve.
“Hey man, you in, or what?” Marv says.
Say no!
“Yeah, sure. Why not?” I reply, going for nonchalant but coming off like I don’t really give a shit either way.
Which isn’t exactly the truth.
“Don’t sound too excited,” Mia says sarcastically, and I wince.
“It’s okay,” Piper says into her mug. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“Of course he wants to, honey!” Erica cries. “He’s in love with you. Everyone can see it. He’s probably just a bit shy. Are you feeling shy, Brody?”
Jeez. It sounds like I’m a kid in kindergarten, being pushed to talk to a pretty girl.
“I just don’t want it to look fake,” I say. “Staged.”
Mia snorts, then flinches as if someone’s just kicked her under the table.
“We can’t help it being a bit staged, honey,” Erica says. “It’s not like we’ve got hidden cameras in your bedroom to record your snuggle time.”
Piper’s mug hits the table with a bang.
Erica laughs. “Oh my goodness, you don’t think I’d actually do that, do you?”
The image of rose petals on the bed and Piper lifting the bottle of lube flashes through my mind.
“Oh, wait till I tell everyone at the crochet and romance book club,” Erica continues, still giggling. “They’ll think it’s hysterical!”
“Mom! Please!”
Before my brain can control my body, I loop an arm around Piper’s shoulder, hugging her into me. I want it to be in a friendly way, but then I ruin it by dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
Abort! Abort!
Just as I’m preparing to let her go, Piper’s free arm reaches around my chest.
My heart moves up a gear.
“Ahh, that’s so cute,” Erica coos, and lifts her phone to take a picture.
“Mom,” Piper grumbles into my chest, but she stays where she is.
This is all wrong, but having her nestled in my arms feels like a kind of perfect that’s utterly new to me. I no longer want to finish the buttery pastry or even touch my latte. I just want to nuzzle the top of Piper’s head and drink in her scent.
Marv and Erica fall into an easy conversation planning every minute of my time here in Hideaway. Piper doesn’t seem to want to move, so I break off a bit of pastry and offer it to her.
She smiles, her lips brushing my fingers as she takes it from me.
Holy shit.
Trying to keep my hand steady, I break off another piece and feed it to her.
This time, the tip of her tongue darts out to lick a flake from my finger, and I suck in a breath.
Mia brings her camera up. “This is gold. Hashtag relationship goals.”
Piper gives a little hum as if in agreement and my mouth runs dry.
It’s for show. It’s what we agreed to do. Piper’s okay with this. We’re in public.
I keep the internal monologue of justification going until the plate is empty.
“Kiss her head again,” Mia instructs. “The shot wasn’t in focus the first time.”
Determined to show willing, I drop another kiss into Piper’s hair, this time allowing myself to make it last a little longer. Just in case Mia needs time to frame the shot I tell myself.
As my lips make contact, Piper hums her approval again, and the sound vibrates through my body, cracking the walls around my heart.
“Come on, kids, let’s get going so we find a good spot for the fun run,” Erica says as Marv throws some bills down on the table.
Piper pulls away and sits up, fussing with her coat like she doesn’t want to meet my gaze. Is she embarrassed? Is she regretting what just happened?
I tug on my coat, and we make our way out of Love at First Sip, onto the street. People are already on the sidewalk heading for the start line, wearing Santa hats and drinking from paper cups.
“It’s Glogg Appreciation Day today,” Erica says over her shoulder as she leads the way. “Keeps us warm when we’re outside.”
Snow covers the rooftops and piles up along the edges of the buildings where it’s been cleared from the sidewalks. Christmas lights hang across the street and the scent of spices and wine fills the air.
It’s so different to LA or New York. There’s a warmth here that has nothing to do with my woolen clothes, and everything to do with the mood of the people around me. Everyone’s smiling like they know this is the place they’re meant to be.
I glance at Piper and shift my arm slightly outward, my hand extended in invitation. She takes it and my heart leaps.
“Mom! Over here!”
Harper’s up ahead, standing next to a raised wooden platform. John and a few others are on it, talking and pointing as they arrange things for the race. Runners fill the street, held back by a line of bunting. All of them are wearing Santa hats, and most have gone for the full Santa suit.
“Did you bring them, honey?” Erica asks as we reach Harper’s side.
“Yep.” She hands Santa hats to all of us. Many look handmade and are embellished with bells or stars.
“I made these at the crochet and romance book club,” Erica says proudly. “Right after we finished reading that scene in Hooked on the Highlander. Felicity gave us a choice between a vagina and Santa hat. That opening at the back is when I mixed up the instructions for a bit.”
Marv pulls a face and gingerly tugs his hat onto his balding head.
“What?” he asks as I laugh. “I’m gettin’ in the Christmas spirit.”
“You look like a Mafia don at a school nativity show,” Piper says.
His chest puffs up with pride. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Ain’t no one gonna mess with Mobster Marv.”
Piper laughs, and Cara joins in.
A tap-tap-tap comes through the sound system, then Piper’s dad speaks into the microphone.
“Hey, everyone. I’m John Locke, Hideaway Harbor’s mayor, and I’d like to welcome you all to the Santa Fun Run!”
People cheer and clap.
“We’re raising money for the Locke Trust, so give generously, folks.
It’s also Glogg Appreciation Day—the perfect drink to keep you cozy on this December afternoon.
The race follows a loop around Hideaway, so we hope you all stick around to watch the winners come across the line in about half an hour.
There are prizes in all kinds of categories, including the best-dressed Santa, so make sure you show your support for the runners today.
We’re also delighted to welcome Hollywood royalty Amanda Willis to give out the prizes this afternoon. ”
“Should have been you,” Marv grumbles under his breath to me, then lifts his chin toward a good-looking man standing by the stage. “Stuck-up little schmuck.”
“Who?” Piper asks him.
“Jack Lourd,” he replies. “Amanda’s agent. Pah! Just look at him. Running off good looks and charm.”
“You can be charming, too,” she replies.
Marv’s chest puffs up. “Don’t forget good-looking.”
“Absolutely,” Piper says and I hide a grin.
“There’s an ice carving event at the Locke Reserve running all day,” John continues. “And caroling by candlelight in the town square at 4 p.m., where you can help us beat our own world record for the most people caroling while wearing Santa hats!”
More cheers, claps, and whistles fill the air. I can’t believe how many events Hideaway Habor now has, and I’m sure a lot of that has to do with the energy Piper’s dad pours into the town.
“And don’t forget, we’ve got another night of live music across town, plus a full program of events tomorrow, including the woolen sock-running championships around the Locke Reserve, and children’s story time at the library with hot chocolate, whipped cream, and marshmallows.”
A few nearby kids fist pump.
“You can find all the information at or on our event app. Just download it from the site. Any questions? Just find me or any other Hidie and we’ll be happy to help. Okay, then, are we ready?”
People shout, “Yes!”
“I can’t hear you!” John cries. “I said, are you ready?”
“YES!” people scream.
“Okay, let’s get this race started!”
He blasts a bullhorn, the bunting across the start line drops, and the runners take off.
“Go, Cody!” Mia screams at her brother.
It might be a fun run, but the folks at the front are clearly in it to win it.
As the pack rounds the end of Main Street, John steps down from the stage, shaking hands and hugging people. His love for this town is unmistakable, and it’s clear the residents love him right back.
“Has anyone stood against him for mayor since I’ve been away?” I ask Piper.
“Nope,” she replies. “But you know him, he never rests on his laurels. He’s always pushing for bigger and better.”
I nod, then let myself be drawn into a bear hug by the man himself.
“You survived a trip to The Perfect Package, then?” he asks with a smile.
I raise my eyebrows. “It was educational.”
John laughs and pats my shoulder. “Every day’s a school day.”
“Grandpa!” squeals a little voice. Martha comes toward us through the crowd, perched on Ethan’s shoulders, Hudson by their side.
“Hey there, pumpkin! How’s my favorite grandchild?”
Martha attempts an eye roll, but it makes her go cross-eyed. “I’m your only grandkid, Grandpa.”
“And still the best,” he replies.
All three are wearing Santa hats, and Martha’s has her name crocheted in red across the white brim.
“How’s it going?” Ethan asks. His tone is friendly, but I catch the guarded look in his eyes. And the way he notices me holding Piper’s hand.
“Good,” I reply. “I was given the honor of revealing today’s date on the Christmas Calendar this morning.”
“Where was it?”
“Um …” I lower my voice. “The Perfect Package.”
Hudson starts laughing.
“I know that place,” Martha says. “Grandma has an orn’ment for the tree she got there. It’s a clitsuss.”
Ethan briefly closes his eyes and lets out a heavy sigh as we all laugh.
“What’s funny?” Martha asks.
“Your daddy,” John replies. “You can’t see him, because you’re up there, but he pulls the silliest faces.”
“Especially when he’s mad,” Hudson murmurs, then grins at me. “What’s it like in there? Cauldron? Broom? I’ve heard she’s got cats.”
“You, out of all people, should pay that place a visit,” Mia says archly as she joins us. “You might learn a thing or two.”
“I don’t need to learn anything,” Hudson says, swaggering.
“You think you’re a master?” Mia taunts him, a sly smile on her lips.
“Yeah? And?”
“Sorry, I meant a master … bater.”
Even Ethan laughs, and it’s so nice to see his severe face soften into someone I remember.
“You’re …” Hudson shakes his head, then glances at his niece perched on Ethan’s shoulders, tracking every word, and doesn’t say anything else.
“Hilarious?” Mia supplies. “A genius?”
“A piece of work,” he mutters.
Mia drops a curtsy. “Why, thank you.”
Marv appears at our side and holds out his hand to John. “Mr Locke, I presume?”
Piper’s dad shakes his hand.
“Marvin DeVille, Brody’s agent. But you can call me Marv.”
“Nice to meet you,” John says. “Are you here for the festivities?”
“Yeah, kind of. Great little town you’ve got here. And this is Cara, my assistant.”
Cara’s eyes scan the six-foot-plus wall of Locke men, like she’s trying to find an escape route.
“I see you’ve all met Marv and Cara?” Erica cries, swooping in to rescue the situation. “They’re coming to dinner tonight, so I hope you all can make it.”
“I’m on duty tonight, Mom,” Hudson says.
“And I’m taking Martha to Eleanor and Garrett’s,” Ethan adds.
“Well, will we see you tomorrow then at the sock-running championships?”
“When I win,” Hudson says, stretching his arms over his head.
Mia coughs the word, “Second place.”
Erica gives her a side hug. “Will you ever let him be?”
“Probably not,” Mia replies, then lifts her camera. “Huddle up, people, this’ll make a great photo.”
Marv steps to the side, followed by Cara.
“You both, too,” Erica says.
Marv shakes his head. “This would be a good one for … you know.”
Erica winks, and I inwardly groan. She’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer.
“Mom, what’s going on?” Ethan asks, his tone sharp as a blade.
“Shush! It’s a secret!” she hisses, then beckons everyone closer. “Circle of trust!”
“It’s a secret!” Martha repeats loudly, even though she has no idea what’s going on.
“Erica?” John asks, his tone making me want to stand up straighter.
“The thing is,” she whispers. “Brody’s going for a very important job, and … and he needs to look like, I mean, it’s got to look like he—”
“Hasn’t spent the last few years getting drunk, punching people, and talking shi—” Ethan’s eyes go to his daughter’s legs dangling over his shoulders as if he’d forgotten she was there. “So, he’s using Piper and our family as a way of rebuilding his reputation.”
His words are a knife to the gut, but he’s not wrong.
“No!” Erica cries.
“That’s not true, and it’s not fair,” Piper continues. “Brody’s … He’s …”
My stomach clenches. Even Piper can’t defend the undefendable.
“Do you have any idea how hard it was for him to come back after all this time?” she finishes.
“Daddy?” Martha asks, knowing something’s very wrong.
“Sorry, Martha Moo,” Piper says, plastering a smile on her face. “Everything’s okay, I promise.”
But it seems Ethan’s not done. “You’re just using her,” he repeats. “And what does Piper get out of it? Nothing except some publicity that won’t—”
“Stop it!” Piper’s voice is low but she still spits the words at her brother. “I need Brody way more than he needs me. Without him, I might not even have a job next year.”