“And has he? Shown back up?” I cross my arms.
She nibbles at her bottom lip. “No. Not in a while. He just wouldn’t quit calling today. So I answered. Same song and dance.”
Fire lights in my veins. The fact that not only has this piece of shit had Laiken’s body in his hands, but he’s got the most amazing son he’s missing out on. Then he shows up out of nowhere to shit on the happiness they are trying to build.
“Don’t sweat it, Parker. His threats are empty,” she assures me.
“He threatens you?” I growl.
“No!” she quickly interjects. “Not like, physically.”
“I don’t give a fuck what way it is. A threat is a threat.”
“I promise, it’s under control.” She holds her hands up. “I’d never let him get to Trace. Ever.”
I nod, knowing she wouldn’t let Trace be harmed, but I’m not fully convinced. I know men like Rhodes. Eventually, their threats turn into action.
“Parker!”
My name is bellowed from behind me, so I swivel my head to see Cooper round the corner of the house.
“We’re back at it. Trying to be done by five.” He shoots us a coy grin. “We’re going to the Mayson Jar tonight. That means you too, Laiken. Ari is babysitting. Band starts at seven.”
His interruption breaks our moment, and she’s already got those walls reinforced, ready to head back to the front.
So I tip my hat before following Cooper to the barn. “See you at seven, Firefly.”
Then
“You coming with me?”
Laiken flashes me a smile, curling the thin blanket up under her arms. Her bare shoulders are on display, her beautiful skin shining under the midnight moon. We’ve been meeting down by the tank on the ranch every single night since I got back from the circuit.
“That’s the plan.”
I run my thumb along her exposed collarbone. “Have you thought about what you’d like to do? I mean, you don’t have to do anything. I’ll always take care of you.”
She grins. “Actually, I thought about doing something related to physical therapy. I could be the one to patch you up when you get bucked off.”
I scoff. “I don’t get bucked off, baby.”
She tilts her head back on a laugh, her beautiful voice echoing in the empty pasture.
“Well, we have time to figure it out.”
“How is that going to work since no one knows about us?”
Her smile falters and she pushes up on her elbows. “Parker…”
I chuckle. “It’s okay, Firefly. I’m not angry. I like having you all to myself.”
Which is true. Laiken is just the kind of person who keeps the ones she loves close. But not too close. She’s been even more insistent that we stay private since her dad passed. I know it’sher way of protecting herself, so I understand. But sometimes I want to hold her hand in a crowd. Walk into the Mayson Jar with her in my arms. Let every man who looks her way know she’s mine.
“We can tell once everything settles with my mom. Brady was arrested again this week. I don’t want to rock the boat.”
I’m lying flat on my back, resting on the blanket laid out beneath us. I rise to a sitting position, keeping the blanket covering my naked ass.
“Damn. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” I reach out and lace her fingers with mine.
