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I took one last look at Ashton before lowering my mouth to Piper’s.
She sighed, opening to me and, being the type of woman she was, didn’t care that I kissed her in public. She didn’t care that I was staking my claim in front of a guy she used to fuck. I didn’t give a shit that it had only been a handful of times. The fact that Ashton and his brother both knew what Piper looked like, tasted like, and sounded like, didn’t sit well with me. Especially when he threw it in my face without so much of a word.
“Jaron,” she whispered against my mouth.
I cupped her cheek, placing a soft peck on her forehead. “I love you.”
A shaky breath left her. “I love you too. But please behave.”
“Always.” I kissed her cheek and released her.
Ashton stood a few feet away, watching us with his arms crossed under his chest.
“Please behave,” Piper repeated, pointing at Ashton. “That means you too.”
His gaze flicked to hers. “Sorry, babe. You don’t belong to me, so that means you can’t tell me what to do.”
With her shoulders pulled back, she took a step toward him. “You know what, Ashton—”
“Piper.” I grabbed her shoulder, stepping between them and looking down at her. “How about that drink?”
Her jaw clenched. “Fine.” She huffed, spun on her heel, and joined her friends in the backyard.
When she was out of earshot and I was satisfied she wouldn’t see me kick Ashton’s ass, I turned to face him head on.
He raised a dark blond eyebrow. “It’s been a long time, Jaron. If you’re worried that I still want your girlfriend, you’re wrong.”
“What the hell is your problem, Ashton?” I bit out. I had to remind myself that I grew up with him. Even though I hadn’t lived close by as a kid, I still saw him at every get-together, holiday, and during the summer. But now that we were adults, I realized something. I had never actually liked the guy. Even before he started fucking Piper.
“Problem?” Ashton held his hand out, checking out his nails. “I don’t have a problem.”
Cocky fucker.
I went to follow Piper when he stepped in front of me. Crossing my arms under my chest, I sized him up. I was impressed. He had gained a few pounds since I had last seen him. His chest was filled out, his arms thicker than I last remembered. Someone had been working out.
“You’re in my way,” I told him.
“You broke her heart,” he said instead of moving.
The muscle in my jaw ticked. “I saved her life.” And lost a piece of myself in the process but that was beside the point.
“Right,” he said slowly. “I heard about that. We all did. And we were here to pick up the fucking pieces too.”
I took a step toward him, getting in his face. “What’s your deal, Ashton? You got beef with me? Say what you want. Tell me what’s on that fucking mind of yours, buddy.”
“I am not your buddy. I never have been and never will be.” He reached out; swiping his hand along my shoulder to wipe away whatever it was he was trying to get rid of. “It seems though that she loves you. I don’t know why. Do I want her for myself? No. Not anymore. I’ve moved on. Especially when she’s ignored us this whole time. Her fucking friends.”
That explained some of his bitterness. “What happened messed her up.”
Ashton’s face softened. “It did but it didn’t mean she had to ignore us.”
“So you’re being a dick because Piper handled her trauma the way she needed to and poor little Ashton felt ignored? Get the fuck over yourself, that wasn’t about you. You sure as hell don’t get to tell a victim how to handle their shit and you aren’t entitled to her time. A real friend would see that. You of all people should know that people deal with their issues differently, Ashton.” His brother was a drinker. Even though I had been locked up, I still heard how Aiden shoved his demons aside by swimming at the bottom of a bottle. He had joined the navy like their father, was deployed and something happened. He was home and discharged within a year. But no one knew why.
“Leave my brother out of this.” But as Ashton said those words, I could see that pain in his deep blue eyes. He was hurting for his brother. I had seen it in the bikers I had grown up with. If you weren’t careful, alcohol was like a noose, eventually tightening its hold around your neck until you were no longer breathing. I just hoped Aiden could loosen the rope before it was too late.
“I know we’re not close. We’ve never been close but…” I glanced out at the yard, finding Piper smiling and talking with the girls. As much as she pushed everyone away, you could see the happiness etched all over her face now that she was back. “If you need anything.” I coughed, clearing my throat and met Ashton’s gaze.
“Yeah, okay, buddy,” he mocked. “You don’t give a shit about me or my brother.”
