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Matthew
By the timeI got in my truck and out on the road Piper’s car was long gone. Not sure off the top of my head where she might go, I decided to check the most obvious place first; home. I was convinced as I pulled into the driveway that I’d see her car, but when she wasn’t there a fresh twist of concern pierced my belly. It took a great deal of self control not to go driving up and down the streets trying to find her. Instead I forced myself to take a deep breath and try to think where she would seek sanctuary. At that point it was obvious. She had confided her secret dream to me and I couldn’t imagine she would find anywhere else more comforting than Leo’s shop.
Throwing my truck into reverse I pull out of the driveway with a spray of snow and gravel. Pushing the speed limit, I don’t waste any time rushing over over to the Greasy Wrench. I’m so relieved when I see her car parked in the lot that I nearly let out a whoop. If finding her were the only part of this battle, I would have shouted for joy, climbed out out of my truck and danced in the fucking street. The harsh reality is that my work is cut out for me. This is just a chance, not a guarantee that I’ll be able to fix this.
Dread and despair weigh heavy on me as I get out of the truck and head to the shop. I’m grateful that the door is unlocked still, though it makes my heart hurt at how upset she must have been that she forgot to lock it.
Once I’m inside I can hear her crying all the way in the office and my heart breaks. I hate that I’ve put her in this position, that she got hurt because I didn’t give in to my feelings when I should have. I pray that she’ll listen to me, that she’ll forgive me for being a thickheaded man. To lose her now… The thought is too terrifying to even consider.
Trying to be quiet so I don’t startle her, I step into the garage and find her leaning against the Barracuda, crying so hard that her body is shaking. I want so badly to run to her side and wrap her in my arms, to whisper that everything is going to be okay, but I know I’m probably the last person she wants to see right now. I have to be careful and do this slow and easy.
“Piper?” I say her name softly, but even then she jumps. She must not have heard me come in. “Can we talk?”
“No!” she chokes out the word, swiping at the tears on her cheeks. “Get the hell away from me, you scumbag bastard!”
“Piper please,” I don’t take offense at her insults, I know what she thought she saw and I’m not about to get upset with her for venting the anger she believes she’s right to feel. “Let me explain.”
She shakes her head. “No, all you’re going to do is lie to me. You never cared,” her voice trembles, “you were just using me.” Fresh tears splash down her face.
“No, baby, that’s not true,” I take a few steps closer. I want to comfort her, I wish I could just scoop her up and never let her go. Knowing I’m on the brink of losing her, has my insides all twisted up. I have to fight for this woman, I have to convince her that I’d never cheat on her. “I swear to you, I’d never betray you like that, never. That woman was drunk and stupid. That’s not what I want. I want a woman who’s smart and funny, a woman that cares about me, that I can sit and talk to for hours and never get bored or feel awkward around… I want you, Piper. Only you.”
Her teary eyes are fixed on me, but I know she’s not fully convinced. She wants to believe, I can see the hope in her face. She’s barely breathing, waiting for me to keep going, to prove that what I’m saying is the truth.
“I would be dead right now if it weren’t for you,” I don’t hold back, the words come out of me in a rush, brimming with emotion. “The memory of you, the hope of seeing you again that’s what kept me alive and fighting through each hellish day. You were my strength, my hope. I never would have made it home without you, Piper. Please, believe me…”
More tears slip down her cheeks, her lower lip is trembling. “Then why did you push me away? Why were you so cold?”
A fair challenge, one I’m more than willing to answer, even if my motives were foolish. “I was afraid I would make your life miserable, that I was too broken. I thought you’d be better off without me, but I never once stopped wanting you. I was stupid to push you away and I swear, I’ll never do it again.”
Nothing but silence. I hold perfectly still, not even daring to breath I’m so on edge, waiting what feels like a lifetime for her to answer. I’m so scared of what she’s going to say next, that everything I’ve confessed just isn’t enough to salvage this. I don’t know what I’ll do if that’s the case. I was just starting to come alive again, how will I ever be able to live if I can’t have Piper with me?
Piper,” her name catches in my throat, “I love you.” That’s all I have left, the last thing I can say that might possibly convince her that everything I’ve told her is the truth.
By some miracle those four words are exactly the ones that needed to be said. I watch her expression change, the pain washed away by relief. She pushes off the car and throws herself into my arms, burying her face against my chest. Feeling as though the world has been made right again, I hold her tightly, gently rubbing her back and kissing her head, so elated!
“Oh Matthew!” She finally sobs, “I love you, too!”
I pull back and cup her face in my hands, using my thumb to brush away her tears. “Matt,” I correct her. “Just Matt.” Then I lean down and kiss her firmly on the mouth. That familiar, but ever alluring heat erupts inside of me, stronger than ever. It doesn’t matter that it’s chilly in the garage or dirty or even hazardous, I lift her up, my mouth still moving against hers and carry her to the front of the Barracuda. Sitting her down on the hood, I guide her legs around my waist.
She grins up at me, flicking her tongue over my lips. “My father wouldn’t approve of us fucking on his car…”
I smile back, “too bad.”
