“What? Why? Oh, I guess so you can protest yourself. I can see that,” Piper replied with a nod. “You’re a scrawny little thing. You need some kind of defense.”
“I’m not scrawny,” he replied defensively, glaring at her. “I’m right on track for an eleven year old. And I grow more every day.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” she said, patting his hand. “I’m sure you’ll get much bigger as you get older.”
“And here I wanted to learn to fight so I could protect you,” he grumbled. “You don’t need it. You can cut someone at the knees just with your words.”
“Awww, you want to protect me?” she said, getting a mushy look on her face. “You must really like me. Like, like me like me.”
“Don’t be gross,” he replied, giving her a disgusted look. “It’s just that you’re my best friend. Friends protect their friends.”
“One day, you’ll say you like me as more than a friend, and I’m going to remind you of this conversation before I tell you not to be gross,” she said tartly, before giving him a smile. “I think you should learn to fight. But not just to protect me. So you can protect everyone who needs it. Plus, I think it would be so cool.”
“It would, wouldn’t it?” he asked, a grin spreading on his face. “Okay, it’s settled. I’m going to learn to fight, and I’m going to be the best ever.”
Piper got out of the truck at Rocky River and waved at Ian and Seth as they walked out of the barn. The two fighters walked toward her and Jax, and when they reached them, she handed Seth the bag with the cookies.
“I made a bunch and thought I’d share,” she told them. “Kind of a thank you for letting me stay here.”
Seth pulled out a container and smiled in appreciation. “I don’t live here anymore, but I’m always up for cookies. Thanks! They’re chocolate chip, my favorite.” Freezing for a moment, he looked up at her, and she was surprised to see his eyes were pleading. “Tell me you use your grandmother’s recipe.”
“Sure do,” she replied with a smile.
“Sweet baby Jesus. It’s the best I’ve ever had, and I was sure I’d never taste them again.” Yanking the lid off, he grabbed a cookie, taking a bite and closing his eyes with a moan. “Oh my God, they taste the same. I could kiss you right now, Piper.”
She laughed, glancing over in surprise when Jax growled. He was glaring at Seth, green and gold eyes blazing. “Do it and I’ll rip your lips off your face,” he said, voice deadly serious.
“Chill, Big Bird. It was just an expression.” Jax continued to glare, and Seth started slowly backing away. “Oh, would you look at the time. I have to go do… something. Something anywhere but here. See y’all later. Thanks again, Piper!”
She watched, amused, as he turned and walked quickly back to the house. Ian cleared his throat, drawing her attention. “That’s the last we’ll ever see of those cookies,” he said with a laugh.
“I made two dozen,” Piper said. “More than enough to go around.”
“He’ll eat them all, probably in the next few minutes,” Jax said, earlier glare gone and a smile taking its place. “He really loves that recipe.”
“Well, shit. I’ll make y’all something else next time.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ian said. “You don’t owe us a thank you for staying here. You’re welcome any time. I’m gonna go shift. I’ll see you guys at the fights.”
Watching as he walked to the woods, she whispered to Jax, “What kind of animal does he have?”
“He’s a tiger.”
“Shiiiiiiit,” she replied. She’d never admit it, but she felt a little intimidated.
“Seth is a leopard,” Jax told her, and she glanced over to see him smiling. “They’re larger than regular big cats in the wild. All shifter animals are. My eagle is larger, as well.”
She nodded slowly, digesting that. “And Cammie? What’s she?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know,” he warned, taking her arm and guiding her to the woods. “If a tiger intimidates you, her animal will scare the shit out of you.”
“I’m not intimidated,” she muttered, but she didn’t say anything else. Besides, if he could hear lies, he’d know she was fibbing hard with that.
They walked deeper into the woods and then Jax stopped and started pulling off his shirt.
“W-what are you doing?” she sputtered.
“Taking my clothes off, obviously,” he replied with a quirk to his lips, hands going to his belt buckle. “My clothes don’t magically disappear when I shift. I don’t tear them to shreds like the bigger animals do, but I’ve gotten tangled in the clothes before.