I reached for his hand, linking our fingers. “Do you think we’d still be together if we hadn’t lost those three years?”
He leaned in and dropped his voice. “I think the break made us appreciate what we are together. I think we’re stronger as a couple because of it.”
I thought so too. Everything happens for a reason. I leaned in and pressed a kiss on his lips. “To silver linings.”
“To the start of forever,” he whispered back.
“I know we’re leaving, but…” I hadn’t told him about Declan and his dad, but it was bugging me. “I saw your dad and Declan the other day. They were going to lunch.”
He leaned in. “When?”
“The day we came up for air.”
He grinned, but his thoughts turned back to his dad.
“They looked very comfortable together,” I said.
He leaned back in his chair. “So Declan and my dad are getting chummy.”
“I thought Declan didn’t like your dad.”
“Declan likes anyone who keeps him in drugs, alcohol and pus—” Brock grinned. “Chicks.”
“That explains why Declan is hanging with your dad, but what’s your dad getting out of it?”
“That’s a damn good question,” Brock said. And though I could see he was still thinking about it, he stood and pulled me from my chair and into the stacks.
If I had known then what would happen next, I would have never let him go.
Chapter Eight
Brock
A perfect stormis described as a critical end culminating from a number of negative and unpredictable factors. On paper, it doesn’t seem all that dire, but in reality, it’s devastating, life changing. The day of my perfect storm started like any other. Cedar was staying after at school to work on a project for her metals’ class. I told her I’d swing by and pick her up after my shift. We were going to watch a movie at her house.
Harry was working, both of us focused on the cars in our bays. I hadn’t seen Declan; I was avoiding him. I didn’t know what the hell he was doing with my dad, but I knew it wasn’t good. I wasn’t getting pulled into it, wasn’t going to let anything happen to ruin the life Cedar and I were so close to starting together. So when Declan appeared at the garage, I was on edge…waiting for the fucking other shoe to drop.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” Declan accused.
“What are we dating?” I shot back.
“You seriously picking a chick over me?” he asked, moving into my space.
I wasn’t taking the bait because if I did, it would only make Cedar more interesting to him. Because whatever else he was playing, he had always coveted what I had.
“She must have a golden pussy.”
My hands fisted, but I ignored him.
“Or maybe she likes sucking cock.”
I inhaled, my jaw clenching, my body bracing for a fight. For all I knew, my dad put him up to this, had someone getting it on tape, so he could have me arrested for assault…anything to keep me from leaving town.
“I got a cock she can suck. It’s not like we haven’t shared before.”
My punch broke his fucking nose. He fell back on his ass, shook his head to clear the stars then charged me. He got in a few punches. I got in more. Harry broke us up.
“Enough,” he roared. He grabbed Declan by the shoulder. “Get the fuck out of here.”