“So did you.”
“True. We’re both fucked.”
“No way,” I muttered. “He attacked me and I was defending myself.”
“You shot him in the ass with that thing. I don’t know how you make self-defense stick, babe.”
“What a pessimist,” I said, digging the keys out of Dickhead’s pocket. “Let’s throw on some Jerry Reed and race home like the cops are on our asses.”
“They might be soon enough,” Nick said, rubbing his wrists before cupping my face. “My hero.”
Kissing me softly, Nick glanced at Dickhead who was wobbling to his knees. Still holding the Taser, I followed Nick to his Harley. Soon we were racing to the house where I hoped a magical Reapers’ fix awaited. I got halfway home before it occurred to me to throw the Taser into the woods we were speeding past. Evidence was a word my brain suddenly locked onto.
Pulling the Harley towards the house, Nick parked next to the garage then we got off. He seemed calm, but that meant nothing. Nick knew how to hide his feelings, but I had more trouble keeping my cool.
“I’ve ruined things for you,” I said, eyes hot and tears threatening to fall. “I fucked up and now you’ll end up with a record. You’ll never have your dream because of me. I’m so sorry.”
Wrapping me in his strong arms, Nick sighed. “I punched him and made the first move. It’s not your fault.”
“You had to punch him. He was calling me names and you’re my man.”
Nick smiled down at me. “Yeah, I couldn’t let him trash my girl.”
“I should have just ignored him or been polite.”
“I love you enough to know ignoring him and doing the polite shit was never happening. It’s not your way and I don’t want you to pretend. Maybe other people need that from you, but I love all of you even the crazy temperamental parts.”
“I ruined your dream though.”
“I’ll get a new dream.”
My heart broke at how easily Nick accepted his lost dream. “You wanted that one so bad.”
“I want you more.”
“Maybe we can run. I have money. Let’s run and hide. You’re giving up your dream. I can give up my home, so we’ll be even.”
Nick grinned then looked behind me. “This is my home now too and I’m not giving it up.”
Turning to follow Nick’s gaze, I saw my parents approaching. Pop tossed his cigarette on the ground then laughed.
“I always figured Sawyer would be the one to attack a cop,” he said as Mom smiled.
“He called me a bitch and Nick punched him.”
“Seems fair.”
“Then he was going to arrest Nick, so I had to do something.”
“I can see that,” Pop said, hugging me. “Did he rough you two up?”
“No. Well, his face might have hurt Nick’s fist.”
“I’m fine,” Nick said, giving me an amused look.
“Pop,” I mumbled, panicking despite attempts to find the situation funny. “Dickhead is going to ruin Nick’s future as a teacher. You have to do something.”
My pop grinned at Mom then shook his head. “All this drama is Coop’s problem now. I’m retired.”
Frowning, I wanted Pop to wave his hand and fix things like he normally did. Instead, he expected me and my brothers to behave like adults. Had he never met us?
“It’ll be fine,” Nick said, lacing his finger in the loop of my shorts and tugging back against him. “Darling can file charges if he wants, but he’ll put a target on himself too. It’s his choice.”
My dad smiled and nodded while Mom threw a ball at the dogs.
“Nick ain’t wrong. Dickhead might have a big mouth and show off, but he knows his place. He went to school with your brothers and understands what happens when the family feels threatened.”
“Okay,” I said, still worried. “I can’t believe I lost my temper like that.”
Mom and Pop laughed first then Nick started up. I just rolled my eyes.
“You and that temper,” Mom said, patting my cheek. “You had it before you were born. Trust me, I still remember you kicking the shit out of me.”
Frowning, I glanced at Nick. “Babies really suck. We’re never having any.”
“Okay.”
“Well, maybe one,” I said.
“Whatever you say. Can we get something to eat? Even though I stopped all the training, I’m still hungry a lot.”
Nick and I followed Mom and Pop into the house. Eating leftover meatballs and rice, we didn’t talk about Tasers or injured cop asses. Instead, Pop casually mentioned a rundown house for sale on a farm road.
“Dylan would know how to fix it up,” Nick said.
Out of nowhere, I started laughing at how weird my day had gone. During the ride home, I thought I might lose Nick. Now he was talking about buying a house and fixing it up just like I had always dreamed. After a lifetime without a family, Nick bullshitted easily with my parents. He was theirs now, just as much as mine.
Chapter Thirty Eight ~ Nick