Chapter 18
Nikki
“I don’t want to leave. I’m going to tell Nickel I’m moving to Kales Corners. It’s so peaceful here.”
“Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure if you’re not home in an hour, Nickel’s going to come here, throw you over his shoulder, and never let you leave again.”
Karmen tapped her chin. “The whole throwing me over his shoulder thing sounds pretty damn hot.”
Cora slammed her door and rolled down the window. “Get in the car, woman. As much as I loved being here, I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight, alone.”
Karmen wrapped me up in a hug and whispered in my ear. “Call me whenever, okay? And make sure you give Pipe hell.”
“Love you,” I laughed.
“Love you too.”
Cora waved as Karmen backed down the driveway, and Pipe came to stand next to me.
“Gonna miss them?” he asked.
“Yes and no.”
“That’s not the answer I expected.”
“I’m going to miss them, of course, but I’m glad to have my house back to myself. Karmen can be a little exhausting at times.”
Pipe nodded. “I can totally see that.”
Karmen and Cora were gone, and now I had no idea what to do with Pipe. I knew he was only hanging out with us before because of Cora, and now that she was gone, to say this was awkward was an understatement.
“When do you go back to work?”
“Um.” I shuffled my feet nervously and kicked a rock. “Tomorrow, twelve to eight.”
“You like working there?”
I looked up at him. “It pays the bills. Can’t really ask for much more.”
“Can I ask a question?”
I really wish he wouldn’t. I would much rather run into my house and hide ‘til work tomorrow. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was exhausted from this weekend. “Hit me with it. Can’t make a promise I’ll answer.”
He pulled out a cigarette and held it between his fingers. “Am I wasting my time here?”
I cleared my throat and hitched my thumb over my shoulder. “I think I’m going to head into the house.”
“Not gonna answer me, huh? I see how it is. You’re gonna string me along then drop me like a sack of shit when you find a better deal.”
I laughed and shook my head. “That’s hardly what I’m doing, but if that’s what you wanna think, that’s fine.”
“Then tell me what you’re doing.”
“Trying not to get hurt again. See ya later, Pipe.” I walked back into the house, flipped the lock on the door, and leaned against it, sliding down to my butt.
Was that too harsh? Should I have told him he wasn’t wasting his time?
I was terrified he was going to freak out if we hooked up, and then I would be back in the same spot again. I wanted to try, but dammit if the man didn’t terrify me.
I scooted back, reached up to unlock the door, and swung it open. “Pipe,” I called.
He spun around, still standing in the same spot I had left him. “Yeah, sugar? You okay?”
I had to look like a fool sitting on my ass opening the door. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just, uh, don’t leave.” I slammed the door shut and scrubbed my hands down my face.
God that was a fool thing to do, but if I didn’t tell him I wanted him around, how was he going to know?
So, for now, he knew I didn’t want him to leave. What I was going to do with him, I had no clue, but I at least knew he wasn’t going anywhere soon.
*
Pipe
I wasn’t going anywhere.
*