After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,40

added, continuing to scan the items and placing them in bags.

My gaze landed on a stack of flowers. All different types and colors. I didn’t know much about them. I probably should have paid more attention when my mom made me help her with the gardens in their backyard.

I picked up a bouquet of blue flowers, making a mental note to ask my mom what they were but I thought they looked nice, so it was worth a shot.

“Those are pretty.”

My gaze flicked to the woman standing behind me with a cart full of food and other items.

“I think whoever they’re for, will like them.” She smiled.

“I hope so.” I handed them to the cashier. “These too, please.”

He nodded, scanning them and giving me my final total.

Handing him the exact cash, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw a text from Sammy that they were heading to Piper’s.

“You’re Jaron Mercer, aren’t you?”

I frowned, glancing at the same woman behind me. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“Nope, you don’t.” Her gaze roamed down the length of me. “But I’ve seen your girl around.”

I grabbed my items, bouquet of flowers, and rushed out of the store. As soon as I reached the car, my phone rang. Fucking hell.

These people needed to leave us the hell alone. Piper and I had shit to work through. While we were slowly getting into a routine, we still needed to learn to raise Brynlee together. We needed to not fight and actually talk about our problems instead of fucking our way through them. But I knew it would be a long time before that happened.

If ever at all.

***

(Piper)

After I had put Brynlee down for a nap, I decided to get some cleaning done. Turning the music on low, I inhaled a deep breath, letting the deep melody wash over me and guide my feet. An hour later and the floors were swept and mopped, the bathrooms cleaned, and toys picked up. I was just getting ready to grab a glass of wine when I heard the front door open and the alarm disengage.

My heart jumped, waiting for Jaron to greet me with a kiss, but it wasn’t him at the door.

“Hey, kiddo.” Cyrus came toward me, holding a case of beer. He brought it to the kitchen, placed it on the floor, and started putting some of the bottles in the fridge.

“What are you guys doing here already?”

“Jaron called us and asked us to come over early.” Sammy raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t tell you?”

“Not that you were coming over early, no.” I blew a loose strand out of my face.

“We’ll order pizza later, so you can have a break,” Cyrus said from the kitchen. “Where is he anyway?” He grabbed a beer and popped the cap off. “He should be here already.”

I glanced at the doorway, expecting Jaron to show up.

Sammy handed me a beer and sat at the table. “Something wrong?”

“Jaron left over an hour ago.” Maybe he got caught in traffic. Not that there would be a lot between the grocery store and here. “Or maybe…” A tremor of fear rushed through me when suddenly, the front door opened.

I passed the guys a glance.

Jaron entered the house, a scowl on his face. He held a bouquet of beautiful blue flowers in one hand and a bag in the other. He walked past me, bringing them to the kitchen.

I followed him, the air suddenly becoming thick around us.

“These are for you,” he mumbled.

“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” I put the flowers in a vase and was filling it up with water when I noticed that he hadn’t budged from his spot beside me.

He gripped the edge of the counter, the muscles in his back, jumping beneath his shirt. He looked over his shoulder. When his slate eyes landed on me, his face softened.

My heart skipped a beat, the smoldering look making me pause.

“Thank you for the flowers, Jaron,” I murmured, turning off the water and setting the vase on the counter.

He nodded, his jaw clenching.

Before I could ask what was wrong, he came toward me and cupped my face. “Have you ever had any problems?” he asked, running his thumb along the edge of my jaw.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He grabbed my hand, bringing it up to his mouth. “Have you ever had issues with anyone? Women. Men. Anyone at all.”

“What’s going on?” Cyrus asked, coming up behind him.

Jaron searched my face, something flashing behind his eyes. “Have you ever run