The Davenport Christmas Chronicles - Piper Davenport Page 0,66
the area. I’ll let you know if they need help.”
She and I had already exchanged phone numbers and I knew we were going to be friends forever.
“Girl, you better.”
I laughed as we headed out into the frigid cold. Mouse was already curbside, waiting for me. He lifted me carefully into the SUV, then closed me in and made his way to the driver’s side, climbing in and rubbing his hands together. “Jesus, fuck, it’s cold.”
“It’s so beautiful,” I breathed out. “I would love to live somewhere with snow.”
“You say that, but you don’t have to drive in, or shovel it.”
“This is probably true,” I said as we pulled out of the hospital. We had a long drive to Monument where we’d be staying with the Primal Howlers for the next two weeks. “What did you say to my dad?”
My mother had gotten so sick, my father finally convinced her it was time to take her home. Mouse and Dad had had a private discussion a few days ago, and my dad had apparently felt comfortable leaving me with him. He’d managed to convince my mom I was in good hands. My brothers had left with them, making me promise I’d be back for the New Year’s Eve party at home.
Remington had always loved Mouse, and since she had to get back to her classes at the ballet school where she taught, she hopped on a plane the day I got my cast, feeling settled that I was going to be okay.
“I just laid out my plans for keeping you safe and healthy,” Mouse said. “He had a few demands which I met.”
“What kind of demands?”
“Ones that are between me and him,” he evaded.
“Declan,” I admonished.
He reached over and took my hand, tightening his hold when I tried to pull away. “Baby, you’re gonna have to get used to the fact your parents like me. I’m in. Even your brothers seem to tolerate me.”
“Tadhg might, but Colm’s like a cat. He’s waiting for you to show weakness so he can eat your corpse.”
Mouse laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Do you really think we can do this?”
“We’re already doin’ it,” he pointed out. “We have been for a while now, you just tried to tell yourself it was something else.”
“You might have a point.”
“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
“Nope.” I smiled, closing my eyes. “That was your one concession.”
He squeezed my hand and I rolled my neck and opened my eyes.
“Love you, Kennedy. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
“Yeah, you’ve kind of proved that.” I sighed. “You’re like herpes... controlled but never cured.”
He burst out laughing and I couldn’t stop a smile.
“I love you, too, I guess,” I said, and he lifted my hand to his mouth, kissing it gently. “I’m gonna fuck this up, you know that right?”
“Nah, you’ll be fine.”
I snorted and faced the road again, biting back a yawn.
“We’ve got over an hour, baby, why don’t you sleep?”
I nodded, closing my eyes.
* * *
“We’re here, baby,” Mouse whispered, kissing my cheek.
I jumped a little and opened my eyes. He was leaning in the passenger door with a smile. “We’re here?”
“Yeah, baby. I carried everything into the house, so do you want to go there and sleep, or hang with everyone in the cabin?”
“I’d like to freshen up a bit, but if you want to hang with everyone, I’m good with that.”
“Well, I’m not gonna leave you alone, so we’ll go inside and get you settled.”
I nodded. “And drugs. I need drugs.”
“Shit, baby, sorry. I shoulda kept track.” He frowned. “It’s been six hours since you last had anything.”
“It’s fine. I want to stretch it as much as I can.”
“Yeah, well, that’s bullshit. You’re gonna take it more regularly now that I can watch it. You can ween yourself off next week.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re gonna be a pain in the butt about this, aren’t you?”
“No doubt about it.”
“You gonna step back so I can get out?” I asked.
“I’m gonna carry you.”
“Like hell you are,” I growled. “Move out of the way, Mouse. I’ll use the scooter.”
“It’s too slippery,” he argued.
“And it’s not too slippery for you to haul my ass around?”
He grinned. “Nope.”
“What about the bags?”
“Already inside.”
I tapped his cheek. “Thought of everything, haven’t you?”
“I have to in order to keep up with you.”
“You don’t have to carry me, Mouse. I can use crutches.”
“Already inside, Lace, so you’re gonna have to let me carry you.”
“You obviously did this on purpose, so I really don’t want to reward that behavior,” I