they were both happy.
Della said they were downstairs getting some food afterward when Brett asked her to tell him about Jae. She did, assuming Brett already knew everything. However, Brett paled when she told him my father had raped her. Della said he quickly grew angry and headed for the front door. She tried to stop him, but he told her what happened between them was a mistake and she’s better off staying the hell away from him. After his harsh words, Della said she let him go and promised herself to never be that stupid and naïve again.
Her pact broke my heart because that’s what I promised myself five years ago. And Della can lie to herself all she likes, but her demeanor and sadness shows how much she cared for Brett.
Chapter Ten
Lana
I elbow Della gently.
She looks up from what I’m sure is her now-cold breakfast. I place the garage keys on the table in front of her and smile. “Here you go, all yours, again.”
I took over Della’s job in the Kings’ garage while she was recuperating. It’s how I was able to buy myself new clothes. Mack offered to pay for them about a dozen times, but I told him no. I can take care of myself. I don’t need my boyfriend buying me anything. Well, except the peanut M&M’s Mack brings home for me in the food shopping. I’d never say no to chocolate. However, technically I paid for them because I pay a share of the food shopping.
Slater wouldn’t take my money at first, but I told him if he didn’t I’d shove it in Chevy’s exhaust pipe every damn week I was living here. He looked to Mack, probably weighing up how long that might be and then he took my money. Yeah, I’ve heard them all talk about how much he loves that car. I’m not a leech. I pay my own way. I think they all understand that now.
But now Della’s ready to come back to work and that means I need to make some hard choices.
I still manage the liquor store in Parkland. I called Craig, the other manager when all the shit hit the fan and he’s been covering for me with Head Office, saying I had a family emergency, but now it’s time to go back. I do love my job there. My usual hours are six p.m. to two a.m., Monday to Friday. I’m a night owl, so it’s perfect. I go to work and I’m home by the usual time I go to sleep anyway, then up around nine a.m. and I still have the whole day to enjoy.
“Are you sure, Lana? I still have a ton of study to catch up on, so if you want the job for a few more weeks, that’s totally cool with me.”
“Positive, I’ve already talked to Craig and I start back at my old job on Monday, but thanks anyway.”
Della relaxes back in her chair. “Well, thank God it’s Saturday then because there’s no way I could function at work today.”
I laugh and Slater cuts through it and all the chatter in the room with a deep, authoritative voice.
“Mack races Poison Boys this afternoon, so whoever doesn’t have anywhere to be, somewhere safe, you’ll be coming too. I want all of you where I know you’ll be safe or with me here today and at the track this afternoon. Piper’s going to the Fallon’s to check in on Jimmy and his new family.”
Piper nods and quickly finishes what’s in her mouth. “I’m leaving straight after breakfast and I’ll be staying late. I want to wait until the boys fall asleep so I can talk to Laura and Kevin in private about how Jimmy’s coping. I won’t be back until close to midnight.”
“Midnight?” Slater snaps. “You aren’t driving all the way from Jefferson Town that late at night, Piper.”
“Yes, I will be Slater,” Piper snaps back. “It’s important for me to see their night-time routine, and talk to the parents alone. I can stay over instead if you’d like? Kevin and Laura would be happy to have me.”
Slater tenses, closes his eyes and then breathes out slowly. “I’ll come by at ten p.m. Wait in the car until I see you leave and follow you home.”
Piper shrugs but smiles brightly at the same time.
Slater grasps the back of her neck with his right hand and pulls her toward him until they’re kissing.
Pacer makes choking sounds while Kelso wolf whistles.
Slater may hate