The smell of fresh coffee and bacon fills the Abrams’ family kitchen, the sun streaming through the large bay window over the breakfast nook. I sit at the table between Farren and Rafferty, both of us nursing mugs of coffee while their parents fuss over the food.
It’s a cozy scene, the kind that feels so normal it’s almost surreal. I glance at Farren, her cheeks flushed with laughter as she nudges me under the table with her knee. She’s glowing this morning, her hand occasionally brushing mine. I don’t bother hiding my smile or the way I keep reaching for her, my fingers threading with hers on the tabletop.
Marie sets a second plate of waffles in the center of the table and pauses, her eyes flicking between our joined hands. “I’m so happy you could join us,” she says, her gaze coming to rest on me.
We played Calgary last night and Farren made the road trip. I was invited to stay the night with her and Rafferty so they could get in a quick visit. Although I’d met Daniel and Marie Abrams before when they came to Pittsburgh for a game, this is the first time I’ve been around them as Farren’s significant other.
“That’s not what you really want to say, Mom,” Farren says, her eyes glittering with mischief. “Go ahead and say what’s really on your mind.”
Her mom waves her off and scoffs. “I’ve never seen you like this, Farren. Give your mom a break, okay?”
Farren blushes but doesn’t pull her hand away. “Like what?”
“Happy,” Daniel says, his gruff voice tinged with sincerity as he reaches for a waffle. He sits down across from us, his sharp blue eyes—the same as Rafferty’s and Farren’s—fixed on me. “Guess we have you to thank for that.”
“No pressure,” I say with a chuckle. They don’t know how much I’d give to keep her smiling like this forever.
I suspect they know more than they’re letting on. Farren told me last night she finally told her parents about what happened to her in high school. The conversation was long overdue, and I can only imagine the mix of anger and heartbreak they felt hearing it. But sitting here now, watching the way they look at her—with love, pride and maybe even a little relief—I know they’re rooting for her.
For us.
“And she’s going back to school in the fall,” Marie adds, her pride evident. “We couldn’t believe it when she told us.”
“University of Pittsburgh,” Rafferty says, teasing but warm. “You’re going to turn into a true Yinzer soon enough.”
While Farren hasn’t completed the application process, she’s decided on Pitt and I have no doubt she’ll get in.
Farren rolls her eyes, laughing as she throws a balled-up napkin at him. “Don’t get used to it. I’ll always be a Calgary girl.”
Daniel laughs, but there’s a glimmer of emotion in his eyes. “We’re just proud of you, Farren. It’s good to see you taking steps forward.”
I give her hand a gentle squeeze, my own measure of pride swelling. She looks at me, her smile full of gratitude. “It’s because of you,” she says, her voice low but carrying weight.
Before I can respond, Rafferty stands, brushing his hands on his jeans. “All right, we’re done here. North and I have to take care of something.”
Marie looks up, confused. “Take care of what?”
“Just something,” Rafferty says vaguely, glancing at me as I rise from my chair. “We’ll be back in an hour.”
Farren frowns. “What are you two up to?”
“Nothing you need to worry about,” I say with a grin, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “We’ll be back soon.”
She narrows her eyes at me, clearly suspicious, but I follow Rafferty out before she can question me further.
♦
Rafferty drives while we chat about last night’s game. Calgary may have been Rafferty’s hometown team but beating them in their own rink felt amazing.
“You’re going to love the Bow River,” Rafferty says casually as we pull into the lot of a tire shop.
“Yeah?” I ask, catching the mischievous gleam in his eye.
“It’s got a current strong enough to carry away all sorts of debris,” he says with a smirk as we park.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Let’s see how this plays out first.”
We step inside the shop, the smell of rubber and motor oil hitting me immediately. The man behind the counter greets us. He’s handsome enough with sandy blond hair and a perfectly straight smile. I take in the dull blue uniform with the name Liam on the pocket in red stitching.
“Liam Mattelle?” Rafferty asks, his eyes flicking to the name and back up again.
The guy’s gaze flicks between us and he frowns. I can see he recognizes us, but he’s not sure from where or how he knows the two large men standing in his work lobby. But then recognition dawns and his eyes nearly bug out of his head. “Holy shit. You’re Rafferty Abrams. And North Paquette! Man, I was at the game last night—”
“Wrong answer,” Rafferty cuts him off, his voice low and dangerous. He steps closer, towering over Liam. “I’m Farren Abrams’s brother.”
Liam’s face pales, indicating he remembers very clearly what he did to my woman almost a decade ago. His mouth opens, but no sound comes out.
“And I’m her boyfriend,” I add, pressing my hands on the counter.
Liam takes a step back, his hands raised defensively. “Look, I don’t know what this is about—”
“Bullshit,” Rafferty growls. “You know exactly what this is about.”
Before Liam can respond, Rafferty lunges across the counter and grabs a fistful of his shirt, pulling him forward. “We’re going for a ride.”
“What? No! Wait—” Liam stammers, trying to pull away. Rafferty merely drags him from behind the counter and then shoves him toward me.
I take control, my hand going to the back of his neck, and it takes everything in my power not to wring the scrawny thing. “Shut up and move,” I say coldly.
I half expect that coward to call for help, but I think he’s in shock. When we get to the car, he starts to struggle a little, putting on the brakes as he tries to dig his tennis shoes into the asphalt.
“I’m not going with you,” he whines.
“You can either get in the back seat,” I say as I open the door, “or the trunk. I’m giving you a choice but my patience is wearing thin.”
“Help,” he yells, and I glance around. No one in sight and I don’t have time to dick around with him.
“Pop the trunk,” I say to Rafferty.
He looks at me, unsure if this is getting out of hand, but then he pushes the button on the fob and the trunk opens.
Liam is no match for my strength and instead of screaming bloody murder, he starts crying as I shove him in the boot. Rafferty shuts the lid and looks at me with a slight bit of worry. “We could get in trouble for this.”
“Kidnapping is a pretty big deal, huh?”
He nods but doesn’t try to convince me to let Liam out.
“I suppose it’s better than murder though,” I say with a shrug. “Let’s go.”
By the time we get back to the Abrams’ house, Liam is a mess, sweating and babbling apologies when we pull him out of the trunk. It’s necessary for us to drag him in, not because he’s resisting, but because his legs seem to be boneless. We each take an arm and lead him shakily up the porch steps and into the house.
Farren and her parents are in the kitchen where we left them, except all the food is gone and everything is spotless. They’re all sipping coffee and I’ll never forget the look of shock on their faces as long as I live.
“What the hell is this?” Daniel asks in a voice filled with awe but no anger.
“Just wait,” Rafferty says, shoving Liam forward. “He’s got something to say.”
Liam stumbles, his eyes darting to Farren. She looks shocked, her face pale as she realizes who he is. He looks like he’s about to pass out and I take a step toward him.
He recoils and holds up his hands in surrender.
I toss my head Farren’s way and say, “I suggest you make it right and you might come out of this alive.”
Daniel makes a choking sound but doesn’t intervene. I don’t dare look at him.
“I’m sorry!” Liam blurts, his voice shaking as he turns to Farren. “I’m so sorry. For everything. For the bet, the pictures… all of it. I was a stupid kid, and I didn’t realize how much I hurt you. Please, I’m sorry.”
Farren stares at him, her expression unreadable.
Liam nods quickly, tears welling in his eyes. “I was an asshole. I ruined everything. I’m sorry, Farren. Please forgive me because I don’t want to die.”
There’s a long silence and Farren looks to Rafferty, then to me. “Whose idea was this?”
I point at her brother. “But I was all in once he suggested it.”
“Oh my God,” she says with a peal of laughter. “You two are ridiculous.” Liam sniffles, his eyes pleading with her to save him. “They’re not going to kill you.”
“We might,” Rafferty says with a sinister grin.
“They’re not,” Farren says firmly and glares at her brother a moment. “But would you mind getting him out of here?”
“Say you forgive me,” Liam pleads.
Farren rolls her eyes. “I forgive you, you big crybaby. Are you happy?”
Liam sags with relief, but when he turns to Rafferty, he flinches at the cold look in his eyes.
“You’re free to go,” Rafferty says, his voice flat.
“Can I—uh—get a ride back?” Liam asks hesitantly.
“Nope,” I say, grabbing him by the arm and marching him to the door. I shove him out onto the porch. “Find your own way home.” He walks on unsteady legs down the steps. “And Liam?”
He glances back at me, fear on his face.
“I suggest you keep this to yourself. It’s over. Got it?”
“Got it,” he replies, nodding so hard I’m afraid his head will dislodge from his shoulders. “It’s over.”
Back inside, I find Farren laughing along with her mom, her dad looking a little on edge. But Marie slips her arm around his waist and says, “Lighten up, Daniel.”
Farren throws her arms around me. “That was the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me.”
I grin, pulling her into my arms. “Anything for you.”
She tips her face up to mine, her eyes shining. “I love you, North.”
“I love you too,” I say, kissing her deeply, the warmth of her words settling into my soul.
For the first time, everything feels exactly as it should be.
