“You envy me? What the hell for?”
Luke looked up at him and Jake would’ve sworn he saw a flash of regret pass his brother’s eyes. “You enjoy every minute of your life, and when you started to figure a piece was missing, you weren’t too scared to grab it and fit it back into your puzzle.”
Jake was starting to think that everyone in his life got their rocks off on confusing the shit out of him. First Cara went and compared him to food and now his brother was comparing him to a puzzle. “Look I don’t know about chicken cutlets and puzzle pieces and quite frankly I don’t want to because it’s all too confusing.” Luke’s brows furrowed but Jake ignored him and went on with his rant. “I don’t know what you’re saying but let me see if I can figure it out. You Mr. I Got This, Don’t You Worry, is envious of me, Mr. I Ain’t Got Shit Figured Out?” He shook his head. “Talk about a mindfuck.”
“That’s just it. I’m so sick of having the answer for everything and acting as if I got everything under control when I’m just muddling through.”
“So you want to throw caution to the wind? Definitely came to the right place. I’m Mr. Fuck Caution.”
“You have a filthy mouth.”
“I wish you were a certain brunette saying those words and not my brother.” He sighed, and reprimanded himself silently. No more joking around Jake, your brother needs your advice. He chuckled, he couldn’t help it. Who would’ve thought? He watched Luke look at him, probably rethinking coming here to talk to him in the first place. He cleared his throat and composed himself. “Sorry. Look if you’re trying to tell me you’re tired of having all your ducks in a row, I am relieved. For the life of me, I don’t know how you do it and never complain. You’ve been dealt a shitty hand some might say, I wouldn’t.” He watched his brother just stare at him, actually listening to him, still reeling from that fact alone, he gathered his scattered thoughts and continued. “I see you and I see the bravest man I know. I would never have been able to raise a little girl by myself. Shit, I wouldn’t have this tattoo parlor if dad didn’t help me, but you? Your partner takes off and all your plans to open your business come crashing down on you and you turn around and single-handedly build your business from nothing. Every plan you thought you had backfired but you still managed to come out on top, because of your willpower to succeed.”
“I have a daughter. She needs me to succeed so she can have a life like we did.” He sighed. “But no matter what I do, she never will. She’ll never have the home we had and it’s ruining me.”
“This is about Marie?” Anger boiled in Jake, at the mere sound of her name. If that bitch ever had the balls to run her ass back through this town Jake would run her over. He meant it. She hurt his brother and left his niece like she was yesterday’s newspaper.
“It’s not about her. I believe with my whole heart that Ava is better off without her. I mean she was an infant when she left her.” He took a moment. “Have you ever seen me bring a girl around Ava? She’s seven years old.”
“No.”
“I told myself I couldn’t because if I let her get close to another woman, and she left us too how would I ever explain that hurt to her?” He sighed. “She’s been asking where her mother is, and why all the other kids in school have mommies but she doesn’t.”
“What do you say when she asks?” Jake asked curiously.
“I avoid it at all costs, and just tell her that wherever her mother is she’s thinking of her and loving her from afar.” He swallowed, and Jake saw the pain tearing through him.
“Luke, you give her a lot of love. We all do, and she has our mom and Sam, she even has Cara for when she needs a woman in her life. You just need to know that you are doing a great job, and you can’t be afraid of letting another woman into your lives. You just haven’t met her yet, or maybe you have and it’s just not your time. But when it is you’ll know she’s the one that’s going to complete that family picture you have in your head.”
Luke stared at him, before nodding. “When did you get so philosophical?” He smiled crookedly at him and then grabbed him into a hug. “Thanks, Jake.”
“Anytime.” He said and patted his brother on the back. “Hey would you do something for me?”
They pulled out of their brotherly embrace and Luke nodded. “What do you need?”
“Come to the track tonight.”
“Are you racing?” Luke asked, curiously but a streak of concern slid through his question.
“No. I’ll be stunt riding. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something actually.” Luke just looked at him questioningly. “With you and Nick, restoring classic cars and flipping them, it got me thinking, and I think there’s a strong market in motorcycles. You should see some of the bikes that are on the track. They’re mint, and half of them are classics that have been restored. The other half, are custom motor bikes. They are real beauties.”
“Do you have a lot of knowledge on the bikes?” Luke asked, pondering if they could follow through with Jake’s idea.
“Enough and what I don’t know, I’ll learn.” He said confidently. “Even quads like we used to ride in the snow when we were kids.”
“You really want to do this, huh?” Luke seemed interested.
“I do and I want to do it with you.” Jake said sincerely, before winking at him, lightening the heavy vibe of brotherhood. “If you come to the track, you can get a feel for it too.”
“Okay.” Luke said, and then smiled encouragingly at him. Jake let out a breath. Reminding himself to keep it light and easy, but the truth was he had wanted Luke so badly to turn to him when Nick left, and ask him to be his partner. When he didn’t Jake shrugged it off as he always did when something ticked at his emotions. Now, older and wiser, he knew jack shit about fixing cars and had no interest in it. He just wanted to share a bond with his brother.
“I’m sorry I’m late, but I had to go home and change!” The brothers turned at the sweet voice that came through the door like a burst of sunshine. Cara stood before them. She had on short leather jacket and when she pulled it apart, she was wearing a shirt that read “Team Jake” in big bold letters, stretched across her breasts. Jake grinned widely as her cheeks turned pink when she saw Luke. Quickly she covered her shirt, feeling silly. “Oh, hi Luke.”
Luke waved amused. “Nice, shirt.”
Jake laughed and slung his arm around her shoulders, dipping his head to press a kiss to her lips, instantly soothing the lower lip she had bitten. “I love it.” He murmured against her mouth. When he pulled back her eyes were staring up at him and he gobbled up the heated look in her eyes. “I missed you.” He whispered into her ear before tucking away a wild strand of hair that had fallen from her bun.
“I missed you too.” She said barely audible.
Jake pointed to Luke. “I told my brother to come with us to the track.”
She smiled, her embarrassment fading, and turned to face Luke. “That’s great. You can keep me company while Jake pretends he’s Evil Canevil.”
Luke laughed, “Are you guys sure?”
“Yes.” Cara said immediately.
“Yes.” Jake said affirmatively and squeezed Cara’s hand. “Do you have the pick-up? I can throw my bike in the flat bed and we can all head down together.”
“Yeah, it’s out front.”
“Well, come on, let’s go!” Jake said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them vigorously, adrenaline already pulsating through him. “I got my two lucky charms, going to be a great night.” He wiggled his eyebrows, his trademark gesture and started marching towards the front of the tattoo parlor, dragging Cara along. Luke followed shaking his head at his brother, but couldn’t help the smile that was on his face. Jake glanced over his shoulder and caught the smile. Yep, he was indeed the best medicine.
Chapter Fourteen
Cara had only been to the track one other time, and it had been just to pick up Jake after something had gone wrong with his bike. She had never really experienced
a race, and most certainly hadn’t seen any stunts performed. She was excited and she was nervous. She was excited to be there, to cheer Jake on, especially as his girl, but she was scared he’d get himself hurt. This wasn’t exactly legal, and Jake didn’t have stuntman credentials.
When they had arrived at the race track, they could hear the roar of the engines from the parking lot. They made their way closer towards the track, so that when they took the motorcycle out of Luke’s truck, they wouldn’t have to go too far. The brothers hoisted Jake’s motorcycle from the flat bed out of the pick-up.
“You guys can go by the bleachers, I’m just going to check my bike in with Pete and meet you guys back over there.” Jake said as he straddled his bike. Holding his helmet it one hand, he crooked his finger at her with his free hand. She stepped towards him and he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him. “Love you.” He whispered before pressing his lips firmly to hers.
She knew one thing for sure she’d never get tired of Jake kissing her. She smiled against his mouth, before wrapping her arms around his neck. It should’ve been casual, but it wasn’t. The heat between them was so evident and so strong she thought she would combust into flames. His tongue slid into her mouth and played with hers, and for a brief moment all the noise from the track diminished and she thought they were alone.
Jake broke away first, and leaned his forehead against hers.
“I love you too.” She said and wiped her thumb over his lips, removing the stain of her lip gloss.
Jake looked over Cara’s shoulder and sent a wink to his brother. “Take care of my girl, she’s a nervous one.”
Luke nodded. “Are you going up now?”
Jake shrugged and put his helmet on. “Not sure, won’t know until I check in. I’ll text you.” He revved his engine and granted Cara one more smile, before he steered his motorcycle into the raceway. Cara watched until he was out of sight and then turned to Luke and smiled at him.
“Shall we, Darlin’?” Imitating a southern drawl, he offered her his arm, and she slipped hers through his.
She laughed at him as they walked through the gate of the racetrack. “Where’s Ava, tonight?”
Luke sized up all the motorcycles that were lined up by their proud owners. Much like a car show, there were a bunch of bikes just for spectators viewing pleasure. Cara had to admit, some of them were really beauties, and part of her yearned to ride each and every one of them
“She’s sleeping at Sam’s tonight. She needed a little girly time with her aunt.” He said flatly.
Cara studied Luke. She had known him as long as she knew Jake, and was aware of all the unfortunate situations that had always seemed to find him. She was even at the house the day Marie, dropped Ava on the door step. She still could remember how he was afraid to hold her, fearing he was too clumsy to have such a fragile being in his arms. Cara knew Luke was a fantastic father, and Ava loved him to pieces. But she understood the loss of a mother, and knew that Luke ultimately would never fill that gap for his daughter.
“Luke if Ava needs to talk to someone about her mom, she can talk to me.” She offered and then blew out a breath, hoping she wasn’t overstepping her bounds. “I mean I know my mother died, and hers didn’t, but I know how it is to be a girl in need of her mom.”
Luke met her gaze and held it for a moment. “I never thought of that.”
Cara smiled softly at him. “Ava’s a lucky little girl though, she has you. I didn’t have my dad, and even if he had tried to be a father, he wouldn’t have held a candlestick to you. She’s going to be fine, but if she does want to talk about her mom, I’d be happy to help.”
That earned her a smile from him, a genuine one that reached his eyes. She was used to Luke and used to him hiding his troubles, but his eyes always let them know something was up. Different from Jake in so many ways, but that was one common thread.
“I’m happy my brother came to his senses.”
“I’m happy we both did.” She was equally to blame and she knew that.
He motioned to the bleachers. “Should we grab a seat to watch our favorite daredevil?”
“Sure.”
They found seats, allowing them a perfect view of the track. Cara looked around, amazed at how many people were there. The noise levels from the motorcycles, combined with the lights that were shining, it was no wonder the, cops didn’t shut this place down. The track was wide and stretched around the entire perimeter. In the center there was a blocked off roadway. That’s where Jake was with about a dozen other bikers. Their bikes were relatively different then Jake’s. They were smaller and a lot less heavy and vibrant in color. The bikers who, owned them, matched their riding jackets to the color of their bike, even their helmets matched. Those bikes didn’t make as much noise as the ones that would race, but knew they held a lot of power.
She watched along with Luke as one of the bikers, riding an electric blue bike, revved the engine. He sped up the roadway and then he stood fully on the bike, before he did a summersault, his hands gripping the handle bars the entire time his legs were suspended in the air.
“Holy shit,” Luke muttered and turned to face Cara. “He’s not going to do that is he?”
“No but not because he doesn’t want to. His bike is too heavy.” She answered, not taking her eyes off of the stuntman and his bike. When he reached the end of the roadway he straddled the bike, repositioned his gloves and then steered the bike upward, so that the bike’s back wheel was the only on touching the pavement. Suddenly he removed his hands from the handlebars and spread his arms out to the side, as if he was balancing himself walking a tightrope. Next, he returned his hands to the handlebars and tucked his legs through them. His feet pressed against the handlebars and kicked off, somersaulting again before his bike stood upright and his feet dragged along the asphalt.
Luke glanced down, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He arched his hips and pulled the phone to glance at the text he received. “He’s next.”
Cara looked at him nervously. She couldn’t help the butterflies in her stomach, she prayed to anyone who would listen, that Jake would be okay.
Luke laughed and squeezed her hand tightly. “He’s got this. Don’t you worry.”
The truth was Luke didn’t know what Jake was about to do, and neither did she. They both knew for a fact that he was wild and would do anything for a rush. Heaven help them.
Jake’s bike came into view, front and center of the roadway. She watched him intently as he secured his helmet and adjusted his gloves. She could feel Luke’s leg twitch nervously beside her and before she could stop herself, and began to bite her nails. They slid to the edge of the bleachers, their eyes glued to Jake.
The engine purred, exciting the crowd. He sped to the middle of the road, before slowing down. He planted his left foot on the pebbled ground and spun the motorcycle in circles, donuts to be exact. He did half dozen full circles, before riding straight to the end of the roadway. He turned to face the direction in which he had just drove, sped up and tilted the motorcycle upward. Duplicating the same as the biker before him, he drove back to the end of the roadway balancing the bike on its back wheel only. When he reached the end of the path, he brought the bike downward to its normal driving position.
“He did it!!” She jumped to her feet. “He didn’t get hurt or anything either!” She felt the smile spread over her mouth and she grabbed Luke out of his sitting position. “He was fucking awesome!”
Luke laughed at her as she jumped up and down elated. She watched Jake glance up at the stands to catch a glimpse of her and his brother. She looked at him as he took his helmet off and she waved her hands wildly hoping he could see her cheering him on. She knew she looked ridiculous by the chuckles that were coming from Luke, but she didn’t care.
Jake blew out a breath, he was pretty sure he was wearing a shit eating grin, as the adrenaline swirled in his veins. The decision was made; he was definitely in the market for a motorbike. One
taste, left him starving, and aching to learn all there was. He wanted to be able to get on a bike and make people’s heads turn, he wanted to feel that rush. He was a step away from comparing it to sex, but he stopped himself, okay it was a close second.
He glanced up at the stands, and tried to scope out Cara and Luke. And then there it was that protruding weight on his chest, feeling as if he had just been hit by a Mack truck, desperate for air. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned between gasps to look over at Pete.
“You did good—“He stopped midway as Jake gasped. “Jake, you alright?”
He couldn’t make out his words, all he heard was the sound of his sharp breaths pounding in his ears. He didn’t even hear the engines that surrounded him. He closed his eyes, so much for a great experience. He willed himself to catch his breath, realizing as these attacks progressed, they began to last longer than when he initially started having them.
He could start to hear Pete’s dull voice, he couldn’t make out the words, or if in fact he was even talking to him. Deep breaths, he told himself, but barely managed short gasps. He must’ve been imagining it, but he felt as if the pain that was searing through his chest was spreading to his abdomen. He was now hunched over his bike when he felt two arms engulf him from behind.
When Pete rang Cara’s phone, she was certain that watching Jake, he was having another attack. She didn’t even bother to answer she just bolted down the bleachers, with Luke on her tail. They made their way around the track. Luke grabbed her from behind before she ran across the track. She wasn’t paying attention, she almost ran across the track as a race was underway. He guided her, cutting around the track towards the center path where the stunt bikes were. She ran to him, tripping over her own feet until she reached him. He was doubled over his bike, when she slipped her arms under his and brought his body upright.
Pieces (Riverdale #1) Page 14
