“I know.” She lifts her bag higher on her shoulder. “I forgot to tell you about it earlier. Didn’t want Pierce to think I wasn’t working hard.”
“Your brother can get over himself.” She slides into the passenger seat and closes the door. “And I’ll help you repair the fence this weekend. It shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Thanks. You’re keeping me from having to ask one of my brothers for help. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Deal with their bullshit.” I laugh. “You ready?”
“Yep.” She reaches for the radio and turns it to a pop station before turning up the volume.
This small thing would probably annoy most people, but she’s done it since we were in high school. Despite not really liking the music, I always give her power over the radio. She’s forced to listen to stuff she doesn’t care for at work, and I want her to be completely comfortable with me. Even if the dance music isn’t my taste.
The ride to my house is mostly silent. We’re about a mile away when I notice the music isn’t as loud as it was seconds ago.
“Why were you looking for Pierce earlier?”
I knew she was going to ask, but I didn’t think it would take her this long.
“I was letting him know everyone was free to shower or nap over here.” I purposefully omit the other thing I talked to him about. And this reason isn’t exactly a lie. I did tell him that.
“Oh.” She sounds surprised.
“Why?”
“I thought you were going to tear him a new one for treating me the way he does.”
Interesting. She doesn’t want me to be her boyfriend, but she wants me to stand up for her like a boyfriend would. I mean, I did anyway. Best friends also fill that role of defense. Still…she seems upset I didn’t defend her honor.
“If it means that much to you, I can still do that.” I lift my phone from the console and act like I’m opening my contacts list.
“No!” Her voice is loud in the small space. “Especially not when you’re driving.”
Pulling into my driveway, I put the car in park. “Are you sure? I’m not driving anymore.”
“Oh my God, yes, I’m sure. He probably hears it enough from me.”
“Probably.” I shrug and open the door. “But another voice is never a bad thing.”
“It is if it’s against my moody brother. You know how much he holds grudges. It took him forever to try to mend things with my sister.”
“You’re not wrong.” I get out of the car and hurry over to her side. As soon as Piper is out of the car, I grab her bag and lift it onto my shoulder. “What the hell do you have in here? Are you moving in, and I didn’t get the memo?”
She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “I didn’t ask you to get my bag. But no, it has everything I need in case I’m here longer than one night.”
The thought of her being here more than one night thrills me. We’re at each other’s houses all the time anyway, and she’s stayed over a few times. But the fact that I can provide her a place to stay does big things for my ego.
As soon as I open the door to the house, I set her bag in the foyer. “You can take a shower first.”
“Absolutely not.” She’s shaking her head. “I know how you get when I use all the hot water.”
This is proof of how comfortable she is with me. Why can’t she see we’d be great together. Or maybe she knows but she’s too scared to take that leap.
“Fine, I’ll take a quick shower. Then you can hop in.”
“I’ll search your kitchen for food. Or see if anyone in town has power yet. I’m guessing they do.”
“Sounds good.” I don’t tell her how badly I hope she finds a restaurant with power. I love her more than anything, but Piper is not skilled in the kitchen.
We just need to get through the night without making things between us awkward. I can do that. At least I hope I can.
