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"Oh, Malcolm, I just know that isn't true." Joel shakes his head with mock outrage. "The things you've told me about what you've done—"
Mal motions to me. "This is Piper's party. How about we save my sex life for another time?"
"Oh, you want to talk about Piper's sex life?" Joel teases.
I try to stay cool. The drummer is fucking with me. With us. That's normal for him. What's not normal is me having something to hide. "Why would I have an opinion about Kit taking some girl's virginity?"
"You're a girl. You were a virgin once." Joel leans back, effortless. "Just making conversation." Joel raises a brow. He shoots me an I know you're hiding something look.
"I don't see what a big deal it is being a virgin," I say. "If it was a girl who'd had sex even one time, you wouldn't think anything of it."
"She's got you there," Mal says.
"No. It's a big deal, being the guy to introduce a woman to getting off with a partner. That's a huge responsibility," Joel says.
Mal shakes his head at Joel. His cell's ring interrupts Joel's laugh.
Mal's expression shifts as he pulls out his phone. He frowns. "Order your first course. I have to return this call."
Mal makes a point of keeping business out of his free time.
This call must be urgent and personal.
But Mal isn't close with anyone except present company and Ethan. I guess he has his fuck buddies, but they don't usually call unless they know Mal is in town.
Who the hell is he calling?
Joel makes a show of treating Mal's now empty chair as a footrest. He looks to me. "See, this virgin booty call, at first, I thought it was a lie, a bad lie. No offense Lockhart, but I've been through this rodeo before. Even six months out of rehab, people fall off the wagon. Lie to cover shit up. Throw everything away to stay high. But I've been watching Lockhart like a hawk and he's still clean as a whistle."
I clear my throat. "Do you have a point?"
Joel looks between us. "Do you two think I'm an idiot?"
"My personal life is none of your business." My voice is defensive. On edge.
Joel looks to me. "I get that this isn't fair to you, Piper, but it's the way it is. If Mal or Ethan finds out you and Kit are fucking, that's it. He's out of the band."
Frustration flares in Kit's dark eyes. Then sympathy. Or maybe it's pity.
He agrees with Joel.
But that's ridiculous.
"This is bullshit." I can't help myself. I raise my voice to a much too loud for this very nice, very expensive restaurant volume. "I'm an adult."
"I'm on your side." Joel motions for me to lower my voice. "But this is how it is."
"This must be Piper." The waiter stops at our table. He nods hello to Joel then turns to me. "You wouldn't believe how many women he brings here."
Actually, I would. I offer the waiter my most polite smile. "Joel has quite the reputation."
The waiter chuckles. "He wines and dines 'em."
"Really? I took him more as a tequila man." I stare daggers at Joel.
The server takes in the tension as he sets our carafe of water and glasses on the table. "I'll give you a few more minutes to look at the menus."
"Thanks." My eyes stay fixed on Kit's
