“I know. You told me. But he explained everything.”
“Did he?” She looks at me then. “Did he tell you about how he ignored our dad’s advice? How he signed away parts of the ranch without consulting anyone? How we almost lost everything because of his arrogance?”
“Yes. He told me all of it.”
“And you what? Decided he's not the villain I said he was?”
“I think maybe there's more to the story than just villain or hero.”
“Of course you do.” She pours more wine. “You always want to see the best in people, Piper. Even when they don't deserve it.”
“Maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
“It is when it makes you naive.”
The word stings.Naive. But I push forward anyway.
“Why don’t you just talk to him?”
“Why would I?”
“Because he’s your brother.”
“I don’t want to talk about this.” She turns back to her magazine, effectively ending the conversation.
I try again later, after she's finished her second glass of wine.
“Maybe you should talk to him. Just hear him out.”
“No thanks.”
“He's right in the next room. You're both trapped here anyway.”
“I said no. I don't want to talk to him. I don't want to see him. I definitely don't want to hear whatever sob story he's selling you.”
“That's not fair.”
“Life’s not fair, Piper,” she mutters, tipping back the rest of her wine.
After her fifth glass, she curls up on the couch, tucking a throw blanket around her like armor. Within minutes, she’s out cold.
I head to the bedroom and knock softly.
“Come in,” Callum's voice.
He's sitting on the bed, reading a book. Or pretending to read.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey.” He sets the book down. “How’d it go?”
“About as well as you’d expect.”
“So… terrible.”
“Yeah.” I sit on the edge of the bed, careful to keep distance between us. “I tried to get her to talk to you. To at least hear your side.”
“I heard.” A small smile. “Thanks for that.”
