“That’s not the point.”
Piper knew that. That was the problem.
Jayson’s gaze stayed forward. “The contract remains intact.”
Jayson paused. “For now. I need you to review the amendment and sign,” Jayson said, assuming Piper had read the revisions, which he had not.
“I will get to that at some point.”
Piper felt it. Something now that he hadn’t wanted to. It wasn’t about what Jayson could make him do. It was about what he would do, it was when he would do it.
Jayson turned to Piper. “Oh and Piper, I meant to ask, what happened to your hand?”
***
Piper sat in the Erewhon parking lot. The L.A. heat was brutal for this time of year.
His phone buzzed in his hand. It was Noah on FaceTime. “Noah,” Piper answered.
“You sound off,” Noah said.
“I’m at Erewhon, my safe haven,” Piper replied.
“Why are you wasting your money at that place?”
“Your concern is touching. I can afford it.”
“How was dinner with the billionaire dude?”
“It was okay. He does a lot for me, but expects a lot in return.”
Noah went quiet. “Expects? You okay?”
“I don’t know yet.” The answer sat there collecting assumptions.
“What happened?”
“He wanted me to sign with a new watch brand. I said I would think about it,” Piper said as a pit formed in his stomach as he lied to Noah.
“You don’t seem okay.”
“I will be. I hope.”
“You’re not afraid of him, are you?”
“I am afraid of what he can take.”
Another pause. Then Noah said, softer now, “Come to Seattle. I want to talk more about this.”
Piper stopped walking. “What?”
“Come to Seattle after the game.”
“That is not going to work.”
“We can always make things work.”
“I have obligations.”
