Page 31 of Lead Me A Stray

“Open up, Piper. I think it’s time we had a talk.”

MACK

“Just giveme a minute to talk to her first, okay?” Piper says, pulling a shirt over her head and trying to smooth down her hair.

“You look like I just fucked the hell out of you.” I smirk, stepping into my jeans as she heads for the door. “She’s gonna understand.”

Piper nods but I’m not convinced, grabbing my shirt and putting it on as I trail behind her toward the front door, staying out of sight because I told her I would.

For now.

“Rory, what are you doing here?” Piper asks, faltering back a step when my sister barges in.

“I cannot believe you’re hooking up with my brother,” Rory says with a disbelieving laugh that I can brush off only because she’s my sister. “And I can’t believe no one could be bothered to tell me.”

“It’s not like we planned it and you were sick?—”

“So you’re just fucking around then?”

“It hasn’t been that long and we’re just?—”

“God, you aren’t serious, are you?” The question is a scoff, unease settling into my gut as my sister presses on. “Piper, youknowbetter.”

“It’s just fun. But also what the hell does that mean? He’s your brother, Rory.”

“I know he’s my brother, and dammit… I know he’s here. You’rehidinghim, Piper. What does that say?”

“I’m allowed to have fun, and I’m not hiding him. Things are not that serious.”

Just fun? She thinks this is all just a game?

“Are you sure? Because it’s the summer and there are plenty of nonlocals this time of year and yet he’s with you.”

“I told you it’s not serious.”

Piper gapes at me as I step out into the center of the room—like she forgot I was here. “Mack is—was—veryserious and fuck, Piper, really? We agreed we’re dating,” I snap.

“We agreed to take thingsslow,”she fires back.

“You’redating?”Rory screeches as Piper ignores my sister and narrows her eyes at me.

“And you’re gonna act like things aren’t serious after…” I motion in the general direction of her bedroom where she let me come inside her with nothing between us. “Really? You’re gonna say that doesn’t matter.”

“We haven’t talked about…everything yet,” she hisses but I don’t want to hear it.

“I told you I don’t need the bars and the girls. I just want you. Dating. Exclusive. And now you wanna say it’snot that serious?”

“Mack, listen…”

“No,” I bark, my sister’s eyes widening and her mouth forming a little O as she’s caught between us. “I don’t need any of that.” I wave in the vague direction of the world outside. “I never needed any of it.” Swallowing hard, I force the lump in my throat down and stand straighter. “Then again, maybe I do, you know because we’renot seriousand all.”

“Mack, please, just give me a minute, okay?” I watch as Piper runs her hand over her hair, her eyes glassy and her bottom lip trembling. “It’s a lot and I thought…”

“You just thought what, Piper? I wasn’t clear enough about my intentions? That I’m not at your house, in your bed, and spending every available moment I have with you? It was unclear when I said I’ve never been happier than I am with you?”

“Shit. Mack, I’m sorry,” Rory tries but I shake my head because I’m done here.

“I’ll deal with you later,” I tell my sister before turning on the girl that’s crushed my heart in record time. “I’m not some loser, Piper. I work hard and yeah, Iplayedhard but that was before you. That was before I thought we could be something real. I’ve done nothing but treat you like a queen, but it doesn’t matter, does it? You’re just like everyone else who thinks I’m just out there raising hell.”