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“So how did everything go at the police station?” his dad asked, interrupting his thoughts.
He considered how much to share in an effort to keep his dad from getting upset. “Fine. He was charged with felony assault and attempted kidnapping. I’m also going to talk to a doctor friend of mine and see if he can’t do up an affidavit stating he recommends Cullen get a psych eval and take it Tony Davis.”
His father nodded in agreement. “The judge?”
“Yes. He owes me a favor anyway.”
Alyssa blinked up at him. “You know a judge?”
“I do.”
She stared at him a little while longer, and he knew she did some judging of her own for the lifestyle he led. Never in his life had he questioned how he lived or even the money he had until he met Alyssa. If he were an average Joe, would she stay with him? Wait, what am I thinking here?
“Well, some have called me flighty,” his mother said, “but I’m not stupid. You don’t seem to be broken up over Cullen’s betrayal, Piper.”
His sister turned from the window. “I don’t hate her enough to want her hurt, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
Nathan clenched his jaw and uttered in a low warning, “No one assumed you hated Alyssa at all.”
Piper’s gaze shifted from their parents to him, and he saw the fear. Her fingers gripped the arms of her chair, and then she straightened her back. “He wasn’t my boyfriend.”
No one spoke. He hoped she wouldn’t leave the pronouncement there.
“Emma was my girlfriend.”
His mother waved her hand, and Nathan figured she thought Piper meant in the sense of being a friend who was female. The two women had been that way for years, and no one needed it pointed out.
Piper licked her lips and glanced at Alyssa. Now he went on alert.
“Emma was my girlfriend…I mean, she was my lover. Not Cullen.”
His dad started in surprise, his mother’s hand flew to her mouth, but there was no reaction from the woman at his side. He raised the hand he held on Alyssa’s shoulder and tangled fingers in her hair. She shivered, and he let a few strands flow between his digits. So his sister was gay. A number of past incidents sped through his mind, clues to her preference, and while he wasn’t sure what he felt about her announcement, Alyssa remained at the forefront of his concerns.
“Piper, I don’t understand this,” his mother complained, sounding tearful.
His dad hadn’t said a word, and from the set of his mouth, he wouldn’t anytime soon. The feminine voices rose. Nathan blew out a sigh and leaned forward.
“Enough!”
Both women fell silent midsentence. His mother glared at him in reproach, but he ignored it. Piper’s gaze accused him of siding with his mother, which was ridiculous given he hadn’t voiced an opinion. “Mom, don’t you think you should discuss this later?”
Alyssa popped to attention. “Oh, I can get out of your way.”
He dragged her back to his side. “Not you,” he growled.
His mother cast a fleeting glance at his father. “You’re right. Piper, you just took us by surprise. Let’s talk about it later and have a nice, enjoyable time on Alyssa’s last day.”
Piper stood. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Because I was too scared to tell you the truth, Emma broke up with me. I’m going to go talk to her to get her back.”
“Piper, don’t you dare,” his mother screeched.
His sister apologized again, surprising him. For the first time, even while she defied their parents, she appeared more mature than he’d ever seen her. She wasn’t throwing a fit or being rebellious. She respectfully disagreed with their parents while holding to her decision. He admired her for that, and something told him the desirable little imp beside him had a hand in it. Maybe he should keep her.
After Piper vacated the room, he stood as well and pulled Alyssa to her feet. “If you’ll excuse us, Mom and Dad, I need to talk to Alyssa alone. Okay if we meet back here around dinnertime?”
His dad laid a hand over his mother’s. “Go ahead, son. Mom and I will be fine.”
Nathan heard the anger in his tone and considered staying, but left them to it. He led Alyssa out to the back of the house, and the two of them removed their shoes.
