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“We’ll be quiet.”
Leaning back, I lift my chin until our eyes connect. “When have we ever been able to stay quiet?”
“There’s a first time for everything.” He’s able to keep a straight face as he says the words, but it doesn’t last long. A slow grin begins to spread, drawing a laugh out of me. “Okay, maybe not this. We could try, though.”
“No. I’d rather disturb Declan than Piper. But you have to promise to take me back to the dorms tonight. I refuse to be late to class tomorrow. It’s the first day.”
“Deal,” he agrees quickly, pressing his lips against mine.
“Get a room!” Max calls from across the yard, causing the remaining guests at the party to stare in our direction.
I want to throttle him.
Or maybe call him out on whatever is going on between him and Piper.
I do neither.
Instead, I slowly pull away from Micah and simultaneously flip Max off behind my back. He’s not the only one that can see it, but at least the parents can’t. They all disappeared inside a little while ago. When I was looking for Piper, I saw that they’d taken up residence at the dining room table playing cards.
“Ready to get out of here?” Micah asks.
“The sooner the better.”
“Let me talk to Declan and see what the plan is.” With a kiss on the nose, he wanders over to where Declan and Kendall are now cozied up on a lounger.
Still irritated with Max, I spin to face him, prepared to holler at him but he’s gone. Glancing around, I find him behind the bar again, this time pouring amber liquid into a red, plastic cup.
I stomp over to the bar and wait for him to acknowledge me before I speak. His shoulders stiffen but he doesn’t turn around.
“I can hear you thinking. What do you want?” he finally asks as he turns to face me.
“What’s going on between you and Piper?”
“Nothing.”
“I call bullshit.”
“Maybe you should ask her. She’s going to give you the same answer, but at least you’ll try to believe her.”
“I swear to God if you hurt her—”
“There’s nothing going on between us. We had a conversation. She needed to talk to someone. You and everyone else are all coupled up. In love. Chained to the men in your life. You forget about everyone else when Micah’s around. You ignored her all afternoon until you wanted to talk to her. Until it was convenient for you.”
I feel my jaw pop open, see Max glance at my lips. That doesn’t stop him from ripping me a new asshole. From giving me a different perspective on what I walked up on earlier.
“So don’t give me the cold shoulder because I was there for her when she needed a friend. Because that’s what we are. Friends. Just like I would be your friend if you needed one. Though, I doubt you’d trust me with your middle name let alone with your secrets.”
“Is she okay?” I ask, my voice shaking with concern.
Was I really being a bad friend today? What about yesterday and the day before? Last week?
Have I become so consumed with my own life, with Micah, that I’ve forgotten about everyone else? Because that’s not the kind of friend I want to be.
“You need to talk to her. Not tonight. Or even tomorrow. Let her wrap her head around everything and she’ll come to you when she’s ready. Until then, try being a better friend. One who isn’t so wrapped up in herself that she doesn’t see what’s going on with the person she lives with.”
I want to apologize to Max, for no other reason than I feel the need to say the words, but he walks away before I can. So, I do the only thing I can think of that will ease the guilt gnawing at my soul. Not that it helps.
ME: I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I am here for you. You’re my best friend and I’m sorry if I haven’t been around as much lately. Just know that if you ever need me, I’ll be there for you. Always.
PIPER: I know, and when I’m ready to talk, you’ll be the first person I call. I just need time to think. Alone.
