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He moved to his side of the bed and sat on top. Piper had never spent the night with a man in her bed.
Breaking off a piece of chocolate, she handed the bar to him.
“You should try and sleep, Piper.”
“I know, but what if Grace wakes and I don’t hear her?”
“You will.”
“I have to thank you—”
“Again? I think we been over that already.”
“Not nearly enough, especially as this is not something that you would normally do.”
His eyes held hers.
“I mean, you’re putting yourself out for me, and I don’t know how to say thank you.”
“You don’t think I put myself out for people normally?”
The words weren’t spoken in anger, but Piper had a feeling she’d annoyed him... maybe even hurt him.
“Of course, but not like this... maybe.” Piper ran a hand through her hair. “I’m making a mess of this, so can we leave it at thanks, again.”
“Sure.”
The word was clipped, and she knew then she had hurt him. He got up and switched off the lights, then she heard his jeans hit the floor and he was suddenly in the bed beside her, under the covers.
“I’m sorry, I handled that wrong and sounded ungrateful.”
“No, actually you didn’t, but it’s never easy to be slapped in the face by the person you are.”
“Dylan—”
“It’s okay, Piper. We’re both tired, let’s try and get some sleep.”
“Why have you never come home, Dylan?”
He exhaled slowly.
“I know that you struggled to live up to your mom’s expectations, but you had two sisters.”
He didn’t reply, and Piper wondered if the conversation, in his mind, was over.
“I’m your friend, Dylan, and—”
“As time passed I was able to convince myself they didn’t need me because they had each other, and Mom and Dad.”
Piper looked into the darkness and thought about what he said.
“But they didn’t have each other,” he continued. “Charlie left as soon as she could and never looked back. She closed herself off emotionally like I have, and Ava....”
His words fell away.
“You’re worried about her?”
“I am, and I’m not sure why. It’s just a hunch, but something is really off with her.”
