AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I recall being more understanding when you grieved,” I protest.
He flicks both brows up. “Seriously, we’re going there, Piper?”
“I’m just stating an actual fact.”
“So, you’re grieving because he’s dead?”
“No, he’s still alive, just lost in the rainforest.”
He nods. “Then you can’t be grieving. You can’t have it both ways, Piper.”
“The uncertainty is killing me. How do I get out of my head?”
“Concentrate on work, music, or just doing what Piper does daily. You need to focus on other things. Laying down while listening to his last voicemail isn’t going to help you at all.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“Bringingherup,” I mumble because it was insensitive to mention his girlfriend.
The corner of his lip lifts slightly. “We don’t speak about those days, okay? I just need to know that you’re okay.”
“I’m not sure how to be, Gabe. He’s a part of me.”
He puts an arm around me. “We’ll get through this together, okay?”
Once I’m donewith my shower, I put on a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. Then, I pick up my laptop from the bed and leave my room. I go to the kitchen, where I set it down on the kitchen island. As I’m about to press play, Gabe says, “Is that you, Piper? I barely recognize you.”
“Seriously?” I growl at him.
“I didn’t expect to see you this soon and clean.”
I shoot him a narrowed look. “Don’t start with me, Decker.”
He scoffs. “You’re a Decker too.”
“Cooperson-Bradley-Decker,” I correct him.
“I thought it was Bradley-Cooperson-Decker,” he argues.
I nudge a rueful shrug. “Does it matter? My parents should’ve kept it simple. One last name, Cooperson.”
He chuckles. “When you guys have children make sure to keep only one last name, okay.”
“Sure, just because Uncle Gabe said so.”
“Have you had breakfast yet?” Gabe asks.
“No, and you?”
“I’ll prepare some food. Make us some coffee in the meantime.”
In less than five minutes, I have two lattes ready for us. While Gabe is preparing waffles and a fruit salad, I sit down to watch the rest of the video.
“Sorry for using your cousins to force you to stop wallowing and to throw you in the shower, but we know that if they didn’t coerce you, you wouldn’t have done it for another week or a month.”
“I hate him,” I mumble.
