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Piper’s eyes were soft as she scanned my face. “That’s why you stopped talking to me? That’s why you cut me out of your life?” She stepped forward and palmed the side of my face, running her thumb under my eye.
She swallowed before shifting closer and placing a delicate kiss on the side of my mouth. “You should’ve told me.”
I shook my head. “I couldn’t tell you. How could I?”
“You are such an idiot.” Her words were softened by a sad smile. Her gaze bored into mine, and her voice dropped low, serious. “You didn’t kill Marcus.”
My ribs tightened over my chest, but I couldn’t let her deny it. “I did. I’m the reason he got into an accident.”
She shook her head and wrapped her hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “I was talking to him on the phone when he crashed. I was explaining that I loved you.” Tears overflowed and wet her lashes. “Do you think I killed my brother?”
The world tipped on its axis, and the ground fell from under me. I searched her gaze for the lie, but she met mine full-on. Everything I’d believed for the last year was bullshit, and clarity settled over me because I’d been so fucking wrong. “No. Of course I don’t.”
She held both sides of my head between her hands. “Then why do you think you did?”
“It’s different.”
“Howis it different, Lucas?” Her gaze was open and raw. So different from what I expected.
“He told me I couldn’t be with you.”
Piper’s lips tipped up at the corners. “And he would’ve gotten over it. He knew you’d always take care of me.”
Like a knife to the gut, my stomach wrenched because I’d done anything but take care of her this past year.
“I thought you’d hate me, and I’d never survive it.” I laid my forehead against hers. Weight lifted from my shoulders, and it felt like I could take my first breath in a year as hope filled my veins. I didn’t kill her brother. She didn’t hate me.
Piper placed her hand over my heart. “I could never hate you. I’ve loved you since I was seven.” She gripped my shirt, pulling, and her lip trembled. “You told me you didn’t want me. You made me think I was just a part of some stupid game.”
“I’ve always wanted you. Always.” My gaze pleaded with her. “I’m so sorry, Piper.”
She lifted her face, and the despair pierced my ribs. “How can you say that after abandoning me?”
“Because there’s never been anyone else.” I guided a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “For either of us.”
She stepped back, mouth dropping open. “Since when?”
“Two years ago.”
Tears streaked her blotchy cheeks, and her face crumpled inward. “You decided I wouldn’t forgive you. You decided we were over. You decided it was your fault, and you letmego.”
I searched her eyes, and realization sank in. I broke this. I broke us. “I’ll fix this.”
“How?”
I faked a smile. “You’ll see.”
TWENTY-FIVE
PIPER
I hesitatedbefore sitting beside Lucas at the kitchen island. After promising he’d fix everything between us, he kissed between my brows and returned to his room. I stood stunned for several moments before a slow smile curved my lips. I didn’t know how to trust him not to break my heart, but I trusted that he’d do everything he could to make it happen.
“Morning, beautiful.” He gave me a warm smile before sliding an already poured bowl of Froot Loops and a carton of almond milk my way. The act was so familiar I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it. I leaned into Lucas and bit the corner of my lip as his gaze dropped to my mouth.
“Oh, you two look close.” Jax rubbed his hands together, practically giddy, and crossed to the opposite side of the island. “Lucas finally get his head out of his ass?”
“Fuck off” was Lucas’s reply before going back to his cereal.
