Reconcile by Nicole Dykes
“I don’t wantto go to bed.”
I smile at Audrey, who’s trying to give Piper her best argument to stay up later. Her brown eyes peer up at her mother with her little bottom lip poked out.
I mean, if it were up to me, with that look, the kid could probably have a pony. But Piper is impenetrable.
“Bed. Now.”
“Mommmmy,” Audrey whines, and I smile because even that’s cute.
“Hey, kiddo. Tomorrow is the weekend. And Viv said she’s making lunch and inviting Jacee.”
“Oh, I love Jacee!” Audrey squeals, and I smile.
“So, you gotta get to bed so you’ll have enough rest to have all that fun tomorrow.”
She’s thinking it over, something I’ve noticed she does a lot, and then nods. “Okay.”
She climbs under the covers of her bed, and Piper tucks her in, kissing her head, and then I say goodnight, following Pipes out.
She’s been quiet today, but I’m assuming it’s just because of her hellish date.
I follow her into her room as she sits perched on the edge of the bed, leaning down to unfasten the strap of her shoes from her ankles. “She’s really fucking cute.”
When her gaze lifts to me, it’s an icy cold glare. “Did you know about Spencer and Paisley?”
What the fuck? That’s the last thing I expected.
“Sort of. What do you mean?”
She stands, kicking out of her shoes and making her way to stand before me. “He knew about Audrey. He told me today.”
“That motherfucker.”
She shushes me, nodding toward Audrey’s room. I lower my voice and say, “Sorry, but what the fuck? Does Cole know?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask him, but when I asked him why he hates you so much, it was clear it came down to my sister.”
“He hated me long before that, Piper.”
“Well, that’s why he hates you now. And you knew?”
We were finally doing a little better. Leave it to my big brother to fuck things up again. “I knew my father wanted your sister with Spencer. Yeah.”
She looks sick, and I understand that feeling. Anything with Paisley and/or Spencer is pretty goddamn sickening, if you ask me. “Wanted her with him?”
“Yeah. Married. Kids. The whole fucking thing.”
She moves back to the bed where she sits again on the edge, her posture perfect. “You knew that.”
It’s not really a question, but I answer anyway, daring to take one step toward her. “I did.”
“So, that’s why you fucked her? To get back at your brother?”
I feel bile rising, my stomach twisting in knots, thinking about that idiotic time in my life. I could make a million excuses, but none of them matter. None of them make it okay. “Piper . . .”
I walk closer to her just as she stands, and I try to take her hand in mine, but she yanks it away. “Don’t touch me.”
Fuck.
“Piper, listen to me.”
“No.” She clutches her stomach. “You fucked my sister to get even with your brother and probably your father too. You devastated me for revenge. You didn’t care about me.”
I reach for her again, but she steps back, tears filling her eyes. “Don’t.”
“Piper—”
“Get out of my room.”
“Piper, let me explain.” Even though there’s really nothing I can say. I did it. She saw it. And Spence effectively made it so much worse today.
“No. I don’t want to hear it. I was right about keeping everything in the past. I was right about us not being friends or really anything.” She swallows, and it looks nearly painful, like she’s trying to rid herself of a bad taste. “Is everything a lie?”
Her eyes dart to the wall she shares with Audrey. “No,” I say firmly and take a step closer to her. “No.” I say it louder the second time.
“Get out.”
“It’s not a lie with her. I swear. I’m not that stupid kid anymore.”
“You didn’t tell me about Spencer and Paisley.”
“We haven’t talked about it. You haven’t let m—”
She cuts me off quickly, “And I was right!” She quiets her voice, taking a deep breath, “It’s too painful to go down that road. I don’t want to. Now get out before I take Audrey and leave.”
The fear rippling down my spine paralyzes me for a moment. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would. Now get out.”
There are so many things I want to say, but I can’t risk her leaving.
I can’t risk Audrey.
And as I leave, anger boils in me, nearly simmering over the surface as I make it to the downstairs gym to take my frustration out on the punching bag.
Because everything always goes back to that night.
