I don’t get an email from them until the next day, when I check my personal email while I’m on my lunch break. It’s only one week away. I can wait seven days. I’ve given them even more information about Preston—his home address, email, and place of work. They’ll take all the necessary steps to get him to come to the set without telling him why he’s actually there.
The next week passes at an unbearably slow speed. But it’s finally the big day. Preston believes he’s going on the show to talk about his job. He’s all kinds of excited. He thinks the topic of the show is “jobs you never knew you wanted.” Not many people know about his job, and he’s looking forward to reaching kids who aren’t settled on a career. He thinks he can get the job in the mainstream.
I made it very clear that I would be going with him for support. We drive to the studio together and he’s immediately taken to a private dressing room. Normally, I’d stick right by his side, but keeping this secret now that it’s on the tip of my tongue is getting harder and harder. It seems to take forever, but I’m finally ushered to the stage. The set lights are hot, and unfortunately for me, this is a live taping, which means the audience is full of inquisitive eyes. I try to look cool and collected, but I feel awkward and embarrassed. Right now would be a great time to run.
“So, Piper, tell us a little about your secret,” Jefrey, the host, says from his nice, comfy chair.
I swallow down my fear and wet my lips before looking at the camera. “I’ve known my best friend, Preston, since we were five. We’ve been the best of friends and have done everything together.”
“And why have you brought Preston here? What do you want to say to him?”
I chew on my inner cheek as I think over my words. “I’ve brought Preston here to tell him I’m secretly in love with him.”
The crowd gasps dramatically and I can feel my face heating up.
Jefrey looks at the camera. “Preston is backstage right now. He thinks he’s here to talk about his job. After the break, we’ll tell him why he’s really here. We’ll be right back.”
The red light on the camera turns off and I feel myself relax. Suddenly, my mind starts racing. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. If I change my mind, I wonder if they’ll bring Preston out here to talk about his job—you know, to keep the lie going and keep me out of trouble. I doubt it. Can I do this? In front of everyone?
I expected the commercial break to last . . . I don’t know, as long as a commercial break usually does when you watch TV, but that isn’t the case. Before I know it, they’re counting us down and mouthing Action! Jefrey stands up. “Everyone, please give a warm welcome to Preston.” He gestures to the side of the stage.
Preston walks to the stage and the women in the audience go wild. He smiles and even blushes a bit as he waves at them on his walk over. Then he shakes Jefrey’s hand and sits down. He looks over and finds me. His brows pull together slightly. He’s confused as to why I’m onstage with him. I was only supposed to be here for support.
“Preston, do you know this woman?” Jefrey asks him.
Preston looks from Jefrey, to me, and back. “Yes, this is my best friend, Piper.”
Jefrey nods and smiles. “That’s right. And how long have the two of you been friends?”
Preston sits up straight as he looks at me. His body is hard while his back stays completely rigid. “Since we were five. What is this about?”
“Well, Preston, you’re not really here to talk about your job.”
“I’m not?” His brows shoot up as his eyes widen.
“No, you’re here because Piper has something to tell you. Don’t you, Piper?”
I feel everyone’s eyes on me and my skin’s so hot, I expect flames to erupt. “I do,” I agree, sitting a little taller. I offer him a smile as I reach over and take his hand in mine. “I brought you here today because I have a secret to tell you,” I confess.
His face falls. He’s worried.
“After that drunken kiss we had the other night, I thought now would be a good time to tell you something I’ve never been able to tell you.” I swallow down my fear. “Preston, I love you. I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember.”
His mouth drops open and his eyes take in the audience in front of us. “You . . . what?” he asks around a nervous laugh.
I nod. “I know this must be a surprise. I mean, we’re friends and that’s all we’ve ever been. We’ve never crossed the line . . . well, until the other night. That’s why I thought maybe you felt the same way and were just too afraid to say it.”
He shakes his head clear but his face reddens and he sets his jaw. “Why? Why did you bring me here? I can’t.” He stands up and starts pulling off his mic. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this. Not here. Not like this.” The crowd gasps as Preston makes his way off the stage.
I look from Jefrey, to the crowd, and then to the side where Preston just left the stage. My body feels heavy, like I have sandbags tied to my ankles. My heart feels weary. What did I just do? He hates me. I want to get up and chase after him—explain my side of things and tell him I’m sorry for embarrassing him. What if he leaves? What if this is the last chance I get?
Without thinking, I find the strength to jump up and chase after him. I run backstage and find him exiting the dressing room. He has his hat and jacket in his hands. He’s really leaving.
“Preston, wait!” I shout as I run to catch up with him.
He spins around to face me, and I’ve never in my life seen this look directed at me—his parents, his brother, or somebody at school, sure. But never me.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe out.
He shakes his head. “What were you thinking, Piper? Did you honestly think doing it this way would work out for you? Huh? Did you think, ‘Hey, maybe he’ll just go along with it to keep from embarrassing me’?”
“No, I just wanted to make a grand gesture, Preston. This secret was big and I wanted you to see—”
“Your secret,” he says, using air quotes, “wasn’t that big of a secret, Piper! I’ve known for years.”
“You have?” I ask, finding myself rethinking every moment we’ve spent together over the years. “Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I didn’t want to hurt you.” He shakes his head and rubs his temples. “I’ve gotta get out of here.”
“But I rode with you,” I point out as he turns to leave.
He stops dead in his tracks, turns around, and pulls out his wallet. “Here, get a taxi. I just . . . need to be alone right now.” He stuffs the cash into my hand. “I’m sorry, Pipes. I just can’t.” Without another word, he turns and leaves.
It’s only now I notice the host and the cameraman standing behind me. They recorded everything. Tears threaten to fall as embarrassment washes over me.
“And cut,” someone yells, just as a production assistant rushes over to me with a clipboard in her hands.
“That was great stuff, Piper. Here’s your copy of the release form.” She hands over the paper like it’s a reminder I already signed it and can’t stop this from getting out. “Your air date will be announced. Thanks for coming in.” Everyone walks away, leaving me standing alone.
Seven
PIPER
It’s a Saturday night and it’s been two weeks since the taping. Tonight is the night my embarrassment airs for the world—or at least the United States—to see. Still, it’s more people watching my rejection than I want. I haven’t talked to Preston since the day he left me standing in the studio alone. I’ve wanted to call him so many times over the last couple weeks, but something’s always stopped me. I’m deathly afraid he’ll call off our friendship. I mean, I couldn’t blame him. I did embarrass him on national TV. But I also keep telling myself to give him some time. Let him calm down so maybe he can see past his embarrassment and anger.
Riley has promised to watch the show and tell me how bad it is. I can’t bring myself to watch it. I’m still living it every day—every
time I close my eyes. I don’t need to see it played out on my 32-inch TV screen in high-def. The only thing I’m happy about is that the show doesn’t air until 11 p.m. How many people are going to watch a low-rated, late-night show on basic cable on a Saturday night? People have lives, you know.
All evening, I’ve been preparing myself for the airing by emptying a bottle of wine. Around 11, I fill the bathtub, adding in my favorite oils and bubbles. I light candles and spread them around the room as I dim the lights. I sink into the tub with my glass of wine and listen as soft music plays.
I finish my glass and am feeling relaxed when my cell rings. That’s when all the stress returns. Riley promised to call after the show to discuss my chances of recovering from the embarrassment.
I tap the screen to answer the call and put it on speaker. “Well?” I ask.
“Ouch,” she says,
I groan. “That bad?”
“The camera followed the two of you off stage. It was like an episode of Springer!”
I fake a crying sound. “It felt like I was on an episode of Springer.”
“Honestly, though, I don’t think it made you look bad. I mean, you were there looking all cute and innocent and hopeful. Then there was Preston. He just looked like a jerk. I mean, he drove you there and left you! If I were you, I wouldn’t feel bad for myself. And I don’t think the rest of the country is looking at you the way you think. Preston on the other hand . . .”
“Well, that’s not good either, Riley. He’s the last person I wanted to be hurt. He’s my best friend and I embarrassed him.”
“Have you talked to him yet?”
“No. It’s been two weeks! We’ve never gone this long without talking. I really screwed up. I miss my best friend.”
“Maybe you should call him,” she suggests.
“No way! Not after that. Not when I made the whole country look at him like he’s the bad guy!”
“Okay. But soon. Promise me you won’t let this tear you two apart.”
I take a deep breath. “When the time is right, I will call,” I promise.
“Good. Now I have a date. Call if you need anything.”
“You have a midnight date?”
“Yes, that cutie I was telling you about asked me out, but I’d already promised to watch the show and I couldn’t let you down.”
I smile. “I love you, you know.”
I can practically hear the smile in her tone. “I know.”
The phone gets disconnected and I drain the tub to go for more wine. I dry off and wrap my silk robe around my body as I walk to the kitchen. I set my wine glass on the counter and open the fridge. There’s a dinging sound I’ve never heard the fridge make before.
Confused, I close the door and open it again to see if it makes the same sound. It doesn’t. I shrug my shoulders and grab the bottle of wine. Just as I’m uncorking it, I hear the sound again, this time realizing it’s the doorbell.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I open the front door that hardly ever gets used since I always go out the garage door. I’m surprised to find Calvin standing on the other side. He’s dressed in a perfectly-tailored suit. His hair is styled nicely and he’s holding a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine.
The moment I see him, I know. He’s seen the show.
“Come to bandage the wounds?” I ask, reaching out and taking the bottle of wine. I turn and leave him at the door as I work on opening the bottle.
He walks in and closes the door behind him. “It wasn’t that bad,” he says, laying the flowers on the coffee table in the living room. I uncork the bottle and take a gulp.
“Wasn’t that bad? You did see the correct show, right? The one where I confessed my love for your bother and got my heart broken?” I take the bottle to the living room and plop onto the couch.
He takes the seat next to me. When he does, his deep, rich scent settles over me. Somehow, I find the smell relaxing—calming. I tip up the bottle and take a long drink before resting my head on his shoulder like always.
“How many times are we going to be here?” I ask, mostly thinking out loud.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been to your place. It’s nice. I like it.”
I laugh. “No, I meant . . . here. Me crying and heartbroken over your stupid brother and you giving me a shoulder to cry on. Aren’t you sick of doing this for me? I’m stupid for still being caught up in him.”
He takes a deep breath and reaches for the bottle. “The show wasn’t bad, Piper. If anything, it just made Preston look like the dick he can sometimes be. He shouldn’t have kissed you. You deserve someone who can love you back.”
“I know. And while I do love Preston, it’s becoming clear it never should’ve gone as far as it did. He’s my best friend and I don’t want to lose him. I just hope he forgives me.”
“He will,” he promises.
“How do you know?”
“Do you know why Preston doesn’t want to be with you?”
“He doesn’t want to ruin our friendship.” I state the same thing I’ve been told time and time again.
“Yes, but that’s not all of it. Preston loves you. You’re his best friend. And I think a part of him does want you in the way you wish he would. You’re beautiful and fun to be around. Any man who’s not attracted to you is stupid. Preston wants you to be another one of his girls, but he knows that could never happen. He isn’t ready to change. He isn’t looking for a relationship. All he’s looking for is a good time. He knows he can’t get away with treating you the way he treats the rest of them. I mean, even if things went great at the beginning, you’d eventually want more, and he’s not willing to give it to anyone. That would cause you to leave him. He needs you so much more than you know. So to him, it’s either have you as his best friend—the person he runs to with every bit of good news, and the person who’s always there to pick him up when he’s down—or take what he wants to take but then not have anyone to run to. I love my brother to death, but he sometimes uses people to feel better about himself. He doesn’t want to hurt you. In my eyes, this is the best thing he’s ever done for you. Now you know where you stand and you can finally move on.”
I lift my head off his shoulder and take the bottle of wine back, enjoying another sip. “What if I don’t find anyone else? What if no one wants to be with me?”
He reaches out and takes away the bottle of wine, setting it on the coffee table in front of us as he turns to look me in the eyes. “That’s never going to happen. You’re beautiful, Piper. You’re a good person. Any guy would be lucky to have you.”
“How am I ever going to get over this embarrassment though? I was abandoned on public television, Calvin!”
He chuckles. “No one’s watching that shit, Piper. I only watched it because Preston told me about it the day it happened. Though I had to do some digging to find out when your episode would air since Preston acted like he couldn’t remember.”
“You really don’t think it was that bad? Or are you just trying to make me feel better?”
He smiles and it causes his dimples to show. “Both,” he answers. His icy eyes light up and it feels like they’re cutting straight into my soul. Why haven’t I ever seen Calvin in this way before? He’s good-looking—drop-dead sexy if I’m being honest. He’s mature—outshining Preston in every way. Sure, Preston is fun, but that’s because he’s still a child in so many ways. Calvin has always seemed to know when I needed a shoulder to cry on, whereas Preston never noticed because he was off having too much fun.
“Thank you, Calvin. For everything. For all the years of talking sense into me, for making me feel better about myself, and everything in between. Growing up, I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t had you in my life.”
His smile stays in place as his hand lands on my knee, gently squeezing. “No problem, Pipes. And don’t worry about Pres. He’ll come around.”
“So, you wanna sit and get drunk with me? Some guy brought
me a bottle of pity wine, and this isn’t my first bottle of the night.” I reach forward and grab the bottle he set down, taking a sip with a smile before handing it over.
“Don’t mind if I do.” He takes the bottle and looks at the label. “Hey, this is good stuff, too. That guy must have good taste.” With a smile of his own, he takes a drink.
We take turns passing the bottle of wine back and forth while talking about the show. Somehow, Calvin makes me see certain things I didn’t notice before. We make fun of the crowd’s dramatic reactions. By their gasps, you would’ve thought I admitting to killing his dog or something. We make fun of cheesy Jefrey. Calvin says he thinks he saw him in an old ‘80s porno, and I lose it. I’m laughing so hard I can’t catch my breath. I laugh until I somehow manage to fall off the couch and onto my ass, which only makes both of us laugh harder.
While laughing, Calvin holds out his hand to help me up. I grab ahold of it, but instead of pulling against him to get up, I pull him down with me. It’s fair to say the good wine did its job. We’re both tipsy and in the giggly phase.
Calvin lands on his hip, which has somehow managed to wedge between my hip and the couch. He’s lingering halfway over me. He has one hand on the floor beside my head. As our laughing settles down, he looks into my eyes and something is exchanged. I wet my lips and lift my head until they’re pressed against his.
I don’t even know why I’m kissing him. All I know is that it feels good. His lips are soft but strong as they slowly start to move against mine. His tongue is sweet, tasting like the wine we’ve been drinking, and his hard body, which is pressed against mine, causes my skin to burn with excitement.
It’s only now I realize I’m only wearing my silk robe. I’m completely naked beneath it, and it would take nothing to push it away and reveal myself to him. I should be worried, but this only excites me more. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. He kisses me back softly and slowly until I nip his lower lip. When I do that, it’s like I threw gasoline on a fire. Something inside him changes and the kiss picks up intensity. Instead of staying at my side, I find him on top of me, his hips between my parted thighs. I feel him harden against my core and I can’t help the soft whimper that escapes. I reach for his belt buckle, but the moment my fingers wrap around it, he breaks the kiss and pulls away. He stands up, pulling me up with him.
The WRONG Brother: A Friends to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Love You Forever Book 1) Page 7