“Can’t a guy make conversation around here,” he asked as he stepped away, his hands held out in front of him.
“Just leave my sister alone, Jack-ass,” Luke called after him. We all watched as the two guys walked away. The further they got the lower everyone’s shoulders went until we finally relaxed. Everyone except Piper.
“What the hell was that about?” My muscles ached from being held so tense.
“Piper-” Luke ignored my question, turning instead to Piper with concerned eyes.
“Leave it,” Piper said through clenched teeth as she rose from her seat, her empty lunch tray clutched tightly in her hand.
Luke took a step toward her, then hesitated, indecision plain on his face.
“I’ll go,” Dannika said, rising to her feet. Looking torn, they all watched as Piper rushed from the room.
“No, let her cool off first,” Luke said, although he looked ready to run after her himself.
Just let her go?
Like hell.
Chapter 13
Piper
It’s been the same since elementary school when my freakish DNA kicked in and up I shot. It was why they called Luke ‘Little Man’. As twins, one might expect that we would be more similar. In a lot of ways we were, but physically, Luke was more like my mom and I, well, I supposed I was more like the sperm donor.
The summer between third and fourth grade, I grew two inches. Over the next year, I grew another three making me the tallest kid in our whole school. Luke kept pace with the other guys and became ‘Little Man’ (compared to me), while I became String Bean, Sasquatch, Eiffel Tower, Neander-tall, etc, etc, etc.
It started out as stupid school yard crap. I hated it, but I tolerated it. Luke got into more fights as each year progressed and the teasing morphed into bullying. Middle school was almost more than I could take. The boys around me were starting to catch up and that’s when things began to get physical. The taunting was accompanied by pushes. Getting tripped in the hallway. I’d even been cornered by a group of football players. I’d never been so scared in my entire life. Thankfully Luke and Jared showed up and Luke got in the biggest fight ever. He and Jared got ISS for two days due to a zero-tolerance policy and the guys who cornered me got nothing but a beating.
I wished I knew why they chose to focus on me.
Nothing improved in high school. And basketball became my medicine. I knew I could succeed on the basketball court. I wasn’t just tall, I was good. I was predicted to be the best female player in the state this year and I intended to prove I them right. Dealing with Jack Fawcett and his stupid friends was the last thing I needed to deal with.
No distractions.
I didn’t make it far after leaving the cafeteria. How humiliating! And in front of Drew- the one guy that actually looked at me with something other than pity. Leaning over, I braced my hands on my thighs and tried to control my breathing. I’d never dated any of our friends because over the years they’d all become my brothers- each of them fighting for me the same as Luke. They all knew the shame I’d been dealing with since I was nine. It wasn’t attractive being the object of constant torment.
Tears streamed down my face, making me angry. I didn’t want them to have this power over me anymore.
“Piper.”
Of course.
“Just go, Drew. I’m okay.” I kept my back to him, swiping at my eyes, trying to prepare myself to see a new look in his eyes. One that said he didn’t want to kiss me anymore now that he knew the truth.
I tensed as his hand touched my shoulder, the heat from his body warm at my back. Without warning, his arms came around my waist, holding me close to his chest. Closing my eyes, I wished his scent wasn’t so familiar, the feel of his arms not so much like coming home.
“Don’t do this,” I begged him. “I’m okay.”
“I’m not.” His voice was low and husky by my ear.
“Friends.” The word caught in my throat, reminding us both what we were. “Just friends.”
His arms loosened just enough to reposition our bodies until we faced each other. Much as I wanted to, I couldn’t avoid his gaze. His blue eyes burned like the hottest flame, surprising me, warming me with their heat. I’d expected pity, maybe even a bit of revulsion. But the emotion I saw was anything but. Instead there was anger, remorse, and compassion. And beneath it all, I saw something else, something that made my heart race when I wanted it to remain calm.
Friends.
Drew nodded. “We are friends.”
I glanced down at his arms around me and then met his eyes once more.
He grinned. His smile was equal parts humor and mischief. “Friends can give friends hugs, can’t they?”
His arms tightened around me and I nodded. What else could I do?
As though he’d been waiting for my permission his body relaxed and he pulled me close. His arms wrapped around me until I was fully enclosed in- well, in Drew.
I’d never felt a father’s hug. The closest I’d come was from my grandfather, but we weren’t that close. Mom’s family wasn’t especially affectionate. Surprise, surprise. Luke hugged me every now and then, but his hugs were quick and usually ended with him stuffing my face in his armpit. But Drew’s hug-
Drew’s hug inspired feelings that ran the emotional spectrum. In the space of just a few seconds, I felt comforted. Protected. Safe.
And somehow, at the same time, I felt vulnerable. Feminine. Desired. Every sense, every nerve was in tuned to Drew. I wanted to sink into him and never climb out. I was enveloped in his arms, his scent, and the memories of what it felt like to have his undivided attention.
But he didn’t want a relationship. Friends with chemistry, but still just friends. Comfort was all he offered. I decided to take it- for just a moment more.
“Better,” he asked, his lips still dangerously close to my ear.
“Infinitely,” I responded before I could stop myself.
“Good.” His mouth curved into a smile.
It was time to pull away. “Thank you.” I pulled what little dignity I had left around me like a cloak. I was going to need all the strength I could muster to overcome the feelings of embarrassment and abject humiliation I was experiencing now that they were no longer being drowned out by my reaction to him.
“Want to talk about it?” I could tell by the look in his eyes he knew what the answer to that question would be, but he’d had to ask anyway.
I shook my head. “Not even a little.”
Drew nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’m here if you change your mind.” His shoulders shifted in the direction of the cafeteria. People were beginning to drift out the door. “I need to get my stuff.”
I watched as he hesitated, the top half of his body leaning to go, the bottom firmly planted beside me.
“I’m fine, Drew. I’ll see you later.” He needed me to let him off the hook. As I turned away from him, my back and shoulders straight, I realized that underneath it all, Drew was a nice guy and someday I’d probably come to the realization that I was lucky he was my friend.
Drew
She walked away from me again. I fought the instinct to go after her- again. I wouldn't. I wanted to. Piper pulled at me like no girl ever had and I was angry about it. Just when I finally figured out what I wanted, what I needed in my life, or didn’t need, I found her. It didn’t matter. The lessons I’d learned were too fresh in my memory to toss them aside, to take a chance. I didn’t know if there would ever be enough time, enough distance, to forget them. And so I did what I didn’t want to do-
I let her go.
Chapter 14
Piper
The days settled into a predictable pattern. Luke had kept his word about painting over the graffiti on our parking spot. Covering Sasquatch and Little Man, he’d painted the whole thing black and then put our names and jersey numbers in royal blue. I still thought of those words, though, whenever we pulled into the parking lot.
AP B
io was a fresh hell all its own. After that first day, since I didn’t waste my time going to my locker, I was sure to be seated at our table long before Drew strolled into class just before the bell rang. And while he seemed calm and cool all the time, I felt like I was roasting in an inferno of attraction. Worst of all, he seemed to know it.
“Piper. You-hoo, Piper!”
“What?” I swatted Drew’s snapping fingers away from my face.
“Aren’t you paying attention? We’re supposed to go over our answers from last night’s homework.” He waved a packet of stapled papers.
“Ugh.” I dropped my head on my folded arms on the table.
“What is your deal? Are you sick or something?” He rested his hand on my shoulder and I didn’t even have the energy to shrug it off.
“Or something,” I mumbled into my elbow. I wished he would just leave me alone. I should have stayed home today.
“Well, where is your homework?” He removed his hand and reached for my backpack. I vaguely registered him unzipping the largest pouch. “Why is there so much crap in here? You’re going to have to go to a chiropractor carrying all this junk in here.”
He rustled around some more. “Which one is Biology?” He must have found my binder with all the colored folders.
“Green.”
Turning my head just enough to see him, I watched as he pulled the packet from the folder before replacing the binder in my bag.
“You didn’t finish,” he whispered. Mr. McGowan was walking around, checking everyone’s work.
“I’m dying. Just leave me alone.”
“Piper, this packet is worth fifty points. What is your problem?”
“Nothing. I didn’t get the packet finished. I’ll just have to make up the points later.” I didn’t even care.
I opened my eyes to find Drew staring at me, indecision plain on his face. “Okay.”
Okay. I closed my eyes. I just wanted to sleep. And swallow a whole container of pain pills. Beside me, Drew began rustling again. Dragging one lid open, I watched him pack up his stuff after packing up mine.
“What are you doing?”
“Mr. McGowan.” Drew raised his hand to get the teacher’s attention.
“Yes, Mr. Thompson.”
“Piper’s not feeling well. Can I take her to the nurse’s office?”
“No, I’m fine-” Drew’s hand on my arm quieted my protest.
“You are not fine,” he said in my ear.
Mr. McGowan studied us over the top of his glasses for a moment before nodding.
Drew didn’t waste any time slinging my backpack over one shoulder and his over the other. “Okay, let’s go.”
I didn’t want to move. I wanted to curl up on the floor and stay there until it went away. Drew slid an arm under mine and helped me to my feet. Ugh. That was worse. I groaned.
Drew hustled me out the door and into the hall. Instead of going directly to the nurse, Drew turned to me. “What is wrong with you?”
“I’m not telling you.” If I wasn’t hurting so much I’d be mortified.
“What do you mean, you’re not telling me?” He was bewildered and I was glad.
“Just give me my bag. I can make it to the nurse on my own.” I reached for my bag on his shoulder. He moved out of my reach.
“No. This thing is so heavy I don’t think you can carry it in the state you’re in.”
I didn’t have the energy to fight him. Gosh, it was horrible. I just wanted some pain meds and ice cream. Chocolate ice cream with sprinkles.
We passed a vending machine on our way to the nurse and I just couldn’t pass it by. I didn’t have a single dollar to my name but I hugged the vending machine like it was my new best friend.
“What are you doing?”
“Just look at it?”
“Look at what?” He sounded as baffled as he looked.
“All that chocolate,” I breathed.
“For shit’s sake, Piper.” As exasperated as the words came out, he didn’t try to drag me away. Glancing up and down the hallway once before focusing back on me, he gestured to the vending machine. “Well, aren’t you going to get something?”
“I don’t have any money,” I whimpered.
“Right.” Drew dropped my bag to the floor and dug in his pocket. He pulled out a worn black leather wallet attached to the chain at his waist.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to do that.” I tried to push his hand back toward his pocket.
He ignored me and removed a ten. “I have more money than I know what to do with. What do you want?”
I whimpered again. “All of it.”
Drew snorted and inserted the bill into the machine. After a quick perusal of the options he started entering letters and numbers into the keypad. One after another, candy bars fell to the bottom of the machine. Drew bent, pushing the door open and collecting the bars in his large hand.
“Here.” He held them out. I picked one, a Kit-Kat, and immediately broke open the package. I didn’t even stop to break apart the sections, just bit into the top.
“Urm. Um. So good,” I moaned, taking another bite.
Drew watched in horror. “You’re a monster, you know that, right? Who eats a Kit-Kat like that?”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” I told him around a third bite of chocolate.
Drew rocked back on his heels, watching me through new eyes. “Girl stuff. This,” he gestured to me, “is about girl stuff?”
“You have no idea what it’s like.” I shoved the last bite of chocolate into my mouth and reached for another bar from his hand which was hanging forgotten, outstretched between us.
“I thought you were,” he stopped himself, dragging his other hand through his hair. “Good grief, Piper. I thought there was something really wrong with you.”
“There is,” I insisted, breaking open a package of peanut butter cups. I held one in front of my nose, inhaling deeply.
Drew rolled his eyes. “Do you need to go to the nurse or not?”
“Not. I’d really rather not.” This has happened before and going to the nurse always meant a lot of unnecessary red tape. I just needed to go home and take care of things myself.
Shaking his head, Drew took my arm and half-dragged, half-pushed me down the hall. He reached into his pocket again and pulled out his cell phone.
“Who are you calling?” I didn’t really care but it seemed like I should.
“The one person I know who can do anything.” He waited until who ever this person was answered the phone while continuing to march me out the front door of the school. It seemed right that he had the guts to just leave without a word to anyone.
“Yeah, mom, my friend is sick and we need to bypass the office, can you call us in? Yeah, for the rest of the day. Her name is Piper Hines. No, I’m not skipping to make out with some girl, but thanks for making things more awkward than they already are.” He paused and our eyes met. He rolled his a little and grinned. We were almost to his car and once we reached it, he popped the trunk and tossed both our bags into it. “Fine, I’ll do it, just make the call, please. Right, see ya.”
With an exaggerated sigh, Drew disconnected the call and led me to the passenger seat. He opened the door and held my elbow as I lowered myself into the leather seat with a sigh. Sitting was definitely better than standing.
Drew made his way into his seat, tossing the remaining candy bars into my lap. After starting the car, he headed toward the parking lot exit. My house was only a few minutes away. Neither of us said anything until he pulled into my driveway.
“Did you really just call your mom to get us out of school today?” I was still curled against the door, not at all sure I was ready to move yet.
“Yep.” He leaned back against his seat with a sigh.
“You know, I could have just had Luke bring me home,” I said, closing my eyes and wishing for death. Or at least a heating pad.
“Yeah, but then I would have had to stay a
t school all day.”
“Good point.” My bed was calling my name. “Are you coming in?”
“I probably better make sure you get settled.”
“In that case, can you help me get inside?”
Drew snorted. “You really are something, Piper.” But he opened his door and began to get out.
“Great. We can discuss that later. Much later. After a large dose of ibuprofen and a bowl of ice cream.” He made it over to my side of the car and after opening my door, put his arm around my back and half lifted me out.
Mom was at work. I’d have to text her before the school called her. I wasn’t sure what kind of magic powers Drew’s mom had but I doubted Miss Higgins, the attendance secretary was going to be as easy to deal with as Drew assumed.
Drew
Piper punched in a code on the garage door, opening it. She stepped away from me, quickly moving to the door leading into her house. I followed. I probably should have just dropped her off and let her deal with her issues on her own, but for some reason I couldn’t. I wanted to be with her. Even if she was dealing with girl issues and that kind of grossed me out.
She didn’t even make it to her room, just plopped face first on the couch in her living room. Well, I’d volunteered for this mess, I might as well make myself useful.
“Okay, what do you need,” I asked, rubbing my hands together and glancing around like the answer to that question would be somewhere other than with Piper herself.
“Drugs,” came the muffled reply from the couch.
“Right. Drugs.” I began by the kitchen sink, looking through bins in the window sill and the skinny cabinet beside it. Bingo. “What kind?” I pulled a plastic bin out of the cabinet that had everything from Tylenol to antibiotic cream.
“Ibuprofen. Prescription.”
I rifled through the bin, looking for an orange prescription bottle. Once I found it, I set it on the counter and replaced the bin into the cabinet. I opened a couple more looking for a glass. I found one and filled it with water from the dispenser on the fridge door. After reading the label on the bottle, I fished out one mega pill and walked back to Piper in the living room.
Dating: One on One: Eastridge Heights Basketball Book 1 Page 9