Wrapped in Lace

by Lane, Prescott

  Rob popped the top off two beer bottles and passed me one. “You look like shit,” Rob said. “And I didn’t even hit you.” I couldn’t manage more than a shrug. “Piper?”

  He said her name like I was going to start whaling on him again. “Yeah.”

  “Don’t hit me again, but you really ripped her heart out.” My head darted up, and Rob held up his hands. Nana had said the same thing. “I’m just telling you she was a mess.”

  “She’s with Davis.”

  Rob narrowed his eyes, his forehead wrinkling up. “No, man. They aren’t together.”

  “I saw them.”

  Rob shook his head again. “Bro, I see them hanging out all the time. They aren’t together, though.”

  “Then I guess something changed between them.”

  “I don’t see that.” Rob downed his entire bottle of beer. “Ok, so I know I’ve got no more big brother rights, but I’m going to say this, anyway. Piper was always the girl you were supposed to be with.”

  “Rob. . . .”

  “Had Piper not moved, you two would’ve ended up together. The only reason you even noticed Ellie was because Piper wasn’t around. It was always Piper. She was always the one. You might not ever get the bar or the hometown, but this is your chance to get the girl, the right girl.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  DECEMBER 31, NEW YEAR’S EVE

  DREW

  I was all packed up. I threw my duffle bag in the front seat of my new pickup, then I looked up at my grandmother’s house, where the Christmas decorations were still hanging. I wanted to take everything down for Nana, but she refused to take down a single strand of tinsel until New Year’s Day. Everything was so different from when I arrived just a little over a week ago. I’d made peace with my family, fallen in love, and lost love.

  I looked down the street, the path I’d taken to Piper’s house so many times. I was hoping she’d come skidding into my driveway this time. How could I have been so wrong about her and what we felt for each other? I shook my head and walked inside, into the kitchen.

  Nana and my mom each had a glass of wine in their hands. “We’re starting New Year’s Eve early,” Nana joked. “I can’t stay up until midnight anymore.”

  I smiled. “I really should get on the road and beat all the drunks,” I said, hoping to get out of baking with them. I didn’t want to get into the whole Piper thing again. It just hurt too much. Besides, I’d already heard Nana and Rob’s two cents. I didn’t need another opinion.

  “Nice try,” my mom said, pulling out some bowls and measuring cups. “I’m guessing you never talked to Piper.”

  “No.”

  She handed me some flour and eggs. “Why not?”

  I poured the flour in a sifter and started to grind it through. “No use.”

  “You planning on leaving things unsettled with her for six years?” Nana asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  Mom and Nana both took another drink of wine. “You can’t just leave her so torn up about you. It’s not right. We taught you to treat women better than that.”

  I finished sifting the flour and picked up an egg. “She’s not that upset.”

  “Boy, what are you talking about? We all saw her after you left. She was raw,” Nana said.

  I cracked the egg too hard, and it smashed in my hands. “Dammit.” I tossed it in the trashcan and walked to the sink.

  “You’re in love with her,” my mom said. “Don’t run from that.”

  I dried my hands and leaned back against the sink. “It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t feel the same way.” I looked over at the kitchen island. Mom and Nana were not doing anything but sipping their wine. “What’re we baking, anyway?”

  They both started to laugh. “Nothing.” I just shook my head at them, smiling. These were the two best women on the planet. “Tell us what happened.”

  Piper’s naked body flashed into my mind, and I knew I blushed. “I can’t.”

  Nana waved her hand in the air. “Just leave out the sex.”

  My mom busted out laughing. Nana poured more wine, and I stood there with my jaw on the floor, unable to believe how dirty-minded my Nana was. Guess I came by it genetically. “Well, I was at Hank’s and. . . .” I didn’t think I’d ever tell anyone about Hank’s, but I figured I better start from the beginning. A few hours and a few bottles of wine later, I almost had them totally filled in. “When she said we needed to talk, I thought she was breaking up with me, but then I saw her with Davis—in his arms.” I had to stop talking, tears blocking my throat.

  “Davis? From the car dealership? The one running for mayor?” Nana asked, and I nodded. She busted out laughing.

  Was my love life really so funny? I stared at my mom for a second, but she just raised an eyebrow at me. “Nana?”

  She couldn’t stop laughing. “You haven’t told her how you feel because of Davis? He’s. . . .”

  “Nana, I know you think I’m the greatest, but. . . .”

  “That boy probably has more interest in you than Piper!” Nana cried out.

  “What are you talking about?” my mom asked.

  “That boy is gay,” Nana said again, still chuckling. “He’s no threat to you. He and Piper are friends.”

  “Gay?” Nana had just gone off her rocker. “How do you know?” I asked.

  “Piper and Davis go to a lot of his functions together. Her granddaddy wanted to know if they were dating, why Davis didn’t take her out on proper dates. So she told him. Davis is gay.”

  “Maybe she was just saying that to keep her granddaddy out of her business.”

  Nana shook her head. “He’s not ready to come out publicly. He’s afraid what that will do to his political chances, his uncle’s dealership. He asked Piper if she’d be his date to some of these things because it looks odd for him to be alone all the time.”

  “Why would he ask Piper?” Mom asked.

  “Piper and Davis went to college together. Apparently she realized he was gay back then, even though he was still very much in the closet. When she moved back to McAdenville and he saw her, he asked her not to say anything. His family doesn’t even know. They got to be really close, so she agreed to do this little favor for him. She wasn’t dating anyone, so no one got hurt.”

  “You’re sure? How do you know all this?” I asked. “They never dated in college?”

  “I’m sure. Her granddaddy told me. Piper dated some basketball player in college,” she said as she scratched her head. “He went pro. Damn, what was his name?”

  My head was spinning. I thought back to when I saw Piper and Davis together. I never actually saw anything but them hugging and a kiss on the cheek. Even at the bar on Christmas Eve, there wasn’t any real physical contact between them. Damn, my gaydar was really off.

  My mom took my hand and screamed. “He’s gay. That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. He’s gay!”

  “What the hell?” my dad said, walking in.

  My mom jumped up, taking my dad’s hands. “He’s gay, honey! He’s gay! Isn’t that fabulous?”

  My dad’s eyes turned to me, and I bit the corner of my mouth trying not to laugh, trying not to give anything away. My mom had no idea what she’d just done. My dad stroked the bald spot on his head. “Well, I’m not sure about fabulous, but he’s my son either way.” I busted out laughing as my mom began swatting my dad over and over again.

  “Not Drew, you old fool. Davis! Davis is gay! He’s not with Piper.” My mom rolled her eyes and squeezed me tightly. “Go talk to her.”

  I started for the door but stopped. “She still said she didn’t want to come to Raleigh. I still don’t think she feels. . . .”

  “Shut up and go talk to her,” Nana said, pushing on my back. “Fight for her. Make her love you. Show her how much you want her. Go!”

  But I didn’t move, remembering the last words I said in front of her. My stomach lurched. She couldn’t possibly think she meant nothing to me, could she? �
�I think I screwed up too bad.”

  “When you mess up on a piece of furniture, what do you do?” Nana asked.

  “That’s different.”

  “Drew, you’ve been taking things that are broken and battered and fixing them since you were little. It’s what you do,” Mom said.

  “With wood, not people. I’m not as good with people,” I said, looking at my mom, dad, and Nana. It had taken me years to repair things with our family.

  “Remember Pop’s ring,” Nana whispered, cupping my face. “When something is broken, you don’t throw it out. You fix it.”

  *

  PIPER

  Some New Year’s Eve this was. I’d locked myself in my studio after seeing Drew by our bench. I couldn’t seem to face the world, and I didn’t want to bump into him again looking like the hot mess I was. Besides, he hadn’t made any attempt to get in touch with me. I checked my phone every ten minutes, so I’d know if he had. It was pathetic, but I couldn’t help it. I’d promised myself I’d take the pregnancy test on New Year’s Day, first thing, so I’d go into the New Year knowing. What a difference ten days can make? I pulled out the pregnancy test from my purse, telling myself I’d do it at midnight. I had no one to kiss, so this seemed like a good plan.

  Davis had texted me repeatedly, worried about me. He really was a dear friend. He insisted on seeing me, so I told him to meet me at Hank’s. I hated being forced out of my self-imposed isolation, but at least I’d be close to my cave.

  I walked in, seeing Davis fidgeting on the barstool where Drew had sat just a few days ago. I had to smile. Davis looked so out of place, his hair neatly combed, his tux picture-perfect. He was going to a big New Year’s Eve event in Charlotte, which I was thankful for. I knew he wouldn’t be able to stay long, hounding me. I preferred to wallow alone. I took a seat beside him as he leaned in, kissing my cheek.

  “You just ruined your chances of meeting a bear,” I teased him.

  Davis shuddered. “Not my scene.”

  “That’s right, you prefer jocks,” I said, elbowing him in the side.

  “Jesus Christ, when are you going to let that go?” He laughed at me. This was a running joke between us. Davis and I were only acquaintances as kids in McAdenville, but we really became friends in college. He was older than me, but we both had a crush on the same guy. Well, I should say he had a crush on my boyfriend, who just happened to be his roommate, who just happened to have no idea Davis was gay or that Davis was in love with him.

  “Never! Besides, you didn’t miss much. That guy was a horrible lay.”

  Davis gave me a devilish grin. “Maybe he was gay after all?”

  I busted out laughing. It felt good. “You can hope.”

  “I really wanted to hate you back then, but you were just so damn nice,” Davis said.

  “So, you got drunk and confessed everything to me instead?”

  “It seemed like a good idea at the time. I still can’t believe how cool you were about it—never said a word.” Davis slid a sack in front of me. “I brought you a burger.” He pinched my cheek slightly. “You look like hell.” Then he motioned for Hank.

  “I shouldn’t drink,” I whispered to Davis.

  “Right, I forgot.” He turned back to Hank and put down a twenty. “Waters.”

  “Thanks.”

  He slid the sack closer to me. “Seriously, eat. It’s got ketchup, pickles, mustard, and cheddar cheese, just the way you like it.”

  “Fries?” I asked, licking my lips. Salty fries with cold ketchup sounded so good. Shit, maybe I was pregnant, and this was a pregnancy craving. I looked away. Could Drew be missing our baby’s first craving? How many other things will he miss? How many other moments would I go through alone, or with some poor substitute?

  “Yep, I went to two different places. One for your favorite burger, and one for your favorite fries.” He opened up the sack and placed it in front of me. It did smell good, so I took a little bite. “You have to take care of yourself, especially right now.”

  He didn’t have to say it, but I knew what he was insinuating—for the baby. “I haven’t taken the test yet.”

  “I don’t want you taking that test alone,” Davis whispered. “I’ll be there with you.”

  My eyes started to well up. “Thank you.”

  He wrapped me in a hug. “Piper, I’ll be there for the whole damn thing, if you need me.” He pulled back and looked in my eyes. “Lamaze, the birth, whatever. Hell, you can stay with me, and I’ll help with the feedings. Anything!”

  “That’s hardly part of our arrangement.”

  “No, but it’s part of our friendship.” I rested my head on his shoulder as he held up the burger for me to take a bite. “And I’m ending our arrangement.”

  My head shot up. “Why?”

  “I’m going to come out publicly.” Davis smiled at me. “It’s time.”

  “You met someone?”

  “No, you met someone.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “I saw you fall in love with Drew in two seconds flat. I want that, and as long as I’m hiding, I won’t ever have that.”

  “But I’m a mess, Davis.” I tugged at my tangled blonde hair. “You don’t want this.”

  “Piper, I’ve never been in love, never been heartbroken. Trust me, I want it, even if it means pain. Would you take back the last week with Drew to avoid this pain now?”

  “No,” I whispered. I was scared this might have been the best week of my life, that I might not ever get to feel that way again, and I wouldn’t trade it, even with all the pain I was feeling right now. I took his hand. “I’m there for you. Whatever happens when you come out, I’m there for you.”

  He gently patted my stomach. “Me, too. Make sure Drew knows that. This baby will have a gay uncle.”

  I smiled briefly at the thought. “But I don’t think Drew’s coming back for me.”

  “Then he doesn’t deserve you. And your baby will have me as a gay daddy, then.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  DREW

  I drove my pickup like a NASCAR driver all over McAdenville looking for Piper. Her granddaddy was so angry when I knocked on his door, he refused to let me inside and slammed the door in my face. I knocked for almost an hour before Mr. Nelson finally came out to the porch and talked to me. He scolded me for making Piper so sad, lectured me on how to treat a woman, then finally listened to my apology and pleas for help. It actually turned out to be a nice conversation, ending with a handshake, his blessing, and best wishes. But he didn’t know where Piper was. She’d called and checked in with him but never said where she was.

  If Piper hadn’t been home in a few days like her granddad said, then there was only one other place she could be. I walked up the stairs and put my hand on the doorknob, hoping and praying I was right—that she was inside. I tried to steady my mind from the past few days. Piper had occupied my every thought. I was in love with her, but I was sure she hadn’t felt the same way. But why would she lock herself away and refuse to talk to anyone if she wasn’t upset over me? I knew it was a long shot, but I couldn’t go back to Raleigh without at least trying. I loved her, and I needed to tell her, even if she rejected me. I had to try.

  I slowly opened the door. The room was dim, only a few small lamps casting light into the space, but I immediately saw Piper on the floor, asleep with her head resting on a canvas. I shut the door softly and quietly walked over to study her face. There were tear stains on her cheeks. This wasn’t the face of a woman who didn’t care about me. She’d been in here crying over me for days, and I was so stupid thinking she wanted Davis. I couldn’t resist touching her, so I reached out and gently stroked her hair. She looked sad as she slept, wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans. I glanced around the room, which was messier than the last time I saw it. I could barely see the floor. Almost every square inch was littered with canvases, and I recognized each one—my lips, my smile, my hands. She’d sketched me over and over again. I shook my h
ead, confused, and my eyes landed on the baby cradle in the corner of the room. I walked over and bent down next to it. She’d finished it. It was painted cream with pink roses and green vines. We hadn’t talked about that pattern, but it was perfect.

  “That’s what I’d want my daughter to have.”

  I heard Piper’s voice and turned around, seeing her lifting her head off the canvas, charcoal stains on the side of her face and fingers. “I love you, Piper!” I cried out like a total idiot. I’d rehearsed telling her a hundred times, and I just blurted it out. My voice wasn’t soft and sincere like I planned. I wasn’t holding her tenderly, looking into her eyes. Hell, I almost screamed it at her. Dammit!

  “What?” she asked.

  I walked closer, sidestepping the canvas, determined to get it right this time. I steadied my voice and reached out for her. “I love you. I’m so sorry about what I said—about leaving like that.”

  She stepped away. “Why are you here?”

  I stopped moving towards her. “I just told you. I’m in love with you and. . . .”

  “Then where have you been because I know you were in town. Why are you here now?”

  “I was working some things out with my family.”

  “And you just figured out you loved me and rushed over?”

  “I knew I loved you the moment I left. I wanted to get my act together—straighten out shit with my family before I told you. I had this whole plan and. . . .”

  “Then where have you been?” she screamed. “Why haven’t you called me?”

  I froze for a second, not used to seeing her so angry. She really was a wreck—a beautiful one. But still, she’d never screamed like that before. “I saw you with Davis at the dealership, and I thought you wanted him.”

  “It’s more likely he’d want you, you idiot. He’s gay.”

  “I know that now. But I thought he might’ve been the ex you told me about, and. . . .”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “You said the guy was older and then I saw his diploma in his office and realized you went to school together, and it just sort of made sense.”