“I’m being pushed out of your life because I want a career, and I’m not ready to settle down yet?” Tears flooded down my face.
“We’re just at different places in our lives, and that can’t be ignored. I won’t ignore that again like I did before with Mia. I want you to have your dream career and all the travels that come with your program,” he said quietly.
“What if I don’t go back?” I mumbled.
He frowned at me. “Because of me? I’d never be happy being your regret.”
“Brody?” A nurse stepped up. “Would you mind coming with me?”
He caressed the sides of my face and kissed me lightly on my lips. “Come by the room and say goodbye to Seren when you’re ready.”
And Him. Sobs wracked my body.
“I wish I could stay, but I must go. I might be all she has left.” He hugged and kissed my face. I got hold of myself enough for him to stand. He wiped his chin and followed the nurse, walking away with my heart.
I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I couldn’t stay here. Brody was leaving, and the trip was over. Aunt Luna wasn’t back yet. I didn’t want to go back to Boston, but there was no choice. I had to speak with my mom. I had told Royce I would tell her everything anyway. I took out my phone and called her. After a few rings, she answered.
“What do you want?” she said snarkily.
My mouth dropped open. “Mom. It’s me. Piper.”
“I know it’s you. I asked what you want with me,” she snipped.
“Stop being silly. Is this because of Royce? He threatened me—” I said.
“I don’t have time for more of your lies. You lied to me about going to Aunt Lunas. You ran off with some random biker and have been shacking up with him like some common whore,” she spat out.
“It wasn’t like that,” I murmured.
“What was it like? Royce told me everything. You actually tried to blackmail him into silence—”
“Blackmail him with what? I didn’t try to blackmail him at all. He was the one trying to blackmail me! I caught him fondling my panties—”
“Shut up,” She screamed. “I won’t hear it. He told me everything. He said you would try to say he was inappropriate with you. You even stooped as low as sending him a photo of yourself?! He said he deleted the rest so as not to upset me.”
“He blackmailed me into sending one photo of my face. There was never any more,” I spoke over her.
“You’d do anything to mess up the life I tried to give us, but not anymore. You’re grown. Well, now you’re on your own. I’ve canceled my card. I told Royce to take back the money he gave you, but he was too good and decided to let you keep it. He said he forgives you, but I don’t. You can forget about getting money for college from us. You won’t be on our taxes next year. So take that time to find a job and work your way through school,” she said.
“You act like you were supporting me through school. You didn’t. Father’s money, scholarships, and loans, paid for my school these last two years. The money you gave only just covered some of my dorm cost. This was the year I needed you, and now you pulled the rug from under me and you believe that pervert’s lies. You’re pathetic,” I bit back.
“Enough. I won’t listen to another word of your lies. He wants me, not you,’ she said in a tiny voice.
“I love you, Mom. You’ll realize that one day. Just like you’ll realize you married a disgusting pervert that tried to whore your daughter,” I said.
“Never call me again,” she hissed and hung up on me.
I ran to the bathroom and vomited. I rinsed my mouth in the sink and splashed my face. My whole world was crumbling around me. I needed to find somewhere to go. I didn’t want to call Jorge and listen to his I told you so, but Fiona and Doc would be here soon, and I would need to leave. So I called the last person on earth I thought I would call. He answered on the first ring.
“Piper, is that you, my beautiful godchild?” Hatchet had a happy disposition for a guy whose weapon of choice is a hatchet, which he used quite freely if all the stories were true.
“I’m . . .” I sobbed.
“What’s wrong? Where are you?” he asked.
“I’m in Chicago. Jorge said you were in Milwaukee. Can you come and get me?” I asked.
“You calling me? Whoa. You must have hit your last resort though I’m surprised my son would leave you stranded,” he said.
“He doesn’t know. Please don’t tell him,” I hiccupped.
“Calm down. You sit tight and give me the address. I’ll come and get you,” he said. I told him where I was as the other line rang. Mom, calling to apologize? “I’ve got to go.”
“Alright. See you soon,” Hatchet said, and I clicked over.
“Hello.”
“Piper. It’s Professor Gilmore. I called to let you know I got your preliminary report. I have my ten.”
I took out some tissues from my bag and wiped my eyes again. “Well, good for you. I don’t care anymore about proving myself to you. If you’d bothered to open your eyes and look around, you’d find there was plenty you’ve missed up on your high horse. I’m done running around. I’ll be a fucking broadcaster. But it looks like I’m not coming back next semester so let me leave you these parting words, you’re a fucking dick.” I caught my breath, and he started laughing. Great, now he’s crazy.
“Now, that wasn’t the greeting I expected from one of my chosen, but if you find a way to come back to school, give this dick a call.” He hung up.
I stared at the phone.
“Piper.”
I looked up, and there was Fiona.
I put my phone away and took the hug she had ready for me.
“God, I’m going to miss you,” Fiona said. “You know I talked it over with Doc, we would be happy to have you come to Madison for a few days if you want.”
“Yeah. We know this is all very sudden,” Doc said as he headed for the Nurse’s station, presumably for an update.
“No, I have a ride coming. I’ll be okay,” I said.
“She’s taking visitors now,” Doc said as he walked back from conferring with a nurse.
“Okay,” I dabbed over my face and took a deep breath. “Great. I’d like to say goodbye,” I followed them back to Seren’s room. It was ajar now. Brody sat in a chair next to her. I covered my gasp. She looked so fragile in the bed. She was sitting up on the bed with the TV on, wearing a hospital gown. Her short pink wig, slightly askew. Our eyes met, but then she quickly averted hers.
“It’s okay, Seren. I understand,” I said, and she gave me a weak smile and opened her arms. I went into them.
“We’re going to Colorado Springs for a while until Brody sells his house. Please stay in touch. We may get together and finish the trip. I’d love to have you come. What I’m trying to say is, I want us to stay friends,” she said, her voice going up an octave at the end. Could we share? For a while, I suspected, but deep down I would resent her. I loved her and wouldn’t want to feel that way about her. Even though it hurt like hell, I cared too much to try to take Brody from Seren. I had to let him go.
“Of course, we are, beautiful, Serendipity. Stay just as you are,” I said and tugged her wig in place.
She then gave me a timid look. “That sounds too much like a goodbye. I love you, Piper. I would be devastated if you disappeared.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I love you too,” I said and rose.
“See you soon,” she said.
“See you soon,” I said and walked out the door.
“I’ll come down and wait with you. Let Seren visit Doc and Fiona and get some rest,” Brody said.
“Good idea,” she said to him.
We walked out together and waited for Doc and Fiona to have their visit. We followed them down to the caravan and collected my things and took a seat together in the lobby. After a while, Brody rose.
“I’ll check on Seren, but I’ll come down again before you go. Please let me know,” he said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I want to see you, and this is hard for me too,” Brody said, and my heart lurched. I nodded, and he gave me a kiss on the cheek and left.
I didn’t know how many hours I sat there, but boy was Hatchet taking his damned time. I called him a couple of times, but he was always on his way. My phone chimed with a text.
“I didn’t hear from you, but I’m on my way back down.”
I looked up, and there was Brody and my heart staggered.
“Who is picking you up? I could get you a plane ticket,” he offered.
“I’m not flying. My ride will be here soon.”
“How are you getting home? Did you tell your mom about that bastard?” He asked.
“Not your concern, Broderick,” I said in a fake bored tone. I fixed my purse high on my shoulder.
“I’m having a hard time letting you go. I think it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said. I looked and saw his pale greys were watery. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too,” I said and choked. He grabbed me up in a tight hug. “I wish it could be different.” He kissed over my face. His phone sounded and I let him go, enough to look over his message. His face lit. “Cole. He didn’t send a message because he was on his way home.”
“That’s great news,” I said. The sound of the bikes pulling up near the front entrance vibrated the doors next to the waiting room where we were standing. Once they shut off. I told him my new plan, “That’s my ride. I’m not going back to Boston. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying out on the road.”
“Like hell you are. You’re not throwing away your future to stay out here,” he gritted.
“She’s not. She’s taking her ass back to college.”
I turned around, and there was Jorge. His expression, solemn.
My mouth dropped open. “Jorge?! Hatchet . . .”
“He called me the second he got off the phone with you. He got me a drug-money emergency ticket. I guess I’ll have to be a defense lawyer after all. Say goodbye and let’s go,” Jorge demanded.
I turned back to Brody whose intense gaze made my heart weep. I went to fill his arms. “You are loved inside and out and for all eternity.” He pulled back from me. His expression blank.
“Yes, love Brody. If I don’t see you again, you need to know that I love you, and you crushed my heart,” I choked.
“Love won’t solve this. Loving each other isn’t enough,” Brody’s voice faltered.
“You’re enough for me, Brody,” I whispered.
He moved me out of his arms. His eyes clouded over. “You need to go now . . . get out of here.” His tone was harsh and should have made me recoil. But instead I tried to touch him again, hoping to reach what we shared together. He forcefully shook his head. His arms denying my advance. He’d already let me go.
I shook where I stood, crying before him until Jorge tugged my waist. I didn’t resist. I turned and cried into his shoulder as he held me and led me out to the bikes.
I saw Hatchet, and he gave me a sheepish grin. “We’re here. Why are you crying?”
I couldn’t speak past the lump in my throat. Thankfully Jorge spoke for me.
“She’s upset. It’s a long story,” he explained. Hatchet accepted it.
“I have a car rented,” Jorge let me go and took my bags. Hatchet got off his bike and kissed my cheeks. “Did you know my son dropped everything to come and get you?”
“Leave her alone,” Jorge groaned.
I looked at him. “Thank you. I . . .”
“Don’t worry. I’m fine,” he said.
“Can I ride?” I asked Hatchet. He looked at Jorge, who reluctantly agreed.
Hatchet got on his bike, and I climbed on behind him. Once Jorge got in his car. I turned back toward the hospital. And there was Brody outside, smoking a cigarette and staring at me. I wiped my chin and gave him a little wave before we rode off into the night.
And I’d never felt so sad. And I’d never felt so free.
END OF PART ONE
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
ALSO BY AMÉLIE S. DUNCAN
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Piper Dreams: Dream it, Seize it, Live it. (Dreams Series Book 1) Page 22