“Why? You’re pretty good at it.”
He doesn’t back up from me, and I can smell the cologne he used to wear.
“If you’d talk to me, I’ll explain.” His fingers graze down my back, goose bumps following his path.
“You’re ready to finally talk?”
“I’ve always been ready, but you’re the one who kept running. This isn’t the place though, not with Mr. Stick Ass two feet away. Here’s a truth though. I’ve waited all night for you to walk through the door. When you did, you didn’t disappoint, except for the scumbag next to you. You’ll always make my heart react when you walk into a room.” His hand molds against my hip, gripping it in his palm.
I suck in a breath while my sight stay glued to Curtis, waiting for him to notice Tanner’s hands on me, the heat radiating between us.
“Save your bullshit for someone else.” I begin to walk away, but his hand grips my wrist and pulls me back into the dark hallway.
His body shelters mine in a tucked away corner by the exit door to the alley. I desperately wish he’d sneak me through the door and slam me against the alley wall. His arm rests above my head while he peers down at me.
“I’ve never bullshitted you, Piper.”
God, my lips tremble, wanting his on mine.
“Stop acting like my presence alone doesn’t make you yearn for my touch. You’re transparent, I know you still want me.”
His other hand flows down my hair, and I only wish he’d grip a fistful and tilt my head, so his lips could devour my neck.
“Here’s a second truth.”
I’m not sure I can keep myself together. His hips pin mine to the wall, and his erection pushes against my stomach.
“I’m trying really hard not to walk out this door and slam into you because, even though I’m positive you’d scratch my skin and pull at my hair while I thrust deep inside you. Then you’d walk back into the bar and allow that piece of shit to take you home.” His two hands cup my face in his palms. “I refuse to take you until you are completely mine again. So, whenever you’re ready to give in to this, let me know.”
He backs away and walks down the hallway, leaving me breathless. Invisibly glued to the wall, I’m stunned at how, after all these years, he continues to manipulate my body into a hot mess.
Grabbing the last ounce of willpower I have, I venture back to the party. Brad’s passing out rounds of shots. Bea and Dylan’s legs are locked together while Curtis fiddles on his phone. Then, a parting of people splits at the bar, and Tanner’s eyes zero in on me while a girl starts talking into his ear. He’s so at ease, leaning against the bar rail, taking a long pull from his beer.
I swallow and then walk toward Curtis.
“Sis!” Brad stumbles over to me with the tray of shots. “Have a shot with me?”
“Maybe I should take yours and mine.” I grab the tray that was ready to topple over out of his hands and place it on a nearby table.
“Aw, I’m fine,” he slurs. He takes a glass, tossing it back before I can stop him.
“Shouldn’t the groom be with his bride?” I ask, eyeing Bayli at a booth all by herself while her friends dance on the small wooden planks, Breakers calls a dance floor, in front of the windows.
She looks pathetic, and even though I hate her, I feel bad for her.
He glances behind himself and then back to me. “I need some time with my sister.” He swings his arm around my shoulders. He hands me a shot glass, and I down it for no other reason but that it will stop Brad’s soon-to-be alcohol poisoning.
“We should do more stuff together.” It’s a classic drunk Brad remark.
“Yeah, we should,” I say, hoping he’ll leave me alone. “But, right now, you should be with your bride.” I rotate his body around and point to Bayli, who is leaned back, her fingers flying off her phone. “She’s probably messaging her dad and telling him to call it off,” I joke.
Brad turns my way. “Maybe that’s a good thing.” He tosses another shot of the dark liquid down before slamming the glass on the table.
“What?” I ask, wondering if he has cold feet.
He looks at me, sad and truthful. I’ve only seen this look one other time with Brad, and it was when things ended between him and Taylor. It’s almost as though he’s in too deep and can’t figure a way out.
For twins, our personalities couldn’t be more different. I speak my mind, most of the time, except for when it comes to Tanner. Brad shelters his true feelings. Anything emotional, he hides deep inside. I hope Brad confides in Tanner.
My eyes automatically drift over to Tanner. He’s staring steadily at us, but the same girl’s hand is now on his thigh, and his legs are locked around hers—just like they used to be with mine.
“Piper?” Brad touches my arm.
I flick my eyes back to him.
“Do you ever think you’ll forgive him?”
“Who?” I play dumb.
When he slightly shakes his head, I know I didn’t fool him.
“You know who I’m talking about.”
My shoulders fall, and it’s my turn to grab a shot now.
When I go for the next one, his hand lands on my arm. “Don’t numb yourself like me.”
There’s a nonverbal understanding between us, and I sense he’s silently giving me permission.
“You should forgive him.”
“I don’t understand how he could do it.” I sit down at the nearby table, my head resting in my hands.
“It was a long time ago.” The chair across from me screeches when it slides out from the table. Brad sits down, his hands on mine, pulling them away from my face.
“I know, but it hurts. It was cheating, no matter which way you take it. I have so many questions.”
“Piper?”
I can’t help but realize how sober Brad appears now.
“What?”
“You love him?” he asks.
I divert my eyes from him, unsure of how to answer. What will his reaction be?
“Don’t say anything. I already know the answer anyway.”
“I’m sorry, Brad.” I feel the tickle in my nose certain tears are going to form soon. My head falls and I concentrate on the table.
“Don’t be. I kind of always knew it.”
“You knew?” I ask, my eyes flying up to meet his.
“Not at the time, but Tanner told me once when he was drunk. It was one of the times I went to see him in Colorado. We were in a bar, dancing and drinking. He wouldn’t hit on this girl, who was a friend of the girl I was with. He went to the bar and got smashed. When I brought him home, I was calling him a pussy and stuff. He started punching things and screaming.” Brad hesitates for a minute. “He loves you, Piper.” The small nod of his head confirms he’s telling me the truth.
A million questions swim through my mind. “You never said anything.”
“He didn’t remember when he woke up the next morning, so I let it rest. I was stupid. It was fresh off my breakup with Taylor. I was a mess, and thought love sucked.” He turns to Bayli, still sitting by herself. “Truth is, I’m just an asshole. I’m not sure I deserve anyone.” His eyes tell me he truly believes it. They’re more anguished than my own.
He stands up and I follow suit, pushing back the tears desperate to pour out.
“That’s not true, Brad.” His arms wrap around me.
“You have to say nice things. You’re my sister,” he says softly. “Decide what you want to do. I’m not going to stand in your way. At least just forgive him, and release him from the guilt, if you want Curtis.” When he pulls back, he kisses my forehead and then lets me go.
Everything Brad just revealed circles around in my head, trying to find a place to land in order to process.
Tanner loves me . . .
Brad knows . . .
He’s okay with it.
With my brain on overdrive, I need to be alone.
“Hey, beautiful.”
My body stiffens when Curtis surprises me from behind.
When I turn around, Curtis is standing there. I’m judging from Curtis’s angry face that he heard Brad talking.