Sound of Silence(49)

"Just wedd-" The word dies in my mouth.

Another squeal-this one from Cara. She flies to the door with JT in the crook of her arm and choke-holds into a hug with a stranger, a new face, one I haven't seen in town before today. And I would have remembered, because this woman is unforgettable in a breathtakingly gorgeous kind of way.

"Cara, you're supposed to call when you have another kid. This is life-altering shit that deserves conversation."

"Gah, he's not mine. This fine fellow is Piper and Justin's. Doesn't he look exactly like him?"

The stunner nods, bending to gush over my son and when she does, piles of dark brown, almost black curls fall forward and off her shoulders, exposing a sleeve of colorful tattoos on one arm.

"God, who would've thought Justin would settle down and procreate? But here we have another Weber in the world to melt hearts and drop panties."

"Leah!" Cara says, turning toward me.

Leah the girlfriend? Leah the Playboy Playmate follows Cara's lead. Her lined eyes scream confidence, and with her plush body and generous curves fitted closely to a lace tank and daisy dukes, she oozes sex and sin and dirty, bad deeds in the most beautiful way. I pale in comparison, on so many levels. I blink against the striking pierce of her intimidating stare, and even as I draw myself to full height and curse the cute lacey sundress I donned post-shower, I know I can't compete. Not even in power heels and a leather tube dress that would push my tits to my chin.

Leah's full lips curve in a smile. I stare like a dumb ass as she walks forward with a lifted hand. I can't move, struck dumb by her full red lips, and my paralysis seems to broaden her grin. She just lets her fingers hang in the air, waiting for me to get onboard her train.

On the train or off, Piper?

"Nice to meet you," I think I say. Yes, I'm sure I do, because we're shaking now.

Ex or not, she had Caden first. But I live with him now. And he has a big, big dick. I slap my hand over my mouth and turn toward the empty tables to stuff my jealousy in my bra like added padding. I had him last, and that's what's important, right? Right?

"Hey, Margo. Will you show Leah around back and up to the apartment where she can drop her bag?"

"Sure thing, Cara."

I close my eyes and pray for peace of mind-anything to stop the crazy speed powering my heart.

"Piper?"

One, two, counting to three, I smile and turn to find Cara's arched brow. "Hey, Leah's in town. For the wedding, right? Yeah, I knew that. She seems cool. I'm sure she's cool, and she's pretty, too. She's wow. Super pretty. Pretty girl . . ." And when did I turn into a parrot? Oh, yeah, five minutes ago when a smoking-hot replica of Kat Von D walked in and I was reminded I make muffins for a living. So there's that plain and simple truth. 

Muffins! Muffin maker. I drop my face in my hands and shake my brain even as I taunt myself into tears. But a giggle starts in my stomach and rolls up my spine until I laugh at a joke only I know. The kind that sucks away all the air in your lungs and brings on a snort when you try to breathe, and that makes you start all over again. Cara bounces JT through my hysteria and waits for it to pass. "Muffin maker," I squeeze out between breathes.

Cara nods as if seconds away from calling for a straitjacket.

"I'm fine." I pat my chest and work to settle a second round of I-know-nothing-is-really-ever-this-funny laughing.

"Okay, sorry. I needed to get that out. So, Leah. Cool. Um, I totally forgot about her coming to town, or maybe I remembered but didn't know she'd be . . . damn, she's freaking hot." I bite my lip, but the question slips out anyway. "So, has she seen Caden, you know, recently? Because, yeah."

How can I possibly compete against Leah?





CHAPTER TWELVE


History Lesson





Caden



I LIED. I am a lie. A living contradiction, two-faced and deceitful, one side warring with the other in a battle I'll never win. When one is overcome I'll be but half a man, leaving whatever remains unworthy. I am unworthy.

I can't stay here.

Not like this.

Not when I already lost Justin and Dad is still missing.

I've fought to find him. I'm fighting for Piper.

I can't have both.

But instead of confessing to her, I ran. I ran until I couldn't breathe, and my legs shook. I ran through pain and only stopped because my thigh gave in, and I gave up when it did. I'm weak. So fucking weak.

That is my truth.

I want so much with Piper. And I'm too selfish to stop what I've already started. I've forced her to accept me, and for what? To leave? To abandon her and JT just like my dad when he left us. To fall the fuck apart?

It's happening.

Another string unravels.

Last night, I fell asleep beside her. At least I remember her arms around my waist, and the moments before in the shower with her and JT. They were not a dream. But then I was on the beach, wind and salty spray stinging my cheeks. Hours had disappeared.