He nods.
"You're okay with this?"
"I'm not thrilled. Kit's a good guy now, but in the past... What will you do if he slips?"
"He won't."
"But if he does?"
I don't know. Help him. I press my hands together.
"Is he the reason why you've been miserable the last month?"
"Was it that noticeable?"
"Yeah."
"Sort of." Okay, yes, but it's more complicated than that.
Frustration furrows in Mal's brow. He shakes it off. "I want you to be happy. All the shit I do, it's because I want the best for you."
"I know, but I should decide what's best for me."
"You'll decide no matter what I do."
I nod.
"I don't want to see you get hurt, Piper. He... if he breaks your heart, I'll kill him."
"Is murder really necessary?"
"Yeah, but I'm negotiable."
"Don't hurt him, please."
"I'll consider it."
I don't think Mal would actually hurt Kit, but I know I'm not going to get that promise in writing. "The band... is it good?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"I don't know. I don't know why you and Ethan would care about me dating Kit, beyond the initial I can't believe my baby sister isn't an innocent virgin anymore bit."
Mal's eyes flare with realization. "Fuck, that's what Joel was talking about." He lowers his voice. "Did you really call Kit to beg him to fuck you?"
"No."
"I know Kit's hot but that's a little desperate."
"I did not beg."
He laughs. "I didn't realize you hadn't... I thought you and Gerard had slept together. Or—what was his name— the guy you went to Prom with. You two were out all night."
"And you were okay with that?"
"Not like I can talk."
"Ethan can't, but he still does."