"I'm an adult. I'll do what I want."
He says nothing, but he does pull me closer.
"If you don't want to hang out with me, that's your call." It's a bluff, a horrible bluff. I'll be crushed if Kit pushes me away.
"Don't go to parties like that, Piper. I know you're a good kid but it happens fast."
"I won't." I rest my head against his chest. It feels good holding Kit, having him hold me, even if he's telling me I should run away.
I care about him in a way that goes far beyond friendship, far beyond any affection I've ever felt for anyone.
Chapter 11
Piper
I spend my spring break hanging out with my brothers and texting Kit about nothing.
And going on the two auditions I owe Kit.
Neither one is a good fit, but it feels good preparing and performing. Like it could be a big part of my life. Like this acting career thing really is possible.
Still, I have half a semester to finish. When school starts, I shift my focus back to studying.
I'm sitting at a sandwich shop, catching up on reading between classes, when a text from Joel grabs all my attention.
Joel: Don't get your hopes up, Pipes, but Violet crawled out of Ethan's bed this morning.
Piper: Details. Now.
Joel: It was a little after you left for school. I came over to practice.
Piper: Wasted an hour fucking with Mal?
Joel: Maybe.
Piper: Details!
Joel: She looked embarrassed.
Piper: Of course she was embarrassed. You were there.
Joel: No. Like she couldn't take the backslide.
Piper: Did she look good?
Joel: Of course. It's Violet. She's got that hot goth chick with a tortured soul thing going on. Fuck, the dress she was wearing—if she wasn't Ethan's ex, I'd be all over that.
Piper: You're a pig.
Joel: And you've never stared at a guy's ass thinking you want your hands on it?
Piper: Maybe.
Joel: Bullshit maybe. You've stared at my ass like that. Not that I blame you. It's a nice ass.
Piper: I have not. You aren't my type.
Joel: You should butter me up if you want details while I'm on the road.