Beautifully Broken

“The dude who did that to her is his dad.” Cooper glares at Bane. “But they’re not on speaking terms...supposedly.”

“Fuck you,” Bane retorts. “I hate that man. I hated him before the shit with Piper, but what he did…” Bane pauses and shakes his head. “Motherfucker should die for that shit.”

“Who is he?”

Bane shoves his phone back in his pocket. “A bad motherfucker with plans for Piper that will ruin if not kill her.” He looks at Cooper. “I’ve got the word out with some guys I trust. If Piper shows her face over here, I’ll keep her safe.”

“And call us,” I add.

“Whatever. Get your asses across the tracks before someone puts a mark on you to find her.” He points outside. “That car can’t come here again.”

Cooper calls his mom as we’re coming back into town and tells her everything—the party, what happened to Piper, and the failed suicide attempts both he and Bane thwarted. I sag back into the seat, listening to her secrets. She’s had such a shitty year; I can only imagine how bad her life was prior to it. I wish she would have told me all of this herself, but I can understand why she didn’t.

Logan, by the orders of Mamma T, closes the Red Onion at five and waits at my house in case Piper shows up there. Cooper and I pull into my driveway, after a long night of searching, just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon. “I don’t want to go to school.”

Cooper runs a hand over his face. “I know. Me either. But maybe she’ll show up.”

Piper has to show up. I won’t be able to live with myself if she ran away because of me. I should have known better than to bring that night up. I’m such an idiot.

Cooper’s phone dings. He pulls it out of his pocket and reads the message. “She’s with Mom.”

“Oh thank God. Let’s go get her.”

“No,” Cooper says in a tone that means this isn’t up for discussion. “Give her some time. Whatever's going on, Mom will sort it out.”

25

Piper

Mamma T is a tired woman. When Mr. Harris left two years ago, he took everything. The two-story beach house. The cars. Her comfort and lifestyle. Sure there’s alimony and child support, but Mamma T says the money’s tainted. She’d rather work for what she’s got than spend a dime of what that man gives her. It sits in a trust, collecting interest, for her boys until they turn twenty-one.

“You gave everyone quite a fright last night,” she says, handing me a cup of warm tea.

I place it to my lips, exhausted and starving. The drink tastes like heaven and the blueberry muffins she sets on the table are even better. I wolf one down in two seconds then take another swallow of my drink. “I didn’t mean to make anyone worry.”

“That boy sure was in a tiffy.” Mamma T pulls out a chair and sits at the table across from me. “I think he likes you.”

I don’t need to ask which man she’s talking about. Rex blew up my phone with a million texts and phone calls until it died around seven. I’m sure when I turn it back on there will be even more messages. I smile into my cup, hoping Mamma T doesn’t notice, but of course she does.

“Seems like you might like him too.”

I shrug and stuff another muffin in my mouth.

She sets her cup on the table, holding it with both hands, a worry line between her brows. “Where were you last night?”

A knot twists deep in my stomach. I’m not proud of ghosting everyone, but I needed some time to figure out what I’m gonna do. I came up with nothing. “On the bus.”

“All night?”

“Yeah. Sheila, the driver, she’s kind of my friend. I spent more nights on her bus than not last year.”

“I see.” Mamma T rubs her thumb against the white porcelain. “You didn’t go home when you weren’t here?”

“No ma’am.”

Mama T shakes her head, a disappointed sigh leaving her lips. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re in trouble, Piper?”

“I’m not.” She raises her eyes and gives me a look. A look that says she knows everything. I exhale loudly and hide my face in my hands. “I didn’t want you caught up in my shit.”