The faint sound of the first bell can be heard on the outside system, and even though it kills me, I grip her waist and gently urge her off my lap.
“Really?” she pouts. “You’re gonna leave me all hot and bothered?”
I point to the erection barely contained in my jeans. “I’m no better over here, babe. Let’s go.”
“Things would be a lot better if you just let me tell my dad what really happened that night.” She looks over at me, school forgotten.
This isn’t the first time she’s tried to convince me to let her spill the truth, but I wouldn’t allow it then, and I won’t allow it now.
“I think sneaking around will be fun,” I lie. I want nothing more than to be welcomed in her home, invited to her house for family dinners, and to be accepted by her father, but I have more than just that night to atone for. Telling Dr. Schofield she was driving is only one small piece of the problems I’ve caused for Piper.
We don’t talk about her scars even though I kiss them each and every time I get the chance. Her parents know about those, and since her dad invaded her privacy, they also know about every mean thing I ever did to this amazing girl. One confession about that night won’t change all of that.
“Sneaking around won’t be fun. We’re both taking advanced placement classes this year. We’re both going to be studying a lot, and we should be able to do that together, but it’ll be time we have to spend apart.”
“We’ll make time,” I promise.
“It won’t be enough.”
“Do you love me?” I search her eyes, looking for any sign that she’s going to lie to me.
I do it every single time I ask the question or when she offers the words on her own. I still can’t believe Piper feels that way about me, and I’ve had a hard time getting rid of my doubt. But, just like always, sincerity is in her voice and evident in her eyes when she speaks.
“Yes. You know I do.”
“Then trust me about this. I’ll have a conversation with your father eventually, but right now isn’t the time. The sting is still too new. He wouldn’t listen to what I have to say, and it’ll only make things worse.” She gives me a weak smile, and I brush my fingers down her cheek. “Now, let’s go. We can’t be late for the first day of senior year. Are you sure you don’t want to wear my varsity jacket?”
She scoffs again, just like she did the first time I offered. I’ll get her in that damn thing before the week is over. Piper sits in the truck until I climb out and go around to her side.
“Come on,” I urge, grabbing her hand and pulling her out and against my chest.
Just like I told her I’d do, I sling my arm over her shoulder and walk into the school with her.
It’s not as dramatic as I thought it was going to be when I described today to her all those weeks ago. We’ve spent many more days at the snow cone stand and even had people over to my house to swim. Piper and I don’t have a huge circle, but we do have a few people we feel like we can trust.
“Piper!” Frankie screeches as she runs in our direction.
Frankie got back less than a week ago, and even though I catch her giving me the side-eye every so often, she seems like she’s coming around to the idea of Piper and me.
Others aren’t, however. Bronwyn literally hisses like a feral cat at Piper when we walk by. Kyle is too busy talking to two girls in cheerleading uniforms to even notice us, but Vaughn is going to be trouble.
Without Bronwyn and Kyle paying attention to him, he watches my girl like he wants to eat her up, and it makes me want to punch him in the nose. I pull Piper closer, tucking her into my chest before brushing my lips against her temple.
“We talked about this,” she hisses. “You promised you’d keep the PDAs to a minimum.”
“We just nearly got busy in the truck, and you’re worried about a little kiss?” I whisper in her ear.
Her cheeks heat, pinking to my favorite new color, but she just rolls her eyes.
“Stop being a caveman, Dalton. We have bigger problems to talk about,” Frankie snaps. I still can’t get a good read on the girl, but she’s Piper’s best friend, and I’d never come in between that.
“We talked on the phone for an hour last night,” Piper interjects. “What could we possibly talk about now?”
“You remember Zeke?” Frankie asks.
“The farm guy from Utah, you won’t give me any information on?”
Frankie scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Yes, that idiot.”