Page 91 of The Cupcake Standard

Rhonda grinned.

Roy clasped Derek’s hand and smiled. “Your sister told me what a fan you were and explained she had some making up to do.”

“Thanks, sis.” Derek turned to wrap Rhonda in a full hug.

She winced. “Don’t thank me yet. There’s more.” She mouthed “I’m sorry” to us before pointing to someone near the door. “Hit it!”

The lights dimmed. A familiar country song started thumping from speakers I didn’t even know were there. The door opened, and in danced Piper Kensington, the princess of country music, a portable microphone in her hand. A million emotions played over Derek’s face as he took her in—astonishment, trepidation, acceptance, delight.

“Rhonda!” His dazzling smile turned on her. “You brought Princess!”

The word hit me like a herd of elephants, and I blinked.

Relief crossed Rhonda’s face, and she smiled back. She leaned down to me. “Her coming was a surprise to me, too, and I wasn’t sure what his reaction would be. I hoped it wouldn’t ruin the party. I promise I’ll explain more later.” She grimaced, sympathy in her eyes. “Can’t tell Princess Piper no.”

I gaped as Piper grinned, throwing her arms around Derek. The combination of her familiarity with my boyfriend and the second use of the name Princess created a pain in my gut so fierce it felt as though I’d been stabbed. Multiple times. With a dull knife that took forever to break through my flesh.

There she was in person. The words ‘Wait for me? Yours forever’ flashed across my mind. Jealousy mixed with anger to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I tried to hold it together, reminding myself that Derek was my friend, first and foremost. This party was to show him how much we all cared about him.

The beginning chords of one of her most popular songs started, and a microphone stand appeared. She pulled Derek with her to the makeshift stage area, and they rocked out to the delight of the crowd. Derek never took his eyes off her, never stopped smiling.

No one noticed me slink over to the whiskey side of the bar. My steps were shaky. I felt like my world was tilted, but I had hardly drunk anything yet. I can fix that. The smooth leather of the barstool squeaked as I slid onto it, leaning both my elbows on the bar.

The bartender smiled at me. “Great party,” he yelled, then he signaled to ask which whiskey I wanted.

I just shrugged, basically telling him to pick, as long as it was a big glass. While he poured, I looked back at the private concert, at the sparks flying between Princess and Derek, dancing a perfectly choreographed line dance to Heartbreak Canyon. The words of the chorus rang out, and I smacked my forehead. The note practically contained the lyrics to the damn song. How could I be so blind? And after what Bin had told me.

My first sip passed my lips. I waited for the burn, for the warmth, but I felt nothing. Even whiskey couldn’t touch me since my heart had been charbroiled to a crisp in a few short minutes, but I drank it anyway.

What happened to keeping my heart out of this? I winced at the ache in my chest as I watched the two of them together, dancing like they were made for each other. It didn’t matter. If it didn’t happen now, it would’ve happened someday, so might as well get it over with.

I could never compete with a princess.

Chapter Eighteen

Piper finished the song with a flourish, Derek dipping her low, then pulling her up for a huge hug. They laughed, slung their arms around each other, and I watched Derek look around the room. When his eyes landed on me, they lit up. He tugged Piper in my direction.

Can’t he just let me finish my whiskey? I straightened up on the barstool, trying to keep my expression neutral. Isn’t it enough they get to be together, does he have to rub my face in it, too?

Of course, Derek saw too much, frowning as he approached. “What’s wrong? You okay?”

“Nothing.” I shook my head. “Introduce me.”

He gave me a long look but did as I’d asked. Letting go of Piper, he stood between us. “Princess, this is my girlfriend, Avery.”

His eyes lingered on me as I stared up at him, more confused than ever. Girlfriend. The word bounced around my head. Why would he introduce me like that to her?

“Cupcake, this is my oldest friend, Piper. We call her Princess.”

Piper elbowed him, laughing, then stuck her hand out. When she spoke, her voice was full of sweet country twang, though her stare was full of ice. “I don’t believe I’ve ever met one of Derek’s gals before. He must really like you. Did you really put all this together for him? And on your birthday, too?”

Somehow, I managed to nod.

“You really are something.” The sideways glance she shot me told me she was sizing me up as well.

But she didn’t have to worry, I was pulling myself out of the competition. How am I supposed to compete with her? The skinny blonde with flawless skin, chocolate eyes, and a pearly smile who broke hearts all over the country. Where’s a white flag when I need one?

Derek glanced over once more, as if still trying to get a read on me. He turned back to Piper. “How long are you in town?”

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