Page 27 of Hyde and Seek

I dutifully kissed the air near Thomas’ cheek before heading towards the door. Unfortunately, my smooth escape was foiled when my mother stopped me.

“Remember what I said about James. And, for goodness sake, hair back when you see him next,” she whispered in my ear as she hugged me.

I’d planned to call Ray to come get me but she lived over a half-hour away. As much as I didn’t want to spend more time with James, I was glad I didn’t have to wait for a ride. I’d have started walking.

Once I’d moved out, I didn’t necessarilylikereturning here but it had been tolerable. The past few visits, however, I’d begun to feel trapped and claustrophobic.

As I walked towards the door, I felt the familiar lack of air, as if the walls were closing in on me.

I need to get out before the house swallows me.

“Piper, are you okay?” James asked. “You look pale.”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just tired.”

When the valet pulled the car up, I got in, anxious to get home. It hadn’t even been three hours since I’d left my house, but it seemed like days.

James chatted as he drove, though I stayed quiet. I couldn’t seem to find the energy to pretend to care about his work. I felt rude, but he didn’t seem to mind filling the silence.

About two minutes from my house, his tone turned serious. “I know your mother has been pushing me at you. I don’t want you to feel like you have to see me but I’d love to take you out to dinner. One not at your parents’ house.”

Fuck.

“I think you’re great,” I started, and even I knew it sounded like a blow-off. Which was exactly what it was. “I just don’t think either of us is right for the other.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I’m not the same person away from my parents. My life isn’t just a rebellion against my mother. It’s who I am, and, though I can’t see the future, my best bet is that this is how I’ll always be. I’m not dinner-party-Piper. I’m rock ‘n’ roll-party-Piper.”

Don’t forget makeout-and-have-a-sleepover-with-a-badass-Piper.

James nodded. “Maybe I’d like that Piper, too. If you need to think about it, that’s fine. All I ask is you give me the chance to decide for myself.”

My romantic life wasn’t wild but there had always been a decent enough amount of interest. However, two men telling me they were into me in twenty-four hours was definitely a personal record.

On the downside, neither of them were the one that I wanted. Although, Rhys was a whole lot closer to my type than James.

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” I lied. I knew I wouldn’t be putting the thought into him that I would with Rhys. I had zero romantic feelings towards James, and there was no spark between us that hinted at anything developing.

I honestly doubted that his interest in me went much beyond how it would secure his career and future with Thomas’ company. My dilemma came from how to tell him without making it tense and weird whenever we saw each other.

Why is it not acceptable to run away from awkward situations, flailing my arms and screaming like a certain green frog puppet does?

I was trying not to giggle as I pictured that when James regained my attention.

“Piper, do you know that man?” James asked, guardedly.

I looked in my driveway to see a sweet hog next to my Charger. Though facing the other way, I definitely knew that man. I’d spent a lot of time trying not to think about him.

I’d also failed miserably at it.

“Yes, that’s Jake.”

“Are you in some sort of trouble? I know your mother said you were being stubborn about money, but if you’re in trouble—”

“No!” I interrupted. I’d have laughed at the obvious presumption and misperception of Jake, if it weren’t sad. It was also the perfect example of why James and I would never happen. “I’m definitely not in trouble.”

I didn’t think I was, at least. However, the look on Jake’s face as he watched us pull in made me think twice.

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