Page 30 of Love is a Lyric
“What?”
“I’m standing here drinking coffee because it’s what I’ve always done with the band, and all I want is a large chai.”
“Then, get yourself a chai.”
“I think I will. Once I clean up things here. I need to find Ben. He left either late last night or this morning. I’m not really sure.”
“Oh, well, I can find him for you. He arrived on the red eye way too early this morning and made me pick him up.”
“Wait…” She looked back over her shoulder into the empty house. “Ben is home?” And he didn’t tell her he was leaving. “He thought I’d try to convince him to stay.” She’d always been invested inFate’s success, but did Ben think she’d put that over him?
“He’s really messed up, Piper. Wouldn’t even tell me what happened. I dropped him at Mom and Dad’s and stayed a while, but he wasn’t really talking. All I got out of him was a few grunts.”
“He thinks fate betrayed him.”
“Well, yeah. The band kinda did.”
“No, notFatethe band, fate as infate.”
“You’re going to have to explain.”
She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. It wasn’t her secret to tell. “Just be there for him, okay? I’ll handle my sister.”
“If by handle, you really mean throttle, I’m on board. Just don’t do that thing where you roll over for her to rub your belly like a good little obedient dog.”
“You’re my best friend, Chase Evans, so I’m going to pretend you didn’t just compare me to a dog. But no, this time I won’t let her get to me.”
“Good. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
They hung up, and Piper stared out at the ocean for a moment longer. It seemed lonelier today, more solitary. Or maybe that was just her. The front door of the house slammed shut, and she closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her bs shield, and turned.
Once inside, she didn’t look at Quinn or Conner as she walked to the sink and dumped her coffee before setting the mug on the counter. Her hands gripped the edge of the sink as she waited for someone to say something.
“Is he here?” The nervousness in Conner’s voice surprised her. Someone who so callously cheated with his best friend’s girl didn’t get to be nervous.
She waited another beat before facing them. Quinn’s glare cut through the room, probably searching for Ben. She looked just as she always did. A wrinkle-free dress covered her perfect body. Her hair and makeup were perfect. Everything was just perfect.
And it annoyed the crap out of Piper. At least Conner had the decency to look like he hadn’t slept.
“He left.” Piper’s voice came out cold, flat.
Quinn met her gaze and held it for a long moment. “We need to talk about what happened.”
Piper’s brow arched. “What happened? Hmm… let’s see. You cheated on a guy who is good and kind. He’s practically family to us, Quinny. How long has,” she gestured between Quinn and Conner, “this been going on?”
“That’s none of your business.” Quinn crossed her arms.
“Most of the tour,” Conner admitted. Quinn sent him a scathing look, but he only shrugged. “It’s out now. We can’t hide from it. We made decisions that led us here. It’s our own fault.”
“Well, at least one of you is an adult.” She pointed at Conner. “But you don’t get to act mature now. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Your best friend will never forgive you. Twenty years of friendship is gone. And this band… congratulations, you’ve just ruined everything you worked for.”
“Ben will get over it,” Quinn scoffed. “He didn’t love me, only my music.” The vulnerability as she voiced the words surprised Piper. Of course Quinn had known. Piper’s anger abated, and she took a step back. How hard would it have been to be with someone who she knew wouldn’t love her if he found out the truth? Because she was right. Ben had practically admitted it to Piper. He loved Quinn because of the music, because of fate, not anything else Quinn was.
Piper never expected to feel sympathy for her sister, not now.
“I know.” Those two words were the most honest thing she’d said to Quinn in months.
