Page 59 of Wild About You
“It isn’t necessary. I really like Everly. Hanging with her isn’t a job. I want only good things for her.”
I nod and swallow around the lump in my throat. I can see the sincerity on her face, and I feel the impact so deeply.
She stands in front of me. “I want good things for both of you.”
It’s torture not to reach out and touch her.
She links her hands in front of her and looks at them as she speaks. “I was angry and upset when we ran into each other again, but it was so long ago. I shouldn’t have held it over you all these years.”
I thought it was hard to be around her when she hated me, but I was wrong because this is so much worse. Hate kept a line drawn between us.
“Break up with your boyfriend, Piper.”
“Wha-at?” Her voice breaks on the word.
I invade her space. She doesn’t step back. “I want good things for you too.”
“Okay.” A line forms between her brows.
I allow myself only to brush my fingers against hers. It’s the smallest contact. Not enough, but still so fucking good.
“Break up with him becauseI’mwhat’s good for you.”
18
SCAMPER OFF NOW
PIPER
My head isa mess as I sit in the back of the room observing Mrs. Aaron. She’s a great teacher, easily holding the attention of the freshman and sophomore class. It’s inspiring, really, and I should be taking more notes, but I’m struggling to hear anything she says.
Instead, it’s Tyler’s voice from last night that plays on a loop in my head.“I’m what’s good for you.”
After he’d said those words, he’d turned and left me reeling. I stared at his closed bedroom door for a good thirty minutes wishing I was brave enough to go tell him I’d broken up with Chris. I couldn’t do it, so instead I stayed put, tossing and turning all night long.
I slept like shit, dreaming about us together. Not in the past, but now. What he said wasn’t wrong. He was good for me. He helped me keep perspective when things were hard; he made me feel special in a way that had nothing to do with gifts or nice things. He showed me what it was like to be wholly and completely loved and accepted.
When I was with Tyler, really with him, I felt cherished and adored.
But when he took that away, I struggled to find my footing. It was like he was this missing piece I didn’t even know I needed. Eighteen-year-old Tyler broke my heart. I wouldn’t survive this twenty-two-year-old version. Even so, I can’t help but wonder if he’d still be good for me.
This morning he was already gone to the arena when I came out of my room, and he left a note that he had meetings this afternoon and wouldn’t be home until late. I guess that’s good. It gives me more time to think before I have to see him again.
The bell rings and I breathe a sigh of relief that this day is over. Tyler must have made good on his word to talk to his sister because this morning, she said she was going to give theater another shot.
I spend the two hours waiting for Everly reading in the gym. I sit on the bottom bleacher as far away from the stage as I can so if she spots me, she won’t feel like I’m there to keep an eye on her or something.
About fifteen minutes before five, my phone rings. I slip out into the hallway to answer.
“Hi.” I smile as Heather’s face fills the screen. She’s called and texted a few times since I started staying at Tyler’s, but it’s the first time I’ve had a minute to answer.
“She’s alive.” She looks away from the screen and repeats it. “You owe me five bucks.”
“Hey, Piper.” Steve moves into the frame.
“Betting on my death?” I ask him.
“Nah. I knew you were alive. I just didn’t think you’d answer.”
