Page 62 of Reconcile
When we walk into the kitchen, that’s when I see her through the glass doors, sitting on the patio and facing the beach. “There’s your mom.”
Audrey rushes outside to greet her, and I move behind the counter to start making breakfast. I’m pissed but not sure I have the right to be. We had an amazing night together, and then she just disappeared in the morning.
When the fuck did I turn into a chick?
Piper walks inside with Audrey gripping her hand. She’s dressed for work, and her makeup and hair are flawless. “Morning.” I’m trying to play it cool, but I have so many fucking questions.
“Good morning. Can you take Audrey to Viv’s this morning? I need to go in early.”
No, she doesn’t. She won’t look at me. Fuck!
“Yeah, of course.”
“Thank you.” She kneels in front of Audrey and pulls her into a hug before taking off without another look in my direction.
Well, this is just great. She couldn’t wait to get the fuck out of here. As I make breakfast and eat with Audrey, fear floods through me that she’s about to bolt and take Audrey with her.
Why the hell did I have to let my dick do the decision-making? I was doing so fucking well.
I walk Audrey over to Ash and Viv’s, and Asher answers the door. “Hey, kiddo!” He looks at me. “What are you doing here?”
“Piper had to get to work early. Where’s the missus? You know I prefer to see her pretty face instead of your ugly mug.”
He chuckles as he lets us in. “She’s sleeping in a little. Had a rough night.”
“She okay?”
He closes the door behind us. “Yeah, the little one decided to kick her at two in the morning.” He bends at the knees to look at Audrey. “You cool with hanging out with us guys for a while?”
Audrey thinks it over, placing her little finger on her chin and then shrugs. “I suppose.”
He laughs and then signals down the hall. “Baz is in his room.”
“Bye, Swearer!” She takes off before I can say anything, and it still makes me smile.
“Bye, kiddo! I’ll see ya later!” I holler after her, but she’s long gone. I turn to Ash. “You sure Viv is okay?”
He grins and flops down on the couch, putting his feet up on the coffee table. “Yeah, she’s fine. But she needs sleep, even if she thinks she doesn’t.”
I take a seat next to him and kick my own feet up. “Telling a woman what’s best for her. Good call.”
He laughs easily at my sarcasm. “Yeah well, sometimes she listens.” He cocks his head to the side. “What’s up with you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you look like someone kicked your puppy.”
“Who the fuck would kick a puppy?”
He drops his feet to the ground and turns to face me. “Spill.”
“I slept with Piper last night.” He waits, and I sigh, annoyed that he knows me so well. “She avoided me like the plague this morning.”
“Ah.” He leans back against the couch, like what I just told him is no big deal. “So?”
“What the hell do you mean so? It sucks. I thought...”
“What?” He grins, turning to look at me. “Your cock was magic and could heal her?”
