Page 75 of Whiskey & Honey

Before he can reply to my snarky remark his mom is at our table, pulling me from my seat.

“Oh! Piper!” She’s shouting so loud.

“Mom, maybe don’t yell. I think Piper had a little too much wine last night.”

Shooting him a look that tells him to shut up, I return Rosa’s hug. “I’m fine. Just moving a little slow this morning. Nothing some of your wonderful food and coffee won’t cure.”

“Of course, m’ija. Let me get your food going. What are you feeling like?”

Tony and I place our order with Rosa and she scurries away, motioning for a server to bring us coffee. Once I’ve taken a few sips of the liquid gold I finally feel a little more normal.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Gee, Piper. I thought we could at least catch up. How have you been?”

I don’t reply, only shrug and take another sip of my coffee. What is there to say? Do I tell him that I was blissfully happy for the first time in forever until about noon yesterday? How about telling him I fell in love with my best friend’s brother and now I’ll have to spend the rest of my life pretending I didn’t? I think I’ll pass on all accounts.

“Are you still seeing Sullivan?”

That jars me from my bonding time with my coffee. My eyes go wide as I look at Tony, trying to process how to answer. Technically we were never “seeing” each other, just friends. I’m also the Queen of Denial in case there was any doubt.

“Umm, we’re just friends.”

“It didn’t seem that way to me. What does Ashton have to say about it?”

I hesitate, and now it’s his eyes that widen.

“Oh shit. She doesn’t know.” Letting out a whistle, he leans back as our food arrives.

“Just drop it, okay. There’s nothing going on. At least, not anymore.” The last part of my statement a mumble under my breath.

“I heard that. Is that why you spent your night at the bottom of a wine bottle? It’s not like you to overindulge.”

“That’s a little dramatic. And sadly, the truth. Maybe that’s the problem. I’m so straight-laced and predictable. Boring.”

“Is that what he said? Did he tell you that? I’ll beat his ass for being such a dick to you, Piper. Just say the word.”

That statement triggers something in me and I break out in a string of laughter that sounds manic. It’s absolutely ridiculous that both Tony and Ben are quick to blame the other for treating me poorly.

“I’ll do it, too. I may not have been the best boyfriend but I would never say those things to you.”

“Oh no, instead you’d go behind my back and try to find someone else. Give me a break. You are in no position to try and be my friend. I am too tired and hungover for this. What did you want to talk about?”

“You’re right. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

I really can’t deal with this, but I’m here and this coffee is spectacular. I motion for him to continue.

“I was a shitty boyfriend and I’m sorry. I can’t apologize enough. I loved you, Piper, I swear that was true. I think you were right though; we weren’t in love.”

For the next few minutes, I simply eat my breakfast and drink my coffee. Every few bites I look up at Tony and he’s just staring at me. I enjoy this more than I should. I’m not a cruel person, but when it comes to Tony I am enjoying watching him uncomfortable.

I could use this opportunity to unleash all of the reasons Tony sucked as a boyfriend. The truth of the matter is, I knew who Tony was when I started dating him. Somewhere in my life I decided I wasn’t worth more than what someone like Tony offered. That part I own. Overall, I enjoyed being the girl a good-looking and sought-after guy chose. We had fun together and for a majority of our relationship he wasn’t a bad guy. In the end we were just going through the motions with no future.

The server refills our coffee, and after I add the perfect amount of creamer I take a drink before I finally respond to Tony’s apology.

“True enough. We weren’t in love.” He begins to reply before I cut him off, “But, that doesn’t mean I deserved to be treated that way.”

“What about Sullivan?”

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