Page 107 of He's The Reason Why

“Be right out,” Blake shouted. He took another look at her, his gaze hot and dark with longing. “I’ll just go shove him into the pool and be right back.”

“Hey, are these lady panties?” Marshall asked. “You got company or have you taken on a new profession?

Blake cringed. “I left your bag by the door. Hang on, I’ll get it.”

“Go,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll scrounge something from your closet.”

Blake flashed her one more look of longing and regret, then hurried out.

Piper hurried into his closet to search for something to wear.

Blake’s voice drifted down the hall. “Welcome back. How’s the desert?”

“Dry. Dusty. All thedwords,” Marshall said. “What the hell have you been up to?”

Piper rummaged through the closet, debating. Should she go for a boyfriend vibe or sports girl.

“Give me that,” Blake said. “They’re obviously not mine.”

“Um-hmm,” Marshall said. “Whose are they? Your mom’s not here, is she?”

“Eww, no,” Blake said with disgust.

Piper giggled as she pulled a Dodgers jersey off the hanger.

“What was that?” Marshall asked. “I heard someone laugh. Is she still here? It’s not Rachel, is it?”

Piper wrinkled her nose. She didn’t even want to think about Blake and Rachel being in the same room, much less the same bed. She pulled the jersey on over her head. It reached mid-thigh, leaving her decently covered as long as she didn’t bend over.

“Did you check out those food trucks I told you about?” Blake asked.

“Stop trying to distract me,” Marshall said. “If her undies are still here, that means she is too. Who is it? Wait a second, I recognize this bag.”

Piper padded down the hall in bare feet. “You should. You’ve seen it before.”

Marshall’s head swiveled in her direction. Realization spread over his face like the dawn of a new day.

Piper grinned and wiggled her fingers at him. “Hey, Marshall. How was Vegas?”

“Oh!” Marshall’s head whipped from her to Blake. “Oh…oh…you…Iknewit!”

“Knew what?” Piper asked with fake innocence.

Marshall pointed at Blake. “Youdog!”

Blake looked so pleased and proud of himself that it made Piper giggle.

“That’s your sex face. You’ve had sex!” Marshall punched the air. “You’re a deal breaker! I knew you couldn’t keep your hands off her. Iknewit.”

He pointed at Piper. “Andyou, you jezebel. You’re wearing his lucky jersey!”

“That’s not a thing.” Piper looked at Blake. “Is that a thing? You’re not a ball player.”

Blake shrugged. “I won it in a bet, so yeah, I guess it’s lucky.”

Marshall looked her up and down, then did a double take.

“Oh my God,” he swallowed hard, “you’re wearingjusthis jersey.”

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