Page 12 of Stone Rules

“Turn around and sit still. Right fucking now,” she yells as her open hand hits the side of my face.

It stings badly. Like the time I skinned my knee when I tripped over my feet running through the park, only worse, because this time Mommy doesn’t kiss my owie, she caused it.

I erupt from the water to find myself gripping the edge of the pool, gasping desperately for the air that I had deprived my lungs. Thinking back on that day, I guess I forgot to breathe.

As my body replenishes itself with oxygen, I see a welcome face peek around the corner.

“I was hoping I’d catch you here,” Piper says, walking around the edge of the pool in her running clothes with a small towel draped over her shoulder. “Isn’t this place fantastic?”

I guess it does pay to know people in high places. Piper’s fiancé, Mason, owns the gym along with her two brothers-in-law, Gavin and Griffin. I would never be able to afford a membership. Not for eight or nine months anyway.

“Oh, good. Maybe you’ll save me a trip to the restaurant.” As I talk to Piper, I walk my hands along the wall until my feet can touch the bottom of the pool. Then I squeeze the water from my hair. “I was going to head there right after my workout to see if I could catch you or Skylar.”

“You need a girls’ night or something? You know we’re always up for it.”

“That sounds great, but that’s not why I was going to find you. I need a job, Piper.”

Piper tilts her head suspiciously, staring at me like I’ve sprouted a third arm. “I thought you were leaving in a few weeks.”

“Nah. I think I’ll hang around for a while.”

A slow smile creeps across her face. “Are you kidding? Are you messing with me, Charlie? Because I’ve missed you so damn much these last six months and if you’re screwing with me, I might have to hurt you.”

I laugh. “I don’t know if it’ll be forever, but for now, yeah, I’m staying. No joke.”

Her squeals of delight bounce off the walls so loudly I have to cover my ears. But then the sound stops suddenly and she studies me. “Wait. Does this have anything to do with why you needed a private investigator? You never did give me details on that, by the way. You took off as soon as I gave you Jarod’s cousin’s number.”

I can’t lie to Piper. She’d see right through it. But I know she’d try to talk me out of my plan, and I can’t have that either. A half-truth will have to do. “I just want to find out some stuff about my mom. That’s all. No big deal.”

She nods in understanding. “And private investigators are probably expensive, so you need a job.”

“Not just any job. I need a job at Mitchell’s NYC, like now. I told the guy I work there so he’d give me a payment plan.”

“Not a problem,” she assures me. “You can take my shifts. I’ve been working there until they could find someone good enough to replace me. Skylar would love to have you.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Pipes. But if you give me your shifts, what will you do?” I look through the expansive glass wall that separates the pool from the rest of the gym. The opulent fitness center that is owned in part by her fiancé.Duh. “Right. You’re marrying the next starting quarterback for the Giants. You don’t need a job.”

“Oh, I’m going to work,” she says. “I was just thinking of trying something a little different. Like maybe get involved in community theater.”

Now it’s my turn to squeal. “You’re kidding!”

Theater was always Piper’s one true passion when we were young. But she gave it up after her attack. I never thought I’d see the day when she’d give it another go.

She shakes her head, her excited eyes telling me she’s dead serious.

“Oh my God, Piper Mitchell, you’ve really changed.”

“I’m still me,” she pouts.

“Yes, you are. Only better.”

We share a smile only best friends can share. Then Piper’s eyes focus on something behind me. “That guy who just walked in. He looks familiar.”

I turn to look before quickly spinning back around and sinking my body into the water up to my chin. “Oh, shit. That’s Ethan Stone. He’s the P.I. I met with today.”

“That’sJarod’s cousin?” she says too loudly, her voice raising a full octave in disbelief.

“Shhhh,” I scold her, worried her voice will echo in the large aquatics room. “Would you please keep your voice down?”

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