Page 43 of Reconcile

Now I’m defensive again. “Because you didn’t fucking tell me about her.”

“I know.” She doesn’t look the least bit ashamed of her actions, and it pisses me off.

“Why?” The rage ignites inside me, thinking about the last six years. Of how great Audrey is and how I’m only just now getting to know her. Of how many memories I missed with my own daughter because Piper was angry with me.

“Why?”

“Yeah, Piper.” I take a step closer to her, tension filling my limbs. “If you loved me so goddamned much, why the hell didn’t you tell me about her.”

“Are you kidding?” I see the anger in her eyes, but that’s too damn bad because I want answers.

“No. I want to know why.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes,” I answer through gritted teeth as we stand a mere foot apart.

“Because the night I found out I was pregnant... When I finally got up the courage to take the goddamn test...” She moves even closer, her eyes locking with mine, holding my gaze as her voice shakes. “And when I forced myself to go find you to tell you we were going to have a kid...” I swallow, choked by the rage rolling off her. “I found you naked with my sister.”

Fuck. Me.

26

PIPER

EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD…

Istare at the pink plus sign for what feels like the hundredth time, my hand shaking while I hold the test.

I’m pregnant.

My parents are going to kill me.

I sit down on the edge of my bathtub and stare at the test, picking up the other two that were on the counter. All positive.

I’ve known, deep down for weeks. But I thought maybe it was just the stress of my senior year. Maybe I’d been too busy. My period has always been irregular.

Sawyer.

Oh God.I place the tests in the trash, burying them under loose Kleenex and then wash my hands.

He’s going to freak out. But he’s my best friend, I have to tell him. We can get through this. I know he hasn’t been able to say the words I love you back to me, but I feel it when he kisses me.

That sparkle in his eyes when we talk about all the things we’ll do someday. He loves me too.

It’s going to be fine.

I know there’s a big party tonight. I’m not sure if he’ll be there, but knowing Sawyer and it being a Friday, I’m assuming he is.

I sneak down the stairs, not passing either of my parents as I make my escape from the house and to my car. I drive to the party and miraculously find a parking spot. My stomach is in knots from nerves and probably from the baby hormones.

I haven’t been able to keep much down over the last month or so.

I take a deep breath even though my hands are still shaking. I walk inside through the already wide-open door past people spilling out into the front yard. The home is in a secluded area, and I guess they aren’t worried about the cops.

I look around the crowded party, full of familiar and unfamiliar faces as I search for only one handsome face. I move through the crowd, dodging advances and overly drunk idiots bumping into me and everyone else.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

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