Page 60 of On My Side
“No, no, you’re welcome to join us,” she stammers.
“I was actually telling Piper I have plans tonight, but thank you for the kind invitation,” I say, plastering on my brightest smile. The smile I put on when my parents are complaining about one of my siblings. The smile I put on when one of my siblings complains about my parents, or Kat, because everyone’s alwayscomplaining about Kat. The smile that makes people think I’m fine, that I’m happy to do it for them.
That I’m not aching for someone to offer to lighten the load for me, for once.
“Actually, you told me you didn’t have any plans,” Piper corrects me matter-of-factly, and I fight the urge to slap my hand over her mouth.
“Right-o,” I say, my smile unshakable. “Ididsay that. But alas, I was…”
“Ren, I want you to come.” I don’t know who’s more taken aback when the words leave Audrey’s pretty lips, me or Piper.
“Really?” the two of us say, voices laced with glee and confusion, respectively.
“Really,” Audrey says. Her smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes, and it worries me. “It’ll be nice to have someone who doesn’t talk shit about my favorite TV show the entire night.”
“Mr. Q is a smart man,” Piper says. “He’s gonna hate it, too.”
“Well, I guess we’ll find out tonight,” I say. “Can I bring anything?”
“Princess Leia.” Piper’s response is so quick I’m convinced getting my cat to come over was her plan the entire time. “And her food. And whatever else she needs for aGilmore Girlsmarathon.”
“Is that okay with your mom?” I ask cautiously, eyes meeting Audrey’s again. Now, her eyes are sparkling, and she’s resting her chin on her open palm, covering what Iknowis the most beautiful smile.
“That’s fine,” she says, voice shaking with her hidden laughter. “You and Princess Leia and her cat food and whatever else you want to bring are more than welcome to join us tonight.”
I arch my brow and hope my face is expressing what I want it to.
Challenge accepted.
Later that evening, I’m standing on Audrey and Piper’s enviable front porch, Leia’s cat carrier slung over my shoulder, and an apple pie I spentwaytoo much time figuring out how to make in my hand.
“Where is she?” Piper says, whipping open the front door and squatting so she’s eye level with the cat carrier. Leia begins to purr in greeting. “My baby!” Piper squeals, taking the cat carrier from me without asking. I don’t mind, I think the way she loves my cat is the sweetest thing ever.
Although, to be completely honest, I live in fear Leia will be catnapped. Or is it catnapping if she goes willingly?
“Mom’s in the kitchen,” Piper tells me, not taking her eyes off the cat carrier. “She got abunchof ingredients for pizza, including dairy-free cheese because apparently you’re lactose intolerant, which is sad because does that mean you can’t have ice cream?” She takes a deep breath before continuing her monologue. “And then Mom got worried maybe you were a vegetarian or vegan, so we have fake meat and veggies and…”
“Piper, breathe,” Audrey calls from the kitchen. “Why don’t you come make your pizza and let Mr. Q and Princess Leia get settled?”
Piper’s face falls. “But I haven’t gotten to show Leia the toys I got her!” she whines.
“Why don’t you go show her and get her settled, and make your pizza in five minutes?” I ask, squatting so I’m her height. She smirks at me, and I realize it’s probably a differentexperience for a teenager than to the elementary school students I interact with on a daily basis. I clear my throat and stand to my full height. “Is that okay with you, Aud?”
“Yep!” Audrey responds, “Five minutes, Piper. I’m setting a timer.”
Piper zooms off with my cat, presumably to show Leia her new toys.
I shuffle into the kitchen. “Hey,” I greet Audrey as I place the pie on the counter.
She looks over her shoulder at me and smiles. She has flour smudged on her nose and it’s walking the line between precious and sexy as hell, considering I want to lean forward and lick it off. “Hey! Glad you made it.”
I look around to make sure Piper can’t hear before taking another step towards her. “I’m sorry if I’m intruding. I can fake a stomachache or family emergency if you want it to be a you and Piper thing.”
“Ren, if you take that cat away from her, I’m definitely being put in a nursing home.”
I laugh. “Fair. It’s kind of cute how much they love each other,” I say, stepping forward to reach around Audrey and grab a black olive from the buffet of toppings.
Of course, Audrey takes a step back from the counter at the exact same time, and before I know it, her ass is nestled into my crotch.
