Page 98 of A Perfect Match
I open my mouth to argue, then close it.
"Look, I get it," she continues, her voice softening slightly."My brothers are unhinged.You got punched once already.They’ll probably never accept you.Besides, the reality show wrapped up, and you've got investors interested in Columbus.Why tie yourself down to this small town and my ogre brothers?”
"That's not—" I start, but she cuts me off.
"It's fine, Kru.Really.I’ll come to terms with it eventually.I've been keeping busy anyway."She gestures around the barn."I've been getting quotes from construction companies, applying for small business loans, really getting the road map nailed down so this thing can be ready by spring.I told you I’d figure out a way, and I will.Somehow."
I step closer, noting the exhaustion in her movements, the dark circles under her eyes."How many hours have you been out here today?"
She pauses, seeming to calculate."I don’t know.I did other things.But I started around five a.m.”
"Five a.m.?Jesus, Piper.It’s after midnight."
She waves a dismissive hand, which makes her sway slightly."I'm fine.Just trying to advance while I figure out the financing.If I can get more stuff done on my own, then the construction company quotes might be more affordable.I’m doing this on a tight budget."
But as she gestures toward her work, I can see she's not fine at all.She almost looks drunk, a slight tremor in her hands that could be from cold or exhaustion or both.She’s running on fumes and sheer stubborn determination.
"When's the last time you ate something?"I ask.
"I had a sandwich earlier.Or maybe that was yesterday."She reaches for the scrub brush again, but she’s sluggish.Uncoordinated.
"Piper, you need to stop.It's freezing out here, it's late, and I’m certain you've pulled multiple twenty-hour days in row."
"I need to get this done for the last construction quote," she insists, but her words trail off.Her eyes flutter closed for a moment, and I see her body start to go limp.
"Piper!"
I lunge forward just as she begins to fall backwards, catching her in my arms as the scrub brush clatters to the floor.My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears.What the fuck?I look down at her, arranging her in my arms carefully.
Her eyes snap open a moment later, confusion clouding her features."What…what happened?"
"You fell asleep sitting up," I say, my voice tight with worry."Or maybe fainted.I caught you before you cracked your skull on the floor.”
She blinks slowly, like she's trying to process this information."Thank you.I’m awake now.I just need a minute."But she doesn’t move to leave my embrace.
"No, you need sleep.And food."I slowly get to my feet, hoisting her in my arms.I start to carry her toward the barn door."I'm taking you to my place."
"No."She struggles weakly in my arms."I can handle this on my own.Just drop me off at Griffin's.I'm fine."
"You're not fine.You just collapsed."
"I can take care of myself."
That's when something inside me finally snaps.
"Piper.Please.Why won't you just let me help you?"The words come out louder than I intended, echoing in the barn."It doesn't have to be like this.You don't have to do everything on your own."
She looks up at me, startled by the intensity in my voice.
"You’ll get more done if you take care of yourself," I continue, my voice softening but no less passionate."Let me help you.Let me show you how much I love you."
The words hang in the air between us.I hadn't meant to say it like that, but there it is.The truth I've been dancing around for weeks.
I love her.I'm in love with her.And I can't stand watching her kill herself trying to prove she doesn't need anyone.
I carry her out of the barn and across the parking lot to my truck, ignoring her weak protests.The drive to Griffin's house is short, but she relaxes into the front seat, eyes closed, exhaustion finally winning over stubbornness.
Griffin's living room light is on when we pull into the driveway.I carry Piper to the front door and kick the door.
