Page 105 of The First Time

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Chapter Seventeen

Piper

Fuck.

A deep breath does nothing to ease the tension in my chest.

I hate that I'm worried about this.

So what if Mal finds out Kit and I are... whatever we are. I should be able to fuck Kit without it mattering to anyone but me and Kit.

I know that isn't the case.

I know Joel is right. Maybe he's not right about how bad things will get, but he is right about this causing a shit storm.

As much as I hate that anyone has an opinion, I care about Kit, and I don't want to fuck things up for him.

I'm going to throw up.

Mal's eyes are filled with frustration. It's not like him. Usually, he's stoic. Usually, he hides everything that upsets him.

I take even steps as I follow him out the side door.

We're in a narrow alley. It's quiet. It's particularly clean.

I guess Beverly Hills even has classy alleys.

My brother looks taller and broader than normal.

He'd beat Kit in a fight, hands down. Not that Kit would punch back.

My heart is thudding against my chest. Another deep breath does nothing to calm me.

Mal's shoulders stiffen. His entire body locks up. He stands as straight as an arrow.

His eyes bore into me.

I brace for theI know about you and Kit and he's already out of the band.

Instead, Mal's voice drops. His eyes go to the street. "That was Mom."

What? I study my brother's expression. There's no menace in it. His knuckles aren't bloody or bruised. His voice is even.

"We haven't talked about Mom in forever."

"They're happy for you. About school." He smiles, but he isn't selling it. "They're going to be home next week."

"That's nice." I should be relieved that Mal doesn't know about me and Kit—not that there's anything to know—but I'm not. Already, I taste acid in my throat.

"They're winning a science award."

I stare back at Mal.

"They want us to go to the ceremony."

"Good for them."

"I'm going. Ethan's going—"

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