Page 91 of The First Time
"I have a new one in my closet." Mal smiles. "You can have it."
She turns bright red.
Joel bursts into a fit of giggles. "Where are you really going?"
"To a show," she says.
"What show?" Joel stands and stretches. "I know all the shows. There's nothing good tonight."
"I'm not going for the music." She looks at me. "I have another goal in mind."
Joel nods. "Where are you going to get laid? You have a fake ID?"
Mal raises a brow. "Don't use a fake ID. That can get you in real trouble."
"No, the show is at Chain Reaction," she says. "Don't you care that I'm going to get laid?"
"No..." Mal looks to Joel then to me. He addresses Piper. "Is there a reason why I should care?"
She shakes her head.
"You have condoms?" Mal stares at his sister. "Grab some from my room if you don't."
She looks to Joel. "Why is he so calm?"
"You're 19, Pipes. We all know you're having sex. Except Ethan." Joel looks to me. "Well, not sure about Lockhart." He turns back to Piper. "Who's playing?"
"Butterfly Wings." She smooths her top.
"Aren't they bringing back emo? You won't meet any guys worth fucking at an emo show." He moves closer to Piper. "Now the chicks—they're way into the damaged musician thing. I can clean up."
She looks up at Joel. "You're damaged?"
"Only if hearing damage counts," Mal teases.
"Don't worry about it, Pipes. I'm a good wingman. I'll make sure you find a winner," Joel says.
She stares into my eyes as she addresses Joel. "Sure."
Mal looks between the three of us. "What's up with you guys today?"
"I'll come." I run my hand through my hair, trying to play cool. No fucking way is Piper sleeping with some jackass who doesn't give a fuck about her.
"No thank you." She glares at me. "Joel and I have it covered."
Joel raises a brow. "You sure, Pipes? He's got the damaged hottie thing in spades. He'll attract all the hot chicks and you'll be left with your pick of guys in eyeliner."
She looks to Joel. "It's a free country. If Kit wants to go to the show, I can't stop him."
"You leaving now?" Mal asks.
She nods.
He motionscome hereto Piper. "Then give me a hug goodbye."
She does.
He whispers something in her ear.
