Page 93 of The First Time
Chapter Fifteen
Piper
Iabsorb none of the music. I completely ignore every guy Joel brings over to talk to me.
All night, my eyes stay glued to Kit.
He doesn't want to be with me, fine.
But this wholewe shouldn't talk for a whilething?
No.
Fuck that.
Fuck him.
I hate that I still care about him.
I hate that I still want him.
I hate that I would gladly lose my virginity to him in the very dirty bathroom if he would lean close enough to ask.
After the show, I'm too mad to drive. I give my keys to Joel and demand the backseat. I can't think. It's dark and the air is warm and by the time we're parked on my block, it smells like salt.
"Thanks for driving." I get out of the car and wait for Joel to get out and hand over my keys.
My eyes stay on Kit. He's standing behind my car with this look on his face that screamsI'm sorry.
It's only a look.
There are no words to accompany it.
No explanation.
No promises to make me come until I pass out.
Joel hands over my keys. He leans close enough to whisper. "You okay?"
"Stressed about finals." And about using this summer as a test-run for the rest of my life. I want to get another server job and go full throttle with auditions, to see if I feel like I can make it work. Of course, neither one of those concerns compares to how the way my heart is aching. How could Kit leave like that? How could he follow-up withwe shouldn't talk like this for a while?
Joel looks to Kit. "You heading out?"
"In a minute." Kit's dark eyes find mine.
Understanding passes between us. He wants to talk.
I'm not sure I want to talk to him.
But I am sure I want Joel out of my business. "Yeah, I'll see you next Monday. Or maybe the Monday after. Either way." I nod goodbye and step into the house. I leave the door unlocked and I stay close enough I can hear the guys whispering.
Then Joel's car starts and he pulls away.
Footsteps come closer to the door.
Kit pushes it open enough to step inside.
His eyes find mine. "Piper, I... I'm sorry."
