Page 77 of Broken on the Mountain
Shit.
The cold voice continues, arctic and precise as nerves rip through my entire body. "This is Piper's mother. We need plans finalized for Saturday, and I need to speak with hernow."
Saturday?
My gut drops like I've just missed a crucial anchor during a mission.
"Piper? Um, yes… Well, she's… in the middle of…"
I look out across the parking lot, seeing Piper's hair whipping behind her like a banner as she sprints between stations, clutching stolen ingredients to her chest with the fierce determination of someone who'd rather die than lose to my cocky teammates.
"…something. I can take a message."
"Tell her to answer her phone." Each word is clipped. "Tell my daughter that herreal liferequires attention. And tell her not to ruin the gala gown with those God-awful bootsyoubought her."
I swallow and try to get a word in. "Listen, I—"
"And let me be clear." Her voice sharpens, cutting through my stammered response. "Whatever little fantasy you've constructed with my daughter needs to end. Piper hasobligations.A family legacy. A future that doesn't involve playing house with some… mountain man in the middle of nowhere."
The chili bubbles, completely forgotten.
"She belongs in Chicago. With people of her own caliber. You? You're aphase.A rebellion. And when Piper comes to her senses next weekend, she'll realize exactly what you are."
I can't speak. Can't breathe.
My own mother's face flashes through my mind. The postcard she sent me.Hope you're wellscrawled above a tourist trap, like I was an afterthought she'd finally remembered to check off her list.
I've told myself a million times I'd burn it, but I never have.
I can't.
Because it's the only proof I have that she existed in my life at all.
"You're nothing, and the sooner you leave my daughter alone, the better off we'll all be.Goodbye."
The word hangs in the air, confirming every fear I've carried since the day my family left. Since the Army spit me out. Since Piper first walked into my world wearing designer everything and making me feel like I'd won the lottery just by catching her attention.
The line goes dead and I'm left standing there, spoon frozen mid-stir, staring at Piper's phone like it just bit me.
Saturday.
If she's busy next weekend…
That means she's not coming to Stone River. OurWeekends Onlyagreement is destroyed already, and here I was, trying to win her over to getmorethan weekends only.
I look up.
Piper's now laughing with Brooke, triumphant with her contraband ingredients clutched in both hands. Her new nails catch the sunlight, and it all starts to make sense.
She jogs back across the parking lot, her face lit up with joy, my hoodie bouncing with each step.
The gala gown? Her real life? Saturday?!
How long has Piper known?
I lay her phone back exactly where it was as she barrels back into our tent, breathless and grinning, ingredients held high like trophies.
"I have medical-grade chili stabilization." She sets everything down and fixes me with a playful glare. "Question is, Mr. Horny-Hands, do you think you can keep your hands to yourself until we're done?"
