Page 22 of Broken on the Mountain
He somehow manages to steal three fries anyway. "So, Morrison, you finally stopped pretending you're not domesticated."
"I'm not domesticated."
Seriously, I'm not.
I literally ate cereal out of the box for dinner three nights last week. And I used a rescue rope as a belt yesterday because I couldn't find my actual belt.
Travis steals a pickle from the now communal plate. "You bought her a compass bookmark today."
Piper chokes on her drink. "How does everyone already know that?"
Knox pipes up, shrugging his shoulders. "Etta told Mabel, who told Martha, who told literally everyone at the station. When Jamie found out, he pissed his pants he laughed so hard."
Piper flashes a wide-eyed look my way.
"Welcome to Stone River," I mutter. "Population: two thousand nosy people and one bartender who knows everything."
"I resent that," Charlie calls from behind the bar, not even looking up. "Almosteverything."
Travis snorts. "Evening, Charlie. You hear this joker labeled his Tupperware? I saw it with my own eyes at lunch the other day."
Piper's laugh bubbles over, and she leans into my shoulder. "You know… back home, my mother usually schedules my social life. Here, I'm starting to think Charlie holds that role."
Charlie appears as if summoned, setting down two huge beers for the guys. "Perhaps. But I'm cheaper than any fancy city schmuck, and my fries are better too."
"True. My mom prefers 'suitable suitors' to burgers," Piper says, voice light but edged with something sharp. "I've always said she's allergic to fun."
I slide my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Then we'll be your antihistamine."
Knox fake-gags. "Gross."
Travis raises his beer. "To antihistamine heroes!"
We all drink, and I beam across the table to Piper.
This is my pack. My place.
And having Piper here, laughing with my friends, fitting into the chaos like she was always meant to be part of it… it's everything.
But that 'suitable suitor' comment nips back at me.
Would I ever qualify? Mountain rescue specialist with a failed military record and a studio apartment doesn't exactly screamcountry club approved.
I'm not in that world. Never have been, never will be.
Isn't that why Mom left? Packed up Lily and moved to Germany in the hope to find a man who could give themmore? Better schools, better opportunities, a better life than some kid working construction jobs could provide.
I wasn't enough then.
Why would I be enough now?
Piper's laughing at something Travis said, her hand resting on my thigh casually. LikeIbelong in her orbit.
But I don't.
She's designer coats and trust funds and a nursing degree from some fancy university I couldn't even afford to tour. I'm second-hand flannel and a military discharge that still burns like shame in my chest.
Her parents probably summer in the Hamptons.
