Page 109 of Control Us (Next Generation 1)

Meadow and Piper were setting the dining room table when Gigi came into the house from the backyard.

“Hey guys,” Meadow said. “How’s your dad, Zach?”

“Good. He’s going home today. I’m sure the doctors were hoping he would stay longer but you know him,” Zach said as we walked farther into the house.

“Yeah.” Gigi laughed. “I think all of our dads would be the same way.”

“Definitely.” Meadow sat at the head of the table. “I decided to make lunch. Trying to practice my cooking skills outside of baking. You’re welcome to join us.”

“I’m always up for a home-cooked meal,” I said. “I’ll get ready after,” I told Zach.

“Of course.” He brushed his fingers down the length of my arm before linking our hands. Leading me to the table, he pulled a chair out for me.

“Awww, so sweet,” Meadow swooned.

I laughed, my cheeks burning. I sat, pulling the chair forward. “Thank you.”

Zach only nodded and sat beside me.

“This looks amazing,” Piper said as Ashton and Aiden came into the house from the backyard.

Meadow’s smile widened. “Thank you.”

“It really does.” Aiden moved beside Piper, standing close.

“I’m going to eat outside.” Piper grabbed her plate and headed out into the backyard.

Ashton went to follow her when I shot up from the table. I acted first before I could think about it. I stepped in front of him.

His brows narrowed.

“Leave her alone,” I said gently.

“I was going to keep her company,” he said.

“Right.” I could see Zach moving beside me out of the corner of my eye. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. Ashton needed to back off. “I don’t know what’s going on between you three.” I looked at Aiden before meeting Ashton’s gaze once again. “But give her some space.”

“I think you should mind your own business,” Ashton muttered, grabbing a bun out of the bowl on the table.

“I think you should think before you make a stupid decision.” I turned and headed to the patio door. “I’m going to keep her company.” I passed a glance at Zach.

He only nodded, giving me all the encouragement I needed.

Once I was outside, Piper’s head shot up.

“It’s just me,” I told her.

She sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I broke things off with them. Although I did that after Paris, they never got the hint. So I did it again.”

“They’re still not getting the hint,” I said, sitting beside her on the patio couch.

“They aren’t. After Ashton realized that he never had a chance with you, he came back to me.” She shook her head. “God, it’s all confusing. So damn confusing. I never wanted to hurt them but…things weren’t official. I just want to be left alone.”

I wanted to tell her that I knew it was Jaron she had met up with in Paris but thought better of it. I knew that she had spent years having a crush on him but never acted on her feelings. I wasn’t overly sure why. Jaron was a good guy. Maybe she didn’t like the fact that he was a biker.

“He kissed me,” I blurted.

Piper’s head whipped around. “Who did?”

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