Page 30 of Meant To Be

Dani totally had my back. I stood. “Give me a hug, bring it in.” I held my arms open.

Dani laughed as she gave me a quick hug. As she stepped back, her gaze sobered. “I’ve got your back on Tonya, but you better not hurt Piper.” Her eyes narrowed.

“I love her.”

“I don’t even know how you can know that,” Dani said pointedly.

Since I was all in on being honest, I kept at it. “Because I’ve known her for years. Things were really intense.”

“Oh my fucking God! I did not need to know how intense it was,” Wade practically spat out.

Dani glanced over at me, giving me a stern look. It was a weak effort because she was about to burst out laughing. She lost the battle, though, when a laugh finally sputtered out.

Wade glared at her. “Seriously? I think you would be on my side with this.” He gestured to me. “This guy has never been in a serious relationship. Never.” He jabbed his forefinger into the table in emphasis.

Dani’s gaze was somber as she looked from me to Wade. “I know. But he’s also never been an asshole. You just heard me threaten him if he hurts Piper. I’m with you there. But Dylan’s your best friend. I don’t think he’d be stupid enough to say he loved Piper to your face if he didn’t actually love Piper.”

Although Wade’s comments stung a little, I understood his point. “You’re not wrong,” I replied. “But neither is Dani. I’m not an asshole.” I paused, closing my eyes and taking a breath to slow the anxiety churning in my chest. When I opened them again, I added, “I’ve never felt like this about anyone. I’m as surprised as you. I don’t even know if Piper believes me.” I threw my hands up in the air. “Her reaction to this shows me maybe she doesn’t. I’m gonna have to prove it to her. I could use an assist from you, though. Do you believe now that nothing happened with me and Tonya?”

Wade gritted his teeth before opening his mouth wide and stretching his jaw. “Yes,” he grumbled. “Let’s call her.”

“Now?”

Dani waggled her brows.

“Buckle up, buttercup,” Wade said dryly. “If you’re going to be with my sister, you’re gonna have to deal with the fact I know about it.”

I swallowed. “Piper’s going to fucking kill me that I told you anything about us.”

“Why?” Wade asked sharply.

“Because she specifically asked me not to tell you. She wasn’t ready.”

“Hmm.” Wade shrugged slowly. “Better her pissed at you than me.”

Before I could protest further, he snagged his phone off the edge of the table and tapped it to call, putting it on speaker.

My heart banged along unsteadily on my chest. I could barely breathe waiting for Piper to answer.

After a moment, her voice came through the line. “Hey, Wade.”

My heart twisted in my chest.

“You’re on speaker,” he replied.

“Um, okay,” Piper said slowly. “Is Dani there with you?”

“Oh, I’m here,” Dani offered. “For the record, I don’t agree with this plan.”

“What plan?” Piper asked, sounding suspicious.

“I’m here with Dani and Dylan. Dylan asked me to call you and clarify that he was not with Tonya the other night. I have verified this from an independent source.” Wade glared at me briefly. “She came over to chat with him at the lodge restaurant, and I saw them go out to the parking lot, at which point I left. Dawson has verified that Dylan came back inside within a few minutes.”

“Dylan is there now?” Piper’s tone was sharp enough to cut me.

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I’m here.”

There was a beat of loaded silence. “Okay. Is that all?” Piper asked.

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