Page 75 of Eleven of a Kind

“It’s that obvious?” My shoulders slumped.

The bell above the door dinged, and Tara walked in.

“Good morning.” She brightly smiled.

“It’s not a good morning,” Raj said. “Our little dove is wounded.”

“What happened, Piper?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I stepped behind the counter.

“Too bad. You’re going to,” Tara said. “Did something happen between you and Gabriel?”

“Oh, my God!” Raj exclaimed. “He said it, didn’t he?”

I stared at the two of them and didn’t say a word.

“Well, I don’t feel sorry for you,” Tara said as she stood up tall.

“Wow. Thanks a lot, friend.” I cocked my head.

“Nope.” She shook her head. “I’m team Gabriel this time.”

“She’s right, Piper. I am too,” Raj said.

“You both suck!” I pointed at them and went into the back.

“We love you, but this time it’s different,” Tara said as she and Raj followed me.

“Tara’s right. All the other guys were just—how do I put this? Plain and boring,” Raj said. “We’ve never seen you so happy as you were with Gabriel, Piper. Sorry, but it’s the truth. You were on a whole other level with him.”

“I won’t deny that,” I said. “But I am the way I am for a reason, and you both know that. He told me that Riley can’t come here after school anymore and to stay away from his family.”

“He’s hurting, just like you are,” Tara said.

“I’m not hurting.” I started to sob uncontrollably.

“Aw, come here.” Tara hugged me. “You can end this pain and suffering. Just go talk to him.”

“I can’t. He said it’s over for good. He was so angry.”

“Do you blame him?” Raj asked. “He’s heartbroken.”

“Yeah, and so am I. He wasn’t supposed to say that he loved me. He ruined everything.”

“I love you, Piper, but you’re the one who ruined everything, not him. He was only expressing his feelings like normal human beings do,” Raj said. “The man loves you.” He gripped my shoulders. “For once in your life, let someone love you without running away.”

We heard the shop bell ding.

“We better get out there and help the customers,” Tara said.

My phone pinged, and when I looked at it, there was a text from Riley.

“My dad told me what happened. How could you not love him? I’m mad at you, Piper.”

“I’m sorry, Riley. Please don’t hate me. I’m just going through a thing right now.”

“Like you were with that Jack guy? Spare me the bullshit. Maybe one day I can forgive you for hurting my dad and me. Bye, Piper.”

---