Page 43

Bradley

I ’m standing in the doorway of Piper’s class, assessing. “That’s your teacher?” I muse.

He looks familiar… my eyes roam down along his length to where an AP watch covers his wrist.

“Yes. Mr. Ripley.”

It suddenly dawns on me.

“Fuck us both then,” I whisper and smile at the same time, digging my hands inside the pockets of my jeans. Let’s hope he doesn’t remember otherwise he’ll be thrilled to see me.

“You know him?”

“Nope.” I shake my head sideways, declining by making sounds with my mouth closed.

“You’re lying,” her eyebrows rise, eyes blinking long as she crosses her hands over her chest.

“I punched his face at a party.” Amongst other things.

She starts chuckling, widening her eyes, and parting her lips in surprise, “Whoa?”

“He came at Ronnie. No one comes at Ronnie.”

“Grave mistake.” She shakes her head from side to side. “You did good son. I probably would’ve kicked him in the nuts if I’d been there.”

“Probably.”

We hold our laughter but smile widely at each other.

“Piper, please come in.” The crispy voice of her teacher captures our attention and Piper steps through the door first.

“This is my cousin, Bradley.” She waves at me.

Nice.

Always lie.

The moment he views me, horror grows in his eyes. “Stay away from me or I’m calling the cops.” His finger points in accusation.

He remembers after all. I must’ve left an impression.

“Mr. Ripley,” Piper attempts to calm him, “I can assure you he is not here to punch—”

I immediately cover her mouth with my hand. “She meant, I’m here to talk to you about Piper’s project.” I free her and proceed, narrowing my eyes at her. “Piper worked extremely hard to redo the project if you’d allow it. She knows grades are super important if she wants to be accepted into art school in the future.” I veer my gaze at her and she nods up and down to assure him.

“Art school, that’s lovely.” His eyes slide to her.

“She had some concerns about her project…” I prompt her to continue.

“It wasn’t inspiring and I wanted it to be flawless.” She bounces her foot.

“Oh, Piper, there’s no such thing as flawless. You… inspire people by creating something that reflects you.” That’s actually great advice.

“I couldn’t find me.” The desperation in her voice is palpable.

The resemblance in Piper’s mood swings match Amber’s in many ways. They’re loners but inside they long to have their own pack. Own family of friends to confide in. The only setback is they hate to ask for help because they don’t want to be let down. Rejected. They want to do things on their own. I hope they see how powerful they truly are, each in their own unique ways, because when they speak, and run around they capture everyone’s attention.

“Piper, I’m happy you are interested in fixing your project so I’ll allow it.”

I realize I zoned out and am back in time for the end of their conversation.

“Hey, that sounds great.” I nod at Piper with a wide grin.

“Thank you, Mr. Ripley.” She smiles from ear to ear, satisfied with herself as she walks out the door. “Bye. Thank you again.”

“You made her day, Mr. Ripley.” I salute him.

“Are you still punching people in the club these days?” He asks.

“Why were you fighting anyway?“ I don’t get it. He seems like a level-headed guy, working with kids so why was he acting like a dick that night.

“The other guy who started it said that my watch was fake and I told him it wasn’t, then he started slurring curses at me and arguing.”

“But why did you try to hit the owner?” Full of curiosity, my brows rise.

“I thought he was trying to take the watch. I didn’t know he was the owner. It happened too fast and I thought he was a bartender who saw an opportunity.” He nods, then shrugs when there’s nothing else to say.

“How does a teacher walk around with half a million dollars watch?” I start walking toward the exit, shoving my hand into my pocket.

“Rich Family,” he notes with a smirk. “They wanted me to become a lawyer and I wanted this. Help young minds develop.”

“Do you know a Patrick by any chance?” I say as a joke.

“I have a brother named Patrick. He is a lawyer.”

“Does he live in Staten Island?” I look away because there’s no way it’s the same guy just a funny coincidence.

“He does…”

“Oh,” an awkward chuckle escapes me, “Funny world, see you around.” I slip through the door and speed down the hall outside.

As I’m coming up the exit of the school grounds, small hands wrap around me. “What are you doing?” I freeze in place.

“Hugging you,” Piper squeezes me tighter.

“I thought you were incapable of real emotions.” I laugh, trembling in her hold.

“Shut up,” she laughs too, “You’re my friend.”

A part of me melts right then and there.

Yes I am.

“I’m your friend.”

“Thank you,” Piper whispers against me.

“You did it yourself but we all need a little push now and then.” My hands come around her back. “Let’s go, you deserve something sweet, my treat.”

Rhodes & Stark. The sign of Dylan’s shop comes into view as I park the car nearby. “This shop belongs to a friend. She makes the best cakes in the city.”

“Say less.” She unlocks the seatbelt and bolts outside, already halfway toward the shop before I even lock the car.

I chuckle.

“We celebrate Piper’s victory today,” I announce as I enter the door, noticing Dylan and her crossed arms. A smirk is already tugging at her lips. “Could we get that chocolate goodie that makes me drool like a Saint Bernard under a strong heatwave? Please and thank you.” I give her my puppy eyes.

“Coming right up.”

“Woof,” I pretend to bark and Piper laughs, shaking her head.

“She puts rum in it,” I whisper as we settle around a small table in the corner. “Not the real thing.” I clarify. “Don’t tell anyone, it’s a culinary secret. Or pastry… not sure.”

She pretends to zip her lips with her fingers as if swearing not to tell.

It’s quiet today. There’s no one here except for a mother and her daughter, eating cheesecake and rolling their eyes with each bite.

It’s good, I can tell.

“Bradley says there’s rum in it. Can you teach me how to bake?” My head snaps in her way as Dylan places the plates in front of us.

“You’re such a brat,” I murmur.

“Sure, I would love to.” The cheerfulness in her tone makes Piper smile immediately. “Let’s find a day that works for us and we can meet here for a private baking class.”

Piper claps her hands in excitement. “Yes, I would love that.”

Not bad. She’s making more friends.

“Come on, dig in.” I urge her and lift my spoon. “We’re meeting Ronnie and Amber later to buy snacks for movie night.”

“I chose to watch Dirty Dancing .”

My eyes widen. “That’s not a movie for fourteen-year-olds.”

“Age restriction is thirteen.” She states with a smile.

Great.

“Then I’ll just cover your eyes whenever there’s a spicy scene.” I smile right back, wiggling my brows.

“That’s like half the movie.” Her eyes narrow. Voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Exactly.”

“Fine, I’ll choose something else.” Her scowl lasts for a second before she tastes the cake and beams.

There you go, much better.