Page 9

Bradley

A s I enter the elevator with the sweets and desserts I got us for movie night, Piper trails behind me, silent as she leans against the panel, gnawing on her bottom lip.

“You’re in a mood, what is up with you?”

“Nothing.” She digs her hands into the pocket of her hoodie.

“C’mon, you can tell me.”

She stays quiet, peering up at me in annoyance.

“Are you going to make me guess?” My eyes narrow. “A boy?”

“No. All the boys in my school are idiots.” Her gaze drops to her sports shoes.

“I’m sure not all of them but that’s the spirit, your dad will love that.”

A tiny smile replaces the scowl on her face but it quickly fades.

My eyes drop down her form, noticing the rolled-up paper in her front pocket.

“Did you fail a test?”

Her eyes instantly snap up, “Don’t tell my parents.”

“I’m not going to tell them,” I reassure her. “Which class?”

“Art.”

I know a thing or two about art. “Why did you fail?”

“I don’t feel inspirational.” Pulling her hands from her pocket, she extracts her big pink sunglasses and puts them on dramatically, sliding the little arch up the bridge of her nose. “C’est la vie, I’m going to watch The Devil Wears Prada ten times to make me feel better.”

Those silly sunglasses cover half of her face. Yet there’s something so theatrical about her that amuses me.

“Did you go for a walk that’s why you’re out late?”

“Yeah, I told Mom I’ll be under the building to get some air.” She peers up at me again and I can feel it even with the sunglasses on. “Please don’t tell my mom I failed.”

“I won’t tell her, I promise.” I grin softly. I’m a little concerned about her. If she were my little sister I would’ve wanted to know. “Piper…”

“What?”

How am I going to ask this without sounding like an asshole?

“I… I was wondering if your friends like fashion too.”

“What?” Her nose wrinkles, pushing the sunglasses against her cheeks.

Now I have to lie. “Amber is doing a fashion show for fun in our apartment and wanted to know if you and your friends would like to join?”

With my somewhat believable explanation behind us, she slides the sunglasses atop her head and I’m met with her beaming face.

“Omg, yes!” She squeals. “I would love to.” And steps out of the elevator.

“Great!” I drag my fingers down my neck, now I need to convince Amber. “Do you want to bring some friends?”

“Hmm…” Her gaze drops to the floor and tilts back up to meet my gentle eyes. “Not really.”

“Why?”

“I have two friends but they’re busy all the time.” Her tone is lighter, surgery.

Was that a lie?

“Okay, I’ll tell Amber you’re coming but I’ll ask your mom first, and if she agrees you can come.”

She nods rapidly, already excited. “Yes, thank you. Tell Amber I will bring my stuff as well.”

Passing her, I announce, “I’ll help you get a second chance and ace art class so I need you to think about this—art that gets compliments, and art that draws attention, are two different things.”

“I will, I’ll redo my project.” The warmth in her voice already tells me I did the right thing as I watch her skipping down the hall into her apartment.

I enter our apartment, hearing voices in the living room. “I may have told Piper you’re hosting a fashion show and she’s invited.” My mouth blurts as I lock the door.

“Ohh,” Amber nods excitedly, wearing one of Ronnie’s hoodies, “I can do that.”

“Please do, I can’t let a fourteen-year-old down.” I lift the bag in my hand on top of the counter. “What movie did you choose?” I pull out our ice cream pints and line them on the island. Before I turn back to the counter, I catch Ronnie’s smile from across the room and my cheeks heat up so I wink at him as a distraction.

Trailers play on the screen while he finishes writing something on his laptop and Teddy barks at him to get his attention. When he doesn’t, he goes to his bed in the corner and tosses himself on it—half of his body is on the bed, and half on the floor, little legs spread to the sides.

I chuckle as I watch his eyes move from side to side, waiting for someone to notice him.

“We chose to watch Halloween Ends ,“ Amber replies, a sly grin on her face.

My face instantly scrunches, reflecting my disapproval. “I don’t like horror movies.”

“Want us to hold your hands?” Ronnie suggests as he walks to the kitchen with his hands in his pockets.

“Yes, please. I love horror movies for that particular reason.” I toss the Skittles box I got for him into his stomach and his hands swiftly catch it in time. “How was your shift today at the club?” I ask Amber.

“I enjoyed it, plus, I got to see Ronnie running around half a day in his super sexy formal wear.”

Oh yeah, I know the feeling.

“My eyes were blessed, the customers less.” She laughs devilishly. “Nah, I’m joking. I aced it.”

“I had a few business meetings for future events at the club but had to keep an eye on my new employee. She did great by the way.”

Keep rubbing that in my face, I wish he would.

“Thanks. At first, I was nervous but an hour later I started running jokes with Lisa and the customers.” She shrugs. “It was pretty cool.”

“Tomorrow we’re working together.” I stare them both down. “They won’t be able to handle so many eye candies in one shift. That’s so cruel, we’re monsters .“ I snort a laugh.

Ronnie props his elbows against the counter and leans forward. “That will be the hardest shift when I know your fantasies you dirty fuckers.”

“Omg, on top of the bar,” Amber hisses, “Damn that would be hot .”

“In my office,” Ronnie continues with a smirk.

They both stare at me since it circled back to my horny ass. “In the tattoo shop, on the bed, while I tattoo one of you. Or both… ”

“We have so many new ideas…” Amber looks between us with a raised eyebrow, insinuating what is already plaguing our brains. “By the way, we can play on your PS5 instead, but be warned, I’m gonna kick your ass.”

“Oh, yeah?” Ronnie gazes at her. “Game on.”

“Off-topic,” I start, “I wanted to ask you something. Both of you. How does a week’s trip to Staten Island sound?”

“Like something I need.” Ronnie immediately replies, tearing the box open and shoving a few candies in his mouth.

“You want us to meet your family?” Amber questions, her eyes are saying yes but the way her fingers drum restlessly on top of the counter suggests otherwise.

“Our families. Mine and yours. We can go between them all week and make the most of this trip. I think it’ll do us some good being away from the city and get to know each other more.”

“Okay,” she quickly agrees yet her voice comes off a little pitchy and panicky, “Can we bring Teddy?” A support animal to the rescue. I smile as a little, mischievous smirk pops on her face and I wonder what that is about.

“Of course, he is coming with us,” I say and he dashes toward my hands as I bend down to pick him up. “We’re not leaving you here.” I pepper him with kisses.

“Good, because I never left him alone for too long. What am I going to do about the club? I still have a shortage of employees?” Ronnie sighs in frustration, dragging his hand over his face.

Silence passes as we all try to think of a solution.

“Oh, oh,” Amber utters suddenly, an idea flashing in her golden eyes. “Someone was looking for a job at Dylan’s shop. She has her number and promised to call that woman if she hears anything.”

“That can work, I’ll give Dylan a call.” Ronnie grabs his phone from his pocket and texts her. “If she is available Lisa will train her this week and then we can go.”

“I think she said she has some experience bartending,” Amber says, grabbing her ice cream.

“You hear that Teddy, we’re going on a trip,” I shake his front legs from side to side. “Yay.”

“So a trip in two weeks, how’s that sound?” Ronnie waits for our silent approval and we nod.

“If you need suitcases I have plenty.” She claps her hands together.

With a playful grin, I say, “I need to clarify something.”

“What?” Amber squints her eyes.

“I know it’s hard to hear. I’m so sorry but I say this with a heavy heart. You can’t bring Harley, she stays.”

With an unimpressed look yet mischief in her eyes, she tosses the kitchen towel on my face. “What if I bring her for a sex thing?”