Page 47 of Hard Count
Jayson picked up his wine. “Then we are having the correct conversation.”
Piper pulled the phone out. Slowly and on purpose.
It was Noah. AReal Housewife of Beverly HillsGIF. Kim Richards calling Brandi Glanville aslut pig, and he had written,Miss you sexy.
The corner of his mouth wanted to lift with a chuckle. He didn’t let it out fully, just enough to make Jayson’s blood boil. Piper hated himself for it, because he knew there were consequences to his performance tonight.
“Answer him.”
“What?”
“Answer him.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Piper locked the phone and slid it face down on the table. “Fuck no, Jayson.”
Jayson’s calm showed strain which was off brand for him.
“You are trying very hard to convince yourself this is rebellion.”
“What if it is?”
“Then it is late and you will not win.”
Another vibration. Neither of them looked away.
Jayson stood first. “We are leaving, get up.”
Piper followed him out. No argument or dramatic exit, just the silent acceptance that Piper had lost this argument, but it was the first time he had tried.
***
The black SUV waited at the curb.“Get in,” Jayson demanded.
Piper wondered what was next, but he felt like not thinking would benefit him more at this point.
The SUV headed east, leaving Melrose behind. The city thinned out into warehouses and chain-link fences.
Jayson looked past him. “You’re very quiet.”
“I’m thinking.”
“That’s new.”
Piper almost smiled.
The car turned into a loading bay behind a large unmarked warehouse. A single red bulb above a steel door. Two men stepped aside the second they saw Jayson.
Of course they did.
Inside, the space was warm and muggy. A low bass throbbed somewhere beneath the floor.Get Naked (I Got A Plan)by Britney Spears burned through the room. Movement in the shadows, bodies reduced to outlines, gestures, fragments of skin and sweat.Blackoutwas reserved for Piper and Noah. He wondered why it was crossing over to this side of his existence.
Piper stopped for a moment once they were inside. He understood immediately the intent of this little fucking field trip.
Jayson watched “You don’t need an explanation do you.”
