Oh, he will.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said. “I understand. You were mad.” She sat down on the floor, her back to the door, and continued to listen. “Yes, I know we shouldn’t do that.”
Aston talked for a moment, and then Piper spoke.
“I’m sorry that I called my other dad, Seth, you know? Today in school, I thought about it. I don’t think you would want him to know what happened. I’m really sorry.”
The air whooshed out of my lungs.
“You don’t have to do that,” I whispered to Piper.
She shook her head at me, her palm in the air, silencing my words with her version oftalk to the hand. “It was wrong of me. But you know, I just met you, and I wasn’t sure what to do. And I’ve known my other dad all my life ... Uh-huh ... Uh-huh. Right. It was wrong, though.”
Whatever Aston said put her mind at ease, and she gave up on the apology.
“Well, I wanted to tell you I made the soccer team!”
A smile brightened Piper’s face, and I couldn’t help but think even ice cream wouldn’t have that effect.
“I thought you’d be happy to hear ... Yeah, I worked really hard ... Sure, when we get the schedule.”
There was a little more chitchat, and then Piper said, “Yep, she’s right here.”
Before I could protest, she shoved the phone at me and ran off, saying she was going to practice outside.
“Hey,” I said into the phone.
“Thanks for having her call,” Aston said.
“I didn’t. She’s Piper. She wanted to call.” I slid into the same place Piper had occupied only moments before.
“Listen, Bex, I fucked up. I can’t apologize any more—”
“Your dad visited me again today. Told me to call off my boyfriend.”
“What the fuck? Aidan, get in here,” Aston yelled.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to involve your lawyer.”
“It damn fucking is.”
Cradling my forehead in my palm, I tried to stroke away the stress headache coming on.
“Bexley, listen to me. Nan is going to testify against my father.”
“What? He’s her husband ... how? Why?”
“Because my dad set me up, and he wants me out.”
Leaning my head back against the door, I asked, “Why?”
“I’m not sure we’ll ever know the why, babe. He’s mad I divorced Cass. Her family’s wealth and power are more important than the well-being of my kids and me.”
“That’s crazy. All you’ve ever done is please him. Ever.”
“I know. Didn’t do me much good, did it? I’m a miserable son of a bitch.”
“Aston, don’t do that. What will Nan do? What does she know?”
