Piper
I wake up to the sound of voices. Looking around I realize that Holt must have put me in bed after our shower. I get warm just thinking about it. My brain is scrambled from Holt’s attention over the last 12 hours. I’m not sure how my life has changed so drastically in the last few days, but I’m not going to complain about some aspects of it.
I stretch and decide that I need to get dressed and go downstairs. I look at the end of the bed and strangely see my favorite pair of leggings and oversized sweatshirt. Underwear is oddly missing from the pile, but I’ll take it.
It takes me a little longer to pull on the soft clothes and —I hate to admit that I am sore. Holt has given me quite the workout the last 12 hours. I stretch a little and try to walk like I haven’t been fucked to within an inch of my life multiple times.
I pause at the top of the stairs and hear familiar voices. Sounds like the gang is all here. I quietly take the stairs and notice that Holt is already looking in my direction. It’s like he has radar.
Meg notices that I have joined the group and she rushes to hug me. I automatically hug her back.
“Can’t wait to compare notes,” Meg whispers in my ear. I feel my cheeks get warm and just nod. I approach the table and Holt comes around to me. He kisses my temple and pulls me into his side.
“Hey everyone,” I say quietly. Sterling and Carter nod at me. I notice that everyone is sitting around the table while Carter is behind his laptop.
“Carter’s been busy trying to track down the asshole from Facebook,” Holt grinds out. I can feel him stiffen as he speaks. I squeeze him a bit tighter in hopes of offering comfort. Holt looks down at me and grins softly. I cant help but melt a little.How did I snag this guy?
“Do you recognize the guy that was messaging you, Piper,” I’m broken out of my thoughts by Carter’s question.
“I can’t say that I recognize the name, and I didn’t look at the profile picture,” I add. I was too busy letting that bitch insecurity take over my thought processes.
“Well, the account is a new account and his profile photo doesn’t show you his face,” Carter explains. I let out a sigh of frustration.
“But, this is exactly what we needed. A digital footprint is going to help us track this guy down. And he may have made up the name, but usually there is some sort of connection. This gives us something,” Holt explains. I nod at him. Feeling slightly better about this.
“Well, I think we should eat some lunch,” Meg jumps up and says. She is making her way to the island.
“You woke up just in time,” Meg says as she opens the bags and sets out some food. I move to help her.
“Are you sure you brought enough,” I say jokingly looking at the many trays of sandwiches and sides.
“Well, I knew you would be hungry— I’m sure you have worked up quite the appetite,” she says jokingly. I need to put a bag over my head or start wearing a full face of makeup if I am going to hide my cheeks. They seem to permanently be in a state of blushing.
“Shut up,” I shoot back cleverly. I nudge her with my shoulder. Holt comes towards us with a smirk on his face. I ignore it.
“Do you have any paper plates,” I ask instead. I don’t know where he keeps anything. Instead of answering me, he walks to the cabinets behind me and opens the door above the stove. Turning around he sets a stack of paper plates, napkins, and a box of plastic cutlery next to the food.
Sterling approaches Meg and whispers something in her ear, she giggles a bit and goes to take a seat.
“Sterling and I got this— go hang with Meg. I’ll get you a plate,” Holt directs. Meg is waving me over and I can’t help but follow directions.
“Let them handle it,” Meg says as I approach the other side of the table. She looks over at me with concern.
“Look, I know I was joking earlier— but are you okay? I know what it’s like— and you know that we are all here for you, right,” she asks. I nod at her.
“I think I’m okay. I’m afraid and frustrated but I know I can count on you. Plus, Holt has been quite the distraction,” I add slyly. Meg giggles.
“Oh, yes. They are experts in that,” she says and laughs. “It’s difficult to concentrate with all that going on,” she says and waves her hand towards them.
“Thanks for bringing my clothes, by the way. Although, you could have grabbed me underwear,” I tease. She looks at me with eyes wide and then starts laughing again.
“ I brought you underwear! I can’t help it if Holt tampered with the outfit on his way to deliver it to you. Take your complaints up with him,” She laughs again.
“Such a Campbell move though. Sterling would totally do something like that,” she adds. I nod and blush again. She is right.
Lunch goes by quickly and I have to admit, it is nice to have people around. Makes it feel a bit more normal—even though things are decidedly not. Meg and I have moved to the couch with mugs of hot chocolate, and are catching up on the latest town gossip. The guys are all huddled at the kitchen table, reviewing video footage that Carter had gotten from my neighbors.
“At some point, I am going to need to go get my car,” I tell her. She raises her eyebrow at me, and takes another sip of hot chocolate.
