“Where’s the nuance there?”
My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest. I want to get up and run for the hills. I’ve never felt so embarrassed in my life.
I’m not embarrassed for sleeping with Jake. I’m embarrassed because now I have to talk to our parents about it.
“This,” Paul snaps, “is over. It ends today.”
Jake shakes his head. “I have a question. How the hell did you even know? Have you been spying on us?”
“Never you mind how we know,” my mom snaps. “Your father and I didn’t do anything wrong. It’syou twowho should be ashamed.”
“No,” Jake replies, rising to his feet. He rubs his chin, deep in thought. “We were careful. You guys were never here—”
“Don’t be dense, Jake!” Dad snaps back. “We have staff here, okay? Security. Landscapers. Did you think you could keep this a secret forever?”
My entire body goes stiff as a board, and I feel like I’m about to pass out. No, no this can’t be. Oh God…
I’m going to throw up. Someone left a glass of water on the coffee table. I don’t care who right now. I just grab it and gulp it down, fighting off the incoming panic attack.
I slump back on the couch, so lightheaded I’m sure I’m going to faint. This is just too much. And it’s all my fault.
“Oh my God, Piper!” It’s my mom’s voice, concerned and sounding like she’s half a universe away. I feel her hand on my arm as she pulls me to my feet. “Take a deep breath, sweetie.”
“Are you okay?” That’s Jake. He’s worried about me. I want to smile, but I can’t. I’m too tense.
“Just give us a minute, Jake?” Mom pulls me away into the kitchen, my legs swinging limply like Play-Doh.
I hear raised voices as Mom sits me down at the table. Jake and Paul are screaming at each other.
“Drink this, honey,” Mom says, curling my hand around a cold glass. “It’s ice water.”
I gulp it down quickly. It helps. If only I had a pool filled with it that I could throw myself into.
“Mom, I’m…”
“Relax, Piper. I know you’re sorry. It was Jake’s fault. He never should have done what he did. But you know how men can be.”
A jolt runs through me, and my eyes snap open. “What? No. It wasn’t Jake’s fault. It was mine.”
Mom looks back at me, confused. “Your fault? Honey, you’ve never even had a boyfriend. How could it be your fault?”
I take a deep breath. This isn’t going to be easy.
“I wanted him, Mom.” The words are like acid spilling off my tongue. “He tried to hold out, but I did…somany things I shouldn’t have. And he couldn’t.”
It’s the worst time, but I just can’t stop my lips from twisting into a smile as I think about the first time he took me. About all those other times he was deep inside me and we rode our waves of ecstasy together. Remembering all that now isalmostenough to distract me from this super awkward moment.
“Well, whatever happened, it has to end. It will end. You understand?”
“It’s not ending.” Jake’s bold voice fills the room, and I look up to see him standing in the doorway, filling it out with his wide shoulders and muscular frame.
“Jake—” Mom starts, but he silences her by raising his hand.
“Dad just cut me off,” he says. “Neither of us has anything left to lose. And we’re in love. Aren’t we, baby?”
He looks at me, and I nod automatically.Of course we are.
“Paul will throw you out,” my mom says. Jake just nods, standing strong like an immovable tree in a hurricane.
