I realize I’m staring when the three of them finally settle into their seats. I’m not the only one; everybody in our section seems to let out a simultaneous breath of relief.
My dad’s watching too.
His fists are planted on his hips, and his mouth is set in an uncharacteristic glower. He doesn’t like when the chill vibe of his sports bar is disrupted, or when his staff isn’t treated kindly, but more than that, he’s got zero love for parents who get physical with their kids.
Our eyes meet. He cringes, lifting his shoulders in a rueful shrug that says,I’d die before I’d treat you like that.
Shit—he and I have had our ups and downs, but I’ve got it good.
I’m pretty sure Dad would boot this guy and his kids if doing so wouldn’t cause an even bigger commotion. For now, he lingers near the bar, keeping an eye on their table, making sure I’m safe, as are the rest of his patrons, his employees, and thepunk kids who seem to be growing into mirror images of their asshole father.
Piper
When Tati gets home, she takes one look at me, then turns and walks back out of the apartment.
By the time Henry swings by at nearly eight, she still hasn’t returned.
He stoops down to peer at the tiny sparkling stud in my nose.
“I like it,” he declares.
“My sister hates it.”
“Who cares?” He kisses me, smiling against my mouth. “It’s hot. Did it hurt?”
I’ve decided to keep the news about losing my job from him as well. I’ll tell him as soon as I secure something new, same as Tati. I’ll pretend it’s no big thing—story of my life.
“Nope,” I say with a sunny smile. “Not even a little.”
We order a pizza, then joke and laugh while we wait for it to arrive. Henry, who can’t sit still to save his life, clears the kitchen counter of an empty seltzer can and the bowl I ate grapes from earlier.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say, watching from a barstool.
“I know. Sorry, it’s become habit. My dad never puts anything away.”
“How’d he get by before you showed up?”
“He has a housekeeper who comes once a week. It’s not that he’s lazy. I just don’t think he notices clutter. He’s too busy looking for the next exciting adventure.”
You two are cut from the same cloth. Of course you can’t see his faults.
It bothers me that Tati’s not wrong.
“You want to hang out in my room?” I ask.
Henry’s expression is a mixture of intrigue and wariness. He’s been over plenty of times, but we’ve always stayed in the common areas.
“Your sister won’t care?”
“My sister’s not here.”
“What about the pizza?”
“Oh, Henry,” I say, comforted by how totally and completely dependable he is. “We’ll hear the buzzer.”
His mouth curves into a smile. “Okay. Yeah. Let’s hang out in your room.”
***
