So she was the owner after all.
Sounded like Piper was in the back yard. My boots crunchedin the snow as I edged closer. I wasn’t meaning to eavesdrop, but she sounded upset. Was someone back there with her?
“And what about our son?” Her voice cracked slightly. “I know not to believe anything you say. But Ollie still does.”
My jaw tightened. The conversation was clearly one-sided, so she was talking on the phone. I assumed this Danny was her ex.
“Whatever bullshit scheme you came up with this time, it’s nothing to do with me.”
I thought about walking away. It was rude to eavesdrop. Yet I found myself standing there, frozen in place, as she spoke again.
“What?” She sounded confused now. “No, I’m not lifting a finger for you. What I want is for you to pay the child support you owe and be a part of Ollie’s life. That’s it. Those are the only subjects I’ll discuss with you, not some… I don’t even know what you’re going on about.” She sighed heavily. “I’m hanging up now.”
I heard fabric rustling, like she’d put her phone away. I was about to retreat and go to the front door.
But then Piper let out a roar of pure fury that would’ve been impressive if it hadn’t sounded so anguished. What the hell was going on?
I hurried around the side of the house just in time to see her bend down, grab a lump of snow from the ground, and hurl it at the enclosed back porch. It landed with a smack against the screen door.
“Piper?”
She was already stooping down to grab another handful of snow when I said her name. She whirled to face me, gasping, and the snowball flew. Caught me square in the chest with a solid thud.
I looked down at the wreckage of the snowball on my jacket. Her eyes went wide, her mouth forming a perfect O of shock.
“Grayden? I’m so sorry.”
I brushed the snow away. “No big deal. I think I’ll live.”
Her face was turning pink. “I was just…um. Didn’t know anyone else was around. You startled me.”
“No, I get it,” I said gruffly. “You’re the type to shoot first, ask questions later.”
She made a scoffing sound, staring like she didn’t know if I was serious. “Can you blame me? You’re a big guy. You kind of snuck up on me.”
“And now you’re saying I was asking for it.”
Her lips slid into a smirk. I returned it, hopefully letting her know I wasn’t actually offended. Because this was kinda funny.
Seemed like we both needed a laugh.
I bent down, scooped up my own handful of snow, and packed it into a ball. “I don’t think I can let this stand.”
She laughed. “Okay. No need to?—”
My snowball hit her right in the middle of her purple wool coat. For a second, she just stood there, glaring at me.
Then she reached for the nearest patch of snow.
I moved fast, but Piper’s next throw caught me on the side of the head, almost knocking off my cap. “Ouch. You’re vicious.”
“Then forfeit, O’Neal.”
“Hell no. Never.” I dodged her next one and charged, pelting her with the biggest clump of snow I could grab on the fly.
“Half that went down my coat!” She screamed and danced around, breathless with laughter. Her hair was in a long braid and it flopped against her shoulder. “Not fair. Your arms are longer than mine.”
“Should’ve thought of that before you started a fight you couldn’t finish.” I launched another one, and she tried to avoid it, but her boot slipped. She stumbled, arms windmilling, and went down hard on her backside.
