Page 23 of Kiwi

"Come on now, brother," Fender chuckles. "Some asshat is bound to catch Piper's attention eventually or vice versa. Face it, man, your daughter is a knockout. And I mean that in the most respectful way. Just puttin' that out there before you decide to kick my ass. Piper is like a sister to me."

"You're lucky, cause that's the only thing keepin' me from puttin' my foot up to your ass, brother."

"Dad," I groan. "Please stop," I plead, my cheeks heating from embarrassment. "There is no way I am discussing my current love life or future one with you or any of the guys."

"Fuck me," my dad growls, placing his head in his hands. "Jesus Christ, please tell me my little girl did not just say the words love life."

"Alright, then." I stand abruptly and swing my purse over my shoulder. "This conversation is officially over. I have a dinner date to get to." I walk over to my dad, lean down, and kiss his cheek. "I'll see you at home later."

"Yeah, yeah. Love you, Bean."

"Love you too, dad."

As I go to leave the clubhouse, I chance a glance at Tai, who is still perched on a stool at the bar and notice the intense grip he has on the beer bottle in his hand and the way he's grinding his teeth as he watches me walk away. I also don't miss the way Tequila takes in the weird tension ping-ponging between us just before she elbows him in the side, gives him a strange look, then says something to him. And though I'm curious about what she said, I look away and walk out of the clubhouse.

When I arrive at Leon's, Colton is standing outside on the sidewalk in front of the dinner. Leon's was a staple during my high school days. All the kids came here to hang out after school to grab a burger and fries.

As I'm climbing out of my car, Colton gives me a huge grin. "Damn, look at you. What's with the new look? Not that I am complaining because it's hot."

"I just felt like a change," I smile, giving him a side hug.

"Blonde suits you. Really, Piper, you look great."

"Thank you."

"Shall we." Colton pulls open the door to the dinner and motions for me to step inside in front of him? As soon as the bell alerts our arrival, Betty, a waitress who has worked at Leon's for as long as I can remember, walks out from the back. "Well, look at what the cat dragged in. How ya doin' girly?"

"I'm good, Betty. How about you?"

"Oh, you know how it is. Nothing ever changes around here. Same shit, different day. You two want to sit at the counter, or do you want a booth?"

"Booth," Colton answers.

Betty shows us to a booth. I sit on one side while Colton slides into the seat across from me.

"You two need a menu, or do you already know what you want?" Betty asks.

"I'll have a cheeseburger with fries, and water."

"You got it darlin'. How about you, Colton?"

"I'll have the same as Piper but add a slice of apple pie to my order."

"Okay. Give me a few minutes, and I'll have that out to you."

"So," Colton starts once we are alone, "how have you been? Texas treating you okay?"

I look across the table and take in my ex-boyfriend. With his brown hair and blue eyes, he really is a handsome guy. "Things are good, and I like Texas. It's not like being home, but I like it well enough. What about you? How's Florida? Baseball going okay?"

"Baseball is great. The guys on the team have been welcoming. All in all, I can't complain. I miss New Orleans, though, and my friends. Moving away has been weird, you know?"

I nod. "Yeah, I get it."

Colton and I continue to make idle chit chat, and before I know it, Betty returns with our food. A moment later, movement over my shoulder catches Colton's attention. "Isn't that one of the guys from your dad's club?"

I turn in my seat just as Tai steps into the dinner. Quickly, I turn back around in hopes that he will not see me sitting here. I have no such luck because about five seconds later, a pair of black boots come into view, stopping right next to the booth I'm sitting in. Slowly my eyes travel up, landing on Tai's face as he towers above me.

"Is there something you needed, Kiwi?" A look of irritation briefly flashes across his face when I use his road name. Ever since the rally incident, I started calling him Tai, but I only do that when we are alone. If I began saying Tai instead of Kiwi in front of the guys, I'm afraid it would raise speculation.