Chapter Twenty-Two
Then
Graduation passed in a blur of emotions and snapshots of black caps framed against a Carolina blue sky. Wyatt and Piper kept
their budding romance under wraps until summer to protect it from the scrutiny of the school’s halls, which included Allie
and Ethan. But with high school over, Piper was ready to share her joy with their closest friends and eager to go on a real
date with Wyatt.
She wasn’t the only one. After his prom showing, half the girls at school had developed crushes on Wyatt, who’d spent the
year losing the final baby weight in his face and gaining bulging biceps. Of course, he’d been entirely unaware of his effect
on the girls of Cedar Falls High. Avoiding a spotlight on their relationship had been a mutual decision between Piper and
Wyatt, but every time she overheard girls talking about Wyatt, she worried he might be keeping his options open. Worried she
wasn’t enough for him.
She reached her breaking point while joining a group of Allie’s soccer friends at the local coffee shop, Espresso Self, during
their first lazy weekend afternoon of summer break.
“Do you know who’s gotten so hot that I think he should be my new boyfriend?” Kiera, the almost closet kisser, asked.
Allie clapped her hands in glee. “Ooh, who? Tell me, tell me!”
“Wyatt Brooks.”
Piper almost spat out her caramel latte.
“He’s your cousin, right, Allie? What’s his deal? Can you set me up with him?” Kiera leaned forward with interest, cupping her chin in her hands, her impossibly long eyelashes fluttering.
“I swear, all of a sudden, my loner cousin’s more popular than me! When did that happen?” Allie asked with a groan. “But I’m
not getting involved in his love life. And if I were you, I wouldn’t hold your breath for Wyatt—he keeps his circle tight.”
“Piper, you’re friends with him, too.” Kiera was persistent. “Do you think he’d go on a date if I asked him?”
NO, because he’s dating ME was what she wanted to say. “I don’t know if Wyatt’s your type,” Piper hemmed instead.
“Trust me. Tall, dark, and gorgeous is definitely my type.” Kiera swirled the ice in her coffee. “Plus, he’s got those piercing
blue eyes and bad boy vibes. Yeah, he’s my type.”
“Gray. His eyes are gray,” Piper corrected coolly. “And there’s a lot more to him than his looks.”
“Whatever. I’m just saying that Wyatt is very datable, and I intend to test that theory this summer.” Kiera licked her lips
in exaggeration, and the group of girls giggled.
Piper bit her tongue but glared daggers at Kiera for the rest of the afternoon.
Piper didn’t think Allie had clocked her sour mood, but Allie pounced the second they slid into her car.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on with you, or do I have to ask?”
“What do you mean?” Piper played dumb.
“Piper, I’m your best friend. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you and Wyatt sneaking around these past few weeks and looking
at each other with the literal heart eyes emoji. I thought you might claw Kiera’s eyes out back there. Spill it.”
Piper covered her face with her hands as the truth tumbled out. “You’re right. Wyatt and I, well, we’re still figuring out what’s going on between us, but we kissed after prom, and he asked me out on a date, and I kind of like him.” She peeked over at Allie between her fingers. “Are you mad?”
Allie smacked her in the boob. “I’m only mad you didn’t tell me sooner! Wyatt kissed you? Piper, that’s huge!”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve been dying to tell you, but it’s so new, and I didn’t want to jinx it.” A blush crawled up Piper’s
cheeks. “Is it too weird for you?”
“No, it’s kind of perfect. My bad boy cousin and my goody-goody best friend. I love it.”
Piper took her first full breath since spilling her guts. “Good! I was so worried you’d be upset.”
“No, I’m the opposite—I want to plan your wedding!”
Piper snapped her head up, alarmed. This level of enthusiasm was worse than anger.
“Please don’t make a big deal about this. We haven’t talked about what this thing between us is. And he’s going off to boot
camp soon, and I’m headed to college and—”
“And blah blah blah! You’re being too practical, per usual. I’ll try to stay out of it but promise me you’ll let your heart
guide you for once instead of that big noggin of yours.”
Piper’s mouth dropped open, offended. “Hey!”
“What’s your couple’s name going to be?” Allie continued with wicked delight.
“This is not being low-key! Get this out of your system before you get home.”
“Pyatt? Wiper? Yeesh, I’ll keep thinking.”
Wyatt called an hour later. “You told Allie,” he said as soon as Piper picked up, sounding more amused than upset.
“I couldn’t keep it from her anymore. Please tell me she didn’t harass you. I told her to be cool.”
“She mentioned something about calling us Wiper, and Kiera wants to go on a date with me, which made you jealous.”
“Ugh, so not cool at all.” Thank goodness Wyatt couldn’t see her scarlet face. “I’m sorry I told her. She called me out, and I didn’t want to lie to her.”
“No, I’m glad you did. I thought maybe you didn’t want anyone to know about me. About us.” Wyatt echoed Piper’s earlier fears.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Piper admitted. “I don’t want this, us, to be a secret.”
“Then it’s settled. We’re out of hiding. Now tell me more about this jealousy,” Wyatt said, a smile in his voice.
“It was nothing. I didn’t like how Kiera was drooling over you.”
“I’m kinda surprised any of those girls even know who I am.”
Piper lay down on the bed. “I’m not. You’re a catch, and they all know it. But don’t get a big head about it.”
“I’m the furthest thing from a catch,” Wyatt said darkly.
“I strongly disagree.”
Wyatt remained silent.
“And so does Kiera,” Piper added, trying to break him out of his negative spiral.
“You’re the only girl I care about.”
Piper smiled, her heart thudding. “So, can I tell Kiera she needs to find someone else to date this summer?”
“Definitely. I’m taken. You’re my girl.”
Piper would never tire of hearing those words.