Chapter 62

Piper

I wasn’t sure I’d ever been quite so sore. It was dark when I woke up, and it took me a moment to remember where I was and why I hurt so much. Once I was fully awake, I missed the blissful ignorance of my half-awake state.

The bed was empty, but I didn’t need to guess where Austin was; I could hear him in the shower. Reaching over, I cringed at the pain in my ribs as I turned on the bedside lamp. I looked around for my phone before remembering I still didn’t have it. Gingerly moving to the edge of the bed, I managed to sit up without too much additional pain. That had to be a good sign.

I was on my way to the kitchen to get something to drink when the doorbell rang, and I hesitated. Austin was still in the shower, so he wasn’t going to get it. I decided to look through the peephole to see who it was.

When I saw Xander standing on the front porch, I hesitated. He had several bags with him. Looking down, I checked to make sure Austin’s shirt adequately covered everything before opening the door.

Xander’s smile slipped when he saw my face. “Ah, babe,” he whispered.

“I know,” I muttered as I moved to the side so he could enter. “I’m a mess.

“Nah,” he said as he handed me my phone and brought the bags in. “You look like a woman who’s had a rough couple of days. Why is Austin making you answer the door?”

“He’s in the shower,” I explained.

Xander nodded. “I got here earlier than I expected. Sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize,” I assured him. “Especially not when it smells like you brought food.”

“I did,” he confirmed. “Not just any food. I convinced Cami to make you a batch of waffles.”

“Did you take any?” I asked.

He shook his head. “She made me promise I wouldn’t eat one.”

“And you agreed?” Our banter was helping things seem normal again.

“I figured you need them more than I do. I also brought you some clothes. Cerise packed them up, so you don’t have to worry that I was going through your panties. I offered to help, but she said no.”

“Perv,” I accused. “Can you help me take my clothes up to Austin’s room so I can get dressed?” I asked him. “I’d at least like to put some pants on.”

“Sure thing,” he agreed.

The shower was off, so I knocked. Without waiting for his reply, I called out, “Xan has some of my clothes out here in the hallway.”

Austin opened the door in nothing but a towel. “Thanks, man,” he told Xander with feeling. “I really appreciate you helping out.”

“Any time,” Xander assured him as he set my clothes inside the room. “I’m going to set the groceries in the kitchen and head out.”

“Why don’t you join us for waffles?” I offered. “I promise not to tell Cami you had one.”

“How can I say no to that offer?” Xander asked. “I’ll set out the plates.”

“How are you?” Austin asked me when the door closed.

“Sore,” I replied.

“Do you need a pain pill?” he asked.

“Not yet. I’d prefer to avoid taking one if I can. They make me groggy,” I explained. “Can you help me get some pants out? Hopefully, Cerise packed stretch pants.”

“Sure,” Austin agreed.

He handed me the pants, and we both dressed. I decided to continue wearing Austin’s shirt for now and skip the bra. We found Xander exactly where I’d expected—in the kitchen, staring longingly at the waffles.

“You’ll regret letting him have one,” Austin warned me. “He’ll only become more addicted to waffles.”

“You’ve had Cami’s waffles?” Xander asked him, sounding oddly jealous.

“No,” Austin assured him. “I’ve only heard the rumors of how good they are.”

“They aren’t quite as good reheated,” I told them.

“I’m sure they’re still better than what I’ve been getting,” Xander stated.

I was hungry enough that I didn’t even take the time to enjoy Xander’s reaction to Cami’s waffles. He spent a great deal of time critiquing them. In the end, he concluded that had they been fresh from the waffle maker, they would likely be the best waffles he’d ever had.

“How were things at Euphoria when you stopped by to get my phone?” I asked Xander.

“They were still doing cleanup,” Xander replied. “Misty said to tell you everything is fine and to rest up. She said you are not to try doing any work.”

Misty was one of the shift managers who had transferred over from The Frisky Beaver. She was smart and could have easily run the club herself, had she not turned down the manager job when Mercy offered it to her. I was glad she could handle things without me. I needed some time away from Euphoria.

“Misty is awesome,” I told him.

“She is a scary woman,” Xander mused with a grin. “About ten other people told me to give you their love, but I don’t remember all their names.”

Tears burned the backs of my eyes. My employees were great. “Thank you for bringing all this stuff by.”

“Don’t mention it,” Xander replied. “You’re family.”

The doorbell rang and Austin sighed. “Speaking of family. That’s probably your parents.”

“My parents?” I asked. “When did you find out they were coming over?”

“Right before I got in the shower,” Austin replied. “Your mom’s call woke me up. I suggested she come by later.”

I almost laughed at the idea. “She’s my mom. It’s a miracle she waited this long.”

“I’ll go let them in,” Austin told you.

“I’ll go with you,” Xander added. “It’s time for me to leave.”

He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek on the way by. “I’m glad you’re okay, Piper. Don’t overdo it.”

“I’ll try,” was my quiet reply.