Chapter 9

Austin

One week.

That’s how long I’d been waiting for Piper to call. I’d been too cocky after running into her. When she’d said she wasn’t ready to say yes, I’d basically taunted her about her word-choice, insisting she was going to call me.

I was sitting with Xander in an all-night diner while I tuned out his complaints about the waffles. It was two in the morning, and while other bands were partying their asses off, I was out with my insomniac, breakfast-loving bandmate.

“The waitress is going to spit in our coffee if you don’t shut up,” I warned Xander.

He took a sip of his coffee and sighed. “This is damn fine coffee. I guess I’d better stop talking about these wannabe-waffles. Have you heard from Piper yet?”

I should have let him continue complaining about the waffles. “I ran into her last Sunday when I was out for a run.”

“That’s it?” he asked.

“That’s it,” I muttered. “I asked her about grabbing lunch, and I was sure she’d call me, but she hasn’t yet.”

“That sucks,” Xander said before asking, “What’s your next move?”

“I’ve been thinking I should start hanging out at Euphoria,” I replied. “I won’t harass her or anything like that, but if she sees me on a regular basis, it will be harder to ignore me.”

Xander hesitated before responding. “That seems like a very bad idea.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Your history with Piper suggests you’ll do something stupid,” he pointed out. “Don’t do something stupid at her place of employment. Save that for a more private setting.”

I’d been on my best behavior at Euphoria, but I understood why my friend might doubt my ability to behave.

“I look like a pussy sitting around here waiting for Piper to call me,” I pointed out.

“Pretty much,” he agreed. “I’m surprised you’re trying to act like Mr. Nice Guy.”

“It’s not an act,” I argued. “I am a nice guy.”

“Not that nice,” he insisted. “Still, I don’t think you should fuck with this girl at work. Mercy will remove your balls if you mess with Euphoria.”

I cringed at the thought. He was right about how Mercy would react if I messed with her new club. I didn’t want to cause any problems for Piper at her job. I was impressed with all she’d accomplished. Her success shouldn’t come as a surprise. She was her father’s daughter. I’d always called him our gardener, and he’d never corrected me. Piper had. She’d carefully explained that what her father did went far beyond gardening. I still didn’t get it, but I knew not everyone could afford her father’s services and that he was in high demand.

“Are you zoning out on me again?” Xander asked.

“A little,” I admitted. “We should probably call it a night, or morning.”

My phone buzzed before Xander could respond. “Let me get this.” I didn’t recognize the number, but I figured it could be an emergency at this hour.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Hey, Austin. It’s Piper.” At the sound of her voice, my dick instantly started to stir.

“Hey,” I replied. “What are you doing up so late?”

“I work at a club,” she reminded me. “It’s not that late.”

“I figured you’d be done closing up by now.” It was one of the nights the club closed at midnight.

“I got caught up with some paperwork,” she replied. “Did I wake you?”

“No, I was already up,” I assured her. “I’m glad you called. Does this mean you want to meet up?”

“I was actually hoping you could drive me home,” she replied hesitantly. “I know it’s a lot to ask at this hour, but Cerise and Andy need to be at work early and my parents would freak out if they knew I’d stayed at Euphoria alone.”

“You’re alone at the club?” I asked, my own temper rising.

“Like I said, I got caught up with paperwork,” she replied. “Technically, I’m outside Euphoria. I walked to my car, only to discover that some asshole had slashed two of my tires. I’d rather not call a cab this late.”

“Give me twenty minutes to get there,” I told her. “Go back inside and wait for me.”

“Thanks, Austin,” she said before ending the call.

I found Xander grinning at me. “You look pissed.” He sounded delighted by my anger.

“Damn woman is trying to get herself killed by wandering around at this hour,” I muttered. “She stayed at Euphoria alone.”

“It’s not that bad of a neighborhood,” Xander pointed out.

“It’s bad enough that someone slashed her tires. I need to pick her up.” I dropped money on the table and headed toward the door with Xander by my side.

“You better get that temper of yours under control before you get there,” Xander warned. “Don’t forget that you’re trying to be a nice guy.”

“Right,” I agreed. “I won’t spank her ass for putting herself in danger. I can do this.”

Xander chuckled. “I doubt it. Can I come watch Piper slap you when you threaten to spank her again?”

“No!” I snapped. “I am not going to threaten to spank her.”

“Something tells me it’s going to be a real struggle not to,” he mused.

I could do this. Nice guy. I was a nice guy.