Page 12 of Whiskey & Honey
Just as I’m about to check my phone there’s a knock at my door. Of course he’s early.
I take a sip of my wine as I open the door. Only instead of Ben, it’s Tony. Great.
Tony slithers in the door before I can stop him.
“Hey, I didn’t invite you in,” I say, still standing with my hand on the door handle and the door open.
“Come on, babe, when have you ever needed to invite me in?”
“Don’t babe me. We broke up. Please leave.”
He’s made his way to the fridge and already opened a beer before I finish my sentence. He really is handsome. And a cheating jerk, Piper. Don’t forget that. I’m still standing at the door but have released the handle as he places his beer on the counter and begins walking toward me.
“Piper, you didn’t mean it. Let’s make up.”
I know that look. It’s the same look he’s used on me the last few weeks when he’s been late for dates, cancelled at the last minute, or didn’t do either and just didn’t show up. I assume now that he was out looking for the “spice.” Asshole.
“Tony, I did mean it. We are finished and I would like for you to leave,” I say while crossing my arms over my chest. I know that this is technically a defensive position, but suddenly I feel vulnerable and need the hug, even from myself.
“I’m not leaving until we work this out, Piper. Come on, I’m sorry you got pissed but I thought it would be fun for us. I didn’t know you were going to get all Miss Priss with me.”
Is he kidding me? Miss Priss.
“I’m willing to forget your little stunt last night with whoever that asshole was. I know you were just trying to get back at me. We’ll call it even. Now, let’s watch a movie and start the making up.”
“I don’t think so. The lady asked you to leave.”
Oh, shit.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Oh, you know who he is. This is not going to end well.
“Tony, you know damn well who I am. Now, I believe I heard Piper ask you to leave. Why don’t you do us all a favor and just go,” Ben says as he makes his way directly behind me and places his hand on my shoulder.
I can feel the heat from his hand through my top and a shiver makes its way down my spine. I uncross my hands and stand up straight. Just knowing Ben is here and has my back has me feeling more confident. Before I can demand he leave, I see the recognition register on Tony’s face.
“Sullivan. Of course you’re the one to come to her rescue. Wait.”
Here it comes. Recognition begins to turn to rage. If steam could actually come out of a human’s ears, Tony’s would be a smoke stack.
“That was you in the picture. What the fuck, Piper? Him? That’s how you’re going to get back at me? Of course it is. You really are a little slut, aren’t you?”
“Whoa there, pal…”
What a dick.
I turn toward Ben. “I’ve got this.”
His smile says that he’ll give me this moment even if he really wants to punch Tony in his stupid arrogant face.
“Look, first I am not a slut. You, on the other hand, may be. I wasn’t the one out cheating, you were, so before you start throwing words around, take a look in the mirror.” Kudos to me, I managed to get all of that out even though in my head I was confident and sassy. In real time, it was a single sentence without a breath.
I feel Ben lean down just to my ear. “Breathe, Piper.”
I offer a little nod and continue.
“What I do and,” I motion toward Ben, “who I do it with is none of your concern. You lied, you cheated, and you hurt me. I’m done. You need to leave. Please, for once, Tony, just do what I ask.”