Page 55 of Whiskey & Honey
I’ve managed to skirt Ashton’s questions about last night. I didn’t lie when I told her I spent the night at my house. I did spend most of the evening here; I just didn’t sleep here. Omission is not lying in this case and I’m okay with that. For now.
I hadn’t realized how important seeing this piece of my life was to my sister until we arrived. She not only called ahead and ordered us a pizza, she had chairs and blankets in the back of my truck along with a cooler filled with a few beers and some waters.
Once we got here she was like a kid at an amusement park. In awe at every little thing in the house and on the property, she’s already planned multiple cookouts and bonfires for next summer. Unfortunately, I’ve ran out of distracting conversation and I know she’s about to hit me with what she thinks is her given right as my sister – nosiness.
“I love this place, Ben. It’s really wonderful and so you.”
“Thanks. I agree, I’m glad I went for it. The work is hard but once it’s all done it will have all been worth it. Sorry it took me so long to bring you here.”
“It’s okay. I know you’ve had a lot going on the last few months so I’ve given you the space you needed.”
Laughing at her assessment of giving me space, I’m suddenly hit in the head with a plastic bottle cap. “Hey now, you don’t want to have to walk home, do you?”
“Whatevs, you wouldn’t make me walk home. Besides, you still haven’t told me who you met last night. I know you had to have met someone so fess up.”
“Nope, didn’t meet anyone. Sorry to disappoint. Besides I’m not looking to meet anyone new.”
All truths.
“Mmhmm, I’m not sure I believe you but I won’t pry. I’ll figure it out soon enough.”
We sit in silence a few more minutes and I can tell by the way she’s shifting that Ashton is about to ask to leave. It’s getting colder as the minutes tick by and if I can get her to leave now I can drop her off at the house and get back here before Piper.
“Good grief, it’s freezing. Can we get out of here before my nose hairs turn to icicles?”
“Dramatic much, Ash?”
“Don’t give me grief. It’s absolutely fucking freezing!” she exclaims as she leaps from her seat and hops up and down in some sort of weird-looking jumping jack.
“Yeah, come on. I’ll take you home and then I’m coming back here for a bit.”
Again, truth.
“Whatever, come on. I’m going to have to start singing like a Disney princess if you don’t get me out of here.”
My sister is a mess and I love her. I take her by the shoulders and kiss the top of her head. She wraps her arms around my body, and this is why I have to convince Piper we make sense. So this person a fun, feisty, stubborn, loving, kind, and passionate human who we both love isn’t hurt in the slightest.
The drive back to my parents’ house is quiet and I welcome it. Ashton seems happy to have had a little brother and sister bonding time. It occurs to me that not only have I been avoiding Piper but, in doing so, I’ve avoided my sister. Once I’ve dropped Ashton at home, I turn around and make a return drive right back to where I came from.
I notice that although Piper’s car is parked in front of the house, she isn’t in it. I don’t even wonder where she is, I immediately head toward the house and the kitchen.
Finding her standing at the kitchen looking out the window, I pause a moment to take her in. The way the moonlight streams through the window, she looks almost angelic. She’s wearing a dress with her cowboy boots and a jacket. She’s not dressed for this weather so I can only hope she’s dressed for me.
The shadows cast around the room set a feeling of calmness that gives me a sense of home and peace. I clear my throat to get her attention but not startle her. Piper turns her head so she’s peering over her shoulder toward me and smiles. My heart falls to my stomach. It’s not fear that has me reacting so dramatically. It’s simpler than that.
I love this girl. I’m not sure when or how it happened but all these flashes of what could be are in this moment. That smile is similar to the one she offered me this morning when she woke up. It’s the smile I want every night before I fall asleep and the smile I want to greet me every morning when I wake.
I return the smile and swallow down every declaration of love running through my mind. It’s too soon, even I know that. It’s too much and almost embarrassing. Almost.
She turns completely and begins walking toward me and I step toward her. Meeting her halfway. The symbolism of this moment is not lost on me.
“Princess.”
Another smile before she responds, “Bentley.”
I grab her hands and tug her against me. She laughs and falls into me, placing her hands on my biceps. One of my hands goes around her waist while the other instinctively brushes hair from her face. This time, she leans her head toward my hand and my thumb gently caresses her cheek.
I could say so much to her right now. I could easily tell Piper how her smile makes me feel like the most important person in the world. Or how beautiful she is and with a single look she takes my breath away. I want to make her eyes sparkle as she comes undone beneath me. I want to tell her how having her in my arms is the only time I know everything I’m doing makes sense.