She Loves Me (Harmony Pointe #3) - Melissa Foster Page 0,136
I’m not saying that so you’ll swoop in like a knight in shining armor. I’m saying it because I can’t look at you right now without falling apart.”
His chest constricted. He couldn’t let her go, not like this. “Baby, that’s the last thing I wanted. Just give me a chance to explain.”
She shook her head, tears spilling from her eyes. “You just did. If you love me, you’ll give me time to think.”
She climbed into her truck and sped out of the parking lot, leaving Harley to wonder if he’d just made the biggest mistake of his life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
PIPER SPED THROUGH town, trying to see through the blur of tears. She kept her eyes locked on the road, gripping the steering wheel so hard her fingers hurt. Her thoughts were drowned out by the stupid whimpering sounds she had no control over. She flew into her driveway and threw the truck into park. As she lowered her face to her hands, she caught movement in her peripheral vision and jumped as a growling-whimpering sound rang out. Her gaze darted to the right, and there on the floor was Jiggs, looking at her with the saddest eyes she’d ever seen.
“Damn it.” Sobs bubbled out. “It’s like you two know just how to get to me!” She narrowed her eyes and said, “You did this on purpose so I’d go back. Well, I have news for you, buddy. You’re stuck with me tonight.”
She threw open her door, and Jiggs bounded across her lap onto the grass. She followed him out. “If you have to go to the bathroom, you’d better do it now, because I’m not walking around this block and letting my neighbors see me like this.”
Jiggs whimpered and lowered his chest to the ground, wiggling his butt.
“No.” She walked past him and sat down on the porch steps. “Go do your business. I’ll wait here.”
Jiggs sat in front of her, put his chin on her knees, and whimpered.
“What are you? Part Harley? Go pee already.” She pointed to the yard, feeling numb, which was better than feeling like her heart was being crushed. “If there is a higher power, then he’ll give me a break and you’ll march out there and do your thing.”
Jiggs barked as a motorcycle roared past her house. Marshall. Her heart lurched. Could tonight get any worse? The bike stopped a few houses down, turned around, and pulled up to the curb across the street. Marshall took off his helmet and climbed from the bike, heading her way.
She was going to kill Harley. “You can tell your brother that needing space means not sending his brother.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why are you here?” she seethed.
“Because you sped past the church like a bat out of hell.” He petted Jiggs and sat down beside her on the porch. “You’re crying.”
She swiped at her eyes. “So?”
“Piper, what happened? You guys seemed so happy.”
“What happened? You came back and ruined my life. Again.”
He huffed out a sort of chuckle. “I knew it. Harley doesn’t trust me, does he?”
“Yes. I don’t know. I think he does. What are you talking about?” Her brain was overloaded.
“I’m just trying to figure out how you went from hugging my brother to looking like he just broke up with you and stealing his dog.”
She groaned and closed her eyes. “He didn’t break up with me. He proposed. And I didn’t steal his dog. Jiggs was a stowaway, and I’m sure Harley made him do it just so I had a reason to go back.”
As if on cue, Jiggs climbed onto the step and pushed his chin onto her lap.
Marshall looked confused. Join the club.
“Aren’t women usually happy about proposals?”
“Probably! But I don’t want to get married, and he knows it. Everyone in this town knows it, for Pete’s sake.”
“Wait, the girl who planned out our entire life when we were teenagers doesn’t want to get married?”
“What are you talking about?” She sighed. “I’m not in the mood for games. You should go be with your brother, and take Jiggs to him.”
His gaze moved slowly over her face. “You really don’t remember, do you?”
“I remember seeing you and Victoria Mathers half-naked behind the boathouse, which is something I’d really like to forget.”
“I’m sorry for that,” he said kindly. “Do you know why I cheated on you?”
“Because you were a selfish asshole.” A breeze swept up the yard, and she crossed her arms, rubbing them against the chill.
Marshall took off his leather jacket and draped it