When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(40)

“I need a cosigner,” I blurt, figuring that asking them for loan help instead of money will be better received. If all goes well with that, then I’ll ask about my health insurance, too.

“For what?” my father asks.

I fiddle with my fork.

“Stop that,” Mother snaps, although the most beautiful smile adorns her face, and I carefully place the fork on the table.

“My classes this year. I can’t afford to pay for them all at once, but the financial loan officer said that if y’all could cosign for me, then I could get a loan.”

A blond brow arches. “Perhaps if you still lived at home, but since you’ve practically disowned us by sneaking out and moving in with Rowan, I can’t see how your father and I owe you anything.”

“I understand, but you wouldn’t have to pay for anything this way—”

“We don’t have to pay for anything,” my father says and my eyes fly to his face. “Piper, you hurt us and we’re not going to reward that. The decisions you keep making are poor ones, and in light of the newest decisions you’ve made, I don’t see how we’ll ever be able to forgive you.”

Forgive me? They’re acting as though I’ve committed a crime. A lump lodges in my throat and my breathing becomes haggard. “I-I-y-you…”

My mother squeezes my hand painfully. “Get ahold of yourself. You will not embarrass us further by having one of your disgusting attacks in here. I suggest you leave and come back after it passes.” She practically throws my hand back at me.

Unable to do more than nod, I grab my purse and stand up, blindly making my way to the bathroom.

“Excuse me,” a kind voice says.

I look up to see Mark Williams standing there, concern written all over his face.

“Sorry. I didn’t know you were there.” Can my night get any worse? I don’t want to talk to anyone I know.

“Don’t worry about it.” He cups my shoulder. “Are you okay? You look as though you’re about to cry.”

My lower lip trembles without my permission. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

“May I walk you back to your table?”

“No. I’m…I was just on my way out.”

Mark nods, his eyes full of compassion. “Then I’ll see you out. Make sure those guys bring back your BMW in good shape. You did make note of the mileage so you’ll be able to tell if they went on a joy ride or not.”

The thought of anyone taking my little car on a joyride when there are Porsches and Aston Martins available makes me laugh. The tightness in my chest—that has nothing to do with my asthma—starts to ease.

“There she is.” He takes a step closer. “God, you’re beautiful.”

I stumble back a bit. “Oh…I—uh…I’m seeing someone.”

“Just my luck,” he says, then gently takes my elbow and guides me down the stairs. “All the good ones are.”

“You’re not dating anyone?” Like Jase’s ex-girlfriend, I want to ask.

“There is this girl, but she doesn’t think of me like that.” His gaze skitters away, a slight blush on his cheeks. “She doesn’t even know I’m alive.”

He might be a jerk to some people, but he’s never been anything but nice to me. When we were in high school he never made fun of my glasses or stutter, or how I looked. So my heart goes out to him for feeling so low.

“You never know. She might think of you like that, too. Only she’s too shy to speak up.”

“What should I do?”

“Tell her how you feel…I don’t know…Be bold and just go for it.” I want to say it worked for me, but something is holding me back. I’m not ashamed of Jase, not in the least, but sharing anything about my personal life with anyone at The Oaks seems wrong.

Mark winks at me, his change in attitude slightly disconcerting. “The next time I see her, I’ll do what you suggested.”

I hand my ticket to the valet and he runs to the side of the parking lot where all valeted cars are kept. “It was nice seeing you.”

“You, too. Maybe Jase will throw another party and I’ll come.”

I give him a stern look. “You have to behave this time.”

He gives me a properly chastised look back. “I promise not to get that drunk again. My mouth makes promises the rest of me can’t keep.”

I bite my lip and grin a little. “Happens sometimes.”

The valet parks my car at the curb but Mark forestalls my attempt to tip the guy again. “Let me.” He hands the valet some money and takes my arm once again. After helping me into the car, he leans down. “Maybe I can call you sometime?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think my boyfriend would like that too much.”

“Probably not, but anything can happen by the time I work up the nerve to ask you out.”

Before I can say anything, he shuts my door and walks away. I shake my head. I don’t understand men. At all.

Jase is waiting up for me when I get home. Eager to put my day behind me, I race into his arms, kissing him frantically.

“Missed you so much,” I say between kisses. “Let’s do my breathing treatment.”

He pulls away from me a little to stare at my face. Afraid that he’ll see what kind of night I had, I drop my gaze to the floor.