Her home was a safe space for Piper. Or at least, that was what she’d thought. He wanted her to see that she was wrong. The safety net she had around herself—it was just an illusion.

The world wasn’t a safe place. It was dangerous and dark. And deadly.

He lifted the gas can that he’d brought with him. And then he poured it onto her bed.

Chapter Four

If Piper told him that she didn’t want him, then Eric was going to back the fuck off. He didn’t want to play games. Dammit, is that what she thought he’d been doing? Playing with her? Hell, no.

No games. Not when it came to her.

He just wanted to be clear. He wanted to put everything on the table. Find out where he stood. Where she did. This talk between them was long overdue.

And if she says to screw off…Then that was her choice.

“Piper?” Eric forced out her name when she simply stared at him with her incredible eyes.

“Why are you asking me this?”

“Because I want to know.” No, give her the truth. “Because I’ve wanted you for a very, very long time, and I’m tired of pretending that I don’t. I get that my timing is shit. I get that, believe me. But I wanted you to know—dammit, I just—”

“You want me?” She shook her head. “Since when?”

Since you were fifteen. Since I waited after school for you because I didn’t want you walking home alone. Since it started raining and your hair was slick against your cheek, and I went to brush it back and I wound up kissing you. She wasn’t ready for all that.

Neither was he.

Baby steps. Baby freaking steps. Eric cleared his throat. “For a long time.”

She looked away. She wasn’t going to answer him. Or, hell, maybe her silence was an answer. He’d back off. He’d—

“Yes.” So soft.

He blinked.

She tugged on her hand. “Let me go.”

He did. Immediately.

“I am attracted to you. It’s obvious, I’m sure. It’s probably been obvious for quite some time.” She backed away from him. Her face was solemn. A little sad, and he didn’t want that. He’d never liked it when Piper was sad.

Usually Ben swept in when she was sad and made her feel better.

Fuck him.

He could do this. Eric knew that he could make her happy. If she would just give him the chance.

“But we…” She gestured back and forth between them. “We’re a mistake. You told me that yourself, remember? Back when we were just kids. We’re total opposites and…there’s your brother.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “There is always your brother.” Piper turned from him.