Free Always and Forever by Harper Bentley Page A

up my drink and hands it to
     me. “Drink.” I do what she says, sucking it down quickly but not tasting it or even
     scrunching up my face like I usually do when it comes to tequila. She next puts a
     lemon slice in my hand. “Suck.”
    I watch as she and Ryan do the same. “Again,” she says and we go through the same
     motions. After the second shot, I see Martina look at Ryan and shake her head. “I’ve
     heard Peyton and her friends talking before. Didn’t want to say anything because who
     knows if the shit she spews is true. I just wish you’d asked me first. I could’ve
     saved Piper the trouble.” She looks at me with a frown. “Sorry, honey.” She puts her
     hand against my cheek but I can’t feel it because my whole face is numb from the shots.
     She gives me a small smile before collecting everything off the table then leaves
     to take it to the bar.
    “You know Peyton’s a liar, Pipe,” Ryan offers moving her head around to get my eyes.
     “She’s a spiteful cunt who’ll say anything to hurt people. Don’t believe her.”
    “I’ve got to know,” I mumble.
    “What?”
    “I have to know!” I hiss and jump down from the barstool and make my way through the
     crowd and out the front door.
    “Piper!” Ryan hollers from behind me. I hear her call my name again and then she’s
     walking beside me up the middle of the street. “What’re you doing?”
    “I have to know.” I’m a woman on a mission and this shit needs to be settled now.
    Ryan walks with me for another block then she grabs me by the arm stopping me. “No,
     Pipe. Nuh uh. No way.” She starts tugging me back and I jerk my arm from her grip.
    I spin to face her, my hands balled into fists as I lean toward her throwing my entire
     body into what I’m saying and screech, “I have to know!”
    I turn and stomp toward my destination and throw open the door walking inside and
     am met immediately by Jeremy Pitkin who’s sitting on a couch watching TV in the lounge
     area of the fire station.
    “Hey, Piper, what’s up?” he asks as he stands then I’m pretty sure he sees the crazed
     look on my face because he frowns as he walks toward me. “Is everything okay?”
    “Brody,” I answer.
    “What?”
    “Tell Brody to come here,” I state evenly trying to control my breathing.
    I see him look at Ryan who shrugs. “Be right back,” he says glancing warily at me.
    “Piper, you can leave now bef—” Ryan starts but I cut her off.
    “I need to know.”
    I hear her sigh but she stays with me, crossing her arms over her chest. A few minutes
     later, we hear footsteps and Brody comes in, narrowing his eyes at me as he approaches,
     Jeremy at his back.
    I keep my eyes on his and when he gets within six feet of me, I ask, “Is it true?”
    He comes up short then frowns. “Is what true?”
    And that sets me off. “Is it true?” I snap and hear Ryan mumble, “Shit,” from beside
     me.
    Brody’s eyes go from me to Ryan and back as he tries to figure out what I’m talking
     about.
    “ Is it fucking true?” I scream, all my patience gone.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Piper. And keep it the fuck down,” he chastises,
     the anger apparent on his face.
    Oh, no. He does not get to be angry in this scenario. No way in fucking hell. I suck
     in a breath and blow it out feeling my heart pounding like mad in my chest. “Gonna
     ask you one more goddamned time, Brody,” I grind out.
    “What the fuck’s she talking about?” Brody asks Ryan, his face screwed up in confusion
     then he looks back at me as if I’m some fucking lunatic who’s just wandered in off
     the street.
    And that’s the last straw.
    “Did you sleep with someone else when we were together?” I spit.
    His head jolts back like I’ve slapped him and when I see guilt flash across his face
     for just a second, I know. Shit.
    Shit!
    “Did you?” I scream again since I guess he’s gone deaf and can’t hear to answer me.
    His eyes