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Chapter Eleven

Piper

Ispend my spring break hanging out with my brothers and texting Kit about nothing.

And going on the two auditions I owe Kit.

Neither one is a good fit, but it feels good preparing and performing. Like it could be a big part of my life. Like this acting career thing really is possible.

Still, I have half a semester to finish. When school starts, I shift my focus back to studying.

I'm sitting at a sandwich shop, catching up on reading between classes, when a text from Joel grabs all my attention.

Joel: Don't get your hopes up, Pipes, but Violet crawled out of Ethan's bed this morning.

Piper: Details. Now.

Joel: It was a little after you left for school. I came over to practice.

Piper: Wasted an hour fucking with Mal?

Joel: Maybe.

Piper: Details!

Joel: She looked embarrassed.

Piper: Of course she was embarrassed. You were there.

Joel: No. Like she couldn't take the backslide.

Piper: Did she look good?

Joel: Of course. It's Violet. She's got that hot goth chick with a tortured soul thing going on. Fuck, the dress she was wearing—if she wasn't Ethan's ex, I'd be all over that.

Piper: You're a pig.

Joel: And you've never stared at a guy's ass thinking you want your hands on it?

Piper: Maybe.

Joel: Bullshit maybe. You've stared at my ass like that. Not that I blame you. It's a nice ass.

Piper: I have not. You aren't my type.

Joel: You should butter me up if you want details while I'm on the road.

Piper: Please, please, please!

Joel: Gossip for gossip?

Piper: I haven't got much.

Joel: Then I can't help you.

Piper: You will too.

Joel: Everybody else thinks you're sweet and innocent, but I don't buy it. You know how the world works. Scratch my back if you want me to scratch yours.