I nod. “Okay,” I relent.

He kisses my lips.

Tanner can do what he wants. I understand what he’s trying to tell me, but it’s time for Brad to rise from the depression and save his best friend. Even though Tanner is in the clear and can still race for a spot on the Olympic team, there will always be whispers and finger-pointing. Every time he beats his time or breaks a record, negativity to his skill will be whispered when he stands at the podium and admits to using when he was in college. So, whether Tanner wants me to give Brad another pity bone, he hasn’t earned it in my book.

But I’m not going to stress Tanner out in this moment, so I smile, kiss him on the lips, and let it go for the time being.

“Tanner?” A gentleman with a tailored brown suit peeps his head into the room.

“Here goes nothing.” Tanner stands up, straightening his black suit that perfectly molds to his broad shoulders.

I stand, and he pulls me in for one hug.

“I love you,” I whisper.

He kisses the top of my head. “I love you. I’ll be right back, and then this is over.”

He breaks away from me, and with Patrick right beside him, he meets his lawyer at the door.

How does he not understand that this is far from over? It’s almost the beginning.

He’s admitting to something he never did.

Tanner’s lawyer shuffles him and Patrick to the corner of the room, and I scowl at Brad.

Dylan walks over and swings his arm around my shoulders. “What’s up, sis?” he asks.

I peer up at him, rolling my eyes.

“What? We both know that’s what you’ll be eventually.” He grabs a doughnut from the table and places it in his mouth.

“I’d rather be your sister than his.” I flip my head in Brad’s direction.

Dylan chuckles. “I second you on that one.”

Finally, someone is on my page.

“So, I’m not crazy for wanting to pummel him right now?” I grab a bowl of fruit, looking at it, and then I place it back down. I’m stressed, which means my body craves salty foods. I search the table, but not even a potato chip is found.

“Not at all. Let’s double-team him,” Dylan says, cracking open a can of Diet Coke.

Thank goodness. Something I need.

Moving past him to grab a can, I take a few sips. “How can he be so damn selfish?” I ask Dylan.

“He’s always been selfish. You know that,” Dylan reminds me.

I nod my head because he’s right. “I suppose. But Tanner’s okay with it. He told me not to be mad at Brad,” I scoff.

Dylan smirks. “I’m not surprised. They’ve always possessed a protective friendship. How many times have they taken the fall for one another? The exception this time is that it’s going to ruin one of them.”

“Why can’t Brad or Tanner see that?” I shake my head.

“Because they’re morons.”

Truthfully, neither of us has much to say, and we can argue it all we want, but nothing will change. Tanner accepts Brad’s selfishness, and Brad takes advantage of Tanner’s guilt for Brad not making the Olympics.

“Okay, family.” The lawyer claps his hands, and we all turn to face him. “Two of you may stand on the side while Tanner makes his statement. The only ones allowed at the table are Tanner and me. The rest of you can stay here, and we’ll be back.” He nods and then exits the door after whispering something to Tanner.

I bite my lip, deliberating which two people will go. I’m positive Patrick will be one and then maybe Lana.

Tanner walks over to me, his teeth biting the inside of his cheek. “Can I talk to you for a second?” he asks. He entwines his hand with mine, guiding me over to the corner he was just in with his lawyer. “So, Ken doesn’t think you should be there when I make the announcement.” His head falls, and then he picks it back up. “He says it’s all too close. The fight was over you, and your brother is linked with me on the drugs.”

Although I was willing to not be a part of it, it hurts that they don’t want me. “Okay,” I say, not about to make this any harder on him.

“I tried to fight it, but the last thing I need is for you to be seen. I want to keep you out of this as much as I can.” His hand tightens around mine.

“Okay,” I repeat.

He cocks his head. “Piper, please don’t act like you’re okay with this when you’re not,” he pleads.

I’m not sure what he wants from me. “I understand. I do,” I assure him, nodding my head a few times rapidly.

He bends down, kissing my lips one more time.

“I’ll be right back.” He leaves.

I inhale one scent of his cologne as it breezes by me. The door shuts, and when I turn around, my parents are over by Brad. Dylan is across the room on his phone while Patrick and Lana must have gone with Tanner.

Flopping down in the chair, I glare at Brad. After a few minutes, he must feel my eyes burning into his scalp because he picks it up.

“What?” he asks.

I sigh. “You.” I’m unable to stop the anger from surfacing any longer.

With Tanner out of the room, I don’t have to worry about him getting upset about what I’m going to do.

“You should be happy. You have Tanner.” Brad shakes his head as though he’s annoyed by me.

“Oh, let me bow for you allowing me to be happy. God knows, nothing comes without a price from you.”

My mom outstretches her hands at us. “Stop it, you guys. This isn’t the time or place.”

“When’s the right time? Maybe after Tanner’s career crashes before it could ever kick off—as long as poor Brad doesn’t get upset, that is.” I’m surprised at the venom leaving my mouth.

“It was his decision. He agreed to it.” Brad shoves his phone in his pocket, as though preparing himself for an argument.

“What are the two of you talking about?” my dad asks, sitting up straighter on the edge of his seat.

I ignore my dad’s question. “Now, you should be stepping up and taking the blame. How could I have been so blind all these years?”

“Piper?” my mom questions.

“I gotta go. Things are heating up,” Dylan says on the phone before hanging up. He walks over, leaning against the treat table.

“Oh, should I tell them or you?” I cock my head at Brad.

He narrows his eyes at me. “Drama, drama, drama. That’s all you are, Piper,” he sneers.

It’s the final chance for him. I open my chest and pour the scalding lava over him. “Me?” I point to myself, standing to my feet. “Drama? Aren’t you the kettle calling the pot—”

“Black,” he deadpans. “Original, Piper,” he says.

My fists clench at my sides. “You fucking asshole.” I’m so frustrated that I feel the tears welling as my body trembles.

“Language. And for the last time, what is going on?” My mom stands up in between us.

“You’re leaving your best friend to fry. Do you even understand what’s about to happen out there? They are going to eat him alive. No one will ever believe him again. He could take a hundred drug tests, and people will still say he’s a cheater.” I inch closer to him, talking like I’m disciplining a nine-year-old.

“He’s Tanner fucking McCain. Everyone loves him. He’ll win them over again.” He takes what I said and smashes it against the wall with his absurd beliefs.

“Get over it, Brad!” I yell.

“Shhh . . . Chris?” my mom pleads to my dad to get us under control.

“Lower your voices, and tell us what you’re arguing about,” he demands with an authoritative tone.

“Your son is the one who failed the drug test. Tanner covered it up for him, but now, your selfish son won’t admit it.”

“What?” my mom whispers. I hate that I just broke her heart.

I face Brad again. “You didn’t get the call. You didn’t make the team. I’m sorry, Brad. I know you wanted it, but plain and simple, you weren’t good enough. I know the words cut because they cut me, too, but those are the facts. We just didn’t have what it takes. You have an amazing career yourself, and I see you. You enjoy running Lincoln Operations. You’re about to marry your fiancée tomorrow. Your life is good, Brad.”