Downhill From Here (#1)

33. Glad to Have Met You

Nathan's POV
9:08 pm

"Is she still sleeping?"

"Yeah...I have her down on the bed in her room," My mom whispered, handing me Lilo's to-go bag.

Her gray hair was growing out a bit at the sides, giving her a short bob. I could see that the pink was slowly starting to fade. Before I could even ask about how Lilo had been all day she grabbed my wrist and gave me a serious look.

"Look, I don't know what's going on between you and your sister," She started. I internally groaned, trying not to roll my eyes. "But please...talk to her. I don't like it when you two fight."

"I wasn't the one who started it," I countered, sounding like a teenager. "Piper's just mad that I'm not listening to everything she says anymore."

My mom closed her eyes briefly and sighed. "I just need you guys to talk okay? Lilo's birthday is coming up and Christmas is soon. I don't want this to be---"

"Alright," I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her. "I'll talk to her when I see her."

I knew there wasn't much I could say or that I wanted to even hear from her but I could at least try and be civil. She was my sister.

She sighed and nodded, wearing a ghost of a smile. "Good. The sooner the better."

Then Piper walked out of the kitchen doorway and I knew that I'd been set up. Mom gave me one last smile before heading back up the stairs.

I sighed, looking over at my sister. Her blonde hair was wrapped up into a messy low bun and she wore a long gray cardigan with pajamas underneath. I figured she was staying the night since she lived all the way in New York. I didn't see her car in the driveway though.

She looked tired and nervous at the same time. It was weird because we hadn't seen each other in a little while and hadn't spoken unless it was through Danni, my assistant.

"Before you get mad, please just sit down," She insisted gesturing towards the living room couch.

I sat on the arm of the chair and crossed my arms, waiting for her to be seated.

Dad passed through the hallway, throwing us both a curious look. He was doing a bad job at eavesdropping for Mom.

Piper rubbed her eyes and brushed the stray blond hair behind her ears. "I just...I don't really know what happened between us a couple of weeks ago and I don't like the fact that we aren't talking." Her eyes met mine and she shrugged. "I mean we never go this long without talking Nate."

I unclenched my jaw and looked away, feeling a sense of guilt. She was right. Maybe I was being a bit harsher than necessary.

"I-I don't know what I did that was so wrong?"

I raised my brows at her words. Seriously?

She looked at me with confusion, turning her head to the side. "What? You flipped out on me for sending Bowie a voice memo. It wasn't even that big of a deal."

It would be easy to get upset and flip out on her. It would be too easy to try and prove a point. I realized now that this wasn't about me but more about her. She wasn't used to not having the final say on things that involved me. And I was prioritizing someone else in my life right now.

I uncrossed my arms and stood up straight. "I didn't like the fact that you sent Bowie a voicemail with a warning. You act like she'd some evil mastermind who's coming after my money when she's been nothing but kind and helpful with Lilo. I'm not gonna sit here and try to convince you...you'd understand it better if you were actually around more." I was digging the knife deeper which I know wasn't exactly mature but I was still pissed from before.