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God, how she'd convinced herself she loved him. How she'dsat at his family's dinner parties and pretended his life was the one she wanted.
She glanced over at Kitty, who was spinning in circles, still singing, and her heart softened. That was the people she wanted. The life she wanted. Real people with flaws and truths and huge hearts.
Like Kitty.
Like Declan.
Like her friends.
She faced him. She didn't need to trick him into leaving her alone. All she had to do was give him the honesty she'd hidden for so long. "My father is in prison for murder," she said, admitting a truth that had never before left her lips.
His eyes widened. "What?"
"My brothers have all been in prison for dealing drugs. I was shot twice in a drug deal gone wrong. My family is dirt poor and dedicated criminals. My whole fancy life is a lie, Clark. I grew up in a trailer park. My brothers are still dangerous, and I came up here to get away from them because if I'd stayed, I'd be dead by now."
He stared at her. "You're lying."
"I'm not lying. I've hidden who I was this whole time because I wanted to fit in, and be accepted, but you know what? I don't care about the people who won't accept me for who I am."
"I accept you," Kitty called out. "Even if your dad did murder someone. You didn't, so hugs to you! Or did you?"
Piper's heart swelled at Kitty's response. "I haven't killed anyone yet," she called out. "But it's in my genes."
"Of course it is, dear," Kitty said cheerfully. "Once a killer, always a killer. Did you know I also grew up in a trailer park? My mom was a gorgeous singer, but she had to be an exotic dancer to pay for our food and rent. I bought her a lovely mansion when I was twenty-one, because money can buy your way into any social circle."
The disgust that curled Clark's lip lit a fire in Piper like she'dnever felt before. She poked Clark in the chest. "Never, ever look at Kitty like that. She's amazing."
"He can look at me however he wants. I don't care! Money and power make you immune to little gnats like him." Kitty was spinning around a pole in the middle of the garage. "My mom was a great pole dancer. I wonder if I remember any of her moves?" Kitty began working the pole with an expertise that was extremely impressive.
Piper almost started laughing at the shocked look on Clark's face. "Yes, Clark. Your garage is being used for exotic dancing by my new business partner."
"What?" Kitty stopped. "We're in?"
Piper started laughing. "How could I not team up with you? You're amazing."
"Yay! That's fantastic. We're going to make brides everywhere the happiest women on earth!"
Clark looked at Piper. "You're opening your own bridal company? With a stripper?"
"I'm not a stripper! I'm the daughter of a stripper. I'm a pop star, incredibly wealthy and connected. Oh, and I'm trailer trash too," Kitty said cheerfully as she bounded up and tucked her arm through Piper's. "We're in the wedding planning business."
He looked back and forth between them. "No one will hire you, Piper.No one.I'm going to make sure the world knows exactly who you are. You're finished. I'm calling the papers to tell them about your past. I'm calling the cops. You stalked me, and I'm filing for a restraining order." Then he spun around and stalked out of the garage into the house, making sure to slam the door behind him.
Kitty put her hands on her hips and stared after him. "Did you know we're stalkers? I had no idea."
Piper said nothing. She just wrapped her arms around Kitty and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for accepting me."
Kitty laughed and hugged her fiercely. "You're a treasure,Piper. Imagine if you'd married him? That monster can't accept you for who you are. How could you marry him?"
"I couldn't." Piper tucked her arm through Kitty's and headed toward the garage door. "Was all that true about your childhood?" Piper pushed the button to open the door.
"You bet." Kitty shrugged. "When you're a pop star, colorful backgrounds are an asset. I never hid who I was. If people don't like me, they aren't worth my time."
Piper hugged Kitty's arm more tightly as the door rolled open. "My mom taught me that we had to hide our truths in order to be accepted into these circles."
"There are some who will never accept you," Kitty agreed. "You have to decide whether that matters."
Piper stepped out into the late afternoon sunshine, looking around at the beautiful landscaping. She'd loved Clark's house. It had been the one she'd always dreamed of. But as she looked around, she saw heartless perfection. Not the artistic, heart-felt beauty of Declan's home. "I always thought it mattered."
