PIPER'S POV:
I made my way into work the next morning and through to the kitchen, Lauren and Shelia stopping their conversation as I walked past them. Thinking nothing of it, I began to get ready for my shift…
TYLER'S POV:
"Hey," I greeted Piper as I answered her call "everything okay?"
"Hey," she mirrored "yeah, I think so. Do you think you could come to Harold's please?"
"Sure." I replied "I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Piper?" Aaron questioned as I hung up the phone
"Yep." I informed him
"And yet again you're running when she calls…" he sighed
"Have you got something to say?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him
"She's got you wrapped around her little finger, mate." he replied "And you can't see it, or don't want to, that is."
"She's my friend and she's going through a hard time." I informed him "She's just lost her brother, so if she needs me, I'm gonna go. You can handle things for an hour, can't you?"
"Do I have any other choice?" he inquired
"Not really." I replied
PIPER'S POV:
"Hey." I greeted Tyler as he made his way over to the counter
"Hey." he mirrored "You okay?"
"I think people are talking about me." I admitted "Talking about us…"
"Okay," he replied "why do you think that?"
"I got here this morning and Lauren and Shelia stopped talking as soon as I went to make my way past them and into the kitchen." I informed him "And she's been giving me funny looks ever since. See what I mean?"
I watched as Tyler glanced over in Lauren's direction as she made her way out of the kitchen and turned back to me, shaking his head…
"You think I'm being crazy, don't you?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at him
"Shelia's one to gossip, yes, but Lauren, she's not that sort of person. I think you're imagining things." he admitted "But if you're concerned, why don't you just ask her outright?"
"And lose my job in the process?" I inquired "No thanks!"
"Asking a question isn't a sackable offence and you know it." he replied "Just ask her."
TYLER'S POV:
"What did she want then?" Aaron asked
"She has a name." I informed him "And it's none of your business what Piper wanted."
"Mark stopped off while you were gone. Told me you went with her to see her counsellor. Mate…" he sighed
"What?" I questioned
"Was that a good idea?" he inquired
"She's my friend and she freaked out." I replied "Taking her to see her counsellor was the right thing to do."
"But could you not have called Terese or Brad or someone?" he questioned
"Why do you care so much?" I asked "Terese and Brad have got their own things going on considering they've just lost their son, and I didn't want to bother them. Piper was fine, so just get off my back and let's get to work, shall we?"
PIPER'S POV:
"Lauren, can I have a word please?" I inquired
"Sure." she replied "Is everything okay?"
"I'm probably imagining it, but this morning when I got here, you and Shelia stopped talking when I went to make my way into the kitchen and I'm just wondering, were you talking about me?" I questioned, biting on my bottom lip nervously
"We were." she informed me
"Right…" I replied "What were you saying?"
"We're just concerned about you." she admitted "As your father's partner; I have a right to be concerned."
"Concerned about what?" I asked "And if you're concerned about me, don't you think you should be talking to me about it and not Shelia?"
"I was asking Shelia's advice on how to broach the subject with you…" she informed me
"What subject?" I inquired
"You and Tyler." she replied
"What about me and Tyler?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at her
"Your relationship…" she admitted
"We don't have a relationship. We're friends." I informed her
"So he runs every time you call, does he?" she asked
I swallowed a lump in my throat… "I needed him, and he was there for me."
"What exactly did you need him for?" she inquired
"I was worried you and Shelia were talking about me and couldn't get it off my mind, so I called Tyler who came to see me and told me I should talk to you," I explained "and in future, if you've got a problem with me or about me, I'd like you to take it up with me please."
Pursing her lips together, she nodded her head… "I'm sorry if I've upset you."
"It's okay. Do you mind if I get off? My shift's nearly over and Paige will be here soon…" I asked
TYLER'S POV:
"Lauren was talking about me this morning." Piper's voice spoke as I worked underneath a car
"Did you ask her what she was saying?" I asked
"She was asking Shelia's advice on how to broach something with me." she replied
"And that something would be?" I questioned
"Us." she informed me
"What?" I inquired, moving out from underneath the car
"She didn't say it, but she thinks we're too close." she explained
"Did you tell her we're just friends?" I asked
"Of course I did!" she replied
"And what did she say?" I inquired
"Does it matter?" she questioned "I just wanna forget all about it…"
"Piper…" I sighed
"I told her that I needed you and you were there for me," she informed me "and that if she's got a problem with me or about me in future, then she needs to talk to me about it and not someone else who's completely unrelated to the situation."
I smiled at her weakly… "So we're being talked about, huh?"
"It's not funny, Tyler!" she sighed "If Mum hears about this, she's gonna chew my ear off!"
"Why? Nothing's going on." I replied
"We know that." she informed me "But I don't know if Mum will take my word for it…"
"Well why don't you head home and fill her in while you've got the chance before someone else does then?" I suggested
She smiled at me warmly… "Thank you."
Piper and Tyler are being talked about, and Piper's not happy!