Kendall's POV

Eventually I let James talk to me. He told me everything. Chances are, I wouldn't have believed him if he hadn't matched up his knee to the dent in my car door.

We sat there in the parking lot, talking as if we hadn't just tried to beat the pudding out of each other. Carlos was sitting on the hood of Logan's car, zoning out in a way that only he knew how.

Logan came out holding Piper's hand. Seeing the jealousy flashing in James's eyes, I jogged over to meet them, whispering to Logan, who immediately relinquished her. I put my arm around her waist protectively, making a little more space between the two of them. James seemed to calm down.

He stood up from where he'd been sitting and opened his mouth. Piper bit her lip and stepped behind me as he started to come towards her. I ushered her into my car as I gave James a look that said it all; Back off.

He shook his head and started to walk away.

Piper's POV

Kendall had basically shoved me into his car and shut the door, leaning against it for a minute as if to emphasize the fact that I shouldn't fight.

He walked over to where James, Carlos, and Logan were. They talked for a minute or so before Kendall got in, the others going to what I assumed was Logan's car. Oh fun. Now I get to go back to Kendall's for the night without him.

Kendall's POV

I gave Piper a once over as I stuffed her in the car. I couldn't take her home like this, or Mom would send her right back from where she came from. Oh, the things we do for love…

I leaned against her door, hoping she played along and stayed where I put her. I told the guys my plan, which they all agreed to (James, a little too eagerly).

I hopped back in the car, noticing the disappointed look Piper was trying to hide. I thought my plan would make up at least a little for her sucky birthday.

"Hey Piper."

"Yeah?" she groaned.

"I was wondering… Maybe you'd want to sleep at the mansion tonight?"

Her head snapped up and she nodded enthusiastically… Just like James, a little too enthusiastically.

I told her how I couldn't take her home looking like that, and how I'd stop somewhere to get her some clothes. Against my better judgment, I called Victoria's Secret and pulled some strings. For the first time in a long time, they were open at 2 a.m.