Page 101 of All Our Secrets

“Yes, I had a scare last night, but… I might have overreacted,” I admitted.

Was that really why he’d come over? It had nothing to do with Silas being there?

“It was nothing.” Silas stepped into the hallway. “But I stayed to be sure.”

Gerald’s lips tipped downward slightly. “You can call me, Peyton. I’m right next door.”

Guilt tripped.

“I know,” I replied, pursing my lips and giving him a small nod.

“Ah, this saves you the trip of bringing T.J. to us,” Gerald said and held his hands out.

“That’s true,” I murmured. “I don’t know what I would do without you guys.” And I meant it. Without Theodore’s parents, I’d have to rely on Sarah to babysit while I was teaching. Theodore and his parents had really spoiled me, which was probably why I felt acid bubbling to my throat any time they interacted with Silas.

“We’re family. God willing, I’ll live to see T.J. graduate from high school at least.”

We’re family.We were a family, which was why Gerald’s words further pressed the dagger of guilt wedged between my ribs.

I sucked in a breath, and Gerald laughed. “Now don’t get all weepy on me.”

Oh God. The old man was making it worse. I turned, hoping to fight back the prick of tears behind my eyes, and caught Silas’s expression. His lips were drawn down into a not quite pout. And his eyes… were mournful. His shoulders slouched. Why did Silas King look sad?

“Will you be at the shop today?” Silas and I stopped staring at each other when Gerald spoke, both turning our attention back to Gerald.

“Yeah. I’m going to change at the house and head that way.”

Silas seemed withdrawn as he spoke and wouldn’t meet my eyes as he left. This should be the outcome I wanted, but my heart tightened, and the words rushed out. “Be careful.”

Without looking back, he tossed up his hand. That was it? He walked away without devouring me with his eyes like he usually did, his posture sullen. His sadness shouldn’t be my concern, but his happiness mattered.

I took a few steps out onto the porch, following him. “Sarah is having a game night. She wants you to come.”

He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. His dark gaze flicked over my face briefly. “Does she?” The question in his tone made my heart quicken.Do you? he might as well have said.

This was a dangerous game. We both knew I wanted him there, but I was trapped in a loop of guilt. One I wasn’t sure I’d ever escape. And yet… all I knew was I disliked the sadness he carried so suddenly.

I placed my hands on my hips. “Yeah. Unless you’re afraid of losing.”

That earned me a smirk. “You’re funny.”

“Will you need us to watch T.J.?” Gerald asked, glancing between Silas and me.

I shook my head, but before I could answer, Silas did. “Nah. His mom will teach him how to be a good sport while losing, andI’llshow him how to win.”

Silas King was a shit talker. The similarities hit me. That was something MoodyKing1 would have said.

“Oh, you did not just go there.”

He laughed as he hopped into his truck, which had me heading to work with a pep in my step. I might not have known what upset him, but I could cheer him up.

∞∞∞

In Sarah’s dining room, I was keeping her cat, Oscar, safe from my son’s baby grabs when Silas arrived, carrying four boxes of pizza. He searched the room until his gaze landed on me. Sarah nudged my arm from where she sat beside me. She probably assumed that being Silas’s sole focus would bother me, so I played along and ducked my head. I didn’t dare peek to see what expression she was wearing.

“How was work?” Silas questioned.

The sadness in his eyes had been on repeat inside my head while teaching. What could Gerald or I have said to upset him? No matter how much I wondered, I couldn’t find the answer.

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