Page 27 of All Our Secrets

“Yeah, but he’s like that with everyone. Becky knew his personality before they got together.”

Sarah pursed her lips. “That’s true, but wait, you’re actually defending him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Stop it. All I need is for him to hear that. I’m just saying… Who doesn’t know his charming attitude in this town?” Sarah laughed, so I smiled. “I knew he was a jackass the first time I met him.”

Sarah’s laughter cut off when the front door creaked, then slammed shut. A few seconds later, Devin and Gerald walked in.

“What’s so funny?” Devin asked his wife.

“King’s assholery.”

“Ah, what did he do now?” Devin asked.

“Exist with those surly brows of his,” Sarah murmured, and I laughed.

Gerald frowned. “King is a good kid—been through a hell of a lot. Doesn’t excuse his behavior though, I guess.”

Been through a hell of a lot.That wasn’t the first time I’d heard something like that, and I had always wanted to know more. But anytime I asked Theodore, he brushed me off and said he had a troubled mother, and his scars were from a house fire.

“If he’s being hateful, you and Junior can come to the house with us. I’d rather it be that way any—”

“No,” I hurried to turn Theodore’s dad down before he finished. “Sarah is cracking jokes. Silas isn’t mean to me, and I appreciate him staying to help me find this creep.”

Was my desperation overflowing? Sarah smacked her lips together, hiding a grin. So yes, I could assume. Sweet baby Jesus. This intruder was ruining my life. Of all people, I’d sought out Silas for help. That wasn’t normal.

But something else surprised me. Gerald was quick to blow off Silas’s help every time he offered it. He always told Silas not to trouble himself. Of course, the hateful man refused to listen. Was I overthinking? Gerald was normally so…soft.

Gerald’s brow lifted in question. “We’re worried about you. Don’t be stubborn.”

My face heated. “I know you’re worried, but Silas said he’d stay. I’m safe.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I inhaled a quick breath. I truly believed that.Ugh.I’d keel over before admitting to Silas that his presence gave me relief.

“What did the police say?” Devin asked.

Gerald sneered. “Won’t do nothing unless Peyton actually sees someone break in.”

And the police didn’t quite believe someone had broken in anyhow. My door bursting open was hardly proof, and the lock hadn’t been tampered with. They assumed I’d left it unlocked, but that was something Ineverdid.

“Could it be one of your students?” Devin questioned. “Did you make any of them upset before the school year ended?”

I tilted my head. “No. I don’t think it’s one of them.”

T.J. started to fuss, so I took him from Sarah.

“I think someone is getting hungry,” Sarah murmured.

“He’s got—”

The door opened and slammed shut, and loud footfalls thudded through the hallway. I looked through the doorway. Only Silas’s boots would sound so loud and surly. He stopped at the entrance of the living room with several pizza boxes.

On cue, my stomach grumbled.

“You got us pizza?” Sarah gawked while Devin lifted an amused brow.

Silas glanced at Sarah briefly before he focused on me. “Have you eaten?” And before I could respond, he followed it with, “Come eat,” and disappeared into the kitchen.

I swayed back and forth with T.J., scowling in the direction he had gone. He hadn’t been here thirty seconds, and he was already bossing me around.

“Well, you heard him. He paid, so I’m definitely eating.” Devin was a burly man in steel-toed boots, but he yiped and flounced into the hallway like a twelve-year-old girl.

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