Page 107 of Snared

“It’s not like I’m going to say anything, Josh. You can trust me,” Jules interrupted.

“I’m sure you won’t, but we still have to be careful,” I replied, trying to keep my frustration at bay.

Charlie pointed a finger at me. “Don’t pull your condescending shit on my sister.”

“Yeah. Don’t be an ass, CH,” Jax said. “Jules is family. And she knows that her sister would never willingly marry you.”

“Very true,” Jules said, but her eyes held a faint glimmer of humor for some reason. Probably appeasing Jax.

It made me happy, but also nervous.

“Sorry. I’m trying to look out for the band,” I said.

“Of course you are,” Charlie said, her annoyance clear.

“Ignore him. He’s salty because he has to be on his best behavior until the tour is over and you can dump his ass,” Jax said.

“Fuck off,” I muttered.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened, saving me from anyone saying anything else.

But I was sure Charlie had words for me. Luckily, we would be in public for the next few hours.

I had nothing against Jules. We had agreed that it was best to keep everyone not in the band in the dark.

She had to understand why I wasn’t happy that her sister knew the truth. But why did it suddenly feel like I was the one who had just fucked up royally?

Chapter 21

CHARLIE

FuckingJosh.

Did he honestly believe I would keep the truth from her when she was here? In person? Watching the interactions between myhusbandand me? I mean, he arranged for her to visit in the first place.

Fucking idiot.

I ignored him once we were in the car and on the way to the club. I would play the perfect, affectionate wife, but only when I needed to.

I wished we could go back to this morning. To snuggling in bed while we watched the fifth Thin Man movie. There was only one movie left. Would that be the last movie we watched as a couple?

I gritted my teeth. I was not going to get all melancholy. It was clear our end date was still in place, and I hated how that hurt. If he felt we were real, he wouldn’t care that Jules knew the truth because this whole situation had progressed into something so much more—an actual loving relationship.

“You’re overthinking,” Jules whispered beside me in the car.

“Am not.” I looked out the window at New Orleans in the nighttime. The city was gorgeous, but part of me wished we were back at the hotel—in her room—avoiding Josh. I could probably make an easy excuse to crash with Jules tonight.

Josh’s comments shouldn’t have grated as much as they did, but I hated that the falling had turned out to be one-sided.

“You’re only pissed because you care,” Jules said.

“Am not.”

I forced myself not to cross my arms over my chest.

“And he does too. It’s obvious,” she said.

I let out a low snort.

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