Page 12 of Not A Whisper

I laugh just as Jonathan turns around.

“Come on, Bri, order a drink and let's get close to the stage.” His gaze pauses on Trip. “Wait a damn minute…” My friend turns to glare at me. “I’ve seen him at the library!”

Play it cool. Do something before he makes a scene!

I opt to simply shrug. “Are you sure it was him?”

“Do not try to gaslight me, I’m not an idiot, Bri!”

“Oh, could’ve fooled me.” My laughter covers up his sputtering. “Jonathan meet Trip. Trip, Jonathan.”

Jonathan eyes Trip with uncertainty but offers his hand. “So you like older women, huh?”

“I’m not that old, jerk!” I push his shoulder playfully but then glare at Brenda. “Control your husband.”

Brenda shakes her head. “If I could, I would. Sorry Bri, he’s untrainable.”

“I likeanolder woman,” Trip clarifies with a confident smile.

Jonathan’s not impressed. “Are you a student?”

Trip chuckles, “Naw.”

The relief that flickers across Jonathan’s face eases the tension gathering in my chest. Jonathan wouldn’t have said a thing to anyone if Tripwasa student, at least I don’t think so. However, I can tell he’s relieved he doesn’t have to carry another secret for me.

Brenda snorts as she takes the drink Jonathan hands her. “Nope, you’re not a student, Trip, just a cub that’s been swooped up by this sexy cougar.”

My gasp of indignation is eaten up by the laughter of all three of them. A cougar?Cougar? First I’m dating fuckboys, and now I’m a cougar? God, my poor reputation… and self-esteem. Cringing, I push past them to get to the edge of the bar.

“I need a drink if I’m going to deal with this type of disrespect,” I mutter loud enough to be heard, which only brings another round of laughter.

I’m glad they’re all amused. But me? I’m suddenly more than a little confused.

What am I doing with my life?

We’re togetherfor barely more than an hour before Brenda and Jonathan get called home.

“The babysitter is sick. We got to go,” Brenda groaned. “At least we got a little bit of freedom. Make sure you drink some tea and honey when you get home, your throat sounds like it’s on its last vocal chord. Whatever my kids have, hopefully you don’t catch it.”

My face flamed red, and Trip snickered under this breath as we bid each other farewell.

After they leave, Trip and I head over to one of the U-shape booths and order some food. They don’t have a full kitchen here, but they have appetizers that look amazing and I’mstarving.

As the waiter leaves with our order in tow, Trip leans back against the leather seat with a sigh.

“I’m not going to lie, I thought tonight was going to include a shitty band in some dank dive bar.” One side of his mouth jerks upward in a smile. “I’m glad I was wrong.”

I snuggle up close to him. In a booth that could easily sit eight, we’ve plenty of room to ourselves. Still, I want to be as close to Trip as possible.

“I’m glad you came,” I admit. “Despite how tired you look. Are you ok?”

I reach up and caress the side of his face. Trip reaches up and snatches my hand away. He brings it down into his lap and presses my palm to his erection bulging down one pant leg. My laughter is lost in the music.

“What the hell? Where did this come from?”

“I’m always sporting one around you.” Trip glares at me as if I purposely do this to torture him. The look softens incrementallyas I giggle. I give him a squeeze and he groans. “We can skip food and head back to your place, if you want,” he offers.

Rather than take him up on the offer, I stroke him discreetly back and forth beneath the table. “This was a fun distraction, but I asked you a question. Are you ok, Trip?”

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