Page 43 of Back in Black

What the hell was going on? Why was Millie so chatty while Audrey sat in stern silence?

Almost in apology, Millie patted his arm, and when Brett looked at her, she whispered, “She knows.”

Brett felt his stomach knot. “Knows what?”

Still in a whisper, Millie said, “That you’re a fighter. Gregor, too. Jacki told her.” And with a wince: “I’m sorry.”

CHAPTER 7

AUDREY flinched when she saw the disappointment on Brett’s face and the censure on Millie’s. He really was a nice guy—but her personal prejudice ran deep. Millie knew that, and she knew why.

Tonight they’d been through hell. Over her shoulder, she glanced back at the group of gawkers. Some were titillated, some frightened, some blasé. None of them had deserved this.

Most were without their coats, having left the building in such a rush. As the air thickened with the moisture from the impending storm, women huddled up to men for warmth.

Audrey would have loved to steal some of Brett’s warmth. But he’d lied to her, if not outright, then still by way of omission.

With her arms wrapped around herself and her shoulders hunched, she sat on the curb, shivering. At least Millie still wore her coat, had never taken it off, not when she hadn’t planned to stay.

As if she’d read Audrey’s thoughts, Millie bit her lip, and in an effort to break the strained silence, she said to Brett, “I’d only stopped by to say that I was going to take in a late movie. I knew Audrey wouldn’t be able to call me, because I’d have to turn off my cell. I just . . .”

She looked to Audrey for help, but Audrey turned away. God, she felt so stupid. Brett had walked her through the bar, handing out flyers to hisfriends. . . she remembered some of the looks she’d gotten, how puzzled many of the men had been.

The joke was on her. Had they laughed behind her back?

Sighing, Millie continued. “I knew you were planning to take her home but I wanted to—”

“He’s not,” Audrey said with no inflection at all. Now that she knew everything, she had no reason to let him continue with the deception.

Brett put his hands on his hips and glared down at her. “So that’s it? From one extreme to the next, just because I’m an athlete?”

“Afighter,” Audrey stressed, even as heat rushed to her face. Brett knew how attracted she was to him—because she’d thrown herself at him.

“Same damn thing,” Brett said right back.

Though Brett’s tone wasn’t loud, his annoyance couldn’t be missed. Several people looked their way, including Jacki and Gregor.

No way would Audrey let him cause a scene. Millie hated crowds, and she especially hated being the center of attention.

A hand to her stomach, Millie seated herself beside Audrey. “I’ll drive you home, Audrey, you know that.”

No doubt Millie was anxious to get away before the situation got any worse.

Without humor, Audrey laughed. “You’ve already missed the movie now anyway, right?” She started to stand.

Millie put a hand to her knee, stalling her. “I’ll take you home, but Audrey, think about it. It was the club owner, the workers, and thefighterswho took charge to make sure everyone got clear of the building.”

As thunder rumbled and the first few raindrops began to fall, Audrey stared at Millie. “You’re defending him? Tome?”

The weather worked wonders at breaking up the scene. Women rushed to their cars with men following behind. Lightning split the dark sky, prompting police officers to pull on rain slickers.

Like a different man, not angry but very impersonal, Brett stared at Audrey as he asked Millie, “Where are you parked?”

“Just down the street.”

“I’ll walk you ladies to the car before I go.”

Just like that, Audrey thought. With no explanation, no defense?

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