Page 151 of Delicate Storm

Fuck. I drop onto the stool beside her and run my hands down my face, groaning. “Paige is having trouble with her ex, and he turned up at her event tonight.”

“Shit. He’s there for her?”

“Yep.”

“Asshole.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“She’s with Hayley, right?”

“She is.”

“Good, because that woman will defend her friends with everything she’s got. Paige is in safe hands.”

“Ifshe asks Hayley for help.”

“My God.” Keeley groans. “Don’t tell me she’s as bad as you. How’s that relationship going to go? You’ll never talk. All you’ll be able to do is have sex and—” She cuts herself off before laughing. “Never mind. There’s nothing wrong with that. Who needs communication?”

“Keeley.Enough.”

I shake my head as Keeley continues to ask question after unanswered question before finally giving in and changing the subject. We’ve been chatting about the team for the better part of an hour, and I’m welcoming the distraction, when my phone rings again.

Keeley raises a brow and I suck in a breath before answering, hoping she’s okay. “Hello.”

“Hey Baby. I miss you.”Dammit. She’s been drinking.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m good. Now. I had a few shots and I feel better.”

“Good. I’m glad. Are you with Hayley?”

“Nope. I wish you were here. But I’ll have to wait until I get home to you later. You’re waiting up for me, right?”

Shit. Something’s wrong.“Is that fucker standing nearby?”

“Yep. And you know how much I love that.”

“Is he threatening you?”

Keeley’s eyes widen before she covers her mouth with her hand.

“No. Nothing like that. I just wanted to say hi. I miss you.”

I know she’s saying everything for his benefit, but the words “I miss you too,” escape my mouth without thought. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Definitely. You know me.” She releases a soft giggle before thanking me with her bubbly persona and then she rushes out two little words that I was not prepared for. “Love you, bye.”

And I see red.What the hell is going on?

The line cuts off and I couldn’t say if it was Paige hanging up or something else, but before I get the chance to question it, she sends me a text.

Paige: Thank you for going along with that. I needed him to believe that I’d moved on. But it wasn’t all for show. It felt nice to say it out loud

My heart thumps in my chest as I turn to Keeley, unsure if she meant mentioning our relationship in general or her admission of love, but either way, I’m worried.

Keeley frowns, her eyes still wide. “Is everything okay?”

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