Page 22 of The Sound Of Silence

Pippa laughs out loud, giving my forearm a squeeze, making me involuntarily cringe. “Funny thing is I have no feelings for Jonah,” she says, without noticing my reaction. “I’m not sure I ever did. I’m more pissed off. And upset. At both of them. And myself a little.”

“That’s fair, and actually makes me feel better about all this.” I wave my hands around in front of us so she knows “this”means us. “You’re an awesome chick, Pippa.Most of the time.You could have any guy you want. Never settle for douchebags.”

“Most of the time?” she says, pulling away as she bites her lip.

“Right now you’re on my shit list,” I admit and feel her mock annoyance before I see it.

“I didn’t break the wall.”

“Neither did I!” I snap a little too loudly for being outside at this time of night. “Plus, that’s not what I’m pissed about.”

“I know.”

“You know? Then why would you keep our living arrangements a secret until the last second?”

“Ugh. I just wanted to have it all taken care of so you didn’t say it would be easier to just go home.”

Damn, she’s got me there. That’s exactly what I would have suggested. In fact…

I open my mouth to say just that when I catch sight of something that has the hairs on my arms standing on end.

“If it isn’t the big famous hockey player,” my old foster brother, Tate, says, stepping out of the darkness and into our path. With his gaze locked on mine, he folds his arms over his chest, making sure his bulging muscles are on full display.So it’s like that then. Another guy I don’t recognize stands a little way behind him, on guard, as though he’s going to approach, but after butting out his cigarette, he walks inside the bar.

Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it down and take a step forward, subtly moving Pippa behind me. “Tate.” I nod, maintaining my composure despite my mind reeling at having him standing before me.

Tate doesn’t acknowledge my greeting. Instead he watches his friend leave before his eyes flash to Pippa, and his lips slowly pull into a frown. “I heard you were here, Robin,” he says, using my old nickname to try and unnerve me. "Never thought I’d see you again, to be honest. Especially not with one of theSanderssisters.”

“Shut it, Tate,” Pippa huffs out. “You’re too old for the bad boy act. You should have stayed away.”

Huh?They know each other?I chance a quick look over my shoulder to see the anger in Pippa’s gaze.There’s definitely history there.

“Why the fuck would I stay away?” Tate says, taking a step closer, trying to be intimidating, his response leading me to clench my fists at my sides as a smirk appears on his face. “I was invited,” he continues. “Just. Like. You. And trust me, I’m not just somebad boy. I’m someone’s worst nightmare.”

He winks my way, as his smirk turns sinister, making sure I know thatsomeoneis me. And that little gesture confirms exactly what I feared.Being here is dangerous.

“Jesse, Jesse,Jesse. I’ve got to say, I was shocked when a friend said he saw a photo of you two wandering around town. Does she know?”

“Know what?” Pippa says, at the same time I say, “What photo?”

Pippa’s face reddens and she avoids my gaze. I want to ask her again, but the present company answers for me.

“You mean you didn’t stage it for publicity? It’s all over the Internet. You and Pippa, looking cozy on your way out of the local inn.”

What the hell?

Holding my impassive stare, I internally fume. I know he’s trying to rile me, but how the hell did us being here get out so quickly? And why does it feel like Pippa knew?I mean, of course she knew. She’s all over the media.

“It happens. The paps love me.” I shrug, flashing him my cocky grin while grabbing Pippa’s shoulder. “Nice seeing you again, Tate.”

I turn Pippa toward the inn without waiting for a response, ignoring my unease.And as I reach for the door, I contemplate all the things I’d do to hurt him if he ever spilled our secrets, even though I can’t do any of it because I’m in the public eye.

We’re almost home free when he gets in the last words, freezing me in place.

“Say hi to Willow for me, Pippa. It’s been too long.”

Motherfucker!It takes everything in me not to turn around and beat the shit out of him. But I know what he’s doing, and I need to stay strong. I have to trust that he’ll keep quiet. I can’t let him get to me. I can’t let any of this get to me. There’s too much riding on it.

Chapter Ten

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