Page 29 of The Sound Of Silence

Much like her sister seems to do in her everyday life.

“Pippa, love. You look wonderful,” her father says as he approaches us with a smile.

“Thanks, Daddy. Are you having a good night?”

I want to question her on the use of the term “daddy”—she doesn’t seem like a Daddy's little girl—but of course, I don’t. Instead, I smile beside her.

“I am,” he says with an answering grin. “I’ve got my girls here and my friends. I could do without the speech, but at least I have a hockey superstar to support and follow me. I can’t complain. I’m going to be a hero when Jesse steps up onto the stage. I’m hoping he motivates the students I’m leaving behind.” He chuckles to himself and I smile back at him. All while Pippa gasps.

“You weren’t supposed to know.”

“Well, I do. And Jesse, thank you. I’m grateful.”

I nod, because I never quite know how to take compliments, then hover nearby as Pippa and her dad talk until he’s called away, finally giving us a moment to ourselves.

“So, I’m speakingafteryour Dad?” I question, realizing I never really asked for a rundown of the night.

“You are. Is that okay?” she asks, suddenly looking nervous.

“It’s fine. I’m just getting things straight in my mind. Do you know what time that is?”

Pippa’s face scrunches before she frowns. “I don’t, I’m sorry. I should have asked Ashley but…”

“You didn’t want to talk to her.”

“Exactly.”

I guess it doesn’t matter what time it’s on. I don’t plan to drink much tonight anyway, so it won’t really make a difference.

Another hour passes without us even crossing paths with Jonah and Ashley, and I’ve got to admit, I’m a little disappointed. I almost wanted to spend time with him, to see if I could rile him up enough to pick a fight with me. To give me a reason to knock some sense into him.After my speech.The way he treated Pippa is fucked-up—I finally got the full story on our walk around town the other day—but on top of all that… Willow was uncomfortable around him at the family dinner last night, and it drives me mad not knowing if there's a story there or if she’s just taking Pippa’s side.

Our moment to shine arrives after the appetizers are cleared up but before we’ve moved from the table. Ashley sits down beside Pippa, gushing about how wonderful the event’s going, while Jonah hovers behind her.

“Thank you for agreeing to talk for us, Jesse,” Ashley says, and I bite back a smile. “I forgot to mention it last night, but we’re all very excited. It’s coming up in a little bit.”

I’m surprised she even remembers I was there last night considering the only time she spoke to me was when she asked why I was with Pippa.

“Anything for Pippa,” I say, as Pippa reaches for my leg—a move I thankfully see coming so I don't flinch. Instead, I plaster a loving smile on my face, channeling my inner Willow.“You’ve done a great job, Ashley,” I agree, wrapping an arm around Pippa's shoulder before giving Ashley a little verbal jab. “It almost reminds me of that gala we went to last month, but those centerpieces were ice sculptures. Blew. My Mind. Remember, Pippa?”

Pippa’s lips turn into a sassy grin before she recovers, adding to my lie. “Oh my God, yes. And the hors-d'oeuvres were to die for. I’m still dreaming about them.”

We’re being completely childish, but the tight smile on Ashley’s face makes it all worth it.

“So, John,” I say, turning toward Jonah. “Do you work here in town?”

Jonah’s brows furrow as his eyes flash between Pippa’s and Ashley’s. “Yeah, I’m in construction. I helped build the extension on Pippa’s parents’ home.”

I knew that.

“Wow, I had no idea. That’s impressive.” Again childish, but I need some fun to get through the night.

Jonah once again glances between Pippa and Ashley, as though he expects one of them to come to his defense, to jump in and tell me how amazing the extension was. But Pippa sure as hell isn’t going to do it, and Ashley tuned out of the conversation the second it stopped being about her. I almost feel bad until I remember what this asshole did.

After Jonah hesitantly thanks me for the kind words, I excuse myself to use the restroom and, with a wink, ask Pippa to direct me. Since the toilets are very obviously marked near the entry where we first walked in, I let Ashley and Jonah interpret that how they will.

For some reason I expected Pippa to give them both more attitude or actually say something,anythingduring our short chat, but she was relatively quiet the whole time. She must genuinely be messed up over it all. My guess is that she needs me here for support more than anything else, so that's what I'll do. I'll keep her away from Ashley and Jonah for the remainder of the night. I can be her security guard. Just another role to play.

When I’m on my way back inside, after agreeing to meet Pippa near the bar, I pause at the sight of Tate across the room. He’s chatting with the guy I saw last night, and both their eyes are on Willow, putting my senses on high alert. I’m still shocked to see him after all these years, and the idea that he transferred to this school, after I moved away, seems to have induced an incessant tightness in my gut.

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