Page 9 of The Sound Of Silence

“I’m just here saving your life.”

“Yeah, because that’s what’s going to kill me,” he mumbles, causing a silence to fill the air. And all I can think is…How the fuck did I end up with this life?I’m supposed to play hockey. I’m not supposed to be stuck in this shitty little town with no way out.

“What time did she say she was coming?” I ask, changing the subject as I tap my foot impatiently on the dirt. I don’t want to be here while Tate meets up with some chick he likes, but I also have nowhere else to go.

Tate glances toward the walking track just as we hear multiple voices floating toward us.Guess that’s my answer.

Folding my arms across my chest, I stand tall and stare blankly ahead, praying I don’t get stuck on this mountain with some annoying best friend, since his girl’s clearly not alone.

I’ve just blown out a breath when two girls walk into view and my world stills.

It’s her.

My eyes flash to Tate’s, and he barks out a laugh. “Well, damn. I did not expect to see her here.”

Me either, and I’m not sure how I feel.

But there’s one thing I do know… I’m going to make the most of it.

Chapter Six

Jesse

Iholdontightlyas the woman in my arms calms down. Her eyes flutter a couple of times before her lids slowly open to reveal the most striking sea-green eyes I’ve ever seen. Eyes so unique, I’ve only seen them on one other person before.Fuck.

Recognition hits me deep in the gut, and I spring away from her so fast you’d think her touch was setting me on fire. And maybe it is. Or it should be. Because I’m going to hell if I don’t turn around and leave, right now.

The girl startles at my sudden retreat and almost falls again, but I reach out to steady her, only stepping away when I know she’s balanced.

“Sorry, I—”

“I’m okay,” she whispers, cutting me off, a light blush coating her cheeks as she smiles. “Thank you for catching me.”

My hand lifts to the back of my head as I scratch my neck, my own body warming. “No sweat. It was my fault. Now that you’re good, I’m going to…” Trailing off, I gesture behind her before stepping around and walking away. Not even stopping when she calls out another thanks.

What the hell was that?

Instead of rushing back to the inn, as promised, I wander around for a bit, my mind full of unwanted images as a dull pain radiates through my chest.

This can’t be real. It can’t.

I don’t know how much time has passed before I finally make it to the room, but I’m still so messed up, I pray that Pippa’s asleep. The last thing I need is for her to be asking any questions.

Holding my breath as I open the door, I sigh in relief when I’m met with darkness, thankful that my prayers have been answered.

But if I could ask for one more, I’d say…Please let me forget.

I wake with a start as something pulls me from my dream, the haunting green eyes still tormenting me. I can’t be thinking about her right now. I can’t think about herever.She should be long gone.

Lying silently for a beat, I stare up at the ceiling hoping for a distraction, when the sound of Pippa puking her guts out filters into the room.That explains what woke me.

Letting out a silent groan, I throw back the covers and push the events of last night into the dark recesses of my mind, dragging my feet the three steps it takes to reach the en suite. When I fling the door open, I find Pippa curled up around the toilet, hugging the porcelain like it’s her soulmate, and I can’t stop my reactive cringe.

With sweat-soaked hair plastered to her forehead and her skimpy silk pajamas clinging to her shivering body, she peers up at me with a grimace.

Goddammit.

Forcing a sympathetic smile, I wet a washcloth and crouch down beside her, holding it to her head until she reaches up and takes over.“Are you going to live?” I ask, taking a step back to distance myself from the sight.

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