Page 93 of The Sound Of Silence

She heads off without another word, leaving me to unpack with Maeve as she fills me in on her life story. This salon was her baby, and even though she’s retired and it’s now owned by her daughter, she can’t stay away.

“I’ve been told it’s bad for me. That I should give it up to keep my stress levels down. But I think it’s keeping me alive.”

Maeve, Maeve, Maeve. I’ve never related to anything more.

When I’m finally done ten minutes later, I take a photo with all the ladies and sign their appointment book before heading to the door.I’ve just reached for the handle when Maeve calls out. “Look after that one; she’s precious.”

Since she’d already started another conversation while I was posing for selfies, it would be safe to assume she was talking to someone else, but I know instantly she means Willow.

Turning around, I raise an eyebrow and wait for her to continue because something tells me that’s not the end.

“While it goes mostly unspoken, we all know what she’s been through, and she’s very protected in this town. Please help protect her heart.” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and I feel like she’s reached into my chest and clenchedmyheart, making sure I understand.Loud and clear, Maeve. Loud and clear.

“I—”

“He’s dating her sister, Mom,” Maeve’s daughter calls out, rolling her eyes.

Maeve raises an eyebrow before she laughs softly. “I know that. Doesn’t mean he can’t look after her.”

A lump catches in my throat as I smile, and when her eyes meet mine again, she nods, her expression full of concern.

She knows how I feel.

Apparently, I’m not only fucking up internally, but my feelings are showing. I can’t even think back to what I did that would have alerted her to that.

I nod back and slip out the door, hoping that if Maeve cares about Willow as much as she says she does, then she’ll keep that information to herself, and by the time I get back to Willow’s for lunch, I’m physically and mentally exhausted.

I don’t know how much longer I can keep going like this.

When I’m Jesse the hockey star, no one gives a shit about the real me. They decide who and what I am, and I just go along with it because hockey’s my savior. If I didn’t have it, I’m not sure how my life would have turned out. I don’t even want to think about that. It’s my escape. But here…

“Been home long?” Willow says as she walks into the kitchen, cutting into my thoughts. “Did you get a history lesson on Hepburn Falls?” she adds with a laugh.

I wish I could join in on her joy because I love seeing her happy, but I’m not in the mood. Maeve’s parting words are running on repeat through my mind. “It was fine,” I say, before switching on the TV.

I can feel Willow staring at the side of my face, and I don’t need to look to know that she’s about to give me some sass.

“Why are you acting weird?”There it is.

“I’m not. I’m just tired.”

She’s staring so intently now that I swear she’s going to burn a hole in my temple. But then she surprises me. “Fuck,” she groans almost under her breath.

“Fuck?” I ask, turning her way.

She slowly blows out a breath, her lips shaking with the vibrations. “What did Maeve say?” she asks, a hint of resignation in her tone.

“Huh?” I ask, seemingly uninterested, but she’s not buying it.

“What. Did. She. Say?” She repeats each word individually, making her question clear. But I ignore it.

“That she owned—”

“About me!”

Laying my head on the back rest, I huff out a breath and pat the seat beside me. I don’t want to have this conversation, but at the same time, I do. I want to know how much more she’s willing to share. How much sheremembers. But having her rehash it is a risk.

“She just mentioned that you’re protected here.”Among other things.

---