Page 94 of The Sound Of Silence

“Mother fff…” She pauses. “I’m never going to be able to move on, because this damn town won’t let me!” She runs her hands through her hair, giving it that just fucked look, and my heart jolts, reminding me that no matter how much I want her, or how much she wants me, I willneverbe good enough for her. She deserves someone who can give her that look without the heartache that comes with it.

“Willow, I—”

“I’m not fragile, Jesse. I don’t need anyone looking after me.” Her head falls back as she looks at the ceiling.

“I know, I—”

“Do you?” she cuts in, her gaze flashing to mine. “Because you seem to think you know what’s best for me. You’re just like everyone else, and you don’t even know what happened…”

Her eyes widen in some kind of realization, and my heart stops, my next words caught in my throat.

She’s silent for what seems like a lifetime until she drops onto the chair beside her and sighs.

“Am I fragile?” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion. “Is that the type of person I project? Is that it?”

Fuck. Her words are like a jab to the heart. I have never thought that about her.Never.

“Willow, you’re one of the strongest women I know.”And yet I don’t think she could handle the truth. Fuck, what am I doing?

“Then why?” Willow rasps. “Why do you keep pushing me away like it’s for my own good?”

“Because it is. You’re not the issue in our scenario. I am.”

“And what if I don’t care?”

“Willow,” I warn but it lacks my usual venom.

She holds my stare for a moment and it’s unnerving. Just when I think she’s going to argue, her gaze intensifies as though she’s seen something in my eyes, before she nods and stands up.

“Okay.”

Okay?

“I’ll leave you be.” She walks away without another word, and I almost chase her until her phone rings.

“Pippa?” she answers distractedly.

Willow pauses on the spot before she walks back into the kitchen. “Of course. Where are you?” she says with a strange tone. “I’m on my way.”

Then she’s back out the door, leaving me staring after her.What was that about?

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Willow

Pippa’ssittingonourold tree swing when I arrive, and without me saying a word, she slides over to make room before starting to swing. I knew something was wrong as soon as I saw how drunk she was, but she said she was okay when I texted.

“What’s going on, Pip?”

Pippa shakes her head as she huffs out a sigh. “You mean Mom hasn’t called you gushing?”

My brows furrow until I remember she has called and I’ve yet to call her back.Shit.

“She called, but I haven’t returned it. I’m avoiding a lecture on my attitude. What am I missing?”

I expect Pippa to huff again or give me a smart-ass comment. What I don’t expect is for her to pull the swing to a stop and blurt, “Ashley’s pregnant.”

“Oh, wow,” I say, careful to keep the emotion from my voice. I’m not sure what to say to that. It explains why Mom was favoring Ashley more than usual, and it’s great for Ashley, but… “Are you okay?”

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