Page 57 of Louder Than Words

I give her another tight-lipped smile. “We’re testing out the waters.”

“Alright, now it’s my turn,” Carly pipes up from beside me.

Suddenly my palms start to sweat. I turn to face her slowly, trying like hell to keep some distance, even though she’s now sitting on her knees, practically closing the gap between us on the tiny sofa.

“Jax,” she starts, her smirk already creeping in, “there’s a bit of a rumor floating around. I’ll give you a hint: Fancy New York hotel. Rose garden. A pretty redhead helping you straighten your outfit. Ring any bells?”

She licks her teeth as she watches my eyes widen. It feels like a hand wraps around my throat.

I look to Don for the third time. But this time, his eyes are pinned on me, reading loud and clear:What the hell did you do?

How the hell would anyone even know? We were careful—

Then it hits me.

The fucking couple that came out while we were situating ourselves.

Fuck. Me.

My cheeks heat, but I shrug like I’ve got no idea what she’s talking about. “Must have been someone else.”

“So, you’re denying it?” she asks, her face glowing brighter by the second.

I look to Don again, who’s now pinching the bridge of his nose.

Thanks, Donny.

I force a smile, and thankfully Val takes the hint when she jumps in with, “Alright, next question! Gareth.”

Whatever she says after that, I completely blank out on.

The only thought bouncing around my head is… what kind of rumor? Is it the kind that can ruin someone? Like, a video or a photo? Or is it just word-of-mouth and easy to shake off and forget by morning?

Then, suddenly, applause breaks out around me, snapping me out of my spiral.

“You guys were great!”

I force a smile and wait for everyone to stand, but thankfully Val stays planted—right where I need her.

I lean in quickly, my eyes flicking around to make sure no one’s listening. “I was just curious,” I murmur, “what, uh... kind of rumor is going around?”

Her brow furrows. “What do you mean?”

“Like… form. As in… is it just talk? Or something someone should worry about?”

“Oh, baby,” she says, grinning. “Don’t worry about that. Nothing with evidence.” She winks, then leans in a little closer. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

And just like that, she stands, and I finally take in a full breath.

That is, until a hand lands on my shoulder and I’m immediately hit with the overpowering smell of sweet vanilla and stale cigarettes.

It nearly makes me gag.

“You know,” Carly says, her voice dropping low as her hand slides slowly up my thigh—way too high. “I’ve got a balcony in my room with a few plants. We could pretend it’s a little rose garden.”

I freeze.

For a second, I’m not even sure I heard her right. But then her fingers dig in slightly, not even giving a second thought to justhow many people are in this bloody room. Or the fact I clearly stated earlier I’m with someone.