Page 19 of When The Noise Stops

I hadn't said her name out loud in months. Hadn't let myself think about her. But Tiny had to bring it up. Had to poke at the wound I'd spent months trying to let heal.

I grabbed a beer from the fridge. Didn't even drink it. Just held it until the cold seeped away.

I kept thinking about how bad I wanted Lila. Knew I could have her.

But she deserved someone who didn't have ghosts.

I set the beer down and pressed my palms against the counter.

Tomorrow, I'd keep my distance. I'd be the mean neighbor again.

That was safer.

For both of us.

Chapter 7

Knox

I woke up with one thing on my mind. Stay away from Lila.

That was the plan. Stay in my lane. Be the mean neighbor. Keep my head down and my hands busy with work. She didn't need me hovering around her like some lovesick idiot.

I heard my boys pull up just as I finished dressing, and I didn't hear them leave for 10 minutes. I guessed I'd have company at the shop today.

I walked out, eyes on them, determined not to look at her door. Without wondering if she was watching from the window. Without—

"Grizz! Grizz, look!"

I stopped.

She came from behind Sully's huge frame like she'd been hiding from me on purpose. Hair in a ponytail, face split in a grin so wide it had to hurt. Behind her, Tiny was straddling his Harley, engine rumbling low.

She was practically vibrating.

"I'm about to go on my first motorcycle ride. Can you believe it? I've never been on one before. Tiny said he'd take me to work."

She was wearing jeans. Tight ones. A leather jacket that looked like it belonged to someone else—probably Tiny's spare.

Tiny threw her a helmet. She caught it. Then she turned to me and waved like I was just some neighbor she happened to run into.

"Bye, Grizz!"

Tiny's eyes met mine over her head. His mouth curved into an evil little smirk.

"Bye, Grizz," he echoed. He was fucking with me.

They took off before I could say a word.

I stood there in the parking lot, keys dangling from my hand, watching her clutch Tiny's waist as they roared down the street. Her head was thrown back. She was laughing.

I frowned. My neck felt tight. But I wasn't jealous. I wasn't.

I got in my truck and drove to work.

The shop was quiet. I wouldn't speak, but I felt abandoned.

I threw myself into the cars. Replaced a timing belt. Flushed a radiator. Did a full brake job on a sedan that had no business being on the road.