UNDER REVISION - Road Rage, Dark Shadows MC (Book 1)

Lose My Number - Silver

Silver

I step quietly in the house as the voice continues, "We're together, aren't we? I know you don't have a lot of experience with successful, healthy relationships, but I was willing to give you some leeway. But that ends here."

The loud, condescending tone is definitely male. Trevor. Chloe says something back, but I can't make out the words of her quieter voice. I pause, the door open behind, considering my next move. I could walk back out, pretend I was never here, and come back later when they're finished whatever this is. Or I could try to sneak upstairs, but if they catch me doing that, they might think I was deliberately eavesdropping.

Fuck it. I carefully shut the door behind me, trying to make as little noise as possible, before turning for the stairs. I pause with one foot on the bottom step, ears perked. I know I shouldn't, but his strident words have stirred curiosity over what they could be arguing about.

I don't have to wait long before he's talking again, his voice getting loud and more agitated. "You don't even know that girl. Are you sure she's even related to you? What proof do you actually have? Just some dusty fucking letters." He lets out a scoff. "You can't be this fucking stupid."

My eyes bug out, unable to believe how he's talking to her right now. And I think...is he talking about me?

"This has nothing to do with you." Chloe's voice gets louder, although still calm in the face of his anger. "This is my money and my life. We aren't together, but I thought we were at least friends. I see now that I was wrong." There's a pause, a fraught silence, before she says, "I think you should leave."

"Chloe–"

Out of time, I panic and dart back to the front door, opening and shutting it with a louder bang, as if I've just entered the house. "Hey, I'm back!"

Footsteps immediately come from the back of the house and then Chloe appears, face flushed and eyes glittering with anger. "Hey hon, how did the baking go today?"

Keeping the act up, I give her a wry grin, gesturing to the state of me. "Not so great. I'll figure it out, though. I need to call the contractor about a new oven, though."

"Oh, really?" She sighs. "We knew it wouldn't last the distance. That other one was old as dirt." A knowing look. "Was that the problem with your baking or was it something else?"

I send her a glare, because she knows I hate it when she calls me out on my shit. Deciding not to rise to the bait, I say instead, "Elsie needed someone to cover a shift at the diner on Friday, but the contractor wanted to come look at the kitchen again and take some measurements."

She tilts her head with a frown. "And I told you, you need to quit. Your focus should be on the bakery right now, don't you think? You can't give either job your all if you're torn between them." Her expression turns understanding, sympathetic. "Elsie will understand, Silver."

I avoid her eyes, awkwardly scratching the back of my head. "Isn't it better if I keep working? Every penny helps."

There's a snort from behind her and then Trevor's there, glaring at me. I blink, barely stopping myself from taking a step back at the fury in his eyes. "Shock, the money pit requires more money." He shakes his head, pushing his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose as he turns to Chloe. "You'll crash and burn, and I'll be happy to say I told you so."

"You won't be saying anything," she remarks casually. "Because you won't be around." She barely spares him a glance. "You can leave now." His cheeks flush at her dismissive tone, his body practically vibrating with anger.