Page 40 of Playing Pretend

Put him in his place, Piper, or I’ll do it for you.

No. I can’t have him exposed to this information. To the depths of my nauseating stupidity.

Rome

Make it clear you’re with me. And that I don’t take kindly to assholes who encroach on my territory.

I lock my cell screen without replying and meet Julian’s animosity. “I’m going to say it one more time, and I suggest you listen—we’re over and I’m not going to discuss it anymore. You need to keep your distance. Now, please leave me alone.”

“Why? So you can use him all on your own?”

“I wouldneveruse Rome.”

“No?” Julian’s expression turns smug. “So how long exactly have you two been dating? Rumor has it that it’s been a few months.”

I shove to my feet, getting another unkind reminder of how drunk I am when my head spins. “Leave.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, not budging an inch.

“I swear to God, Julian, if you don’t get out of that seat I’ll take this further. I’ll lodge a grievance with Pete. I’ll show him all the missed calls and texts and harassment, because we both know what you’ve been doing is exactly that.”

My cell vibrates again, but I don’t check it. I keep my head high. My jaw locked. I ignore the possible eavesdroppers listening in on our conversation and glare my anger. “Now.”

“Fine.” He takes his time pushing back his chair, his brows raised in contention as he glides to his feet. “But I still plan on making a pitch to Rome, and if he shoots me down in flames because of you, I’ll tell him what you’re doing.”

WhatI’mdoing?

I bite my tongue, holding back the question, unwilling to succumb to the bait and extend this conversation.

“You might even want to put in a good word for me.” He shoves the chair under the table as footsteps approach. Then the possessive arm I’ve become accustomed to slides around my waist, filling me with relief and equal amounts of dread.

“What’s going on here?” Rome asks.

I turn to him, placing my palm on his naked chest. He’s in his swim trunks, two towels wrapped around his neck. Of course he has to look like some sort of muscled Nordic god when he finds out my past relationship only existed because of him. “Julian was leaving.”

His dark eyes analyze me. “Wrong answer, little Pip.” He drags his gaze to my nemesis. “What did you say to her?”

“Nothing she didn’t need to hear.”

Rome’s nostrils flare. He knows. Obviously not specifics. But he’s well aware I’m neck deep in an ocean of ex-boyfriend trauma.

“Ignore him.” I pat his chest, failing to gain his attention. “Please.”

“I’m doing you a favor, Cavanaugh,” Julian snips. “She’s got you fooled. For someone who fucks worse than a dead fish she sure likes to play the field.”

CHAPTER8

Rome

Piper gasps,the agonized sound adding to my triggered rage.

I snap rigid. “What the fuck did you just say?”

Julian raises his hands in surrender. “I’m not trying to upset you, man. I’m sure it’s no secret she’s a lousy lay—”

Piper whimpers. Fuckingwhimpers.

“—who only wants your money,” he grates.

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