Broken Trust(Devastation Duet #2) - Winter Paige Page 0,3

feet, hiding my face and trying to block out the sounds of the camera shutters.

‘I’ve got you, Angel. You’re safe.’ His voice echoes in my memory, and I shake it away. I can do this.

We get inside, leaving the chaos behind the heavy doors, waiting while Isa shows security her ID.

“Let’s go, bitches,” she shouts back, grinning.

“Isa, wait.” I catch her arm, steadying myself. “Does he remember me?”

“Yep.” She looks away.

“Does he know about-” I break a bit and clear my throat.

“Yes, Lili. He knows. I was worried and drinking… It came out. I texted that you’re coming. We’re going to get drunk and hang out with the guys. They are putting their album together, tight schedule, no clubs, no parties. They were sent here for quiet to create. It will be chill, so just… chill,” she rushes out.

“Yeah, okay.” I can fucking do this.

We reach the door, and it’s immediately yanked open. Jeremy throws a giggling Isa over his shoulder, and Nat beelines for Jared. Well balls, seems they have been here before. Looks like I’m on my own… again.

“The ladies have arrived, boys. Quit playing with yourselves, and be polite… maybe they will play with you instead,” Jeremy laughs out.

Just great. I look around, considering my options. “Fucking hell.” I stomp.

“Looking for me?” I freeze. There he is. Don’t look directly at him, Eliana. That dimple could seduce a nun.

“Coming in?” He places a finger under my chin, tipping it up to meet my gaze. “There she is-” He smiles. “Still beautiful.”

“Still dreamy, Jonah, but I…“

“Casual, beautiful. We’re going to hang out while our friends…“

“Whore out?” I snort.

“Yeah. That.” He leads me to the kitchen. “Hungry?”

“Nope.” I shake my head and then nod to the bottle of vodka on the counter. “Thirsty.”

“All right, but only if you eat something first.” I start to argue, but he holds up a hand. “House rules, beautiful. Food and water before booze.”

“Uh-huh,” I huff. He’s full of shit, and he knows it.

He steps up to me, leaning over to look in my eyes. “I know you’ve had it rough lately. You’re still beautiful, Eliana, but you look… tired?” I huff, and he shrugs. “I just think you’ll feel better if you eat first. Come on. We have sandwiches, pizza, umm… cake.”

“Cake. I’ll take the cake.”

“Cake and vodka it is. Want to sit on the patio? It’s nice out, and we can talk without listening to them.” He hands me two bottles of water and laughs as Isa’s screams fill the townhouse.

“Please.”

“Through my room – private patio. We each have one.” He flips on the lights, and I smile.

“Pretty.” I sit carefully on one of the two lounges pushed together and cast in the soft light and open a bottle of water. He’s right about the water; I do need it.

“Small deck.” He shrugs, flopping down beside me, holding out a fork full of cake. “Open up, beautiful.”

Ten minutes, two bottles of water, and three pieces of cake later, Jonah cracks the seal on the vodka. He takes a sip directly from the bottle then hands it over to me.

“Thanks.” I nod, swallowing two large gulps.

“That kind of day?” He raises a brow.

“That kind of life.” I shrug.

“Yeah, I heard. I’m really sorry. How are you holding up?”

Two more gulps, and I answer, “I’m not.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“I really don’t. Opposite, actually. I want to forget.” I chance a look his way and continue when I see genuine interest in his gaze. “I just want to be a normal girl for a night.”

“I think we can do that.” He looks around, suddenly laughing, and smacks my thigh. “We’re gonna play a little game the guys and I came up with last week… but with a fun twist. See that box of water balloons in the corner? We’re going to finish this bottle while we take those and drop them on the assholes blocking our entrance. Each direct hit earns you one Truth or Dare from the other person.” He grins, passing back the bottle, and I drink. Just like that, he’s back to the Jonah I danced with at the club, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

“Truth or Dare? Jonah, you’ve just made a huge mistake, the worst truly, because there are two things I never do. One is back down, and two is lose. I’m going to demolish you, rock star.” I get to my feet. “Bring the booze!” I call back.

“You have the booze.” He laughs stumbling over to me.

“So I