Page 11 of Silver Player

“Sleep when you’re dead,” he said. “You’re only proving you don’t know how to have a good time.”

He wasn’t totally wrong. I didn’t want to make waves. I only wanted much-needed rest.

“So I’ve been thinking…” He pauses as his earthy eyes squint at something in the side window. In the bright sunlight, they glow a lighter brown but still rich and deep. There’s a reason women are drawn to him, and as I said, his eyes are one of his best features.

“Sounds like a dangerous thing,” I tease.

He scrubs a hand down his face and cups under his jaw. The scruff on his chin is dark but thin, not thick like his older brother Giant who owns the official brewery supporting the town.

“It usually is.” He’s silent after the comment, and a quiet Billy makes me nervous. His mouth opens, snaps shut, and then pops open again. “I thought maybe before I swap bodily fluids with Sadie, we should meet under better conditions.”

My mouth falls open with the suggestion, and my hands slowly lower to my hips. “You are so—”

“That’s not what I mean. That came out wrong.” He closes his eyes, and it might be the first time I’ve ever seen Billy Harrington struggle for words. It unnerves me. Where’s his fire? Where are his biting comments? Where’s his displeasure with my presence? Then again, he came into my store. “I mean before we exchange blood or swabs or whatever we need to do to test our DNA. Maybe we should meet where I’m not thrown off guard and she isn’t insulting me.”

I stiffly chuckle. “Well, I can’t guarantee she won’t insult you again, but you might be right. It might be best to give your first impressions a second chance.” I’m uncomfortable with the suggestion. I don’t want Sadie getting her hopes up about Billy and fatherhood.

“Do you think he’ll want to know me?” she whispered two nights ago while we ate dinner. Before I could answer, she sat straighter, squaring her shoulders. “Never mind. I don’t want to see him anyway.”

Even though she hasn’t mentioned him again, he’s weighing on her mind. She wants to meet him, if for no other reason than out of curiosity, and I have no doubt Billy will grow to love her.

“What do you suggest?” I can’t believe I’m asking his opinion, but I admit he looks kind of cute with the fluster on his face. Billy Harrington is attractive, too attractive for his own good.

“I was hoping you’d have a suggestion.”

“Why me?”

Billy’s eyes roam up and down my body before he scrunches his nose. “You’re a woman, like a mother figure, and I thought you’d have an idea.” Well, nice of him to notice I’m female, but somehow, the motherly comment strikes a nerve. I’m not Sadie’s mother, and with his roaming eye, it’s as if Billy suggests I’m matronly.

“Ask your own mother,” I snap.

“I can’t.” His eyes close, and he inhales. My eyes narrow on him. He’s moved from cute-frustration to ugly-exasperation.

“Why?” I growl, already concerned about his answer.

“I…” He swallows the rest of the words.

“You don’t want your family to know about Sadie,” I deduce. The precious Harringtons are like royalty in this small town along with a few other names. The Chances and the Conrads come to mind. This scandal could rattle their world. Then again, each of his siblings isn’t without their own story. It’s amazing what I’ve learned from Dolores at the diner down the street. It’s a reminder that no family is perfect.

“I’m not ready yet.”

“What does that mean?” I ask as soon as the words are a thought. “You’ve had sixteen years.”

Billy blinks at me. “Actually, I haven’t even had seventy-two hours.” His jaw tightens, and a finger points in my direction. “You’re just as guilty as she is. Was. In keeping this from me.”

I grip the finger pointed at me. Dammit, he’s right that he hasn’t known as long as I have, but I won’t fully acquiesce to him. “I’m not guilty of anything. I did what my sister wished, and it’s not like you and I are even friendly.” By crooking the finger within my grasp, he tugs me toward him, and I stumble. His other hand comes forward, settling on my hip before I crash into him. This is the closest I’ve ever been to Billy, and he smells divine. Like cloves and cinnamon and another spice I can’t identify but that makes my mouth water.

“Well, whose fault is that?” he snaps.

“Certainly not mine,” I hiss.

“You and that damn complaint.”

“You and your screeching noise.” My chest lifts and lowers with the irritation of him.

“You and your attitude.”

“You and your…your women,” I snap. It’s the lamest comeback, and Billy’s eyes widen.