Pierced by Love (22 page)

“California?” Hannah and Jessie echoed. They both turned accusatory glares on her. “You didn’t say anything about California.”

Caught!
Noelle was speechless. Sending a wordless plea toward her sister and receiving a guilty grimace in return, Noelle replied glibly, “You didn’t ask.”

“Noelle!”

“Okay, okay. It was a blast. We went to SeaWorld and swam and played games with the family. It was great.” Noelle knew that she was rambling like an idiot, but hopefully by keeping her summary ambiguous, they wouldn’t ask too many questions, the primary one being with whom.

“Who did you say you were going with again?” Jessie asked.

Again, Noelle didn’t know what to say. “Um . . .”

“Just a friend of the family,” Melody inserted, coming to her rescue.

Noelle mouthed a silent “thank you” to her sister. Melody winked in return. Deciding to ignore the reproachful look that Chase was sending her way, Noelle said brightly, “Anyway, let’s hear all about your adventures.”

“Female chatter. I think that’s my cue to get out of here.” Chase carefully set down Melody’s luggage, lightly wrapped his arms around her, then gave her a loving kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Melody.”

Melody held onto his shoulders. “All right. I love you. Good night.”

Ugh!
Noelle turned away from the lovebirds to go to her room. She waited for half an hour until she heard the door open and close. Taking a quick peek out her window, she saw him walking between hers and Jessie’s parked cars. Just when Noelle thought the coast was clear, Kasey appeared out the window. Noelle quickly dropped her hand where it had been holding the blinds apart. What was Kasey doing here again? It seemed as if she’d been hanging around Melody a lot lately. And sweet, naïve Melody was gullible enough to let her.

It wasn’t long before the doorbell rang and Noelle heard the sound of the door opening once again. A moment later, she heard squeals of laughter and feminine chatter. Noelle wrinkled her forehead in consternation. Melody squealing? She
never
did that. Boy, this engagement of hers was turning her brain into slush.

Soon her curiosity got the best of her. As Noelle opened her bedroom and came quietly down the hallway, Kasey said, “I think this is my favorite picture of you. Look how Chase is looking at you, like you’re the only girl for him.”

“Well, of course I am, silly.” The pair’s giggles mixed with Hannah’s and Jessie’s. Then Noelle instinctively halted when Kasey mentioned her by name. “So Noelle still isn’t happy with your engagement?”

Melody’s voice held a note of sorrow. “She’s slowly adjusting to the news, but I think this little trip she took with Pierce shows how fragmented her thinking is these days. Not her brightest idea.”

“Yeah, what’s up with that, anyway?” Hannah demanded loudly.

Melody quickly shushed her. “She can hear you from the bedroom, you know. But I just think Noelle is confused about Pierce’s intentions.”

“You don’t think they actually—” Hannah gulped. “Well, you know . . . I mean, after all, they kept their plans a secret from all of us. Then they were the only two here in the apartments for a few days after they returned.” Noelle swallowed, noting how disappointed Hannah sounded.

“They looked pretty cozy at church last week too,” Jessie added thoughtfully.

Melody sighed. “I don’t know what’s really going on with them. But I hope for Noelle’s sake that she drops Pierce before she gets hurt again.”

Melody’s hope is in vain
, Noelle thought sadly as she turned back toward her room and quietly closed the door. She already hurt. Sinking down on the bed, she gave into the pain. Why this supposition? She’d only accepted Pierce’s offer to get away from this situation for a few days. It really hurt to realize her sister and roommates were doubting her integrity.

Later that night, after Hannah and Jessie had gone out to say hello to some of their friends, Noelle made her way into the kitchen for a snack. Melody came out of her room a few seconds later to pick up a photo album of some kind from the couch. Noelle swallowed her disappointment, remembering her parents’ admonition to try to make amends with her sister. “Hey, sis,” she called softly as Melody quickly turned back toward her room. “What do you have there?”

Melody paused, biting her lip. Slowly, she extended her arm to show Noelle the album. “Our engagement pictures. We found a really wonderful photographer who took us to a few prime locations.”

“Mind if I take a peek?” Noelle almost smiled at the surprised look on her face.

“No. Of course not. That is, if you really want to.”

“I do.”

“Okay.” They sat together on the couch as Melody handed the album to Noelle. On the cover, in heartbreaking splendor, an image of her sister and ex-boyfriend stared back at her in an adoring pose. A rush of emotions assailed her. Noelle had known this was coming, known that she would have to smile her way through Melody’s wedding plans. That was why, like Pierce’s dad had done when faced with an uncomfortable situation, she’d decided to jump on it first. She may as well get it over with. Noelle pasted a fake smile on her face and settled more comfortably on the couch. It was going to be a long night.

The past three days had been the longest of Pierce’s life. Of course, he’d known that Noelle had to go back to work as soon as they got home from San Diego, but this was ridiculous. He wasn’t supposed to miss her effervescent smile and quick comebacks so much. He’d even thought about calling Noelle last night, but he’d been unable to come up with an excuse. Maybe he’d call her tonight to see how she was doing. Or maybe it was just better to leave it this way.

His roommates were back, catching up with each other about the things they’d done during spring break. David had come yesterday and Austin and Garret had arrived earlier this evening. Pierce was looking forward to life returning to normal. The trip to his dad’s house, while not as unpleasant as he’d expected it to be, seemed like a dream that had been taken out of context with reality.

The doorbell rang and Pierce answered it, hoping to see Noelle on the other side.

But it wasn’t her. It was slimy Chase Dunlop.

“Hi, Pierce,” Chase said, his narrow, glittering eyes putting Pierce instantly on alert.

Pierce crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. “Hey.”

“Do you have a minute? I need to ask you something.” Looking past Pierce’s shoulder, he added, “Preferably in private, if you don’t mind.”

Pierce glanced over his shoulder to find all three of his roommates staring at the two of them on the doorstep. Wordlessly, he stepped forward, closing the door behind him. Chase stepped back, allowing him the room he needed. After waiting a few seconds for Chase to begin, Pierce asked, “What’s up?”

Chase peered at him, clearly disturbed about something. Pierce’s brows furrowed. This could only be about one thing.
Or person
, he amended. “I want to ask you about Noelle. Is it true that the two of you went to San Diego together?”

Pierce tried to keep his voice as bland as possible. “Why do you want to know?”

“Melody mentioned it to me. She couldn’t believe it when Noelle told her where she was. None of her family members knew beforehand where she was going.”

“Noelle’s a grown woman. She made her own choice to come.”

Chase visibly became more agitated. “I don’t think you get what I’m saying, man. You’re playing her like you play all of the other girls around here.”

“What’s it to you, Dunlop?” He sneered. “It’s none of your business what Noelle does. You gave up that right when you decided to marry her sister.”
What a hypocrite.

“That’s just it. I may no longer be her boyfriend, but I’m engaged to her sister. If you tarnish her reputation or hurt her in any way, you’ll be answering to me.” His tone was low and menacing.

“That’s interesting, Chase, because I was given the impression that Noelle has a father along with two older brothers who want what’s best for her. I think you’re overstepping your bounds here. Unless you still have feelings for her, that is,” he added casually while seething inside.

“My feelings for her have nothing to do with this,” Chase responded abruptly, “except where Melody is concerned. She’s been worried about Noelle ever since she started hanging out with you. And with good reason. Your reputation precedes you.”

Pierce stared at Chase in irritation. He had no intention of hurting Noelle. “Tell Melody that she’s worrying over nothing. Noelle and I are just friends.”

“Friends who took a trip together.”

Pierce didn’t like Chase’s insinuation. “Are you suggesting that we did something immoral? I’d think twice before making such an absurd accusation, Dunlop.”

“Is that a threat?” Chase asked.

Pierce took a step back while reaching for the doorknob in an effort to appear nonchalant, though he felt anything but. “I really misjudged you, Chase. I thought you had more intelligence than that. First, to dump the most beautiful and vivacious woman on campus. And then second, to accuse her of immorality. You do realize that her father is an attorney, don’t you?”

Chase’s face hardened. “You think you’re so smart. And irresistible. All the girls go after you. But just so you know, I’m giving you fair warning. Leave Noelle alone. Like you said, her father wouldn’t be happy to know that his daughter was being strung along by a charmer.”

“Like yourself?” Pierce said hotly.
The self-righteous idiot!
“Are you sure you’re not still harboring romantic feelings for Noelle, Chase?”

Chase’s jaw tightened. “I could ask you the same thing. You’re the one who sneaked off to California with her. How can anyone know what actually happened there? What do you think the Jensens’ reactions will be, along with your bishop’s, when they learn that you’re not as squeaky clean as you profess to be?”

Pierce felt the blood drain from his face. “And so you’re going to peg me as a liar to Noelle’s parents when you clearly don’t have your facts straight? That’s really noble of you, Dunlop.”

Chase’s expression was all innocence as he mocked, “Actually, you’ve done a good job of that already. Don’t mistake the Jensens’ acquiescence when they discovered that Noelle was already in California with you as their consent to date her. The fact of the matter is that honor carries a lot of weight with them. They’re not impressed with your handling of that situation. And Melody isn’t either, which is a shame because she and Noelle were just starting to get along again. Melody’s heart would be crushed if her sister suffers another setback. We wouldn’t want Noelle to become bitter over guys or worse, desperate enough to lower her standards. We want her to be worthy to be in the temple for our sealing.”

At that moment, Pierce fought with all his mental strength to keep his clenched fist at his side. The temptation to knock that smug look off Dunlop’s face was almost overpowering. “She’ll be there.”

“No offense, Logan, but you’re not in any position to promise that.”

In his fury, the words shot out of Pierce’s mouth before he could stop them. “Oh, but I am, Dunlop. I guarantee that Noelle will be in that sealing room on the day of your wedding. And I’m gonna be there with her. Thanks to your interference, you can now consider me invited.”

Chase’s stormy face at this announcement might have made a lesser man flinch. But Pierce held his ground. “After all, that should prove to her parents that I’m worthy to keep company with Noelle. If what you say about the Jensens not taking anyone mistreating their daughters lightly, then why are they allowing you to marry Melody?”

His words had the desired effect. Chase rubbed the back of his neck as if feeling the burn of Pierce’s blistering scolding much like he would a sunburn. “I’ll admit, Melody’s father and I have had a little falling out lately. But we’re making some headway. I’m trying to help Melody get her relationship back on track with Noelle. And I’m trying to spare you the same agony of what I’ve gone through with their parents.”

“Mm-hmm,” Pierce muttered skeptically.

“Fine. Come to our sealing then. I dare you to show your face at our wedding. Show the Jensens, especially Noelle, that you’re not the playboy everyone believes you are.”

Pierce took a deep breath while trying to let go of his anger. Forget about Chase looking after Noelle. Pierce refused to believe that Chase sought one smidgen of her happiness. But was he sincere in seeking Melody’s?

Before Pierce could pursue the question, however, Chase stated smugly, “Well, it’s getting late. I’d better go. I just wanted to let you know what you’re up against before you make your next move. Good night.”

With that, he turned and sauntered over to his car, whistling an unrecognizable tune, leaving Pierce to wonder what, if anything, he was going to do about this new problem.