18
Jett
After staying up way too late getting to know Oakley, I slipped into Noah’s bed for the night. I’ve never slept as well as I do when his arms cage me against him. But when I wake up, the spot next to me is empty, even though the bedside clock says it is too early for Noah’s work alarm to go off.
Slipping off the bed, I grab my slipper socks from the nightstand and trudge through the loft. I pause where the hall leads into the kitchen when I hear Oakley and Noah speaking in hushed tones.
“Mom really wants to see you, No. And Trace has promised to be on his best behavior.”
Noah scoffs. “That’s bullshit, and you know it.”
“He’s trying.”
“I’m not comfortable going, Oaks. I’ll go for a visit once he and his girl are gone.”
It’s quiet for a moment except for the coffee maker.
“Farrah didn’t come with him. He filed for a divorce, and she signed immediately.”
“Good riddance.”
“Noah,” she scolds. The emotion in her voice is palpable.
I know better than to eavesdrop, but it sounds like important sibling talk and after what I learned last night, the last thing I want to do is interrupt if Noah’s actually getting stuff off his chest. Unfortunately, Sadie chooses that moment to blow my cover, her pitter-patter of nails clicking along the wood floor as she runs to give me kisses.
“Hey, Sadie girl. You have good sleeps?” I ask as I scratch her favorite spot behind her left ear before walking to Noah. His hands are against the counter, fingers clenched tight and a look of frustration marring his handsome face. I slip my arms around his waist and burrow as close as I can.
“Mornin’ sunshine,” Noah says softly.
“Sun’s not up yet. Why are y’all?” I mumble to both siblings.
“Ugh. No fair. You’re cute straight out of bed, too?” Oakley complains, but a slight tilt of her lips and the gleam in her eyes makes it clear she doesn’t mean it. “Seriously, though. Nerdy but cute. It suits you.”
“Um, thanks?” Noah finally turns in my arms and settles his hands on my waist. “At least, I think that was a compliment.” Noah chuckles, clearly amused by his sister.
“Definitely a compliment in Oakley language.” Oaks explains halfheartedly, but I tune it out as Noah looks at me.
“How’d you sleep?”
It was like sleeping on a cloud with my own angel holding me close.
“Woke up without you or the furry beast, but the sleep part was decent.”
The little crinkle between his eyes as he worries over my words is much cuter than it should be on a grown man. “Sorry. Oakley was originally heading out this morning, so I was planning on sending her off and rejoining you until I had to leave for work.”
Oakley’s chair scrapes across the floor as she stands.
“Okay, TMI, big bro. Sorry to wreck your plans.”
I can do nothing to stop the blush from turning my cheeks pink, but Noah just watches me, those chocolate eyes probing deep into the locked parts of my soul.
“We still can,” he whispers soft enough that only I hear, but I shake my head slightly. No way can I go back to bed with him when his sister is right. There.
The audacity of this man.
Leaning my forehead against his chest, I groan. “I think you just like making my brain a mess.”
“Don’t know about that, but I definitely like making you a mess,” he adds, and in that moment, I wish the floor would swallow me. He says it softly, but the choked laugh from across the room sets me into a mild panic.
“He’s kidding!” I yell, unable to make eye contact with her, or Noah, for that matter.
“And on that note, I’m retreating to the guest room. If anyone wants to grab a coffee with me since my flight for today was canceled, I’ll be ready in thirty.”
Once the door down the hall closes, I risk a peek up at Noah. “Can’t believe you just said that in front of your sister.”
The growing happy side of me is preening at the obvious claiming he just staked in front of her. But the broken people pleaser in me is on pins and needles trying to avoid making anyone uncomfortable.
The shit-eating grin on his face is proof he found it comical, not that I had any doubt. “You’re cute when you’re being bashful.”
I swat his chest playfully before sinking into his hold again. I can’t help but sigh at the comfort his arms provide.
“Can’t believe she wants me presentable at 5:45 in the morning.”
“That’s Oaks for you.”
“So,” I hedge, unsure if it is completely out of line but feeling like I need to say something. “I may have heard a little before I came in. Everything okay?”
He sighs, eyes slipping closed as if it will block out some of his discomfort. “She wants me to go to dinner tonight. Apparently, it was part of her plan when she came in last night—guilt me into visiting our mom while my brother is in town, too.”
“And you’re worried.”
“Hell yeah, I’m worried. Nothing ever goes well with all of us under one roof.”
One of his hands toys with the band of my sweatpants absentmindedly. I can almost feel the discomfort rolling off of him in waves.
“Do you really believe that, or are you just feeling guilty?”
“Both? I don’t know.” He sighs, raking fingers through his hair. “When Jace initially mentioned something about it earlier this month, because being Jace, he knew I’d avoid going anywhere near Steele Valley, he suggested tagging along because of the tension between me and Trace. Doesn’t matter what Oakley thinks or what T supposedly says. The guy hates me and always says something to me—usually truthful—that ends with Mom in tears and me ready to pommel the guy.”
Squeezing him to me, I run my fingers up and down his spine like he usually does to me when I’m overwhelmed. Although, it’s probably as much for my own nerves as I steel myself for this next offering. “Would you want that? Company, I mean.”
He freezes, and I’m not convinced he’s still breathing until he finally speaks again. “You’d willingly go into the lion’s den with me?”
I nod, but feel my shoulders draw up, tension already settling between them.
“Gonna need more than a nod with something like this, Jett. Verbal consent. Would you really be willing to go to my mom’s house to have dinner with her and my siblings?”
I hesitate for only a second as I search his eyes for any warning that he doesn’t want me to tag along, but all I see is hope. And boy, is it gorgeous. His entire face comes to life with that glimmer in his eyes.
“Would it help?”
It’s his turn to shrug, but the tilt of his lips says it all. “Know how you say I settle your mind, chaos?”
I nod.
“Kissing you has that same effect on me.”
“Show me.”
A throat clearing has me jumping back, but Noah’s grip on my waist keeps me from going far. Oakley’s standing in the doorway, a knowing grin on her face.
“Aren’t you supposed to leave for work like”—she looks at her watch—“ten minutes ago?”
“Worry about yourself, Oaks.”
“Just sayin’. What if an elevator quits working, and you aren’t there to save some damsel in distress?”
He looks at me, flabbergasted. “She just never quits.
Giggling, I step into his arms for another squeeze before backing out of his grip. “I’ll go if it’ll make things easier for you.”
“Yeah?” Suddenly, he looks years younger, vulnerable.
“Yeah.”
“Wait. Did you just get him to agree to dinner?” She looks to her brother. “You’re gonna go? For real?”
“I’ll be home around four. Ready to leave by four thirty. That should be okay, right? It’s fifty minutes to get there.”
“That’ll work, big brother. The three of us will be ready,” she says as she scratches Sadie’s ears. Noah groans as he walks out, grumbling about being trapped in the car with a rotten sister.
“So…coffee?”
“Give me five minutes to run next door and change.” This girl better love me for going into public before the sun comes up.