Chapter Seventeen Noel
Chapter Seventeen
Noel
A loud buzz wakes me, and it takes me a moment to realize where the noise is coming from—my phone.
It shakes across Parker’s bedside table, and I reach for it as fast as possible, praying it doesn’t wake her up.
Yesterday, she went back to work at the theater and stayed until 10:00 p.m. She was so exhausted that she ate the dinner I made in the bathtub, then promptly crawled into bed and started snoring before I was even out of the bathroom.
The phone quiets for only a moment before springing back to life.
Aaron.
Shit. My agent.
He’s not going to stop calling until I answer.
I let the phone ring as I carefully extract myself from Parker’s hold. She groans a little, a wrinkle forming between her brows, then she’s back to snoring.
I smile down at her, wishing I could keep this moment forever.
Then my phone rings again.
I repress my sigh, then tug on my jeans and T-shirt before padding out of her bedroom.
Pumpkin meows at me from his perch on the back of the couch, a long string of last year’s Christmas garland dangling between his paws. I shake my head at him, then pull open the front door, stepping into the cool morning air.
It’s just six, and the town is quiet. I’ve been here a month, but I’m still getting used to peaceful mornings like this.
My phone goes off again, breaking through that peace, and I sigh, hitting the green button as I settle into the chair on Parker’s porch.
“Hello?” I answer.
“They want you.”
“Well, that’s an interesting greeting. Good morning to you, too, Aaron. How’s your Friday so far?”
He sighs, irritated. “I don’t have time for pleasantries. Plume Pictures wants you—badly. They want a face-to-face meeting on Wednesday to offer you the role formally.”
Fuck.
No, not fuck .
This is good news. Excellent news, really. This is the kind of news most actors hope for, can only dream of.
But it also means the one thing I was hoping it wouldn’t—I have to leave Emerald Grove a week early.
I count on my hand how many days I would have until I have to hop on a flight back to LA.
Five.
That’s all I have left here, and it’s five days too few.
To be fair, I don’t think any amount of time in this world would be enough with Parker.
I’ve gone ten years without her, and now I can’t imagine going one day. The way she’s nestled her way back into my heart in just a month ... it’s unreal. I wake up thinking about her, wanting her. I go to sleep doing the same. All my thoughts are centered around when I’ll see her next and how I can make her laugh.
She’s become everything to me all over again, and now I’m going to have to let her down.
I promised her six weeks, and I should have known the second I did that it would never be enough.
Not with Parker. Not with the woman I love.
“Noel?” Aaron barks. “Are you still there, or did you lose the connection in that little Podunk town you hail from?”
“It’s not Podunk,” I say defensively. It’s funny because I would have said the same thing just a few weeks ago.
But something about being back in Emerald Grove is different. Maybe it’s because I’m older and can appreciate the slower pace of life. Or perhaps it’s because I’ve gained enough distance from all the bad memories I have here, and the good ones feel brighter and more important. Or maybe it’s just because of Parker.
He snorts. “Whatever. Anyway, the meeting is on Wednesday at two o’clock, and I already have Vince booking your flight and car service to the studio so you can meet with the bigwigs and they can present us with a contract.”
“How do you know they’re offering me the role? We haven’t even discussed salary.”
Aaron laughs. “Please. That was taken care of before I even sent you the script. They’ve known they wanted you for months now. We just needed to get you on board.”
I grit my teeth. If Aaron weren’t so damn good at his job and didn’t know exactly what he was doing, I’d be pissed as fuck right now. But at the end of the day, I trust him, and I know he’d never steer me wrong.
“I told you I didn’t do these kinds of movies.”
“Yes, so you’ve said, but you loved the script, didn’t you? I knew you would. I just needed you to get past the superhero thing and give it a shot. So I guess you do want to make these kinds of movies after all.”
Shit. He has me there.
“Let’s make it, then,” he says when I don’t respond. “You have the time. This could be it for you. It’s the start of a franchise. This could be your legacy. You could be the next Iron Man or Captain America. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by, Noel. You’ve worked hard to get an offer like this. You deserve it.”
I have worked hard. I’ve spent the last ten years working hard. I wanted a break. I wanted some room to breathe.
But he’s right. This is a huge opportunity, and it’s exactly what I’ve been working toward.
So why am I not jumping with joy? Why am I not feeling that flutter of excitement? Why am I not happy?
The answer is lying inside, snuggled up in a cozy bed that I wish I were in— Parker .
It always comes back to her.
I want to do this, but even if what we have survives my move back to LA, I know this movie would mean committing to spending some serious time away from her, and not just now. It will mean months of being on set, long days, and late nights. Then, country hopping, doing promos, talk shows, and everything else that comes with promoting something this big.
Do I want that? Do I want to be away from her for that long?
Yes and no.
It’s complicated, and I don’t want to make this decision right now, but I know I don’t have a choice.
“Noel,” Aaron prods. “What’s it going to be? Are you in or out?”
I take a deep breath, then blow it out slowly, knowing my answer could threaten everything I have with Parker.
“Yes,” I tell him. “Yes. I’m in.”
“That’s what I thought.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Vince will be in touch with your flight information before noon. I’ll see you Wednesday.”
Then he hangs up, leaving me with a whirlwind of emotions.
I drop my phone onto the table next to me, absorbing the silence while I still can. Soon, I’m going to be back in the mayhem of LA, going to meeting after meeting, then to interview after interview, and photo shoot after photo shoot, only to jet off to another project so I can start it all over again.
I’m unsure how long I sit out here, but it’s long enough for cars and people to start moving about the town and for Parker to come looking for me.
The front door clicks open, and I hear her sigh with relief.
“There you are,” she says, her voice still groggy from sleep. She pulls the door shut behind her and pads onto the small porch. “I was wondering where you ran off to.”
She’s wearing my T-shirt again, a pair of sleep shorts that barely peek out from under it, and nothing else. Her long auburn hair is a tangled mess, and her eyes are a bit puffy, yet she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
She slides onto my lap, and my arm goes around her, holding her close as she settles against me.
I could do this every day.
The thought slams into me out of nowhere, and I instantly know it’s true.
I could do this every day. I could sit here in this tiny town with Parker on my lap and be just as happy as I would be back at my house in LA.
That’s how I know that I love her. That she’s completely it for me.
And how I know that what I have to tell her next is going to suck so fucking much.
“I’m leaving early,” I announce after several moments of quiet.
She sighs, but it’s not a sad sound. It’s a resigned one, as if she knew this was coming.
And honestly, how could she not? Even I’ve had an inkling this would happen, especially if the news of my potential involvement is making headlines.
I was just hoping it wouldn’t be so soon.
“When?” she asks.
“I have to be back by Wednesday afternoon.”
She nods and rises from my lap, holding her hand out to me. “Then we’d better make the most of the time we have.”
I let her pull me back into the house, where we spend the morning in bed doing exactly that.
“Come on. I want to make sure we get a good spot.”
Parker runs ahead of me, her steps light and excited, like a child getting free rein at a candy shop.
I thought she’d be more upset about me leaving, but she’s keeping true to her promise of making the best of the few days we have left together.
Our Saturday began with breakfast in bed—her being the breakfast. Then we took Gran to lunch at Rossi Café, where I wolfed down an Italian sub and two cookies before heading to the theater, where I helped her and Axel settle many debates on paint and countertop colors. It’s a good thing it’s Saturday so the crew wasn’t around to hear their bickering.
Now it’s time for the monthly movie club to meet, and apparently, we have to attend.
I’m wary of her excitement as she dances across the park, weaving through the people already spread out on blankets until she finds the perfect spot.
“Here,” she announces.
I unfold the blue plaid blanket that’s usually bunched in the corner of her couch, which I’ve fallen asleep on too many times to count, and spread it wide for us. We grab our popcorn, candy, and drinks from the small basket Parker brought along, then settle down with just a few minutes to spare. Parker slides between my legs, her back pressed to my front as she snuggles into me.
“It’s the perfect night for this,” she says, tipping her head back to look at the stars. “No clouds.”
I follow her gaze, admiring the night sky. Thanks to all the light pollution in the city, I don’t often get to see it like this, and I almost forgot how beautiful it can be.
“It is. A little chilly, though.”
“That’s why we brought the second blanket.” She reaches for the backup blanket she brought and drapes it over us before resuming her spot tucked against me.
“Smart woman.” I kiss the side of her head just as her mother and Clifford come ambling our way.
“Well, look at you two, all cozy and whatnot.” Astrid grins at us as Clifford shakes out their blanket, settling it next to ours. “Haven’t seen much of you lately, little miss,” she says to her daughter.
Parker looks up at me, a silent question in her eyes. Can I tell her? they ask.
I nod.
She looks back over at her mother. “Noel’s leaving early.”
“Oh.” Astrid’s grin fades, but it only lasts a moment. “Well, that’s all right. You’ll be back, won’t you?”
Parker stiffens against me.
My return isn’t something we’ve discussed.
Do I plan on coming back? Yes.
Do I know when I can actually make that happen? No.
I wish I had more for her than I do, but since I can’t give her a definitive answer right now, I don’t want to make a promise I can’t keep.
“I’ll be back,” I tell her, deepening my voice like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator , trying to keep the mood light.
It works, and even Clifford laughs at the impression.
I’m saved from talking about it anymore when the screen flickers to life, signaling the movie’s start.
Parker relaxes against me once more. She reaches for the cheddar cheese popcorn she brought and pops a few pieces into her mouth before offering me some.
She giggles when I snake my tongue against her fingers and then wipes them dramatically on my pants.
I allow it because I’ll do anything to keep her smiling.
“You never did tell me what movie we were watching,” I whisper as the movie starts.
She shuffles in my arms. “I didn’t?” she asks. “Well, I guess you’ll see. Now, shhh. The movie’s starting.”
The music begins to swell, and vaguely familiar images flash across the screen. Then, briefly, the title flutters across the screen, and I suddenly know why Parker didn’t mention the film’s title. It’s one of mine—a romantic comedy about an assistant who falls for his boss.
I groan, and she laughs.
“Well, would you look at that?” She grins at me. “It’s one of yours.”
“It’s a good thing you never auditioned for any of the plays at the Goodman Theater. You’re a terrible actress.”
She gasps. “How dare you. And I’ll have you know it’s called the Noel Carter Theater now. Maybe you’ve heard of him. He’s some hotshot actor. We’re about to watch one of his movies. I’ve heard he takes his shirt off in this one.” She bounces her brows up and down a few times.
She’s right. I do take my shirt off in this one.
“What if I told you it’s a body double?”
“Please.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ve seen you shirtless countless times. I can count your abs in my sleep. I’ll be able to tell.”
I shake my head with a smile. “Just watch the movie, Peter.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice. I love this one.”
“You’re lucky. I really, really hate watching my own stuff.”
“I think most actors do. But tell you what. You get through this with me, and I’ll make it worth your while later.”
She grins suggestively, and miraculously, I am thrilled to watch my own movie.
“Deal.”
She laughs, earning us a few glances from around the park, but I don’t care. I want her happy. I want her laughing. I want these next three days to be full of moments like this.
When my character appears on-screen, the whole park erupts into cheers, and I wish like hell I could run far, far away.
Instead, I wave to them, accepting their love and support, then bury my face in Parker’s neck, sending her into another fit of giggles as I pepper her with kisses.
By the time the movie is over, I’m more than ready to be done.
I shove to my feet, dragging Parker up with me, and practically throw our belongings into the basket. I don’t even bother folding the blankets back up; I just stuff them right in there too.
“You ready?” I ask Parker, holding my hand out to her.
“Yep,” she says, lacing her fingers in mine.
I start walking one way, and she starts walking the other.
We snap back together like rubber bands, and I catch her before she collides into me.
I smile down at her. “Did my incredible abs make you so loopy that you forgot where your house was?”
“Did you forget I promised to make it worth your while?”
“No? I thought that’s why we’re going back to your place.”
She raises her brows. “Oh, you thought I meant that ?” She grins impishly. “I was thinking something else ...”
“You kids in for frozen yogurt or what?” Astrid asks, hitching her thumb in the direction of The Chilly Cow.
I glare at Parker, who is tucking her lips together tightly, practically bouncing on her heels.
“You tricked me,” I accuse her.
“I did no such thing.”
“Peter . . .”
“Noel . . . ,” she mocks, deepening her voice.
I step toward her, and she takes off, sprinting toward her mother like she will save her, laughing the entire way.
I shake my head, following after them with a smile.
If frozen yogurt is what she wants, I’ll give it to her.
Hell, I’d give her the whole damn world if I could. Anything she’d asked for, I’d give to her.
Even for me to stay.
The thought hits me out of nowhere, but it doesn’t make it any less true.
If Parker asked, I’d stay here for her. I even think I’d give it all up for her.
But she’d never ask, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.
I shake away my thoughts and catch up with them.
We walk into Jules’s shop with just fifteen minutes to spare until close.
From her pinched expression, it’s clear she’s annoyed we’re coming in so late, but her attitude shifts instantly when her eyes land on me.
“Noel! Come in, come in. Can I get you some samples?”
I laugh, setting our stuff down on one of the tables. “No. I’m all set, Jules. I know my way around.” I wink at her, just because I can, and I swear she pushes her shoulders back a little more, loving the attention.
Parker smacks my stomach. “Flirt,” she whispers, a heat behind her words that I enjoy far too much.
“What? I thought that’s what we were doing tonight—teasing.”
That earns me a glower as she moves through the machines one at a time, trying to decide on the right flavor.
She finally settles on marshmallow and then moves on to the toppings, loading her bowl with four different kinds of candy and enough chocolate syrup to satisfy even the sweetest of tooths.
I fill my cup with vanilla, then add peppermint candies and nothing else. It’s always been my favorite because it reminds me of Parker.
“You mind if we sit outside and enjoy this?” I ask her as I’m paying.
“Not one bit.”
“Thanks, Jules. You’re the best.”
I toss her another wink, which earns me another smack.
We carry our stuff outside, Astrid and Clifford not far behind, then settle at one of the many tables on the sidewalk.
Even though I thought my reward for suffering through my own film would mean something entirely different, I’ll give it to Parker that this is a nice alternative.
“So,” Astrid says, taking a bite from her treat. “When do you leave?”
Those four words are all it takes to suck the goodness from the evening, a somber cloud settling over us in an instant.
Parker’s shoulders tense, and I’m suddenly not hungry.
“Early Wednesday,” I tell her. Vince originally had me flying out on Tuesday, but I made him push it back until the last possible second. I wanted as much time with Parker as I could get. “I have to be back in LA for a meeting that afternoon.”
“Must be awfully important if you’re cutting your trip short.”
It’s not a dig or a snide remark, just a genuine statement.
“I can’t say much about the project, but it has the potential to be big.”
“That’s great. Really. I’m so proud of you, son.”
My throat tightens with emotion, and I have to look away so I don’t do something completely irrational like start crying.
I didn’t realize how badly I needed those words right now.
Returning to LA was inevitable, but I didn’t expect to feel so torn about it or get so attached to everyone again. It’s going to make leaving even harder. I’ll miss everyone here, especially this woman before me, who has always treated me like her own.
“Thanks,” I mutter. “That means a lot, Astrid.”
She pats my hand, squeezing it tightly before letting go.
“Well, that was a mood sucker, huh? Let’s talk about something fun. Cliff, tell the kids about that thing you showed me in the bedroom last night.”
“Mother!” Parker screams, and even I want to crawl into a hole and hide right now.
“What?” Astrid asks innocently. “I just meant a photo taken at the Falls.” She grins. “Why, what did you think I meant, you little perv?”
Parker sighs loudly in relief, but while the lightness of the evening mostly returns, a solemn cloud still lingers in the distance, ready to bathe us in darkness at any moment.
We say good night to Astrid and Clifford and make our way back to Parker’s.
We’re quiet as we walk inside and barely exchange words as we get ready for bed.
I slide into my side of the bed, and she slips into hers, crawling toward me and wrapping herself around me.
I kiss the top of her head, and she sighs.
“Thank you for tonight,” she says into the darkness of the room.
“Thank you for tonight,” I counter. “I had fun.”
“Even though you had to see yourself shirtless?”
“Do I always stand like that? My hands on my hips?”
She laughs. “No. And you looked great, so hush.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She burrows into me more, tucking her face against me and pressing soft kisses against my chest. “I’m going to miss you, you know.”
It’s the first time she’s brought up my leaving. The first time either of us has.
Even though it’s not forever, it’s still just too damn real to talk about.
“I’ll miss you more,” I tell her honestly because I have no doubt it’s true. I will miss her more.
I’ll miss everything about her—her laugh, her smile, the way her eyes light up when she sees Tater Tots. Or how even after all these years, she still looks at this town with wonder and love. I’ll miss how kind she is, like when people stop to chat with her when she’s in a hurry or is so tired she can barely stand but she still makes time for them and genuinely listens.
Then, of course, I’ll miss other parts of her—the ones I get all to myself, like how the sun dances off her skin in the early-morning glow. The way her hazel eyes brighten to almost a full green after an orgasm. That damn freckle that sits under her tits. And how she breathes my name like a sigh of relief whenever she comes.
So, yeah, I’ll definitely miss her more.
“Go to sleep,” I tell her. “You’ll need the rest for the plans I have for you tomorrow.”
“Hmm. Fine. But only because I’m exhausted.” She kisses me again. “Good night, Noel.”
“Night, Peter.”
Her soft snores fill the room only a few moments later.
As for me? I don’t get an ounce of sleep, and I know it’s because I’m too afraid to miss a moment of this.