Chapter 9 Noelle
Noelle
Trying to get comfortable on this cot is nearly impossible as I pull the layers of blankets around me, curling up as best as I can.
Stupid storm. And stupid Robin for being such a commendable citizen, donating toys at the town’s toy drive.
Why does this keep happening to me? Why do I keep bumping into them? It’s as if fate is pushing me back toward them…
Well, fate is a bitch.
My fingers shake as I try for the millionth time to get a goddamn signal. Mom and Dad will be worried, and poor Nana… I went out to get her some medicine.
Hopefully, this storm will clear soon. It’s been three hours, but it may as well have been an eternity.
Especially with Robin only feet away.
I can sense his eyes boring into my back from his cot, and damn, he’s just as handsome as I remember.
Dirty blond, clean-cut hair, and perfectly shaven, but he makes it look so manly— a flawless Ken doll, but with glasses.
The sound of approaching footsteps catches my attention, and I roll my eyes when I recognize the relaxed gait.
Go away, heartbreaker.
When his scent of milk chocolate and gingerbread reaches my nose, my Omega shudders in delight. I grit my teeth.
In my mind’s eye, I can see him perfectly—hands in his pockets, posture relaxed, as a grin slowly works its way to the corners of his lips.
That grin… It always got my panties wet.
“Noelle.”
And his thick, sultry voice. Out of all three of them, Robin always made me the weakest at the knees.
I curl up tighter, imagining myself a hedgehog then. I am a hedgehog. I am impenetrable, covered in spikes. No one can get to me.
“Noelle, I know you can hear me.”
No, I can’t. He’s just another sound on the wind. The storm racks the building, shaking the entire gymnasium, and a shudder rushes through me.
“You’re cold. Here, take my blanket.”
Please. Now he thinks he is some gallant knight? My teeth begin to chatter, and it’s getting harder and harder to stay warm, even with all my layers.
“Noelle, please… just look at me, at least.”
I purse my lips. All right, if he wishes.
Finally, I lift my head from the cot, glaring at the asshole who broke my heart at seventeen.
There he is—all perfect lines and toned muscle, and I was right; he does have his hands in his pockets.
He's wearing a white shirt and tie, and he must have some cushy office job now.
Good for him.
His blond brows shoot up into his hairline. “Wow. That gaze alone could destroy a man.”
I glare further. “Good. Because I’m imagining turning you into stone right now.”
Robin grasps his chest with mock indignation. “Ouch. Well, consider me thoroughly stoned.”
I pull a face. Robin groans when he finally hears what he just said. I let out a sigh, lying back down.
I punch up my flat pillow to get more comfortable. Not that it works. He sits down on the empty cot beside me, and that’s how we stay for a while.
My shivering gets worse, and he’s so close now. When he sighs, I feel the brush of his warm breath.
I jump when he drapes his blanket over mine, then sits at the end of my cot. I scowl at him. “I didn’t give you permission to sit on my cot.”
He shrugs. “No, you didn’t. Sorry. But I couldn’t help myself. You just look so pathetic.”
“Well, thanks.”
Did I look pathetic when you broke me ten years ago, too?
I will admit, his proximity does feel nice. This is the most comfortable I have been since the storm began.
“Would you like something warm to drink?” he asks.
Yeah, you, you tall glass of water…
What the hell?
My Omega smirks at me next, and I yank out my mental roll of duct tape, sealing her mouth tight shut before she embarrasses us.
“Well?” he prods again.
In the end, I concede. “All right, but it doesn’t change things between us.”
“Noted,” he says, getting up to get me a hot drink.
No, come back!
Again, my Omega is relentless, but I won’t deny that the cold wraps around me like an icy hand, making me shiver uncontrollably.
Soon his cool, deliberate steps make their way back toward me, and when my nose gets a fill of that sweet chocolate, I finally rise, taking the drink from his hand.
Damn it, it tastes even better than the hot cocoa the volunteers handed me earlier, and how the hell does he do it?
Robin has magic fingers. Not the best image I need right now, especially as I’m trying to play stubborn.
Another tense silence passes between us. Robin whistles, and I hate how they all whistle so similarly.
“So, how have you been, Noelle? How is New York?”
I wipe the chocolate from my mouth, wondering how much I want to share. Frost knows about my new book deal anyway, so Robin may as well, too.
“I recently got a book deal.”
The smile that takes over his face is infectious. It almost makes me want to crack a grin of my own.
“That’s amazing! Just like you always wanted.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well…at least one of my dreams got to come true.”
I know he felt that barb as he flinches, and I won’t deny that I feel a little ashamed.
“I deserved that, I guess.”
I nod. “You did.”
He looks at me now, and I mean truly looks at me. “Noelle… what we did was unforgivable, but I want to make it up to you somehow, even if we just end up as friends. I’ve missed you. We all have.”
My heart plummets as tears prick my eyes. Yeah, I miss them all, too. But I don’t tell him that.
“Here’s my business card if you ever want to catch up.”
He hands me the laminated card, and I raise my brows. “Wynter Lodge?”
A smug smile takes over his face. “That’s right. We’ve all been busy while you’ve been away. We’re now the proud owners of our very own lodge.”
I won’t deny that I’m impressed as I slip the card into my pocket.
“Hey, how about you come by tomorrow? Just to check out the lodge, of course. And maybe we can all catch up a little more, too. Under better circumstances.”
I purse my lips. “I'll bear it in mind.”
He grins, showing me those blinding teeth. “Well, that’s good enough for me.”
Another bout of silence passes between us. In the end, he tells me to try to get some rest as we wait out the storm, and the whole time, he keeps an eye on me, making sure I'm warm and safe.
Just maybe we can make amends.