Chapter 17 Noelle
Noelle
I bite my lip with worry as I sit at the edge of my bed, gazing down at my phone.
Per Nana’s suggestion, I am going to give the guys another chance. I don’t know if I can face them again after what happened between Robin and me.
Yet, I can’t seem to move my thumb across the screen of my phone to press Robin’s name.
My hand is shaking.
I blow out a deep breath, running my hand through my hair. This is ridiculous. I grew up with these Alphas.
But they still hurt you, says the voice of doubt in my head.
That’s right. Could I risk getting my heart broken a second time? By the very same pack, no less?
The first time was on them. But the second would be on me… Still, Nana’s words echo through my mind: “Don’t live with regrets.”
Will I regret not giving the guys a chance? At least Robin and Shepard seem willing, but Frost is cold and distant.
But I can’t have Robin and Shepard without Frost, too.
My phone vibrates suddenly, and I almost jump ten feet in the air. Fuck! That gave me a freaking heart attack.
My eyes find the caller ID.
Shit. It’s Duke.
He’s the Alpha I’ve sort of been seeing in NYC. We’ve grown quite close over the past few months, but I have a feeling he’s going to want to take it to the next level and ask me to be his girlfriend.
The only problem: I am not passionate about him. Even if he is rich and handsome, I feel nothing for the guy.
Not even a spark.
It was my dad, Richard, who introduced me to him; he works with Duke’s dad at the same law firm.
Duke and I met at the company’s Christmas party last year. And now the guy is going to ask me to be his girlfriend.
We don’t even live together, so it’s a big step.
He’s barely heard a peep from me since I came back to Silverpine. I told him my Nana was sick, and that was it.
Now shame coils around in my stomach like a deadly snake as I think about the kiss between Robin and me. Duke and I aren’t even exclusive, but I won’t deny the guilt swirling through me at the thought of even a simple kiss.
So, I clear my throat, picking up the phone. “H-hi.”
“Hey, Noelle,” the Alpha purrs in that smooth, practiced voice. “Everything fine? Your Nana okay?”
A sigh leaves me. “She… she is.”
“Good to know.”
An awkward pause passes between us, and I tap my fingers nervously against my knees.
“So,” the Alpha begins, and I can just envision him in his expansive New York apartment, the one with the perfect view of Central Park, as he swirls a few fingers of scotch in his hand. “I was wondering if you would be back in time for New Year's Eve. I’m hosting a soirée.”
A soirée. That’s rich people talk for shindig.
Another sigh escapes me. “I don’t know yet, Duke… Nana’s still sick.”
And it could very well be her last New Year's, too. So, I’m not about to spend it at a boring soirée filled with people I don’t even like.
Oh, I see the way Duke’s high society ‘friends’ look down on me when I tell them I write. And then I go and turn them into characters in my books so I can kill them off.
Duke sighs regrettably, and honestly, I’m not sure why he even likes me. He could have any girl in New York, yet he chooses me…
“No worries, Noelle. Forget the Soirée. Perhaps I could come down and spend New Year's Eve with you instead?”
I grit my teeth. I can hardly picture him fitting in at my Nana’s house while we all celebrate the New Year with our party blowers.
My Nana’s house is a bit of a downgrade for him, anyway. He’s better off staying in New York.
At least he would be with his own kind.
Still, I feel like he has backed me into a corner. So, I can’t exactly get out of it. I suppose it’s fine.
Duke is just a friend… We’re only seeing each other. That’s all.
“Sure! W-why not…” I lie.
What am I saying?
“Then it’s a date. I can’t wait to bring in the New Year with you, Noelle.”
I cringe as I picture his dry smile next. “S-sure…”
“Well, speak with you soon. Work’s gotten pretty hectic.”
And now he hangs up before giving me a chance to say goodbye.
Well, now I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Just when I was thinking about calling the Wynter Pack, Duke goes ahead and makes New Year plans with me.
It seems wrong now to call Robin and arrange a talk.
Besides, I’m still a part of the Christmas committee for the market. I can’t leave him to do all
that planning alone.
My mind is set. I am going to call him.
Finally, I pick up the phone, dialing Robin’s number.
Here goes nothing.