Chapter 6
NOAH
The doorbell rings, saving me from having to give reassurances I’m uncomfortable doling out. My eyes flick past my mother, and I mumble, “Truly. I’m good. That’ll be Sage, and today’s supposed to be fun.”
“Hellooo!” Sage calls out as she barges through the front door. “Noah, you ready for this!?”
Mom tilts her head to the side, studying me, but doesn’t say anything more, simply gesturing that I should head down. Hopefully I’ve hidden everything well enough.
When I hit the top of the wide staircase and jog down, Sage is near to bursting at the bottom waiting for me. She bounces on the toes of her cowgirl boots, long, lean legs on display under a summery sundress. “Hey, you! Time for more fun, huh?”
Her wide smile wraps me in warmth, her excitement infectious.
She throws her head back, laughter bubbling free, bright and beautiful, just like my friend.
“We’ll see how you feel after you find out what I’ve done for your bachelorette party.
” Wrinkling her nose she gives me an apologetic look.
“Hopefully, it’ll go better than how last night ended up. ”
I draw in a breath, shaking my head. “Totally not your fault. I’d rather not focus on it right now, honestly.”
“You sure you don’t wanna stay with me tonight?”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather steer clear of all the Rivers brothers for a little while.” Not to mention all the other crap.
“Understandable. It’s fine. ”
“Promise?”
“Of course. Come on.” She winds an arm around my shoulders and tugs me into my family’s living area. Her eyes gleam with mischief. “We’ve got a few things to do before everyone else arrives.”
And for now, I tuck away the worries that’ve been plaguing me and crush Sage in a fierce hug. “I don’t care what we’re doing so long as I get to spend time with you.”
About an hour later, we’ve moved the furniture around to Sage’s satisfaction.
I still have no idea what’s going on, but I’m curious.
A few people have begun to arrive—friends of my mom’s, neighbors, and several girls I’ve been friendly with since high school.
Noticeably absent are bitchy Brandy and her slutty sidekick, Cassidy.
I’m thinking Sage might’ve had something to do with that. Thank the lord.
The doorbell rings, a welcome distraction from the direction my thoughts had been heading, and my mother jumps up to answer it.
“Yoo-hoo! I found some strapping young men who were looking for the bachelorette party.” My eyes go wide at the familiar voice, and I hurriedly release Sage.
Josephine Rivers comes around the corner with three unfamiliar men hot on her heels. An impish grin is spread wide across the lined face I love so well, and my hands fly up to cover my shock. She claps her hands. “So, who’s ready for dicks and drinks?”
“Grandma Jo!” I shout with a laugh. “What are you doing here? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were coming!”
Even after everything went down with Rhett, we’ve kept in touch.
She’s like a grandmother to me, and she never made me feel bad about following my dreams. Deep down, I think she knew I did what I had to do, but I sure hope Rhett didn’t tell her what happened at the bar.
Not much gets by Josie where her grandsons are concerned. “I’m so excited you’re here!”
The older woman holds open her arms for a hug.
“Did you really think I was going to miss out on Penises and Pina Coladas or whatever this thing is called?” Her lips quirk.
“Besides, I had to see you with my own eyes. Hard to believe the girl I keep hearing on the radio singing her heart out is the same one who used to make up tunes while baking chocolate chip cookies in my kitchen.”
I chuckle. “I’m still that girl.”
Easing back, she takes a good look at me. “Just so you know, you’ll always be like a granddaughter, no matter who you’ve decided to marry. Besides … Cocks and Cocktails?” She throws her head back, laughing. “How could I resist that temptation?”
Sage holds a few fingers to her lips, trying to contain her laughter. “I told you, Josie, it’s called Men and Margaritas.”
Rhett’s grandmother puts her hand to her chest in mock disbelief. “So, there’s no full frontal?”
The guy standing right next to her whips off his breakaway stripper pants, and my mother lets out a shriek.
“Oh, that’s a lot of man meat for the living room.”
I bring a hand up to cover my quickly reddening face. Nothing Josie says would ever surprise me.
“Okay, ladies.” One of the guys catches our attention. “Where do you want us to set up?”
“Behind me, preferably,” Josie quips, giving them a cheeky grin. “How’s your grip, young man? It’s been an age since I had a good hair pullin’.”
Twenty minutes later, the crew of women assembled have drinks in hand, and well, the peens are out, too.
I glance over at the canvas in front of Sage, then Josie’s as she artfully sketches the model posed on a stool in front of us.
I shake my head, my cheeks heating, and take another sip of my drink.
Josie’s drawn the girthiest cock I’ve ever seen in my life.
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up out of me.
I’ve only barely contained my amusement when my mother comes in with another pitcher and refills our drinks. “Noah, we’re definitely dress shopping while you’re home, right?”
“Yep. Sage booked an appointment for tomorrow at eleven. Josie, are you comin’?”
“I would’ve tanned your hide if you’d gone without me.” Josie’s lips twitch. “I want to be present the first time my showgirl slips into a wedding dress.”
I flash her a genuine smile as my phone vibrates. Again. That makes three times in five minutes. I know who it is and there’s no way I’m calling back like Bradley’s demanding. I already responded to his insistent messages. There’s nothing I can say or do to make him happy.
Before I realize what she’s doing, Sage leans over, almost toppling from her chair as she snatches up my phone. “Ooh! It’s lover boy!”
I give everyone a sheepish smile, taking the phone from her.
“Answer that man, then get your sweet peach back in here, Noah Lane!” Grandma Jo, unlike Sage, can hold her liquor.
I shoot her a grin over my shoulder. “Yes ma’am. Be right back.” Shuffling quickly down the hall to the bathroom, I shut myself in, then take a seat on the long counter to one side of the sink. Several minutes go by, but all I do is stare at the phone in my hand.
Answer the fucking phone, Noah.
Who do you think you are, ignoring me?
Don’t forget who made you.
Stop being such a whore and call me back.
Answer me or I’m coming out there.
What is wrong with him? This is unhinged, even for Bradley. I’ve desperately needed this time to myself, and he can’t even let me have a weekend with my family and friends. To get him off my back, I tap out a quick message.
I’m with my mom.
I’ll call you tonight.
You’d better.
A knock sounds on the door, making me jump out of my skin, and I take a deep breath before murmuring, “Yeah?”
“It’s just me,” Sage’s voice is cautious as it drifts through the hardwood.
Hopping from the counter, my fingers hesitate on the knob. I can’t avoid my sweet friend—nor do I want to. Another second passes as all the air rushes from my lungs. Sage can’t know how bad things are. Not yet. I’m not ready. Finally, I suck up my courage and open the door.
Sage tilts her head to one side, studying me. “Is everything okay?”
I sigh, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear as I step out to join her. “Oh yeah. He’s just being a typical man.” I wrinkle my nose in a show of faux disgust. “You know how it is. He misses me and wishes I were home with him.”
Her brow furrows, big blue eyes pinning on me. “Couldn’t he have traveled with you?” Lips twisting a bit, as if she’s beginning to sense something’s not quite right, she finishes, “Seems like it would’ve been a great time to meet your parents and all.”
“Oh no,” I respond quickly—maybe too quickly. “His schedule is sheer insanity right now. He’s got constant meetings. We’ll do the whole introduction of the families when Mom and Dad fly out before the wedding. I’ve got lots of plans—all the usual pre-wedding events.”
“Gotcha.” Sage shrugs, chewing on the corner of her lip as she eyes me. “I just thought I’d get to meet him while I was with you in LA.”
“Yeah.” I exhale hard, fervently hoping it somehow settles my stomach that’s begun to rebel.
“It wasn’t in the cards, I guess.” I hook my arm around her waist and tug her toward the living room where all manner of chaos must be ensuing from the sound of it.
“Now, come on! Let’s get back to the madness.
” Before I spill my guts and ruin this party.
When we return, Grandma Jo is gesturing wildly as she talks to one of the male models, still naked as the day he was born.
“It doesn’t matter how impressive your equipment is, if you don’t know how to use it.
” Raising her hands, she leaves an impressive distance between the two.
“My husband had a fantastic cock. Some days, I think I miss it more than I miss him.” She glances over her shoulder at me with a naughty wink.
“Oh my god, I love that woman,” I mumble under my breath to Sage as we both have a good chuckle at Josie’s antics.
I’ve only just picked up my charcoal pencil again to get back to it when Sage leans over. “By the way, I never got a chance to say how glad I was that you and Kade got on okay when we visited you. He enjoyed the trip.”
Seeing Rhett’s younger brother had been a punch to the gut.
The two men are very much their own people, but they give off a similar energy.
Both have a take-charge attitude and an unwavering sense of responsibility.
But most of all … the Rivers brothers love so damn hard.
My heart knocks against my rib cage. That’d been the most difficult part—witnessing what Sage and Kade have.
From the way things were between them last night, it’d seem they’re in it for the long haul.
Every time I see the two of them together, it makes me wonder what might’ve been if I had allowed myself to grow roots right here in Idaho with Rhett.
I shoot her a big I’ve-had-a-little-too-much-to-drink grin to disguise my inner turmoil. “Oh, me too. It was good to see him”—I hesitate, chewing on my lip—“and even better to see how happy you guys are.”
“Thanks. That means a lot. I’ve missed you so damn much, Noah.
I wouldn’t have known what to do if the two of you hadn’t been able to set aside certain things.
” Sage gives me a wistful glance so full of happier memories.
It doesn’t go unnoticed that she’s cautious mentioning anything Rhett related, especially since there’s no doubt she’ll marry his brother someday.
Almost as if my fiancé has some weird sixth sense, my cell goes off, his ringtone blasting amid the talking and laughter of the party. He’s unbelievable. I groan, digging into my pocket, then hurriedly glance at Sage before declining the call.
“You could have answered.”
“Don’t be silly. We’re talking. And I’m enjoying myself.
” I hope she can’t tell the smile I force to my lips is faker than Brandy’s boob job.
“After all, I’m only home for a few days, and I want to spend it with friends and family, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
” My stomach pitches violently, and I quickly finish.
“He’ll be fine. Bradley’s got me for the rest of my life after we’re married.
But being with you, making these memories, we don’t get to do it often. ”