chapter thirty-two
noah
The pale yellow oil slides down the funnel as I pour the remainder of the quart into the engine. It’s surprisingly warm for an October afternoon, and the breeze from the open garage door brings in the fresh autumn air.
Kira ’s gala is tonight, and I want everything perfect for her. Hence, the black dress pants and button-down shirt, which make me feel like I’m going to prom all over again. The Nova is getting similar pampering to ensure she’s ready for the event, and the routine brings me back to a memory from almost ten years ago.
“Hey Jared, buddy, can you come help me with something real quick?” I call, my body hunched under the hood of the car.
A stampede of footsteps comes rushing in from the hall, and a head peeks around the corner. Bright green eyes find mine.
“Do I have to?” He whines, pushing his bottom lip out in a pout.
I don’t know what happened. It seems like just yesterday, he was begging to work on the car with me. I guess he’s getting to that age.
“I can help if you want, Mr. Keller,” a small voice says from behind him.
Jared brought a new friend home today—Kira, I think her name is. She’s quiet, but they already get along like two peas in a pod. Jared takes the opportunity and bolts.
“Thanks, Kira. I’ll get Guitar Hero ready while you help,” he says as he spins around for the living room, leaving me alone with this twelve-year-old girl.
“Call me Noah, and that’s fine. You don’t have to. I can do it myself,” I tell her, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable.
“It’s okay, I want to,” she says as she enters the garage. “What do you need me to do?”
“Could you hold this light for me? I can’t see into the engine to change the spark plugs.”
She nods, grabbing the flashlight from me and turning it on. It illuminates the engine block, giving me a far better view of what I’m working with.
I crank the ratchet, loosening the spark plug.
“Thank you for the pasta tonight, Mr. Keller. It was really good,” she says, her appreciation clear in her tone. “I never get to eat stuff like that.”
My brows pinch together, trying to figure out what she means. It was only Alfredo with broccoli. Jared always complains when I make it.
“Oh, why not?”
“Mom says it’s too high in carbs, and I already need to lose weight,” she says matter-of-factly.
I freeze, looking at her. It’s not my place to correct someone else’s parenting. Hell, I’m a single dad who has no idea what he’s doing, but this girl is thin. If she lost any weight, I’d be concerned for her health.
“Well, feel free to come over anytime, and I can make it again,” I tell her.
She smiles, and something about it breaks my heart.
I shake my head as I screw the oil cap back on. That was a long time ago. It was my first inkling that her home life wasn’t a good situation. From then on out, I encouraged Jared to invite her over as much as I could, and at some points, she was at our house more than she was at her own.
As I reach up and grab the hood, slamming it shut, my eyes land on the last person I expect to see.
“Hey, Dad.”
Jared stands in front of me, dressed in a pair of nice jeans and a blue button-down similar to mine. I want to hug him. I haven’t talked to him since everything that went down with that piece of shit, Zach. Instead, I grab a red work rag and wipe off my hands.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I was in town for Kira’s gala and thought I’d stop by,” he shrugs. I can tell there’s more than what he’s saying, but I don’t feel it’s my place to pry.
“Well, how has school been?” I ask, desperate to know what his life has been like these past few weeks. I hate the fact that we aren’t talking.
“It’s good. I honestly love it,” he says.
“Good,” I say, a tiny bit of relief warming my chest.
He nods, and silence stretches, surrounding us. I’m not sure how to handle this new awkwardness. Jared always was the one to fill any lull in conversation, but now he’s looking at me like he’s not sure what to say. It kills me.
“Jared,” I start, but he already knows where I’m going.
He shakes his head, stopping me.
“Listen, Dad, I came here because I needed to get some things off my chest,” he says, a pained expression on his face. When I don’t say anything, he continues. “Finding out about you and Kira the way I did was fucked up. It was probably the deepest feeling of betrayal I’ve ever felt.”
“I’m so sorry—”
“But I’ve been thinking, and it sort of all makes sense now. Kira is a wonderful person. She’s strong, independent, and caring, and as much as I hate to admit it, you are exactly what she needs. You make her feel safe. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you.”
He sucks in a breath, his eyes softening.
“And she’s what you’ve needed since mom.”
His words hit deep, and my mind struggles to reconcile them with his anger when he found out. Is this some kind of fucked up blessing he’s giving me?
“I guess what I’m trying to say is…I’m not mad at you. Yeah, I’m still a little hurt that you guys didn’t tell me, but I understand it now. Seeing the way she reacted after that fire...She’s in love with you,” he tells me. “Now, as her best friend, if you break her heart, so help me god—”
I can’t help but laugh at his threat.
“Oh, I know. You don’t have to warn me,” I tell him with a grin.
“Good,” he says, his lips turning up at one side.
Seeing that hint of happiness slip onto his face dissolves the weight resting on my chest. He’s okay. I didn’t fuck him up completely, and he doesn’t hate me.
“You want a ride to the gala?” I ask, gesturing to the Nova.
“Are you kidding me?” Jared deadpans, and my heart drops out of my chest for a full minute until he adds, “Hell, yeah.”
We approach the gallery in style, with the windows down and the music blaring. It’s been a long time since we’ve done something like this together, and it’s refreshing. Only a couple of spots are left in the parking lot, and I take the one closest to the building, which still leaves us a decent walk away.
I hold the glass door open for Jared, who enters. The large room is full of people. Some hold glasses of champagne as they analyze the artwork, while others are in small groups, talking amongst themselves. I scan the room, looking for Kira.
My eyes land on her right as she looks up and sees Jared and me. Her eyes widen the slightest bit, and her lips curve into a smile.
The warm glow of the lights illuminates her exposed skin in the deep-cut emerald dress she’s wearing. She looks exquisite, with her honey-brown hair falling over her shoulders.
“ Kira! ” Jared calls as he runs up to her.
She giggles as he lifts her into the air. I can’t help but laugh. This is how it should be between them. It’s how it’s always been. I let them have their space, looking at all the artwork. The walls are filled with intricate paintings. There is a grouping of landscapes, and I recognize all of the exact locations. They’re of Traverse City. My favorite is the peninsula, a view from one of the wineries.
As I wander, I take in more of the pieces. They’re all made with different materials and have different subjects. I’ve never been a big art guy, but I’m starting to think there is something to this. I stop when I see what looks like the piece Kira was working on all those months ago. It’s an outstretched hand, and in its palm is a beautifully colored goldfinch. Only one claw is touching the hand, the other frozen in the air as the bird takes flight.
I stare at the finished sculpture, and all I see is her and the confidence and freedom she’s found for herself. She’s come a long way from the scared girl she was when she first moved in, and I’m so fucking proud of her. My eyes find her again. She’s still talking to Jared, and their conversation looks so easy.
“Hey, big guy,” a voice from beside me says.
I turn to face Maddie as she hands me a glass of champagne.
“Do you have artwork here?”
“ God, no. I ’m just here to support our girl,” she explains, following my gaze over her shoulder to Kira.
I nod, watching as Kira moves on to talk to a couple looking at a large portrait.
“I wanted to thank you,” Maddie says softly.
“For what?” I ask, wondering if I’m forgetting something.
“For taking care of her,” she rolls her eyes as she looks at me.
I laugh, shaking my head. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”
She opens her mouth to respond but is interrupted by a girl, who I assume is Lucy, wrapping her arms around her waist.
“Come here, my mom wants to show you something,” she says as she pulls her away. Maddie looks at me, an apology on her face as she follows Lucy.
Unable to wait any longer, I make my way to Kira. She’s facing away from me, looking up at the landscapes I admired earlier. Silently, I slip my hand around her waist, pulling her back into me.
“Hey, princess,” I say, loud enough for only her to hear.
She can’t help but lean into me, her hand covering mine.
“You and Jared came together?”
The hope in her voice tugs at my chest, and I love how much she cares about my relationship with my son.
“Yeah, we did.”
“So, you two are good now?” she asks, needing more reassurance.
“Yes, we’re good.”
She lets out a breath that sounds suspiciously like a sob, so I turn her to face me, her eyes meeting mine.
“I’m so proud of you,” I tell her, meaning it with everything in my being.
A blush creeps across her cheeks as I run my fingers over her back. I want to bring her home and show her just how proud I am.
It’s clearing out in here now, and the scheduled end time for the gala has already passed.
“Jared’s taking your car. You’re riding with me,” I tell her, her amber eyes reflecting the need in my own.
Not ten minutes later, I hold open the door for her as she slides into the Nova. The slit in her dress shows the perfect amount of skin as I sit down next to her, the engine roaring to life. She’s beyond beautiful as she looks back at me, her gaze heated.
Without warning, I crash my lips onto hers. She lets out a small moan as I lace my fingers through her hair.
“Noah,” she chides as she breaks the kiss.
I shake my head, pressing my forehead to hers.
“I’m done waiting.”