25
Jett
“That logo is badass,” McKenna says as she walks over, her blue eyes fixed on the banner Noah and Jace just finished securing for me. A local teen designed the Coming Soon banner with The Write Brew’s new logo for us to hang on the front of the café so everyone coming through would see it.
Pulling her into a hug, I can’t stop the pride from bubbling up inside.
“You’re doing it, babe,” she whispers into my hair.
I squeeze her tighter to me, knowing she’s part of the reason I’ve made it this far but not being able to voice the words. As we step apart, I bring her into the conversation with Noah and Kelsey.
“Kels, I know Noah does, but do you know McKenna?”
McKenna reaches out a hand, but Kelsey won’t have it and launches at my oldest friend, wrapping her into a hug.
“McKenna Monroe! You’re a legend.” As she takes a step back, she has the decency to apologize, embarrassment marring her cheeks. “It’s just, I’ve followed your workouts for years. Naughty Peach Athletics is the only program I’ve ever stuck with.”
I clear my throat as McKenna’s face pales, and Noah takes a step back. “Someone want to fill me in on what I’m missing?”
McKenna tries to force a laugh, unable to meet my eyes.
Kelsey, nearly as bad as me at reading the room, speaks up. “Only the hottest dirty workout on the internet.”
“It’s not dirty,” McKenna bursts. “It’s about loving your body and being comfortable in your skin.”
“I think I’m going to slip over to talk to Declan while you ladies discuss this,” Noah says before dropping a kiss to the top of my head.
I start to protest, but he holds his hands up and backs away.
“Yes, I knew. You can fuss at me later.”
Glancing back at the girls, I say, “You mean my best friend is a badass athletic instructor and no one bothered to tell me?”
“She is. You need to look up one of the workouts,” Kelsey gushes. I’ve never seen the girl so out of sorts, and it is honestly amusing. McKenna’s cheeks are taking on a pink hue as mortification eases into embarrassment.
“It’s not exactly mainstream. And, clearly, I don’t advertise to people I know.”
Before I can question her for more details, Drew walks up. It’s good to see him out of his braces and not looking like he’s in pain.
“Hey, Jett? Some dude is asking for you. I didn’t tell him where you were, but he seemed adamant that he talks to you. Said he stopped by your brother’s house and was told you’d be here. I tried to call Reece to confirm, but he isn’t answering. He’s up at the ranch’s booth,” he says before turning and walking back to the middle of the town square where all the tents for Spring Market are set up.
I share glances with the girls. There’s only one guy who would come looking for me. I try to pick through the crowd, suddenly wanting Noah close but unable to see him.
“Joey?” McKenna asks.
“Gotta be, right? Anyone see where Noah went?”
Kelsey suddenly looks ready to attack. “Wait. The cheating ex is here? Where? Let me at him!”
Despite the growing knot in my stomach, I find a smidge of amusement in the enthusiasm of my pint-sized friend. “If someone sees Noah, can you send him searching for me, please?”
With that, I wander toward Drew’s booth. As I round the corner of the tent, my feet cement themselves to the ground, breath catching completely in my chest. Because I come face-to-face with an impeccably dressed man who so clearly does not belong in Havenwood.
“Joey.”
The protective walls around my heart and mind that had been slowly crumbling since moving here immediately snap back into place as if there had never been any give in their structure.
Because the person responsible for the creation of those walls is standing before me.
As he always did, Joey reads my face before I utter a word. His hands come up defensively, as if ready to block a blow. “Before you walk away—which you have every right to do—your brother is the one that told me I could find you here.”
I am going to strangle Reece. I’m sure there’s plenty of baling twine around here. Maybe Drew will help me. I force a breath of air into my lungs and count to five before breathing out and demanding my body not react. Emotions have left the building, y’all.
“Why are you here, Joey?”
“Can we possibly go sit and talk? Away from prying ears?”
I cut my eyes to where he is looking and see both Flynn brothers watching intently from a fairly short distance away. And for once, I’m thankful for small town gossip. Hopefully someone will send Noah this direction soon.
“The whole town will know anything we say by the end of the night. It’s how this place works.”
“Illusion, Jett. Please, can we talk somewhere quieter?”
A weighted sigh slips out, but I lead Joey off the square, heading toward the back entrance of the café while keeping quiet the whole walk over. Once we are inside and the door is firmly closed, I lean against it.
“What the hell are you doing here, Joey?” I demand, emotions I’d rather not have surface bubbling toward the top. I’ve just started getting into the swing of things with Noah. I do not need this right now.
Joey at least has the decency to look sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck without looking at me for a minute or two. “You told me to give you some time, but I wanted—no, needed —to check on you. Your call a few weeks ago had me worried. And then you wouldn’t answer my texts or calls, so I reached out to your brother instead. He said if I wanted to apologize, I could come here, but that if I wanted anything else that I wasn’t welcome in Havenwood, ever.” He shakes his head. “I know I hurt you. And I’m sorry. I miss you, Jett.”
“You don’t get that luxury. Or burden, I guess. Depends on how you look at it.”
A slight tick in his jaw is the only indication of his irritation. “We spent years loving each other. I didn’t just quit caring about you.”
“And you threw it away. Regardless of where we were in our relationship, whether it was falling apart or already over. You cheated on me in my own home.”
He nods. “And I will never be able to apologize enough for not telling you when I first I realized what I was feeling for Ella.”
I hop onto the counter, my back firmly pressed to the cabinet door. “I want to hate you.”
“You have every right to.”
“I know. But I don’t.”
He looks at me quizzically, like he doesn’t believe me.
“I’m finally finding my happy. And yeah, it is a shitty way to get there, but if things hadn’t ended between us when they did, I don’t know if I would have ever moved here.” Taking a deep breath, I find my feet again and stand taller in front of the man who made me feel unworthy of love. “I moved here because I couldn’t bear living between the same walls that you and I had shared. But doing that? I’ve made friends with people that just roll with the punches when I don’t make sense. They make sure to be direct if they need something. Moving here is the best decision I’ve made for myself.”
As the words pour out, I realize how true they are. I’m learning to stand up for myself, that my worth isn’t tied into anyone else’s ideals.
“Drew—the guy that came to get me just now—he’s been through hell but still steps up for those around him. Kelsey can keep up with my thoughts better than I can and is helping me put the business plan that you laughed at into action. Jace encourages me to be social in an environment that won’t push my comfort zone too much. And McKenna comes down when she can.” Unexpected tears burn the backs of my eyes as the realization hits me. “They all get me. This whole town has been my saving grace. A safe haven.”
“You’re thriving here.”
“Noah is a big part of that.”
“Noah?”
“My, well, he’s not officially my boyfriend—like, we haven’t labeled it or anything—but he gets me. Watches hockey with me, quiets my mind with just a touch. He’s teaching me how to see my own worth.”
“You love him.”
I nod.
“You tell him yet?”
I shake my head this time.
The door to the back room opens with Noah storming in like a hurricane.
“Chaos? You okay? Drew said you left and…” His words trail off as he takes in Joey standing across from me. Noah easily reads the room and quickly slides closer to me, wrapping me tightly in his arms and kissing the top of my head. “You good?”
I nod.
“Chaos?” Joey asks.
Nodding again, I force my attention back to Joey, even though all I want to do is melt into my mechanic. “He’s called me that pretty much since I met him.”
“And you let him?” he asks, flabbergasted.
It’s like I’m a dang bobble head with all the nodding I’m doing.
“He could call me just about anything, and I would let him.” I love my Noah. I relax into his hold, but he shifts me slightly to extend his hand to Joey.
“Noah Slater.”
“Joey Sanchez.”
“You tore my girl’s self-confidence up.”
Joey nods once, not taking his eyes off of my significant other. Probably for the best. I can feel the coiling of Noah’s muscles as he finally puts a face to the heartache he had to fight through so hard.
“If I remember correctly, and I’m certain that I do because my memory is excellent, I’m pretty sure you told my girl that she was a lot to handle when, in fact, she doesn’t need any kind of handling. She’s perfect all on her own.”
Joey looks between me and Noah before his gaze settles back on me. “I won’t pretend to be innocent.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” I say.
“You grew a backbone.”
“It’s amazing what happens when you quit letting other people dictate your life.”
“I’ll get out of your hair. After your call and then not hearing back from you, I just needed to make sure you were okay.”
“Real worried, huh? That call was a month ago.”
“She has everything she needs,” Noah says, a slight growl to his tone that has a giggle threatening to bubble out of me. I’ve never had a guy get growly over me.
Joey starts for the door but pauses as he opens it to step out. “Keep chasing your happy, Jett. You deserve it.” And with that, he’s gone.
I turn into Noah’s chest, burying my face in the base of his neck. His fingers gingerly stroke my head, playing with my hair. A deep sigh bordering on a groan escapes my throat as he adds a little more pressure, making my knees weak as the swirling thoughts freeze.
“Love you,” I mumble drowsily.
It isn’t until his hand stops and I feel more than hear his breathing pause that I realize what just slipped out.
Old Jett would back away and run. Go for a walk. Avoid.
Chase your happy.
Embrace the chaos.
Stepping back just a smidgen, I look up at Noah, my arms settling on his waste. “I love you, Noah. I think you already know that, but I need to vocalize it. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
His hand trails up to my jaw, cupping my cheek and running a thumb over my lips. “Best sound I’ve ever heard is those words coming from these lips,” he whispers before leaning down and capturing my lips into the gentlest of kisses. He pulls back just enough to add, “I love you too, Jett Taylor,” before pulling me close and swaying us side to side.
We stay like that, just enjoying being held by each other, until a thought about the way Noah addressed Joey breaks through my daze.
“So, you’re a growly man now, huh? Trying to imitate my book beaus?”
The full belly laugh that escapes Noah is contagious, and before we know it, both of us are fanning the flame between us while trying not to combust.
“If we don’t stop now, we aren’t making it back down to the festivities.” Glancing at the little microwave for the time, he continues. “We have less than twenty minutes to get over to the ranch before someone comes looking for us.”
“I don’t care,” I groan, going up on tiptoes to try reaching his lips again.
Noah chuckles, obviously enjoying my irritation. “I don’t think scarring your brother or our friends should be on your to-do list today, sweet girl.”
“No fun.” Noah keeps that smirk on his face until I add, “I’m kidding. Kind of.”
“My girl’s got jokes today,” he says before leaning down to drop a kiss on my waiting lips.
I can’t help but smile up at him, my hands reaching for his belt. Before I can touch the buckle, both hands are swept into one of his large ones behind my back, effectively containing me.
“Be good, and I promise to make it worth your while when we get home.”
Those words shoot straight to my core as a whimper slips from my lips.
“Deal?” he asks, his breath hot on my neck.
I nod, but it’s not enough for him.
With a nip below my ear, he mumbles, “Words, pretty girl. Do we have a deal?”
“Yes,” I squeak.
“That’s my girl.” He steps back, releases my hands, and is at the door before my mind has caught up with what just happened.