Chapter 07
There were a few sports bars around Lake Charles. Most were chains, but a few old gems, like Sideline, held on to their belts when the renovations throughout the city started.
Personally, I’d never been to Sideline, but Kathryn had mentioned picking up her little brother, Joseph, here one too many times before he transferred to a college out in New Orleans.
Sideline was a nice place. Blue, black, and gold matched the local college colors and televisions throughout the place broadcast just about every game possible.
“What’s your passion?“
Noah asked.
I stirred my drink with a soft chuckle.
“We just got our drinks and you’re already asking about my passions and life’s desires?” I asked.
Noah ran their fingers through their hair. Despite asking to put the game on, they hadn’t watched the screen long enough to know what was happening.
“I meant for work. I told you I’m a teacher, and you’re . . .”
“You’ll laugh.“
I bit the inside of my cheek.
“We just spent an hour half naked with each other. I don’t think I will.“
Noah insisted.
“I . . .“
I sighed. “I’m a calligrapher.”
“Calligrapher?“
Noah asked. “The fancy writing?”
“Yes.“
I giggled. “I write fancy things for people that can’t write fancy. Mostly love letters or wedding invitations.”
“Wow. That’s amazing.“
Noah twirled their glass around in a circle. “I should have made up something. Now you think I’m a boring teacher.”
“Teachers are worth gold.“
I shook my head. “Thank you for your service. I’m sure it’s like war—teaching in this school system.”
“Well, it’s Louisiana. All I can hope is at least one kid of mine gets all they want out of life.“
Noah shrugged.
“That’s beautiful.“
I opened the menu and skimmed the food options. When I glanced up, I caught Noah’s small smile. “What?”
“Nothing.“
They grinned. “Just happy to have met you. You did great tonight.”
“You too. You have moves.“
I bit my lip and winced at how that sounded. “With-With how you move. You move, in front of the camera, very well.”
“Thanks. I’m a bit of a theater kid.”
“I can tell.”
“That obvious?”
“The blue in the hair gives it away.“
I motioned to their messy locks. “Are you naturally blonde?”
“Yeah, just not this blonde.“
Noah chuckled.
“Darn.“
I rested my cheek on my hand. “I thought you were one of the only babies born with platinum blonde hair.”
“If only I were that special.“
Noah tucked their smile to the table, examining the menu.
Once I found my entree in the sea of choices, I shifted my eyes to the television. Hayley and Kathryn watched women's hockey almost as much as they watched soccer, but I never was one to turn on sports myself. Kendall wasn’t too interested, and I had no desire anymore after Parker.
Instinctively, I checked my phone for any text messages.
“If I’m holding you up, I’d gladly pay for your food to go. I’m sure your spouse wants you home.“
Noah offered.
“Oh, no, it’s—my son is with his aunt tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve had a night without him.“
I explained, feeling heat rush into my ears as Noah’s eyes flew up to mine.
“You’re a mother.“
They smiled. “Wow. How old?”
“Thirteen.”
“Incredible. You—“
Noah blinked vigorously. “I never would have thought.”
“Oh, please. You’ve seen me almost naked. You can tell.“
I rolled my eyes at their response.
“No, I seriously couldn’t have. You’re beautiful—not that having a son makes you any less beautiful.“
Noah stopped and swallowed. “What I meant by that was that you’re a gorgeous woman and your spouse is beyond lucky to have an incredible mother like you keeping tabs on your son.”
“He’s . . . dead.”
Noah stared at me.
“That was harsh.“
I winced. “I’m sorry. I can be dark and shitty at times. I, well—yes. Yes, my husband died, and my son and I are very close. And I don’t know why I just blabbed that to you.”
“I’m so sorry.“
Noah folded their hands in their lap. Not as an act of distance, but to give me their full attention. “Losing someone is never easy.”
“No, it’s not.“
I swallowed. “But it’s been five years.”
“How long were you married?“
They asked.
“A little over fourteen.“
I breathed. It’s the first time I’d heard it in a while.
Noah hummed. They reached over and gently squeezed my hand.
They didn’t say anything after that. Not about Parker. Noah switched the conversation smoothly to my calligraphy and shifted my attention from there to the hockey game as our food arrived.
It wasn’t until we were laughing about a joke Noah made about men’s sports that I noticed our hands barely separated.
I finished off my second drink and glanced at their long fingers running over my knuckles. A few rings sat across their fingers, one close to a wedding band shape, while others were worn down silver.
“Does your partner know you spend your evenings at Sideline?” I asked.
Noah lifted their glass to their lips as the question sat in the air.
I just told them about my dead husband. Unless they were currently cheating on a spouse and a house full of children, by flirting with me, I hoped there wasn’t bad blood in the way my thoughts had been worded.
“No partner. No kids. Just a cat and a very cold bed.“
They replied as if reading my thoughts.
“You should invest in a heated blanket.“
I pushed my food around and chewed on my bottom lip when Noah tilted their head. “I, um, I might have one in my car. If you want to borrow it for the night.”
I should put my game on the side of a milk carton. Have one kid and it all goes down the drain.
“A heated blanket?“
Noah raised a brow.
I glanced between their cool blue eyes and took a long sip of my drink.
“Yes.”