19. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Medusa
This man is something else. He’s in my sister’s bedroom laughing with TJ and some of the prospects. Smitty came over when he heard from Noah about what was going on. He was a little annoyed at me for not confiding in him but glad that Noah and TJ are here for me.
“Smitty, I haven’t heard from her since Thursday. She sent the message to TJ. She took herself out of the sibling text message chat. I don’t know what I did wrong.”
“Merida, you did nothing wrong. This is her. I don’t know if it’s the new boyfriend’s influence or if she's testing her boundaries with you. She needs to flop on her ass to know how much you’ve done for her.”
“I’m no longer putting the profits in her account. I’m making a new one for me.” There’s a buzzer on the gate and I walk over to the security room to check the cameras. My phone is charging in the living room. I was in the kitchen with Smitty drinking some water. “It’s Michelle.” The buzz goes three more times. TJ’s voice comes over the intercom.
“I thought I was bringing this shit to you.”
“I want to make sure I’m getting everything that is mine.” I see her roll her eyes. “My code isn’t working.”
“We changed the codes. I’ll buzz you in.” I tell her. I do just that and before she can get into the house, I turn to Smitty. “She’s not getting my codes. It was her handwriting. I don’t know if she wrote it down somewhere and someone stole it or she gave it someone, but I don’t trust this Michelle 1.0 version.” He nods as we walk to the main door and open it. “Most of your stuff is in boxes in the truck.” I point to the rental truck. “If you want to start looking there. Noah and TJ are taking your bed down now.”
“Why are you treating me like a bitch for going against your plan for me?” Michelle snaps.
“I’m just giving you the same energy you’re giving me. You want me to fund your life and I’m not going to do that anymore. I’m paying for school and that’s it. You will have your books, tuition, and meal plan paid for me by me like I did for TJ. I paid for your college dorm, but I spoke with the college and took it off since you found other arrangements. I paid school off for the next year. They will let me know of any other fees for your classes and graduation.” Michelle sniffles. It’s her fake sympathy cry.
“Why do you hate me?”
“She doesn’t hate you. Like you, she’s setting boundaries.” TJ stands beside me.
“It’s always the same, two against one.” She turns tossing her brown hair over her shoulder, stomping to the rental truck. Michelle brought a couple of girls with her. I don’t think I remember them.
“Go inside. Noah needs some more boxes.” I nod as TJ pushes me inside. He points to Smitty to watch the new company. He stands next to the truck. I hear him tell Michelle, he’s here to help. She rattles off her displeasure about me to anyone who will listen. I grab some boxes and totes to walk upstairs to Michelle’s room. I come to stand in the doorway as I watch Noah lift his shirt to swipe some sweat off his face.
“Enjoying the view Merida?” Noah raises his eyebrow at me making me laugh.
“Oh I sure am. Did I get lucky with a body like this to spend my nights with?” He leans down to kiss me.
“Are you okay? I heard the raised voices and TJ took off.” He opens his arms to me and I walk right into them. He squeezes me hard as he kisses the top of my head. “I know it’s hard. You’re taking the first step to setting up your boundaries. You are not mean or selfish, it’s actually healthy. I will keep reminding you.”
“Thank you.” I whisper into his chest. “What do you need help with?”
“The closet. Am I leaving everything on the hanger?” I point to the closet type boxes I got from the rental company. “Do you need to be down there or do you want to help?”
“I’ll help. Are you wrapping the dresser and leaving everything there?”
“I think some of the girls took the clothes out so it’s lighter for us to carry. They did the same thing with the nightstands. We still need to do the computer desk and closet.”
“Noah, am I doing the right thing?” I sigh as I collapse on the floor. “I know the opinion of my brother, Smitty, and my best friends. You’re an outsider who doesn’t know any of us. Hit me.” He sits down next to me and pulls me into his lap. He makes sure I’m close to him. My back to his chest. Noah moves my hair off my shoulder. Noah wipes the tears falling from my eyes.
“Merida, you’re letting your past dictate how you treat Michelle right now. From what I’ve heard from people you had to grow up quickly and take on two kids while your mom checked out then eventually left. You lost your childhood but made sure at least Michelle had one without any problems. Now she is pushing you like a teenager and she sees you as someone who is controlling every aspect of her life.” I try to move but he tightens me even more. “Not that you are. I’m seeing it from her point of view from the different key phrases I’ve heard. You want her to live her life but on your terms to keep her safe which isn’t a bad thing. She needs to know life wasn’t always sunshine and roses. Let her spread her wings and when she hits rock bottom, she’ll be back.”
“Are you sure?” He nods. “Thank you.” I turn my head to kiss him and he deepens it.
“If you’re going to fuck, go into your room. Don’t do it here.” Michelle’s vitriol is aimed at me. I turn my head, looking over my shoulder.
“It’s my house, I can do what I want.” She stands. “What do you need?”
“I want to finish my room.” I don’t see her friends, so I let her do it and I help her. We all work in silence. Noah and TJ are taking apart the bed, while keeping eyes on us. Michelle mutters under her breath and I roll my eyes as I remove her clothes from the closet. I take extra care of her stuff I don’t want her coming after me for damaging her stuff.
“Noah, I can’t reach the top of the closet, can you grab these boxes so I can finish it?”
“Sure thing, buttercup.” He winks at me. I feel stand behind me, the heat coursing from him makes me want to take him to my room so he can fuck me into forgetting how my heart is hurting. “It’s going to be okay.” He whispers as he kisses the top of my head as he hands me the last box. He double checks to make sure the closet is cleaned out. “Is there any secret passages in here that I need to check?” Noah asks as he feels the walls.
“No. I’m not that stupid. Amelia would’ve found it and sealed it up.” Michelle puts everything into a box not going through anything. I sigh. Noah winks at me before grabbing the computer desk with TJ and I smile. “You seem happy.”
“I am. It’s new. How are things with Lucas?” I’m trying to not cut all ties with my sister, but I know after today it’s going to be strained. It’s almost one of those ‘Am I the asshole?’ stories, the girls talk and debate about, going low contact with Michelle.
“Not like you care, but he’s great and the two of us together are even better.”
“I care and want to meet him. He’s so important to you so that means he’s important to me too. I’m not trying to be this evil villain you are painting me as, but you want to spread your wings, which is great, but you need to do it without me. I know that now. I’m always going to be here for you.”
“Whatever.” Michelle grabs a full box and stomps out of the room. I give up. I’m trying. It’s all in her court right now.