Chapter 5 Noa
“Teagan! Can you get that?” I hollered from the bathroom as the sound of my phone rang out from the dining room table. I was just starting on my morning routine. I’d just opened the medicine cabinet to pop my meds.
“I got it!” Teagan yelled back. I could hear her footsteps, then the sound of her snatching up the phone and offering a sweet hello to the caller. There was a moment of silence, then she peeked into the bathroom, holding the phone out toward me with a silly smirk on her face.
“Who is it?” I asked, confused about who could be calling so early in the morning. The sun was barely up.
“I don’t know, but he sounds sexy,” she replied, making me shake my head. I was glad she had her hand placed over the speaker.
“It’s a man?” My eyes widened, confused. “Is it Shawn?” It had to be. He was the only man outside of my doctor who called my phone.
“Nope, it’s an unknown number,” Teagan replied. “If it was trash ass Shawn, you would have known, ’cause he’d be already hung up on.”
“Whatever. Gimme the phone.” I rolled my eyes as I snatched it out of her hand. I didn’t have the mental capacity right now to entertain her disdain for Shawn.
“Here!” She winked as she backed out of the doorway. “And put your sexy voice on. Your morning voice isn’t it.”
“Bye!” I dismissed her annoying ass and pressed the phone to my ear. “Hello? This is Noa.”
“Good morning.” The voice that greeted me was low, deep, sexy even, and instantly familiar.
I straightened as much as my body would allow, excited about whoever was on the other end.
“This is JaQuade from Northside Rebuild. I’m giving you a call this time instead of popping up unannounced again.
” He chuckled as I stared into space. Quae Lo, the man who’d been on my mind as I closed my eyes last night.
“Wow, a phone call. I won’t lie; I expected more banging.” I finally spoke.
“Nah, figured I’d try the civilized route this time. I just wanted to let you know you’re accepted into the program.”
“Wait. What?” I was surprised. “That quick?”
“Yeah, I saw all we needed to see, and I have the green light to move forward.”
My mouth opened, then closed. A bittersweet feeling quickly washed over me. “You serious?”
“Dead ass.” He paused. “I’m the lead on your job, so I’ll be back by later today, if that works for you. I want to hit the ground running, take some actual measurements, go over some layout ideas with you, and stuff.”
I should’ve said thank you, but the words got stuck, and my mind was already racing ahead. I was finally going to get a livable house.
“I-I don’t know what to say,” I stuttered.
“Say you’re available today for me to stop by.”
Something about his words had my cheeks turning red.
“Yes, um... Sure, I’ll be here all day. Just make sure, you know, with some sense this time.”
“You threatenin’ me already?”
“I’m warning you. I don’t want to use my pepper spray. There’s a difference.”
“Warning received. I’ll see you later, Noa.”
“Okay, um, thank you!”
“Just doing my job.” He hung up first, and I sat there for a second, staring at the phone. I never thought in a million years I would get in.
“Mhm, and who was that?” Teagan popped her head back in the doorway with a stupid smirk stretching across her face.
“That was Northside Rebuild. I got in!”
“Wait, you got in? Like for real?” Teagan’s eyes widened.
“Yes!” I squealed. “The contractor’s coming by later to walk through and take measurements.”
“Oh my God! Noa, this is huge. I’m so happy.” She charged me, leaning over to hug me.
“I know… I don’t know how to feel yet,” I admitted.
“Feel grateful. This is a blessing.” She stood up and stared at me. This was a blessing, and I was grateful, but I guess I was scared too. “Oh, and thank your little sister for always knowing what’s best for you.”
“Thanks, Tea. This definitely wouldn’t be happening without you.”
“I know,” she boasted. “Now, let’s get you ready. If he looks half as good as he sounds, you’d better put on something cute and brush them edges, Sis.”
“Tea, that man is not checking for me.” I waved her off with a laugh.
“I didn’t say he was… but he could be.” Teagan tilted her head, smiling just enough to be annoying. I rolled my eyes, but her tone made me pause.
“I’m just saying, Sis.” She lowered her voice. “Don’t count yourself out. This chair doesn’t mean a thing. You’re still my fine ass sister.”
I said nothing, just glanced in the mirror. Most days, I felt beautiful, even when my body was raging a war within me… but beautiful enough to attract a man?
“You’re worthy of being seen, Sis.” Teagan’s voice softened as she walked up and patted me on the shoulder. I looked up at her through the mirror. Something about her words had me stuck.
“I know,” I said, even though some days I wasn’t so sure.
“I know you know. Now act like it,” Teagan said, pointing her long, coffin fingernail at me before backing out the door.
The second she was gone, I sighed and reached for my brush.
I told myself it was just about looking presentable.
This wasn’t for him; it was for me, but the thought of Quae Lo seeing me and thinking I was beautiful was in the back of my mind, probably fueled because men didn’t look at me the same anymore.
Their eyes were always focused on the chair. My beauty was no competition.
“Just a little mascara and gloss,” I told myself as I reached my still shaky hands for the tube of mascara before applying a bit of lip gloss. “This isn’t for him, but for me.”
“Noa! A Northside Rebuild work truck just pulled up outside!” Teagan informed me from the front room, and I jumped. I had just finished sliding the cute little bodycon dress over my head and down my curves. It was perfect because it showed that, even in this wheelchair, my body was still tea.
“Okay, coming!” I took one last glance at my appearance. “You’re beautiful,” I whispered to my reflection in the full-length mirror before rolling out of my bedroom and to the front door just as a soft knock sounded.
Teagan rushed past me, throwing open the door before I could protest.
“Hello… Wait, I know you—”
I rolled up beside her and peeked around, my eyes searching for Quae Lo. He came into view, standing there in a fitted, black hoodie and a tool belt slung low on his hips. Behind him were two guys. One was tall and stocky, and the other was lean with a clipboard and glasses.
“Morning,” JaQuade said. His tone was casual, but the way his eyes lingered on me felt anything but. “Hope we ain’t too early.”
“Nah, this is good,” I said, backing up to let them in. “Come on in, JaQuade.”
“Just Quade is fine,” he said.
Teagan hadn’t moved. She stared at Quade like she’d just seen a ghost.
“You’re Quae Lo,” she blurted. “Like thee Quae Lo. ‘Money Up’ Quae Lo.”
Quade laughed under his breath. “That’s old news.”
“I had a whole poster of you on my wall in high school,” she said, starstruck. “I was gon’ marry you. Lord. Look at God.”
I pinched her arm. “Alright, groupie. You done?”
She snapped out of it and stepped back, giggling. “I’m Teagan. Noa’s sister and caregiver. I live a few blocks over at the University because someone insists on living alone.” She cut her eyes at me.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, offering his hand.
I watched the way he shook her hand, respectfully, even though I could see Teagan trying to cop a feel.
“You wanna give us the tour?” he asked, turning to me. I nodded and led them through the front room, down the narrow hallway, and into the kitchen. The two guys with him started snapping photos and measuring doorframes.
“This is Rico and James,” Quade said, waving a hand casually. “They’re helping with the assessment today and will help me on your build.”
“Hello.” I waved my hand at the men, and they offered a friendly wave back. “This way.” I rolled toward the kitchen, everyone falling behind me.
“Besides the hallways, the kitchen is the worst part. The counters are too high, the sink is practically unreachable, and I haven’t used these cabinets in God knows how long,” I explained as I pointed around the room.
Quade nodded his head as he looked around, his face holding a puzzled expression as he took it all in.
“I got a few layout ideas,” he said, pulling a folded paper from his back pocket. “But I wanted to walk through it with you first. Get your feedback.”
“You’re asking what I want?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s your house, ain’t it?”
“Yeah… um…” My words trailed off. I didn’t know what to say. That shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. Since they had diagnosed me, no one except Teagan ever asked. They just assumed and moved around me like I wasn’t in the room.
“Come to the table with me.” He walked over to the kitchen table, and I followed him, parking my chair at the corner. Quade kneeled next to my chair, his elbow brushing against mine softly. My breath hitched as the scent of his cologne invaded my nose.
“Here’s what I’m thinking,” he said, laying the paper flat on the table and tapping the drawing.
“We widen the hallways to at least thirty-six inches. Lower the countertops. Extend the sink so you can roll under it easy. Add low cabinets. The bathroom gets a major redo, the whole nine. Outside, the ramp gets replaced completely.”
I nodded slowly, trying not to let the closeness distract me. He smelled so good, down to his breath. It was almost torture not to catch a sniff of his fine ass.
“What about my art studio?” I asked.
“Art studio?”
“Yeah, I have an art room. Well, it’s really the dining room, but it needs some work.”
“Lead the way.” He stood from the table and cleared the way for me to show him. I rolled ahead, and he followed, ducking into the converted dining room where I painted. He paused at the doorway, scanning the half-finished canvas, the splatter of color, my organized chaos.
“Damn, you painted these?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“You got talent.” He let out a low whistle.
I smirked. “You say that like you’re surprised.”
“Nah, just impressed.” He stared at me as he continued moving around the room, admiring my work. A warm feeling bloomed in my chest at his compliment. I watched as he stepped closer to a piece hanging in the corner. It was of a brown-skinned woman with broken wings.
“She looks like she’s strugglin’ to fly,” Quade said, brushing his hand over the painting.
“She is. That’s pretty little bird. Damaged, but still beautiful. Broken, but still able to fly.”
“You painted this after your lupus diagnosis. Won an award for it.”
I tensed up at his statement. He’d Googled me. “You looked me up?”
“Had to. Lead contractor. Comes with the job.”
“You just sayin’ that to justify being nosy.”
“Maybe.” He gave me a lazy grin.
I attempted to roll over to him, but my wheel got caught on the uneven floorboard. Quade raced over to me, giving me a push over the hump.
“You always catch your wheels here?” he asked, nodding at the spot like it’d offended him personally.
“Sometimes,” I said as if it was no big deal. I’d gotten used to adjusting, same as I did for every other little hazard in this house.
“I can fix the lighting in here,” he said slowly, like he was already planning it in his head. “Smooth out that floor, widen the doorway so you can roll in without clipping your hands, and fix that leak in the ceiling. Can’t have your masterpieces getting wet.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that crossed my face. “You sure that’s not asking for too much?”
“Not at all. I’m here to make this place livable,” he said, scribbling something in his notes before looking up at me.
Our eyes locked again, and that warm feeling bloomed in my chest for the second time since he’d been here.
Men didn’t look at me like that anymore, not since lupus and the chair changed the way the world saw me.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and pointed toward the canvas he’d been looking at.
“Livable,” I echoed. I’ve been in survival mode so long I almost forgot what that felt like.
His eyes went to the painting and then back to me.
There was no pity in his eyes. He didn’t say sorry, didn’t say that must be hard.
He just nodded like it was a fact, not a tragedy.
It was a different reaction than what I was used to, and I appreciated that more than he’d ever know.
“I’ll get the final sketches drawn up tonight,” he said, stepping back. “I’ll start pulling permits next week. I think we should start in here.”
I nodded, and an unexpected smile crossed my face. Before I could say anything else, Teagan appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Knowing her, she’d been eavesdropping.
“Quae Lo, are you and the guys staying for lunch?” she asked, eyes bouncing between us. We both looked up in her direction.
“Can’t. We’ve got a busy day today.” Quade shook his head.
“Mm-hmmm. Okay.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow so we can talk about a schedule, measurements, and all the good stuff.”
“Okay,” I replied, trying not to smile like a fool. “See you tomorrow.”
He nodded, then turned to leave. I followed him to the door.
“What time will you be by tomorrow?” I asked.
“First thing in the morning, around nine,” he said as Teagan opened the door so he and his crew could leave. I watched as he and his crew made their way out of the front door and down the stairs.
“Thank you!” Teagan called as she shut the door behind them. I sat there, staring at the door, listening to the sound of boots on the porch fade, and then the low rumble of the work truck eventually disappeared down the street. The house suddenly felt quiet without him in it.
“That man is fine as hell, and he was feeling you.” Teagan spun around, grinning.
“Girl, no he is not.” I laughed, shaking my head.
“Yes. He is,” she insisted, pointing at me. “You think I didn’t see the way he leaned in when you talked? That man was hanging on every word like he was daydreaming about kissing you.”
“He was just doing his job.”
“If you say so.” She folded her arms, eyes narrowing like she didn’t believe me for a second. “I still can’t believe Quae Lo is the one fixing your house.” She shook her head. “You think this is part of his sentence, or is he actually working a regular job now?”
I rolled away toward the window, staring out at the spot where his truck had been parked minutes ago.
“I don’t know,” I said, quieter than I meant to.
I didn’t know how he had ended up here, but what I did know was the way my chest had felt lighter with him in the room, the way his eyes didn’t dart to the chair before they found mine, and that he made me feel like tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.