Chapter Forty-Five
Noah
Tori had some errands to run in town, and I used the time to visit a place I haven’t been for some time.
I sit on the damp grass, knowing it will stain the denim of my jeans but not caring. I take a bottle of beer from the box and lean it against the hard stone and open one for myself.
“Hey, buddy, it’s been a while. I figured you would appreciate a beer instead of flowers.” I chuckle as I stare at Scotty’s headstone and read the words inscribed there:
TRENT SCOTT, SON, brOTHER, WAR HERO
My gut aches when I note the dates. We lost him at just twenty-eight. That’s no age.
“So, Jack married my sister. Can you believe it? They have two kids now, and he’s raising my nieces as if they were his own, and I love him even more for that. You always said he’d marry her. You weren’t wrong. I thought it would be weird, but it isn’t. They’re perfect for each other.”
I take a sip of my beer and clear my throat.
“Harry met a girl, Ali. She’s a firecracker.
You and her would have got on so well. They got married, and Brad, that quiet fucker, he married Gabriella.
She’s everything he needed. She brings out this side of him I wish you’d gotten to see.
They are all doing good, but I think you know that. We feel you around us.”
I take another sip, needing some courage for this next part.
“I, erm, I need to tell you something, buddy, and it’s the hardest thing I’m ever gonna say and ask of you, but here goes.
” I stretch my neck and exhale slowly, resting my arms on my bent knees.
“Tori and I, we have spent a lot of time together, and erm…” I scratch my jaw, tears welling in my eyes. I shake my head and clear my throat.
“I’ve fallen in love with her, I think if I’m being honest, I’ve always loved her.
Now I know I’ll never take your place in her heart—I wouldn’t want to—but I will do my best to love her and take care of her, like you would have.
I know how special she was to you. But over the years, she’s become that person for me.
I’ve tried to fight it, buddy, I really have, but she’s Tori… ”
I wipe my eyes, taking a long swig of my beer. Fuck this is harder than I thought it would be. A bead of sweat rolls down my face, and I swipe it away.
Come on, Noah, you can do this.
“I need to know it’s okay to love her, I just need a sign, please, Scotty.” My voice breaks, and I take in a deep breath. “I promise, I’ll look after her, and I’ll never hurt her. I just need to know you are okay with me loving her and making her my forever.”
I stand, place my hand on his stone, and whisper, “Just when and if you are ready, Scotty, give me a sign. Okay?”
I focus on the ground as I walk away, my heart beating so fast I’m convinced I’m ready to collapse. Maybe I’m a fool, maybe I am naive to believe Scotty could hear me, but I had to try, because I need to find a way of being okay with it all before I tell her.
As I walk through the gates of the graveyard, I lift my head, and I still, frozen to the spot.
“Something told me I’d find you here.” Tori’s sultry voice wraps around me like a weighted blanket.
I practically lunge toward her, scooping her up in my arms and crashing my lips to hers, allowing myself to melt into her.
I smile because I can finally make this girl all mine.
I place her back down, peppering kisses along her jaw and neck as she lets out a laugh that breathes life into me, all while I say a silent prayer.
Thank you, Scotty.