Chapter 34 NOAH
NOAH
“No, no, no,” Aiden groans when the first notes of “Gonna Make You Sweat” blast out.
“Aw, come on, Shaw,” I shoot back, cranking the volume. “This one isn’t even eighties! I decided on a nineties classic just for you.”
“They eat it up. It’s motivational,” I snort, pointing at him with my stir stick. “Come on, admit it. You’re smiling.”
He tries not to, but his mouth tugs at the corner, anyway. “I’m smiling at you being ridiculous, not the awful music.”
“Your taste is up your ass,” I say, heading for the whiteboard.
I really do believe most clients enjoy my music, it’s got great rhythm for a workout. I’ve gotten into Picture This after Gabe sang that song to me, though. Maybe I’ll add them to a new playlist, Aiden would probably enjoy it, so I’ll play it when he isn’t even here.
We fall into the usual routine. My coffee is half gone before Aiden finally leans against the desk and says, almost like he’s testing me, “Gabe looked really happy at dinner the other night. Seems to be doing well.”
I look up from the schedule. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Just feels like he’s… more himself. Haven’t seen him like that in a long time.”
I try to bite back a smile, failing. “Yeah, he’s doing great.
” My smile fades a little, thinking of the night by the lake, how Gabe said he couldn’t always be happy.
I’ve seen it, the shadows lurking in his eyes, how he stares off into the distance, trapped by his memories at times.
It’s not as often now as when I first moved in, though, and I’m thankful for it.
If anyone has earned the right to be happy, it’s him.
“He still struggles some days, but I’m there for him. ”
Aiden gives me a look like he sees more than I say, then nods. “Good. He deserves to get past everything that happened. It’s been tough on him.”
I nod in agreement.
“Still can’t believe you two are together,” he says with amusement, shaking his head. “It’s so weird, but also not? I can’t make sense of it.” He chuckles to himself.
“Maybe we were just meant to be.” The words come easily, like they’ve always been in the back of my mind. Hoping for a chance to be freed.
Aiden looks surprised, but then he lets out a disbelieving snort. “You’re such a fucking cheeseball!” He slaps me in the chest with a clipboard, eyes going gentle. “He needs that, someone willing to be a total sap for him.” His tone is teasing, but I hear the honesty in it.
I’ll be a total sap for Gabe. I’ll be whatever he needs.
Clients come in, Aiden coaches while I handle some admin, I’m trying to grow our social media reach. Somewhere between restocking protein bars and checking the staff roster, he starts talking again. “Lucy’s got a new boyfriend,” he says. “Think that’s why she’s been missing so much lately.”
“Okay… I mean, that’s not really an excuse, though,” I respond carefully.
He blows out a heavy breath and rolls his shoulders. “Yeah, I know. If she wanted to be there for Rose, she would be.”
There’s a finality to the way he says it, like he’s accepting the fact that Lucy will never be an equal parent, and that cuts him up.
When she first found out they were pregnant—they were shocked, yeah—but I could see how excited he was once it settled.
I know he wasn’t in love with Lucy, but he hoped they’d stay together through it all, for Rose’s sake.
He’s loyal, he would have made it work, even if that meant sacrificing a piece of his own happiness.
They split before Rose was even born though.
“I can cover more shifts here if you need time off. Or me and Gabe could take Rose sometimes. You know how much we both love her.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You two wanna play daddies?”
“Oh, fuck off. You’re such a pest. Shit like this is why me and Gabe got together, bonded over dealing with you for so long!”
He lets out a booming laugh. “You love it. Both of you do. It’s actually great you’re together.
Now I get to tease you, tease him, and you both together as a couple.
” I can see the tension leaving him as he looks around the gym.
His eyes track back to me. “But yeah, man, it would be great if you could take her now and then.”
“Anytime, man, you know I love all Shaws,” I tell him with a chuckle.
He claps me on the shoulder and squeezes firmly.
“Damn straight! You’re one of us, an honorary Shaw.
Play your cards right, and maybe you’ll be a real one someday.
” He’s cackling when he says it, but the words send a bolt of excitement through me, the possibility—that someday—Gabe could be my husband. I like that idea far too much.
“Wait,” Aiden says abruptly, drawing my attention back to him. “You love all Shaws? Love. Like, love love?”
I swallow, my throat suddenly gone dry. Jesus, I thought I’d be telling Gabe before I admitted it to his brother.
“Uh, yeah, man. I love him.”
More than anything.
He walks into my space, where I’m standing behind the counter.
I tense, not knowing what he’s about to do, when a strong hand grabs the back of my neck, and he presses his forehead into mine.
I close my eyes and welcome this for what it is: love and acceptance.
From my family. My brother not by blood, but by choice.
When he pulls back, he looks surprisingly emotional. “That’s great, Noah,” he says gruffly, then clears his throat, and he smiles mischievously. “Two idiots in love.”
I shove him away, laughing. “Well, I haven’t told him yet, I’m not sure he’s there yet. So keep your mouth shut.”
“You’re a very loveable puppy, I’m sure he sees that,” he says, grinning.
I really hope that's true. Not the puppy part.
I scowl. “You’ve been demoted. Gabe’s my best friend.”
He just laughs, but the moment the words are out, I realize how true they are. Gabe’s the person I want to do everything with, tell every thought to, and spend every second of my time with.
Aiden’s stomach rumbling breaks through my thoughts. “Guess I need to find food. Might have some Goldfish crackers in my locker,” he mutters with an eye roll, clearly still not over that note from daycare.
“Save them for a rainy day. I’ll run out and grab us lunch, my treat. I need something decent today.”
I head down to Split Pea, ordering two high-protein power bowls with extra chicken.
Thanks to the never-ending Oreos at the apartment—admittedly, usually bought by me—and Gabe always having a fridge full of homemade Italian food, I definitely haven’t been eating like I’m used to.
I think back on Gabe’s reaction to the magnets last week—his eyes shining, that gorgeous smile, how he kissed me.
He’s so fucking sweet.
And now I’m smiling into thin air like a weirdo in the middle of a café. Great.
As I’m walking out, I spot Ciarán and Theo sitting outside with iced coffees.
They’re chatting enthusiastically. Ciarán is wearing a sleeveless, cropped charcoal turtleneck, raw edges curling slightly at the hem, showing his toned stomach.
His tailored trousers have a leather trim on the outer seams, a single thin chain running from belt loop to belt loop.
His rings glint as he moves his hands animatedly.
He looks like he belongs on a runway, not sitting in the middle of a small town drinking overpriced coffee.
Theo is wearing black leather motorcycle pants, the jacket hanging off the back of his seat, leaving him in a charcoal low-armored tank. They’re practically matching, except where Ciarán is tailored, Theo is grunge.
Ciarán spots me first. “Hey, loverboy.” I snort at that as Theo gives me a nod in greeting.
“You two slacking off work?”
It’s Theo who responds, “Had a couple hours to kill between appointments, so I asked C to meet me for coffee.”
“Cool, well, enjoy. I need to head back. Catch you guys later.” I give them a wave as I head off.
Back at the gym, Aiden is at the punching bag, sweat pumping out of him.
He’s removed his top, and he’s just wearing athletic shorts and socks.
Each blow to the bag lands with power and precision.
This is how I know he’s really stressed about everything.
He’s always been like this; he has a habit of keeping his emotions in until he’s at a breaking point.
I catch his eye, and he comes toward the front counter, wiping his face with a towel. He throws his top back on as I slide a bowl across the counter. “Saw Ciarán and Theo at Split Pea,” I say conversationally.
A look passes over Aiden’s face so quickly I can’t place it. “What do you mean?”
“They were having coffee together.”
Aiden’s face turns murderous.
He rips the lid off his bowl and shovels a mouthful in aggressively, chewing too hard. “Didn’t know they were hanging out.”
“Okay… what’s the issue exactly?”
He drops his fork into the bowl. “No issue. Theo can hang out with whoever he wants.”
His tone is ice cold. I lean on the desk, watching him a little too long. “Seriously, what is your problem? I know it’s not with Theo, so what? What exactly is your issue with Ciarán?”
Over the span of our nearly twenty-year friendship, I’ve never felt annoyed with Aiden, but right now, he’s pissing me off.
“I don’t have an issue with him,” he shoots back. Then, in a flatter tone. “I don’t give a shit about him at all.”
My hackles rise at that, brows knitting in confusion as I look at my own food.
This side of my best friend is so foreign to me.
He’s never had a problem with anyone without reason.
“Right,” I say, drawing the word out. “Well, maybe you should, considering how much he cares for your brother… and Rose.”
It’s a low blow, and I see it land, his nostrils flare, and he sets his jaw.
He avoids my gaze, grabbing the schedule sheet like it suddenly needs fixing.
“Look, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m stressed today.
We just don’t get along. He’s always with Gabe, practically followed him back to Willowrun from college.
He’s going to be around you more now because you’re with Gabe, and now Theo.
” He gets up and throws his barley-eaten food in the bin.
“I’ve been forced to spend time with him for years; I feel like I can’t get away from him. ”
I go to speak again, but he cuts me off, storming away. “Client in five.”
I groan internally. That whole interaction has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
We’ll need to talk this out in the future when he’s feeling more levelheaded.
I still don’t get his issue with Ciarán, but I guess I don’t have to.
If Aiden doesn’t want to be his friend, that’s his choice.
I just don’t think he realizes we’re all part of this little family now. There’s no getting away from Ciarán.
By the time early evening rolls around, I send Aiden home early to be with Rose. His mood hadn’t improved much after lunch, but he gave me a clap on the shoulder on his way out, better than nothing.
We were supposed to take turns trialing two new high-intensity interval classes, but I can manage it alone. The first one was tough, so I’m taking a breather before the next. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out, seeing a text from Gabe. A smile instantly lights up my face.
Baby: There’s an eighties movie marathon on this weekend.
Me: Fuck, baby. I love it when you talk dirty to me.
Baby: You’re ridiculous.
Me: Are we gonna cuddle all weekend? Sofa or bed?
Baby: You’re too easily pleased by eighties related things.
Me: It’s not the movies I’m looking forward to ??
Baby: Such a flirt.
Me: Only with you.
Baby: See, massive flirt. How’s your day going?
Me: Not too bad, looking forward to coming home and seeing that pretty blush. How are you?
Baby: Me too
Baby: I mean, I’m looking forward to you coming home. I’m good
I bet he’s red in the face now.
I gnaw on my cheek, mulling over my next message. The compulsion I’ve been fighting against for weeks finally wins out.
Me: I’d like to take you on a date sometime?
The typing bubble appears and reappears multiple times. At one point, they stop for so long, I think I’ve royally fucked up and freaked him out. But then a new message pops up.
Baby: Yes.
Fucking yes!