Chapter Seven
KATIE
I'm a nervous wreck and have been since I woke up this morning. An uneasy energy swarms through me, and I've already changed my clothes three times. Today’s Jerry's retirement party, and Gemma’s confirmed Noah will be there. Now I have no choice but to be in his presence.
Belinda planned a big party at the event center downtown so people can stop by to eat and congratulate him for finally retiring after forty years. From the sounds of it, everyone in Lawton Ridge will be there at some point.
I put on my earrings and check to see if Owen’s dressed. When I walk into his room, he’s lying on his bed playing with his tablet.
“Ready to go?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe as I scan his floor of dirty clothes.
“Yep,” he tells me, then slips on his shoes and walks past me. Raising a boy means he doesn’t give a shit what he looks like, which is both a blessing and a curse.
When we're in the car, I turn on the radio and try to keep my mind focused on the music. Other people will be around, so I won't be able to tell Noah to go straight to hell if he tries to speak to me. I’ll have to play nice for the sake of not creating a scene, but I won’t make it easy for him, just as he didn’t make it easy for me.
After we park and walk inside, I'm shocked by how much food is laid out. But I shouldn’t be, considering Belinda loves to cook.
Balloons fill the ceiling, reminding me of the iconic high school dance scene in a movie.
As I'm scanning the room, I see Gemma and Tyler standing by the punch bowl.
I place my hand behind Owen and guide him over toward them.
“Hey, Owen,” Tyler says, holding up his hand and giving Owen a high five.
“Hey!” Owen slaps his palm. He’s always liked Tyler.
Moments later, Everleigh walks up with an extra bounce in her step. She gives me a hug, squeezing me tight. “Katie! Oh my God, I've missed you so much.”
I laugh at her antics because we hung out last week.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Gemma scowls.
“Oh, be quiet,” Everleigh tells her with a playful eye roll. “I see you like four times a week.”
She grabs a plate, then starts stacking it full of food.
“Mom, can I get some?” Owen asks.
“Sure, but only take what you’re gonna eat. Don’t be wasteful,” I remind him. He slides in beside Everleigh and follows her lead. Owen grows excited as he places different colored squares of cheeses and mini sandwiches on his plate.
Ruby walks up with her fiancée, Stephanie.
“Well, there you are,” Gemma says, pulling her into a hug.
“You know I wouldn't miss this party for the world. Free food.” Ruby smirks.
Belinda comes over and wraps her arms around Ruby and greets Stephanie.
“I didn't know you were coming,” Belinda admits. “You never RSVP’d.”
“Sorry, my bad. I wouldn’t miss Jerry retiring for anything!” Ruby says. “Where is the man of the hour anyway?”
“Let’s go find him,” Belinda says, pulling Ruby and Stephanie away.
We go to one of the round tables where Owen sits and gobbles up his food.
Tyler chats with him about basketball and when they can play together again.
As I look around the room, I see a few ladies who work with me at the bank and a couple of cashiers from the grocery store.
Even the city mayor is here, but thankfully, I don’t see Noah yet.
As I pass the buffet on my way to the restroom, my palms become sweaty.
Just as I make my way to the hallway, he walks through the door.
It’s as if everything around me freezes as our eyes meet, and my heart races as he studies me.
I snap my gaze away, keep my head up, and walk into the ladies’ room.
I lean against the door and suck in a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
At one time in my life, Noah was my everything. He ripped that away when he decided he didn't want to see or talk to me anymore. I was lonely as hell and needed him the most. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive him for how he treated me—like tossed-out trash on the curb.
I give myself a pep talk, then walk back out to the party.
I try to find my courage with each step I take, knowing it's inevitable that he'll try to speak to me again. The last thing I want to do is embarrass him at his father's retirement party, but if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his distance.
As I’m closer to the table, I notice Noah’s chatting with Ruby. I sit beside Owen as he finishes his food. I ignore everything else around me as Gemma explains to Noah our friendship with Ruby and how we all became close.
“But then I found another job out of town and ruined it all,” Ruby adds with a laugh.
“I offered you one at my new gym, but you refused,” Tyler chastises with a raised eyebrow, then glances at Stephanie with a grin.
“She’s mine now,” Stephanie says. “And I’m not ever letting her go.”
Ruby smirks and looks at Stephanie like she’s her whole world. “They’re just being dramatic,” she tells Noah. “We’re only thirty minutes away.”
“That’s too far,” Gemma whines, sticking out her bottom lip.
Noah listens to them go back and forth, then glances at me as if he wants to say something. If he tries anything, it’ll take every bit of strength I have not to tell him off. Once I furrow my brows, he breaks eye contact and interrupts their conversation.
“Well, it was really nice meeting you two.”
Heat hits my cheeks as he steals another glance, then excuses himself.
“You alright?” Gemma asks.
“Perfect,” I say, then turn to Owen. “Did you get enough to eat?”
“Can I get more punch?”
“Sure. I’ll get you some,” I say, grabbing his cup and going to the line. I get myself some food too while I’m here.
As I scan the goodies, I glance over my shoulder and see a blonde walk up to Noah. She’s overly nice and so loud I can hear her laughter echo off the walls.
I watch them as I pour myself some punch, then realize I recognize her from Owen’s school drop-off. That’s when I notice her son is standing next to her.
She touches Noah’s arm, then flips her long hair as she giggles like a lovestruck teenager. Jealousy courses through me at how close she's standing to him. It's obvious she finds Noah attractive by the way she keeps gazing up and down his body as if she’s memorizing every inch of him.
She leans closer, flirting with Noah even though a room full of people are watching. The thought infuriates me as I fill another cup of punch for myself. I get Owen’s attention and wave him over to help because there's no way I’ll be able to carry all of this without spilling it.
When he’s close, I bend down and keep my voice low. “Doesn’t that kid go to your school?” I ask him.
“Yep. That's Anthony. He moved here a couple of months ago and is in my class.”
“I thought so,” I say with a smile.
“Can I go say hi?”
“Sure,” I say. He takes his punch from me, then crosses the room.
As soon as I'm back at the table, Gemma moves her chair closer to mine.
“Who’s that woman?” she whispers.
“I don’t remember her name, but her son is in Owen's class.”
Everleigh butts into our conversation. “Oh, that's Brittany Townsend. She works at the deli with Belinda.”
Gemma and I turn toward her as she pops a grape in her mouth. “How the hell do you know everybody in town?”
“Lawton Ridge covers a five-mile radius. Everyone should know everyone, Katie.”
I scowl at her sassy response. “Everyone knows everyone who's always lived here. She hasn’t, and she doesn’t come to the bank.”
Everleigh laughs. “I'm surprised you haven't seen her working at the deli. I think she started a month ago or so.”
I shrug. “I’m a single mom. I make a lot of slow cooker meals and eat a lot of leftovers, so I rarely go to the deli unless I forget to pack my lunch.”
Gemma snorts. “I don't think that's a single mom thing. I think that's a super organized OCD thing.”
I laugh. “Perhaps.”
“Don’t be modest. You’re a great mom, and I can only hope I’m half as good a mom as you.”
“You will be. Honestly, you just figure it out as you go. Most of us don’t know what the fuck we’re doing. I’m a professional at winging it.”
“Well, you make it look effortless,” Everleigh says. “Knowing me, I’d forget to feed my kid.”
I snort as I watch Owen chatting with Anthony. “Trust me, you won’t. Between them crying or yelling ‘Mom’ a hundred times a day, you’ll happily stuff food in their mouths to shut them up.”
“Probably why Tyler and Noah keep bringin’ pastries to the gym every morning,” Gemma says, chuckling.
“They’re trying to keep you from talkin’ their ears off.” Everleigh chuckles.
After I'm done eating, Owen returns, and I notice Jerry is finally alone. I take the opportunity to give him a hug and tell him congratulations.
“Thanks, Katie. I'm sure Gemma thought I'd be working forever.”
“Well, you probably would’ve if it wasn't for Belinda talkin’ some sense into you.” I nudge him.
Jerry gives his famous hearty dad laugh that I always loved growing up. “You're right. She's made me realize there are more important things in life than working every day, and this old man needed a break.”
“You deserve it. I'm so happy for you.”
“Thank you. Now, I’ll get to be a full-time grandpa.” He beams wide as more people walk up, so I tell him goodbye and go back to the table.
Gemma stands before I can take a seat. “I think we need some more juice for the punch bowl. Can you help me grab them from the fridge?”
“Sure.” I tell Owen I’ll be right back before following Gemma toward the kitchen.
“You doin’ okay?” she asks. “You look a little stressed.”
“I'm fine. It's just weird seeing Noah here. Especially when I didn’t even wanna see him the first time.” I glare because she knows what she did.
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I wanted to check on you. It's gonna take a little getting used to for everyone. But with that being said, maybe you should give him one more chance, Katie. He still cares about you.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “I'm sure he does since he refused to see or talk to me. That sounds like something you do when you care about someone,” I say sarcastically.
She gives me a small smile and heads out of the kitchen instead of going to the fridge.
“Wait, don’t we need more punch?” I ask.
“Nah. Just wanted to get you alone for a moment to check on you without other ears around.” Gemma gives me a wink.
“Should’ve figured,” I say. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Anytime. And if you ever wanna bust his balls, feel free to do it, okay? He kinda deserves it.”
I laugh. “I’m just glad you’re on my team.”
“I’m team Katie and Noah,” she corrects.
“Oh God. Don't even start with that again! We’re not fifteen anymore,” I scold but laugh at the memories.
Gemma glances over her shoulder, then leaves. I take a moment to myself before following. When I finally walk through the door, I nearly run into Noah. His hands grip my arms, holding me steady on my feet. We look at each other in shock, and it takes everything I have to push past him.
Before I get too far, he gently grabs my elbow and pulls me back.
“Katie, please talk to me,” he begs in a deep, rough voice.
Shaking my head, I pull away from him. “No thanks. I have nothing to say to you.”
“Please,” he pleads again, this time in a husky whisper.
“I’ve been begging to talk to you for ten fuckin’ years. So no, Noah, you don't get my time when it’s convenient for you. Should’ve thought about that when you refused to let me visit or write back to me. I waited around long enough, and I’m not wasting any more time on you.”
He looks as if I slapped him, the same reaction I imagine he had on my porch when I slammed the door in his face. It hurts to see him this way, but he left me no choice.
Without another word, I walk across the reception hall and tell Owen it's time to go.
After we say our goodbyes, I notice Noah’s staring at me, but I keep my eyes forward and walk out with as much dignity as I can.