Chapter Twenty-One
NOAH
EARLIER
“Hey, Tyler,” I say, searching for him around the gym.
“What’s up, man?”
“I gotta see my parole officer next week. Is it okay if I take a half-day Tuesday?”
“Yeah, no problem. Just let Smith know.”
“Will do. Thanks, man.”
After Katie’s and my risky rendezvous in the back, I haven’t stopped smiling. Though we were together just an hour ago, I already miss the fuck outta her and can’t wait to see her again.
“What’re your plans this weekend?” Gemma asks as we pack up.
“Fuckin’…” Tyler responds before I can.
“Babe!” Gemma scolds him. “As happy as I am they’re finally together, I don’t need that image in my brain!”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “We’re watching a movie with Owen tonight, then I’m gonna help her with the house tomorrow and Sunday. Hoping to help more so she can get done sooner.”
“But still fuckin’.” Tyler laughs, dodging a hit from Gemma.
“Well, I did tell her to get pregnant soon so our kids can be the same age,” Gemma muses, and my heart races at the thought of Katie carrying our baby.
After she told me about her miscarriage, we’ve grown closer than ever, and I love that she trusted me with that information.
I’m not sure my sister knows, so I don’t say anything.
“You’re gonna scare the shit outta him now,” Tyler tells her. “Good thing I got you that big box of condoms.” He smirks.
“You didn’t!” Gemma’s eyes widen.
Tyler shrugs, then looks at me. “You’re getting a free preview of the pregnancy hormones. You sure you wanna go through this?”
“Alright, time for me to go.” I snicker. “You two have a good weekend.”
Gemma hugs me before I leave, and I wave at Tyler before walking out to my truck.
Just as I start the engine, my phone rings, and Brittany’s name pops up on the screen. Considering she’s gone out of her way to confront Katie at work, now’s a good time to make it crystal clear that I’m not interested in her that way.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Noah? Oh thank God. I’ve called ten people already, and no one’s answered. I’m so sorry to bother you, but I can’t find anyone else to help me.” Her strained tone concerns me.
“What’s the matter?”
“Anthony and I were about ten minutes from Mobile when my SUV started shaking. I pulled over and realized my tire is flat. I forgot to get a replacement spare the last time this happened, and now we’re stranded.
I called a tow truck, but they can’t come for two hours, and it’s almost pitch black out, so I don’t wanna wait out here with my son.
Is there any chance you’d come and pick us up?
I’ll pay you gas money and for your time,” she rushes her words out, and I can tell she’s freaking out.
“Not necessary. I just left work, so I can head that way now. What road are you on?”
After Brittany gives me directions, I call Katie and let her know I’ll be late.
“She can’t call a tow truck? Or someone else?” she asks, and I know she’s not any happier about this than I am.
“She said she tried but was given a two-hour window, and she doesn’t wanna sit out there in the dark. No one else answered, I guess. She’s with Anthony and doesn’t have a spare,” I explain.
Katie releases a sigh.
“Alright well, please be careful. Text me when you’re on the way back.”
“I will. Once I drop them off, I’ll go home and shower, then be right over.”
We say goodbye, then I head Brittany’s way.
Once I get off the exit ramp, I take a right and go toward Mobile.
I haven’t been there since before prison, and I’m reminded of the time Katie and I went to their famous fall festival.
I’d just gotten my license and wanted to hang out with her alone.
Though Katie was only fifteen at the time, her parents adored me and allowed her to come with me.
I remember it clear as day—the perfect weather, a band playing on a stage surrounded by hay bales and pumpkins, and the sweet smell of caramel wafting through the air.
I had hyped myself up all week to finally confess my true feelings and ask her to be my girlfriend.
Then I got cold feet.
I shake my head just thinking about it because I even had the perfect opportunity and blew it.
Katie literally took my hand and held it during a hayride.
I’m so stupid.
Laughing to myself at the idiocy of my teenage years, I turn down the music and reach for my phone to call Brittany. I think I’m getting close to where she said she was, but I don’t see any hazard lights flashing.
I click on her name and wait for her to pick up, but it goes to voicemail after three rings. I try again but have no luck.
Well, shit. I hope her phone didn’t die.
Just as I’m about to text Katie, I hit a bump in the road and lose my grip. My phone flies to the floorboards on the passenger side where I can’t reach it.
“Fuck.”
I try to reach for it, my other hand sliding down the wheel as I struggle to find it.
I hear it ring with Katie’s ringtone and decide I better pull over to grab my phone and call her back.
I peek in my rearview mirror to see if anyone’s behind me so I can slow down and pull over.
The phone goes off again, and this time, I’m anxious as hell that something’s wrong since she knows I’ll be right back.
Just as I put on my blinker to turn at the intersection, something smashes into me.
Metal scrapes against metal, the airbag deploys, and I smack my head. Confusion envelops me as a metallic taste fills my mouth, and blood drips from my head. I can’t seem to physically move, and darkness eventually takes over.
I’m not sure how much time passes before the door opens. Katie’s voice instantly soothes me, though I don’t understand what she’s saying. She grabs my hand and shakes me, but the pain makes me groan.
“Stay with me. I’m calling 911.”
I wonder about the other vehicle and who’s inside.
“I think his legs are stuck. The whole door is bent in.” I hear her say. Oddly enough, I can’t feel below my waist. The only pain is the throbbing in my head.
“Noah, can you hear me?”
I don’t have much energy, but I try to squeeze her hand. “Katie,” I murmur.
“Yes, it’s me.”
I hear the tears in her voice and hate how worried she sounds.
“You’re gonna be okay, baby. The ambulance is on the way,” she reassures me.
“Katie…” I repeat, squeezing her hand with a little more strength. Though I feel my mind losing focus and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to stay awake, I try to open my eyes to look at her. “I love you.”
“Noah. I love you, too. I always have.”
I smile for a beat before everything fades away.
I don’t know how long it takes before I become alert. When I try to open my eyes, my head throbs, so I don’t attempt it anymore. Whispers around me grow louder as I try to move my body.
“You were supposed to kill him! I paid you for a job, and you didn’t do that job,” a woman snarls.
“I T-boned him with an F-250! That should’ve taken him out or at least put him in a coma,” a man grits.
“If you’d listened and been going faster…”
“I would’ve risked missing him if I was going any faster, Brittany,” the man hisses. “I nearly killed myself trying to do this job.”
Brittany? What the fuck? No, that can’t be right.
Why would Brittany want me dead? I only just met her.
“You did not. I was right there waiting for you with the car and watched the whole fuckin’ thing.
Plus, I didn’t pay you twenty grand to play it safe.
Now look. He’ll probably make a full recovery, and this will have been for nothing.
” The anger in her voice sends a chill down my spine, though it’s nice to hear I’m not in a life-threatening condition.
I keep my eyes closed so they don’t know I can hear them, but I’m tempted to knock the shit out of whoever this guy is.
“Stop worrying. I never fail at a mission, and I won’t fail at this one. Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean we can’t try something else next time,” he reassures her.
“Next time?” She barks out a laugh. “This is your final chance. The brick and bomb didn’t send a clear message, so the next time better be a success or else,” Brittany orders.
“You have my word.”