Chapter Twenty-Four #2
“Katie. My God, I can’t believe you answered,” she says with an edge to her tone. “We need to talk. The way you’ve been ignoring me is upsetting, and I miss my grandson. I don’t thi–”
“Loretta. I’m not letting Owen see you until you explain what the hell is going on. I’m not stupid and wasn’t born yesterday. Right now, I’ve lost my trust in you, and I don’t want him around you. Something strange is going on, and I need the truth.”
She sucks in a deep breath. “The truth about what exactly?”
“The twenty thousand you withdrew from the bank,” I snap, hoping she'll start talking.
She hesitates. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Because I wanna hear it from your mouth, not from anyone else's,” I admit, my adrenaline spiking.
I’ve never been this tough on Loretta and have mostly done whatever she’s asked because she’s been such a big help to me. But I can’t allow this suspicious activity to continue, especially if she’s responsible for Noah’s accident.
“Katie, I don’t think this is any of your business or concern, but if you’re gonna keep my grandson from me over it, then you’re forcing me to explain,” she says.
I swallow hard. “Alright.”
“This is extremely personal, so I expect you to keep it to yourself, but Elliot has been gambling again. The tenth anniversary of Gabe’s death has hit him hard, and he’s out of control.
If I didn’t withdraw the money, he would’ve spent it, and we don’t have a lot left in our savings.
So I moved it and am keeping it hidden. He can’t find out about it.
I didn’t wanna involve you because I know you don’t like to lie and keep secrets,” she says.
My anger with her slightly melts away because I remember how bad Elliot’s addiction used to be.
Although he got help, I understand that certain events can trigger the need to feel those endorphins.
After Gabe passed away, it was bad before it got better.
I feel like a giant asshole for forcing her to tell me, but I’m also cynical.
She knows I won’t be able to confirm her story without going to Elliot, and I would never do that.
Would she admit that she paid Brittany to set up Noah? No.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I offer.
“I miss seeing Owen every week. I miss his laughter and eating cheeseburgers together on the weekends. Can you please reconsider?” she nearly begs, but I have to protect him at all costs.
“I’ll think about it,” I finally say.
“Thank you,” she mutters. “Just let me know.”
“I will, thanks.” I end the call and stare at the ceiling, trying to calm down.
If I were pettier, I would’ve mentioned Noah and the accident and brought up Brittany to gauge her reaction.
It’s something I’d need to do face-to-face, though, because she’s not great at lying.
Eventually, she’ll learn that Noah and I are together, and while I’d like to tell her first, I’m not ready yet.
When she knows, she’ll have to accept my decision.
I can’t continue trying to make everyone else in my life happy without considering my feelings.
I grab my keys and head out the door without giving her words a second thought.
When I finally arrive at Noah’s, he opens the door wearing a sexy smirk.
“There’s my sweetheart,” he tells me. Pulling me close, he drags his soft lips across mine.
“Hey, Katie!” Jerry says from the living room when I enter.
“Hi!” I say, and he smiles big. “Belinda made some chocolate cake if you want some dessert.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I just had dinner. Though it’s tempting, I don’t think I can eat another bite of anything.”
We stand awkwardly in the living room and talk about nothing before Noah leads me upstairs to his room.
“So tell me everything,” he says after we sit on his bed. His arm brushes against mine, and I can feel the warmth of his body.
I explain what happened at the deli and what Brittany said.
He laughs. “I can’t believe you’re so feisty. Kinda turning me on a bit,” he admits with a sly smile.
“I was pissed! The fact that she thinks I’m a jealous girlfriend or something…”
“You are,” he jokes. I narrow my eyes, and he laughs. “I’m kidding.”
“Good.” I pretend to pout, then grin.
“Seems like Brittany’s asking people who are close to us questions like she’s trying to gather as much information as she can.
I need to get with Belinda and see if she’s heard anything else.
I’m convinced there’s a bigger plan in the works, and I’m waiting for them to strike, but I’m hoping this time I’m smarter. Now what did Loretta say?” he asks.
I let out a long breath. “She said she was moving the money because of Elliot’s gambling addiction. She took it out to hide it from him so he wouldn’t spend it.”
Noah shakes his head, and we sit in silence for a few passing moments. Eventually, he speaks up. “I don’t know if I really believe that.”
“That’s what I was thinking too,” I explain.
“I know people can relapse with addictions, but I also know how hard Elliot worked to stop gambling. Plus, no one around town has said anything about it. When he was gambling hard-core, it was all anyone talked about. Lawton Ridge would’ve gotten word about it by now, and we all would’ve known. ”
“You’re right. People don’t really tell me anything anymore, but I know Belinda would've brought it up in passing. Even Dad would’ve mentioned something or at least tried to reach out to him even if it wouldn’t have gotten anywhere,” Noah explains.
“It seems like she’s using that excuse to cover up the real reason. ”
I nod. “She wants to see Owen, and I told her I’d think about it. I don’t feel comfortable letting him be around her.”
“It’s your decision, Katie. You have to do what’s best for your son,” he encourages.
I give him a smile. “I won’t allow him to see her, and I won’t stop asking questions until I figure this out.”
He winces, and I reach for him, placing my hand on his thigh.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, just every once in a while, if I sit in one position too long, my muscles freeze up.” He slightly relaxes. “I’m fine, baby, but it’s cute to see you worried about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you, Noah.” I press my lips against his. The kiss deepens, and our tongues tangle in a slow dance.
By the time we pull apart, I’m breathless but also greedily want more. I change the subject as I squeeze my legs together. Noah notices but keeps his comments to himself.
“Owen was pretty upset that our Star Wars night was canceled.”
“I was bummed out about it too,” he admits, and I love how genuine he is when it comes to hanging out with Owen. “Let’s plan another night soon. I promise I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“He’d love that so much.”
Noah winks, then looks at the clock on his wall. “You should probably get going. I don’t want you driving around so late.”
“You’re right. Wish I could take you home with me. But I need you to fully recover first. Don’t wanna break you.” I waggle my brows, and he chuckles.
“Break me? Sweetheart, you haven’t seen anything yet. Once I’m better, I’m gonna bend your body in unimaginable ways,” he purrs against my ear.
“Stop it, or I might not leave,” I tell him.
“Well, considering my dad’s downstairs…”
I snort. “Yeah, might be a tad awkward because I’m not quiet.”
“No, you’re not, but I love it when you scream my name.” He tucks loose strands of hair behind my ear, then stands. I steal one last kiss before we leave his room. Jerry’s snoring in the recliner with the TV blaring, and Noah laughs as we pass him.
“Might’ve gotten away with it after all,” he teases, and I shake my head as we go to my car.
“Promise to text me when you get home?”
I nod. “Promise.”
“Love you,” he says, leaning forward and sealing it with a kiss.
“Damn, I’ll never get tired of hearing that,” I admit with a cheeky grin. “Love you too.”
“Always and forever,” he says as I climb inside and reverse out of the driveway, smiling like a fool.