Chapter 26
NOAH
She looked different like this.
Not dressed up. Not braced. Just cozy and real in my bed, knees pulled up under one of my old T-shirts that hung to her thighs. Her glasses sat a little crooked on her nose, hair still damp from the shower, skin warm and soft.
I leaned back against the headboard and watched her for a second longer than necessary, committing the sight to memory.
I’d seen a hundred different versions of her over the years—laughing too hard at something dumb, crying quietly in the kitchen, pacing with a sketchbook under her arm—but this one hit me hardest. Comfortable. Mine.
“You’re staring,” she said without looking up from the blanket she twisted between her fingers.
“Yeah,” I admitted, fighting a grin. “I sure am. Look at you. You’re so pretty.”
She glanced up then, eyes curious with a slight blush, and that familiar ache settled low in my chest. I reached out and brushed my thumb along her knee, slow and deliberate, the touch easy instead of charged.
Touch didn’t feel like a question with her anymore.
It felt like language. A newer version of our love language.
“You okay?” she asked softly.
I nodded, then shook my head, because neither answer was quite right. “I’m better now,” I said. “Today was… a lot. But this—” I gestured vaguely between us. “This helps. Having you with me? Being here with you? Yeah. Definitely helps.”
She shifted closer without a word, her shoulder pressing into my side.
She fit my body perfectly, which was hard because I was so large.
I was used to intimidating people and often had to downplay my size.
But not Em. She climbed me and used me until she got comfortable, and I loved that about her.
I let myself lean into her touch. Her head tipped against my shoulder like it was second nature, and I realized it kind of was.
We sat like that for a while, the room dim except for the soft glow from the lamp across the bed.
I could hear Daniel moving quietly in the living room, the faint sound of Sassy’s nails clicking against the floor, life continuing in small, normal ways.
It made the silence between us feel earned instead of awkward.
I hesitated, then spoke before I could talk myself out of it. “The reason I texted you that cryptical message was…well, my parents crossed a line today. I didn’t tell you everything earlier because I didn’t want to dump it on you when I couldn’t do anything about it yet.”
Her brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t pull away. “I figured it was something like that.”
“They’re questioning your role with Miles,” I said quietly. “They took pictures of you two. Leaving a coffee shop.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I don’t know if they followed you or hired someone, but that photo pissed me the hell off. That’s why I played like a machine today.”
“My god, Noah.” Em rubbed her chest, her breathing coming out a little heavier. “That’s…so messed up. I hate knowing they are doing this to Miles. I can take care of myself but a child? I’m never letting him out of my sight again.”
See, this was why I loved this girl. My chest bloomed with pride, and I kissed the top of her head. “They’re threatening legal stuff. Saying I’m being irresponsible, and they might come after you.”
She sucked in a breath, but that was her only reaction. Then, she laughed. “Let them.”
“I’m going to talk to a lawyer,” I continued. “Coach Booth offered help. The team has resources. I’m not letting them control this, and I’m not letting them hurt Miles or you.”
Her hand found mine, fingers threading through without hesitation. “Good. I’m sure the team can help, and you know I’ll do anything for that kid.”
I squeezed her hand, relief and tension tangling together. “I hate that they pulled you into it. You didn’t ask for this.”
She shrugged slightly, snuggling deeper into my chest. “I didn’t ask for a lot of things, but if you think that’s enough to scare me away? Think again. You just introduced me to orgasms, buddy. You’re stuck with me.”
I laughed, knowing what underneath Em’s comment was. She was using something safe, something funny to defuse the moment—Em’s strength. But her meaning was clear—she was in this with me. It made my heart swell. “Enough about that. Tell me about your online store.”
“Hey, promise me something,” she said, her voice quiet.
“Of course. What is it?”
“Keep me in the loop about the plan. I won’t interfere. I want to know so I can keep Miles safe. If I would’ve known about your parents, I wouldn’t have taken him to the coffee shop.”
Something like guilt crept in her voice, and I ran my fingers over her wrist. “Hey, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know, but Noah, don’t exclude me, okay?”
“I would never do that.” I cupped her face, forcing her to look at me. “I’m not the shitty men in your life. You can trust me, Em. I promise.”
Her body relaxed, and I promised myself I would never hurt her. I’d never leave her out or make her feel like she couldn’t trust me. She had too many people in her life let her down, and I wouldn’t be one of them.
I held her face for a second longer, thumbs warm against her cheeks, before letting my hands drop back to where they belonged—around her, solid and sure.
She exhaled, a quiet release that told me she’d heard me, believed me, and that mattered more than anything else I could’ve said.
The tension eased enough for the room to feel safe again.
“So,” I said, shifting slightly so she was more comfortable against me. “Your store. Daniel looked like he’d discovered fire when he talked about it.”
She laughed, softer now, but there was still a tremor under it. “He ran numbers, and it was…life-changing. Told me I have to stop thinking of it as a side thing. Said I need infrastructure, which sounds terrifying and expensive.”
“It also sounds right,” I said. “And I don’t say that lightly.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “You really think this can be… real? Like, long-term real?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Em, you moved a hundred pieces in a few days. That’s not a fluke.
That’s demand. People don’t throw money at something like that.
It’s special. What you do is unique and cool, and people want something meaningful.
Sport teams are forms of families. They give a sense of belonging.
That’s why fans are so special, and you get to create things for them. ”
Her fingers traced idle patterns on my chest, thoughtful. “My dad said it wasn’t a career. That I was wasting time. That I needed something solid.”
My jaw tightened before I could stop it. “Your dad’s a fucking idiot,” I said plainly. “And I don’t mean that emotionally. I mean he’s wrong.”
She blinked, then let out a surprised laugh. “You really don’t mince words.”
“Not when it comes to you,” I said. “He’s looking at the world like it’s twenty years ago.
You’re building something that is true to you, and that matters more than anything.
Stability doesn’t only come from offices and pensions, and I’m sorry, you’re gonna regret not trying.
You could do this and fail, but guess what?
You would have tried and lived and learned from it.
Not trying? Giving up before you start? No.
That’s not you, Em. That might be your dad, but it’s not you. ”
She went quiet again, absorbing that, her gaze drifting to the wall like she was replaying old conversations. I tightened my arm around her instinctively.
“Here’s what I’d do,” I continued, keeping my voice calm and practical. “You already have the internet working for you. Lean into that. Reach out to boutiques—Chicago first. Local shops love a story, especially one tied to sports culture and community.”
Her eyes flicked back to mine. “You think they’d even respond to me?”
“I know they would,” I said. “You’ve got visuals, numbers, and a following.
And honestly? Other teams. Not Rampage, obviously—that’s a whole thing—but college programs, minor leagues, women’s teams. DM them.
Tag them. Let them see what you’re doing.
Tease them. I’ve learned our socials are run by these energetic hires, and whenever they see something big, they tell management.
They have a pipeline to decision-makers. ”
Her lips parted slightly, excitement creeping back in. “I hadn’t even thought about that.”
“There’s more you could do—if that’s what you want. This is about your dreams and goals, but Em? I know you can do this. Your face lights up every time you talk about it. And you’ve talked about this since you were eighteen and we met freshmen year.”
She smiled then, really smiled, and leaned in to kiss my shoulder. “You’re very good at this pep talk thing.”
“It’s not a pep talk,” I said. “It’s me telling you what I see. You have this… drive. This joy in making things and creating different experiences through clothes.”
She swallowed, her eyes softening as she nodded. “Maybe I should talk to my brother.”
I frowned. “What do you mean? Daniel?”
“No, Theo. I’m foolishly stubborn. I refused his help at making a connection with his team, but why did I do that?”
I rubbed her arm, exhaling as I thought about her question.
“We all want to make it on our own without help. That’s normal.
However, I think the rules are different when you’re actually talented.
Take Higgins on our team. His dad was a tight end for years and was damn good.
Sure, having the Higgins last name helped, but his numbers this year?
He’s kicking ass. His dad got him in the door, but his talent made him last. You’d do the same thing. ”
She rested her forehead against my chest again, quiet and warm, and for a moment neither of us spoke. The hum of the apartment wrapped around us, the night settling in.
“Thank you for believing in me. It sounds silly, but hearing you say all this makes me…just, thank you.”