Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Noah
My heart was full after spending time with my family and Fisher on Sunday evening.
It provided me with a glimpse of how things could be when we go public.
Learning about my grandparents’ history—where they met and how their lives turned out—gives me hope that someday we’ll get our happily ever after, too.
After Fisher left, I stayed and helped clean up. He texted that he had to go home since he works early, and although I understood, I missed him.
Five days have passed, and he’s spent all his free time helping me with the fundraiser. He's assisted with checking off most of my checklist. Although I'm putting my brothers to work too, Fisher's done more than all of them combined.
“That man sure knows how to work up a sweat,” Magnolia whispers next to me as we watch him lead horses into the trailer so we can move them to the family barn.
I put Landen and Tripp in charge, but they conned Fisher into helping by offering him free beer.
He's not that desperate for alcohol, so I know he's only doing it for me.
We both tilt our heads as we admire his flexed arms and sculpted body.
“Could y'all be any more obvious?” Wilder sneaks up behind us, and I jump at getting caught gawking at Fisher.
“That was rude!” Magnolia smacks his arm.
“Be useful or go away,” I snap.
Wilder teases Magnolia by tickling her sides, and soon, she's chasing him out of the barn. I shake my head at how he treats her like an annoying little sister, but at least he doesn’t just pick on me.
Mallory and Serena walk in and head straight for Miss Swift's stall.
“Whatcha doin'?” I ask, stopping them.
Mallory lifts a baggie of veggies. “We brought her some carrots and celery.”
“Lucky horse.” I smile.
“I'm so excited about tomorrow!” Serena squeals.
“Me too!” Mallory grins.
“Noah, when can we have another sleepover?” Serena asks. “It’s been like a month.”
Every few weekends, we have a girls’ night at my house. We’ll stay up watching age-appropriate rom-coms and bingeing junk food. It’s a tradition I enjoy having with them.
I wrap my arms around them. “Soon, I promise. Once I get through this fundraiser and some trainin' stuff, life will slow down a bit. Maybe after Ayden and Laney’s weddin’, we’ll throw a huge slumber party!”
“Yay!” they squeal.
Fisher and I only hung out a couple of times this week when he snuck over after work, but otherwise, we've been too busy and exhausted by nighttime. During the day, we steal glances and short-lived moments in the tack room, but it's not enough.
I want him to myself for a whole weekend.
“Ex-boyfriend alert,” Magnolia mutters in my ear as she approaches from behind. “Better quit lookin’ at Daddy Fisher’s ass.”
Rolling my eyes, I spin around and see Jase looking out of place in a snazzy suit and tie.
“Hey, there she is!” He removes his sunglasses and wraps me in an unwanted hug.
“Hi, what're ya doin' here?” I step back, putting distance between us.
He’s texted every day this week, but I’ve yet to respond. After the way he treated me, I had no desire to talk to him.
“My boss asked me to set up our booth, and you didn’t respond to any of my messages, so I wanted to see you.”
What does he expect when he acts like a possessive dickhead?
I force a smile and brush loose strands off my face. “I’ve been busy. I told you that.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t spare a few minutes, Noah.” He pins me with a stare.
I shove my hands in my pockets to keep myself from punching his arrogant face. “Do you need help findin' the booths?”
We rented a huge white tent that's set up next to the training center, so it'd be impossible to miss, and each table has the companies’ names. But the sooner he sets up and leaves, the better.
“Sure. I wanna talk to ya ’bout something.”
I grind my teeth, wishing I hadn’t made the offer.
“Okay.”
I find Magnolia's gaze, and she makes a gagging motion.
“Well, let's go.” He grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers, then leads us down the center aisle.
As I glance over my shoulder, Magnolia shakes her head.
“Help me,” I mouth.
Before I can see her reaction, Jase pulls me closer as we walk outside. I don't want to be rude or make him suspicious, but he’s never this touchy-feely. He hasn’t held my hand since we dated.
“Noah,” he says, grabbing my attention when we stop in front of the white tent. “I wanna apologize for my behavior at the restaurant and for the way I spoke to you in our last text convo.”
My brows shoot up since he’s never said sorry to me before. Jase was never the remorseful type.
“I'm tryin' to make a name for myself in real estate, and I let the pressure get to me. I took my stress out on you, and that was wrong.” He sandwiches my hand between his palms, looking sincere as he stares into my eyes.
“I hope you know how much I value our friendship and everythin' we've been through.
I've grown up a lot and didn't always treat ya right. For that, I'm sorry.”
I swallow hard as my heart races, and I remove my hand from his sweaty grip. Something feels off with him.
“Wow. Um, thank you? I don't really know what to say. I'm glad we can be friends, too, Jase.”
“With my dad returin', it's made me think about the importance of family.
He and I have a long way to go, but you've never betrayed me.
You're the only one I can see myself growin' old and buildin' a future with.
You're beautiful, genuine, and wear your heart on your sleeve.
And I know if I don't say somethin' now, I could lose you to someone else.
No guy would ever be good enough for you, and I'm not sayin' I'd be perfect, but I'd work every day to be the man you deserve.”
Usually, I'm good at deflecting and moving an awkward conversation elsewhere, but I'm one hundred percent unprepared for Jase to tell me he wants me back.
“So...what do you think, Noah? Wanna give us another chance? I'm financially stable now. I just bought a house. I can give ya everythin' you want and more.”
I wince at his little speech as my throat tightens, and I fumble for words that won’t offend him. “Jase...um...where is this comin' from? We've never talked about gettin' back together in the two years since we broke up. I'm a little taken off guard here.” I step back to create distance between us.
He nods and attempts to pull me closer, but I don’t allow it.
“I know, but I've been thinkin' about you nonstop.
We were happy together. My immaturity and emotional issues are why our relationship ended.
I needed to grow up and make somethin' of myself before committin’ to someone. And I'm ready to do that now with you.”
“Why me?”
“You're the only woman I've ever loved. Dating's been a nightmare, and after several failed attempts, I realized there was a reason for that. It's because we’re supposed to be together. You're my soulmate.”
Soulmate? What the hell is he talking about?
“That is very sweet, Jase. Those are words most women dream about hearin'. I-It's just, I'm afraid I'm not the right one for them.”
“I don't understand.” His voice goes deeper as his nostrils flare. “Is there someone else? How can you just throw away years of history?”
“You're puttin' a lot on me right now, Jase. I wasn't expectin' any of this. You gave me no signs you wanted us to get back together.”
He grips my upper arm, slamming me into his chest. “Baby, we’re meant to be. Just give me a second chance to prove it.”
I push against him, but he squeezes harder. “You're hurtin' me.”
“Say you're mine, and I'll let you go.”
“I'm not sayin' that.” I slide my boot between his feet in preparation. One lift of my leg and my knee will greet his balls.
“There's someone else, ain't there?” he grinds out, his tone low and threatening.
“It doesn't matter! I'm not interested in gettin' back together,” I say firmly, jerking away.
I wince when he grips my other arm, nearly shaking me.
“Who the fuck is he? Someone you met at Twisted Bull? Or someone who works at the retreat? Which loser is it?” He looks around as if he expects my mystery man to pop up, which, if Fisher witnesses his son manhandling me, could be a reality.
“Let me go!” I shout.
“Who're ya fuckin', you little whore? Let me fight him and see who really deserves you.” He shoves his face in my neck and slides his tongue under my ear.
I don't give him any warning—not that he'd deserve one—before I drive my knee straight up between his legs. He releases me instantly as he falls to the ground, muttering curse words as he palms his junk.
“You fuckin' slut! What the fuck?” he squeaks out.
My heart threatens to beat out of my chest as I lean down and try to control my breathing. “I told you to let me go. You should know better than to touch me when I ask you not to.”
“Goddamn psycho,” he whispers, barely getting the words out.
I shrug. “Don't touch women who don't wanna be touched, and I wouldn't have had to nail ya.”
Magnolia rushes over, taking my arm and pulling me back. “What the hell happened?”
“Jase learned a lesson the hard way.” I'm still seething when my brothers and Fisher come over.
“Jase!” Fisher helps him to his feet, but Jase bends over his knees, still trying to catch his breath.
“Let him go, Fisher. He's our problem now.” Wilder steps between me and him, cracking his knuckles.
“I'll take care of it,” Fisher tells my brothers, then pats Jase's shoulder. “C'mon, I'll drive you home.”
“Get off me.” Jase shakes off Fisher, and I see the hurt in his eyes as soon as he does.
“You wanna fight with the big boys, huh?” Wilder taunts, rolling up his sleeves.
“Wilder, knock it off!” I step around him to face Jase. “Walk away. Before you give my brothers a reason to hit you. Now.”
Instead of heeding my warning, he slams me back into Wilder, making me bounce off his chest.
“You're fuckin' dead!” Landen takes the first swing, sending Jase to the ground.
“No, stop it!” I shout, but it's too late.