10. Georgia
Chapter ten
Georgia
I walk down the hall, forcing slow, even breaths, but the ache in my chest tightens with every step. Noah’s words this morning barely left a scratch, but Jackson’s? They cut straight to the bone. What the hell had I expected? That after I sucked him off like a champ, he’d pull me into his arms and claim me? Yeah, right. Life doesn’t work that way, dumbass.
I have no one to blame but myself. What kind of person flirts with their ex’s dad? Sure, Noah’s an asshole, but even he doesn’t deserve this level of betrayal. He’s hurt. Of course, he’s hurt. Our breakup wasn’t his choice. He would’ve kept going, pretending everything was fine, blind to our problems. That’s what he does. It’s how he handles anything he doesn’t want to face.
Now, he had to face it. This time, he told me to leave.
And I should .
This arrangement is toxic—for him, for me, and I’ve dragged his father into the mess, too.
But God, being on my knees for him was exhilarating. The way my eyes burned when he gagged me. The soreness in my jaw from how wide I had to open for him and how deep he fucked my mouth. And when he came down my throat… I’ve never experienced anything like it. I’d never let Noah do that. The thought had always been a turn-off. But his cum coating my tongue and seeping down the back of my throat had me at the edge of my own orgasm.
So indecent, yet I couldn’t remember being more turned on.
I pull out my phone and type in the website for the university student center. Maybe someone is desperate for a last-minute roommate. A job at the student center wouldn’t be the worst—
“Hey, Georgia. In here.” I stop at the sound of my name, realizing I passed the salesroom.
A guy in ill-fitting khakis, a wrinkled button-up, and black-rimmed glasses strides toward me, hand extended. “Hey. You’re Noah’s girlfriend, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Jacob. I’ll be training you.”
His assumption makes my stomach tighten, but I keep my expression neutral.
Over his shoulder, I catch Noah’s gaze. He’s watching, waiting for my reaction. I push a smile onto my lips, ignoring the weight of Noah’s stare, and shake Jacob’s hand.
“Georgia. Nice to meet you.” I keep my tone even, careful not to betray anything.
Satisfied I haven’t corrected Jacob’s assumption, Noah shifts his attention back to the woman beside him, dismissing me without a second thought.
“If you’re ready, we can get started,” Jacob says, drawing my focus back.
I muster another smile and nod. “Yeah, of course.”
Following him to a row of computers, I take in the tight workspace. He gestures to an open seat. “This is us. Sorry, it’s a little snug in here. Did you need anything to drink before we dive in?”
“No, I’m good, but thanks.”
“Alrighty then. Let’s see what you got.”
Who knows how many hours passed before Jacob finally shut up and suggested lunch. “Normally, the team just grabs food from the cafeteria. You cool with that?” he asks. Noah walks up with the sales analyst training him. “Great timing. You guys ready?”
The last thing I want to do is go to the cafeteria—especially with Noah. But with no real way out, I plaster on a cheeky smile and nod. “Sounds great.”
Jacob and Katie, Noah’s training specialist, walk ahead, caught up in their own conversation. I trail behind, completely exposed to Noah’s inevitable approach.
His presence is immediate, his voice low as he steps beside me. “How’s it going over there?”
I don’t answer.
He exhales, running a hand through his hair. “Look… about this morning. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.”
“You always mean what you say, Noah.”
“Well, yeah, I’m pissed. You fucking blindsided me. How the hell do you think I’m supposed to react?”
“I don’t know, not go out and get laid just to throw it in my face?”
“What, are you jealous?”
I scoff at his ridiculous notion that I give a shit. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
“I told you, I’m sorry. I don’t wanna do this with you. What I said this morning was wrong. I don’t want you to leave.”
I stop, spinning to face him. “But you don’t want me to be here either.”
He throws his hands up. “What do you want me to say? You fucking broke up with me, George.”
“Here we are,” Jacob interjects. “Grab a tray. The food’s not bad. We’ll meet you two at the back table to the left, cool?” I nod and grab a tray, then move through the line quickly so Noah doesn’t have a chance to finish our conversation. I pile some salad and croutons on a plate, grab a packet of ranch, and head to the checkout.
“You can’t ignore me, George.”
“I’m not ignoring you. I’m choosing not to fight with you.”
“I don’t want to fight. I hate this shit.”
“Yeah, says the hickey on your neck.” I’m going to hell. I sucked his father off in his shower, and I’m making a thing out of his tramp-stamp. I’m not jealous. Knowing Noah had sex with someone last night doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is he doesn’t know how to control his emotions. There will be another girl in my place, and I have no doubt that relationship will end the same way ours did if he doesn’t get himself together.
As soon as we sit at the table, the questions start.
“How’d you two meet?” Katie asks.
Noah and I stare at each other. I open my mouth, but he speaks first. “College.”
“Cute.” Katie grins, and Jacob jumps in, “How long have you been together?”
I shift uncomfortably in my chair. “Um…”
“Ten months,” Noah answers smoothly, flashing me a smile. “Ten crazy months, right, George?”
I fake a smile. “Yeah.” I shove a forkful of salad into my mouth, hoping it will keep any more questions at bay.
My phone vibrates on the table, and relief floods through me—an easy excuse to step away. But when I glance at the screen, my stomach tightens.
Mom.
My lips press into a thin line. So much for an easy escape.
“You going to finally talk to her?” Noah asks, startling me. I hadn’t realized he was so close, spying over my shoulder.
My eyes lift to meet his. “Huh? Um… no.” I swipe to decline.
“Babe, maybe you should just talk to her—”
“And maybe you shouldn’t involve yourself in my business…” My words taper off as what I said dawns on me. Kate and Jacob pause in their conversation, both staring at us. Fuck. “Sorry. I…” I manage a strained smile. “Parents. Always so naggy.” I grab my tray and stand. “I’m going to the bathroom. Meet you all back upstairs?”
Noah nods, clearly unhappy I’m leaving, but he doesn’t say anything.
I weave through the cafeteria and head straight for the nearest bathroom, locking myself in a stall. My phone buzzes again.
Mom.
I haven’t spoken to her in months, and even then, it was brief—just long enough for her to tell me Lettie had gotten hurt at school. She hadn’t called to check on me, hadn’t cared about the silence between us. And now, all of a sudden, she wants to talk?
I stare at the screen, my grip tightening. I already know what she’ll say—more lies, more excuses. Reasons why she let a man who wasn’t our father rip our lives apart. I was done listening to them.
He loves us. He has good intentions. It wasn’t on purpose.
Bullshit.
Instead of mourning her husband, she opened the door and let a monster in. No mother who truly loved her children would do that.
I shake my head, declining the call, then shove my phone into my pocket and head back to work.
For the third night in a row, I succumb to the same dream. Hands, tongue, filthy words—I’m brought to a level of euphoria that steals my breath. I gasp and shoot up in bed as an arm snakes over my belly.
“Chill…” A voice resounds from my left, and I tense.
“What the hell, Noah? What are you doing in here?”
“Sleeping, George.”
“You can’t be in here.” I attempt to move his arm off me, but he holds me tighter.
“I just need to sleep. I’m not trying anything. Please. Let me sleep.” He sounds so tired. Almost defeated. My shoulders deflate, and I nod.
“Fine. But this is the last time.”
I lay on my side, resting my head on my pillow, and close my eyes, my dream still heavy on my mind. After what feels like forever, I finally find sleep.
The blaring of my alarm wakes me. I reach over to shut it off and twist onto my back, sighing in annoyance. I attempt to maneuver Noah’s arm off me, but he doesn’t budge. “Noah, get up.” I shake him. “Noah—”
“I’m getting up. Jesus.” He stretches and sits up.
“You can’t keep coming in here.”
“Whatever.” He climbs out of my bed and walks out. A beat later, Jackson walks past my door. He gazes into the room, making eye contact, but doesn’t stop.
Great.
I fall back onto the bed. What are you doing, Georgia? I wish I had an answer to that. My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I grab it, seeing a text from my mom.
Mom: Hi, honey. I was hoping we could talk. Lettie told me you’re spending the summer with your boyfriend. I hope it was okay she shared that. I wish you would come home so we could talk. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you’re doing well. I love you. Please call me.
If she believes that, we have an even bigger problem. I swipe the message, delete it, and get ready for work.
I’m going to ask Jackson for a ride to work. Hopefully, Noah has already left. It would save me the trouble of dealing with the backlash, but I need to talk to Jackson. The past few days have been killing me, this feeling of being in limbo with him. Pursuing anything with him is crazy. Plus, he made his intentions clear on that matter. But I can’t seem to let it go. Why did he let it happen? He could’ve risked his relationship with his son, all for a one-time thing. Did he enjoy it? Would he let it happen again?
I head to the kitchen. Noah’s leaning against the island, drinking a cup of coffee. No sign of Jackson.
“Sorry to disappoint, but you’re stuck riding with me today,” he says, not lifting his eyes from his phone.
Masking my disappointment, I walk over and fill my mug with coffee. “Why would I be disappointed?”
“I know you probably wanted to ride with my dad.”
I narrow my gaze. “Yeah, because he wouldn’t leave me stranded.”
He has no rebuttal. He knows he’s in the wrong. “Whatever. We gotta go.” Knowing he wouldn’t hesitate to leave me behind, I pour my coffee into a travel mug and follow him to his car.
We step into the office, where Rachel greets us with a polite smile as she informs us that we’ll both be in the sales center again today.
I nod, barely processing her words.
Jackson is avoiding me.
Realization settles heavily in my chest. I should’ve seen the writing on the wall sooner.
This was inevitable.
I keep my expression neutral, swallowing the disappointment clawing at my throat. Message received. And I refuse to sit around waiting for the next blow.
At lunch, I’ll make a call—one I should have made days ago. I saw a post about someone looking for a roommate, and that sounds like the only real escape. I need out. Of this house. Of this situation. Away from him.
“Hello. Earth to Georgia.”
I blink, meeting Noah’s gaze. “What?”
“What do you mean? Did you hear anything I just said?”
Shit. “Sorry. I was—”
“What’s up with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Is it your mom? Did you ever talk to—”
I come to an abrupt stop, spinning to face him. “Honestly, Noah, we’re not doing this,” I snap, my patience hanging on by a thread.
His eyes narrow and whatever concern he had instantly replaced with irritation. “Seriously, George, what the fuck is your problem?” He throws his hands up. “You bitch that I’m an asshole, then bitch when I try not to be an asshole. I’m starting to think you were the problem in this relationship.”
His words hit like a slap, but I refuse to flinch.
Shaking his head, he scoffs and storms ahead into the salesroom, leaving me standing there, fists clenched and heart pounding.
I don’t immediately follow him, his words knocking me off my axis a bit. I’m not the problem, am I? No, I won’t let him turn this around on me. We’re both fucked up, that’s apparent. At least I can admit it. Face my demons. He runs from his. Denial is a bitch. One day, he’ll realize that.
The day unfolds much like yesterday—training, followed by lunch where Noah plays pretend, acting as if nothing is messed up, as if we’re just another happy, normal couple. I let him have his illusion, swallowing my frustration.
When five o’clock rolls around, I’m surprised to find him actually waiting for me.
The ride home is silent, tension thick in the air. I keep my gaze fixed on the window, watching the blur of the city as my thoughts scatter.
Maybe a swim in their pool will help. Something to clear my head, to settle the storm brewing inside me. Anything to make me think straight.
“Fuck.”
“What?” I pull my attention from the window as Noah tosses his phone back into the cupholder of his car.
“My fucking dad. He wants us to meet him for dinner.” He starts typing off a message.
“What are you saying?”
“Telling him no—”
“Why is it such a bad thing?”
Noah twists his head, narrowing his eyes at me. “Because it’s a joke. He’s an asshole and doesn’t deserve these father/son sit-downs. They’re just a ploy.”
“Have you ever thought maybe he wants to make amends with you?”
He pins me with a scowl. “You giving me life advice, George? Thought we weren’t allowed to go there—or are the rules different when it comes to you?”
He’s got me there. I drop the subject and stare out the window again. When I can’t take the uncomfortable silence, I ask, “Why does everything have to be a fight between us?”
Noah lets out a long sigh. “I’m sorry. I have a lot of shit going on with my dad. And it’s not that easy. I’m sure you can say the same with your mom.”
I look back to Noah. “I don’t wanna spend the whole summer fighting with you. You’re right. I’m going to go back to school. Work something out there—”
“No. You’re not fucking doing that.”
“But I can’t stay here either,” I admit.
“George, I don’t want you to go. I get it. We’re done. I mean, I don’t. And I’m having a hard time accepting it, but I don’t want you to leave. I’ll back off. Give you space.”
I want to believe him—that he can separate our messy past from the situation we’re in now. That we can exist in the same space without tearing each other apart.
But I also know I need to take a step back. Stop pointing fingers like I’m some innocent bystander in all this. I’m not.
Guilt coils tight in my chest, burning like acid. How could I have done what I did with his dad? The weight of it presses down on me, suffocating. It’s beyond wrong. And worse? The way I can’t stop thinking about it. The way my mind twists it into something I crave rather than something I regret.
It’s fucked up. All of it.
And if Noah ever found out… it would destroy him. He would hate me.
But what haunts me more is what it would do to them —to their already fragile and fractured relationship. If I shattered what little was left between them… could I live with that?
“George, I mean it. Please…”
Noah mistakes my guilt for uncertainty. “No, I believe you. And I’m sorry, too. You’re right. I’m no less fucked up than you are. I guess that’s why we worked so well.”
He reaches over and grabs my hand. “We can still work.”
No, we can’t. Not after what I’ve done. “Noah…”
He lets go and takes his hand back, shutting off the car. “I know. How about we settle for friends?”
I offer him a gentle smile. “Friends.”
“Fuck buddies?”
“Noah—”
“Kidding. I’m gonna miss it, though. You’re a really great fuck.”
“Noah!” I slap his shoulder.
He laughs. “What? It’s true. Bedtime has always been my favorite. Even just sleeping. You have this way about you that gets me to sleep.”
The air in the car thickens, tension replacing the easy rhythm of conversation.
I study him, waiting, expecting him to say more. Is this why he’s been crawling into bed with me? Why, for most of our relationship, we were never apart at night?
The realization coils in my chest, questions pressing against my tongue. I open my mouth to ask, but then I see it—the moment Noah shuts down. His jaw tenses, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. His gaze flicks away, his body shifting slightly like he’s trying to retreat without actually moving.
Whatever he just let slip, he regrets it. He’s exposed something he never meant to, and now, he’s pulling the walls back up.
“Noah—”
“Well, since no sex, I guess we should go in.” He shoots me a goofy smile and gets out, rounding the car as I climb out. “You know, a lot of friends still do things.”
“Not this friendship.”
“Nothing? Not even a little…” He makes a circle with his hand and mimes giving a blow job.
Fire burns my face, the tips of my ears getting hot. Me on the shower floor... water dripping over my face and body as his dad slams his cock into the back of my throat…
“Wait—you’re blushing. Is there a chance?”
“I’m not blushing.” Shit.
“Never say never.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder and walks us to the restaurant. “Let’s go. All this talk about being platonic and friends is making me hungry.”
What have I gotten myself into?