Chapter 23
NOAH
It was harder than I realized to say goodbye to my new best friend. We’d only known each other a short period of time, but already I wanted to keep her forever.
“One more cuddle, then I really do have to leave, okay?” I murmured to the pretty kitty, cradling her in my arms and nuzzling her soft fur with my face. “You’re such a cutie, Miss Bubbles.”
“Okay, Noah, hand over the cat,” Jared laughed, already waiting by the door with his briefcase in hand. “You were supposed to be at Hot Falcon half an hour ago.”
“Oh gosh, is that the time?” The elderly owner of Boba--Kitty checked her vintage Chanel watch and gasped.
“I’m so sorry for keeping you, but I am thrilled that you’re on board for our new campaign, Noah.
The girls in our Laguna Beach store are always telling me how kind and polite you are, and that’s exactly the type of personality we want representing us on the global launch. ”
Her flattery warmed my insides, and I smiled wide as I handed her cat back. Miss Bubbles was a stray that Vivienne had rescued off the street behind her apartment building some months past. She was now living her absolute best life in the penthouse.
“I’m honored that you asked me,” I replied with sincerity.
Jared exchanged pleasantries with Vivienne, and we headed out to her private elevators while I attempted to brush cat fur off my black Hot Falcon T--shirt.
I was supposed to be at a meeting with my energy drink sponsor, but this had been the only time Vivienne could meet, and I’d been curious enough to risk the overlap.
Okay, if I was honest, I was not mad about being late to Hot Falcon because I knew Xavier had been called in for a meeting at the same time, seeing as he was also sponsored by them. My gut said it wasn’t a coincidence.
“So you’re sure I’m free to take this deal?” I asked Jared as we rode the elevator down to the street. “Olympus Corp isn’t sticking their greedy fingers into the pie?”
“Kelly will triple--check all the legal clauses, but I spoke with Olympus legal department myself and they confirmed that Sonny has rescinded his claim over new brand deals. You’re free to sign any deals you want without their involvement.
” Jared seemed optimistic, so I let myself get excited.
This deal was fun. And I wanted more fun in my day.
Everything else felt so heavy right now.
I gave up on brushing away the cat fur because it appeared Miss Bubbles was determined to leave her mark on my shirt. “Okay, well, if Kelly says it’s good, let’s sign the deal. I feel good about this one.”
“Me too, kid. Hey, I need to run to pick up Isla. Are you sure you don’t need me with you for Hot Falcon? We can just reschedule them if you’d rather I come with you, or I can see if Kelly’s mom can watch Isla for—-”
“No, God, I’m fine. They’re usually pretty chill over there.
They probably just want to discuss more branded content on my channel.
I haven’t uploaded any new Bytes for way too long, so I imagine that’ll be what it’s about.
” Which was a little uncomfortable because technically I was in breach of our agreement of two ad Bytes per month, but like I’d said, they were usually chill about it.
Jared frowned, but I knew he was worried about Isla. She had a fever, and Kelly was supposed to be back at work already, so they were juggling schedules like crazy. “Okay, yeah. Well, if it’s anything else, just call me and I’ll yell at them over the phone.”
I grinned, nodding. “Done.” I nodded to the casually dressed six--foot--six bodyguard who’d been waiting outside the apartment building. “Besides, I have George to walk me there, so I won’t be alone.”
George exchanged a fist bump with me and tipped his head to Jared.
“She’s in good hands, boss.” He shot Jared a wink and gestured for me to walk with him down the street.
Hot Falcon headquarters were only a few blocks away from where we’d met with Vivienne, so we were walking it. Or power walking, as it may be.
My bodyguard, George, was one of mine, not Olympus or ClikByte or even brand associated.
He was someone Jared knew from college, but I’d have put money on the fact that he’d worked in some shady industries since then.
He had that sort of vibe, like he could kill a man with his pinky finger, which was exactly what I needed to feel safe since the Percy Donavon attack.
We didn’t chitchat as we speed walked across the busy city, which was good seeing as I needed to take about three steps for every one of his and quickly grew a little out of breath.
Still, he delivered me safely to the Hot Falcon building just five minutes later and promised to wait in the lobby while I headed up to my meeting, albeit a little tardy.
My palms were sweating as I rode the elevator up and approached the front reception, realizing this was the first time I’d actually met the PR team in person.
Because my NoFear platform had been entirely anonymous, my real identity so guarded, everything had gone through Jared.
Even my contracts were completed through my LLC and not my legal name.
I cleared my throat awkwardly as I stood in front of the receptionist. “Hi, I’m here to meet with—-”
The woman’s gaze flicked up from her computer and her brows rose.
“You’re NoFear. It’s so nice to meet you.
Uh, everyone is in the boardroom, but you’re a little late, I think?
I’ll show you the way.” She got up and came around the desk, offering me her hand to shake.
Even in high heels, she was shorter than me, and I bit back a smirk, thinking what Xavier would say about her height.
Fucking judgmental, Godzilla--sized asshole.
I gave her my best manly handshake and followed her down a corridor to a glass--paneled room where several suited men and one sharply dressed woman stood chatting like they had just finished a meeting. Whoops.
“Sir, I have Noah here,” the receptionist announced after opening the door. She gestured for me to enter, and I gritted my teeth when I locked eyes with Xavier.
“Nice of you to join us, Little Dude,” he drawled as I moved farther into the room and the door closed behind me. Suddenly I regretted telling Jared I didn’t need him here.
“I wasn’t aware I was joining you, Godzilla, or I’d have made you wait longer.” The smart remark escaped my mouth before I could reel it back in, then I immediately winced when I remembered we had an audience and it was literally the people who paid us both.
“Noah, it’s fantastic to finally meet you in the flesh,” the only woman in the room smoothly interrupted before Xavier and I could make it any more uncomfortable. “I feel like we already know each other.”
“Elise?” I asked, taking a guess at the only female PR executive I’d spoken to over email. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” I shook her hand, keeping it strong and manly, then cast a suspicious look Xavier’s way. “Uh…sorry I was late. What did I miss?”
“Only the entire meeting,” Xavier replied with an eye roll.
“Don’t worry, Little Dude. I handled it.
I’ll fill you in on the way home.” He stood up and quickly shook hands with all the suits, offering thanks and polite goodbyes while I stood there like a lemon, trying to work out what the hell he handled and how bad this was going to turn out for me.
Somehow, I didn’t protest as the execs left the boardroom and Xavier guided me back to the elevator like I was his codependent girlfriend there to pick him up from work.
“What the hell have you signed me up for, Xavier?”
“I’m sure what you mean to say is thank you, Xavier.
” He stabbed the ground--floor button and turned to me with his arms folded over his broad chest. He was also wearing Hot Falcon merch so we were sickeningly matchy--matchy right now, and it irritated me.
“They were not happy about your lack of content lately, but I fixed it for you. You’re welcome. ”
I scowled up at him, hating that I needed to tilt my head back so much. “What did you do?”
“They want us to collaborate on a new campaign and launch a new flavor of Hot Falcon. It’s one photo shoot and a couple of press appearances. No big deal.” He shrugged one muscular shoulder, and it drew my attention way too easily, my eyes following the line of his tattoo before I caught myself.
That didn’t sound so bad, in fairness. I mean, I would have declined if I’d been at the meeting on time, but given how late I was, I couldn’t really do much without coming off as difficult and considering how much Hot Falcon paid me… Yeah, I could suck it up to keep my sponsorship.
“Okay, fine. What’s the new flavor?” Not that it mattered; it was whatever in the grand scheme of things, and none of them were my preferred drink of choice.
Xavier flashed me a smug grin. “Ah, well, if you’d been there on time you could have had a say on that, but since you had more important things to do, I chose a flavor I thought you’d really love.”
I groaned with dread. “What did you do, Godzilla?”
He chuckled to himself, shaking his head, then sneezed. And sneezed again. “Is there a cat in here?” He peered around like he expected a feline to be lurking in the corner.
I peered down at my furry T--shirt, then shrugged. “Are you allergic or something?”
“Yes. Very. What the fuck were you doing this morning, anyway?”
“Clearly plotting to murder you in the most creative way imaginable,” I muttered, brushing a little more fur off my shirt.
Xavier sneezed again as the elevator reached the ground floor, and we stepped out into the lobby. George appeared from behind a potted plant or some shit, flicking a wary look Xavier’s way.
“You ready to go, Noah?” my bodyguard asked, still eyeing Xavier like he might bite.
Valid. Xavier gave feral dog vibes.
“I’ll drop him home,” Xavier replied with an equally distrustful look at my paid security. “Who are you, anyway?”
A frustrated sigh escaped me, and I gave George a tight smile. “I’m good. Xavier can drive me home. He needs to explain what I missed in this meeting, anyway. Thanks for today, George.”
He gave a short, professional nod. “Anytime, Noah. I’ll wait to hear from Jared for your schedule.”
Once he’d gone, Xavier swung around to squint at me. “Who the fuck was that guy?”
“Private security,” I snapped back. “You might be shocked to hear I don’t actually feel safe being out in public much these days, especially when I’m attending meetings at known sponsor brands where any crazy fuck might find me. Weird, right?”
His brow dipped in a deep furrow, but to my surprise he didn’t comment on that fact, instead pushing through the revolving door and out to the street, leaving me to scurry along behind him.
“Wait, Xavier,” I called after him, “what flavor are we fucking promoting together?” Because I had a really bad feeling.
He turned to glance at me again but didn’t slow his pace as he strode down the sidewalk like he owned the whole fucking city. “Oh…can’t you guess? It’s juicy peach flavored.”
My stomach dropped out my ass. “What the fuck?” It took all my willpower not to push him in front of a bus, and even then it was only the thought of jail time that stopped me. “Are you fucking joking right now?”
He shook his head. “Nope. And maybe if you’d turned up on time you could have given your opinion, but seeing as you had better shit to do, you’ll just have to put on your happy face and promote Juicy Peach Hot Falcon with me.”
“You’re fucking dreaming, Godzilla!” I exclaimed, staring at him in outrage while also trying to keep up. “I’d rather rip up my whole sponsor deal than promote—-”
My rant cut off with a yelp when Xavier grabbed the collar of my T--shirt and jerked me toward him so violently I sprawled against his chest.
“What the—-!” My question was answered by the long, angry honk of a car horn and the whoosh of air at my back. “Oh.”
“Oh?” Xavier repeated, manhandling me to stand on my own feet safely on the sidewalk with him, rather than on the road, which boldly displayed a flashing red Do Not Cross sign. “Pay attention to your surroundings, Little Dude. No wonder you need to pay for a bodyguard.”
“Fuck you!” I snapped, but legitimately that was the best comeback I had, seeing as I had just been two seconds away from becoming a Noah pancake because I was so focused on yelling at Xavier. Prick. Of course it would be his fault that I died.
He let out a long, frustrated sort of sigh. “It’s just a flavor. Don’t read so much into it.” Then he sneezed and glared actual daggers at me. “Seriously, were you at an animal shelter this morning or something?”
I rolled my eyes. “Calm down, Sneezy. You won’t actually breathe radiation flame from a little allergy.”
He glowered, striding across the road when the walk signal turned green, and I hurried to catch up once more.
“Watch it,” he snapped, physically moving me out of the way of an oncoming skateboarder.
“Anyway, Ace said we need to make more effort to seem like we all like each other, so what better way than collaborating on our shared sponsor deal? And it will let you off the hook for new content, so I know what you meant to say was thank you, Xavier.”
He had good points. But the juicy--peach thing was a declaration of war, and he damn well knew it.
“Why are we stopping?” I asked when he halted so abruptly I stumbled into the back of him and needed to steady myself on his leather jacket.
He shot me a long--suffering glare, then unbuckled a helmet from the motorcycle we’d stopped beside.
“Because I don’t want to walk the whole way home.
Weird, huh? Put this on.” He didn’t wait for me to do as I was told, instead just stuffed the damn thing on my head and smoothly buckled it beneath my chin before giving it a smack.
“That’ll do. Come on, Little Dude. It’s a long drive home. ”
No shit. An hour on the back of Xavier Stone’s motorcycle with his scent invading my nose thanks to his helmet on my head? May as well be a year. Talk about psychological warfare…