Chapter 66
HANNAH
I’ve been staring at my phone for the past hour, debating whether to tell Maya if I’m coming back or not. The event is today, and even after my revelation with Mom on Christmas, I still hesitate to go.
Noah’s story comes back to me as I’m staring out my window, watching pedestrians go about their day.
His vulnerability and honesty about what happened to him must have been a lot, and he didn’t have to tell me, but he did.
He trusts me to let me inside his head because he knows the root of his twisties and how everyone he thought loved him hurt him in the end.
Except…me. Noah knew somehow, through the arguments and intimate moments, that I truly believed in him.
But if I don’t go, he won’t perform, and I know Maya says it’s not my fault, but if I don’t return, Noah will continue to hide out in his cabin and ditch the event. He’s the star of the show, the one everyone is dying to see perform in a small town.
I absentmindedly start packing my things, rummaging through my clothes, getting new pairs of underwear, and cuter outfits.
My mind is already made up, I just refuse to acknowledge it because I’ll let myself chicken out. He probably doesn’t care about me now, and honestly, I’m most likely the only one madly in love, but if I can get him to listen and perform, then at least it won’t be all for nothing.
The clock on my phone reads 9:45 as I pay the cab driver, throw my duffel bag over my shoulder, and quickly exit the vehicle.
Snowy Peak is a winter wonderland of colorful wreaths and Christmas decorations.
Staff are already ushering in people through ticket lines, clasping colorful bracelets around their wrists.
Traffic delayed my arrival, but thankfully, the event doesn’t start until 10:30.
My cabin remains untouched—clothes in disarray, some hanging off of furniture. My camera lies in the middle of my bed, and I grab it to check my storage card. Out of habit, I double-check my gallery—and freeze when my own body fills the screen.
Noah’s large hand cups my breast, my love handles, even my chin, forcing me to look directly at the camera. All my nerve endings tingle. My stomach flips; my ears are pulsating from how hard my heart pounds.
“Promise me if you ever doubt yourself, you’ll look at them, okay?”
He knew, he sees right through my messed-up mind, that I’ve been doubting myself, even having sex with him, and wanted to reassure me I am worth it. Regardless of who came after him, I’m not only worth it to someone but to myself.
I am worth it, even before him, and Liam, I am.
Through all the haze and roadblocks, I’m always worth something, even to myself.
I hope I have enough time to remind Noah as well.
Checking the clock, I have exactly fifteen minutes before the boys go set up at the halfpipe and hopefully convince Noah to perform.
Changing out of my dark green coat for my signature pink and blue winter hat, I dash out the door, almost knocking over a couple and their child.
“I’m sorry!” I yell behind me, racing through the cluster of cabins until I spot cabin twenty-four. Taking the steps two at a time, I trip on the last step, almost landing face-first, but I gracefully catch myself.
“Noah!” I knock aggressively, hoping my annoying knocking gets his ass moving. “Open up!”
“He’s not in there.”
I whip around to see Cassy, arms crossed, a permanent scowl on her face. “Excuse me?” Out of all the people, it’s her that gives me an update on his whereabouts.
“I said, he’s not in there. He’s already up at the halfpipe. Maybe if you paid attention, you would know that. Or did he already dump you?” Cassy flips her hair and leaves, heading in the direction of the event, leaving me standing on his front porch, mouth slightly agape.
But I don’t have time to reassess, jumping over the steps and hightailing it straight through the growing crowd of guests.
I’m running, trying to push through; hopefully, I’m not too late. Noah is about to start, and my panic rises when I reach the barrier, catching sight of Henry, waving at him, praying he sees me.
Bodies bump into my back, making me stumble into the barrier, but I won’t give up, I can’t give up. No matter what, I have to see him before he performs.
Jumping like a mad woman and waving my hands around like I’m trying to direct a freaking plane, Henry finally sees my frantic moves and comes rushing over. “Move, let her through!”
But it’s no use, people are trying their hardest to get as close to the barrier as possible to get a great view, some shouting back at me to fuck off. Last time I checked, this is a family resort, but they can’t control the hungry fan club.
“Fuck this,” mutters Henry and holds out his arms to me. “Do you trust me?”
I nod and get a grip with my snow boots on the barrier as Henry grabs my waist and hoists me over. People start bitching, mostly young teenage fans, about me bypassing security, but I’m already running up the side, my breathing hard and chest tight from the cold.
“Go, Hannah! Go find him!” Henry yells from behind me.
His encouragement drives my legs to run faster, and I thank my lucky stars I bought those expensive snow boots with better grip so I don’t fall on my ass.
I spot Mark and Cody warming up, Coach Jones talking with Taylor, but there’s no sign of Noah. I hope to God I’m not too late and he’s already at his starting point.
Using whatever breath I have left, I start to shout his name. “Noah! Noah, wait!”
My layers are starting to make me sweat with how hard I'm running, but I persevere, calling out his name again, hoping the wind carries my voice to him. “Noah!”
It’s as if time stops, snow has stopped falling from the sky, and even the crowd below is in hushed tones when Noah pokes his head around Mark and Cody.
Our eyes lock, and he makes no hesitation to toss his snowboard aside, throw his goggles, and slide down to meet me halfway. He grabs my face, eyes scorching through my very being, lips parted, and his breathing just as heavy as mine, for only sprinting a short distance to me.
“Hannah,” he sighs, like his whole world makes sense again.
Time is ticking, and I’m not sure if it’s enough for him to conquer whatever demons plague him, but I hope what I say to him is enough to try. “Noah, you were right. I’ve always believed in you. Since the beginning, when we hated each other, I never doubted you could do it.”
“Hannah—”
“No.” I stop him before he tries to get a word in. “I need to say this. Please.”
He waits, never letting go of my face.
“And you believed in me. You knew from the beginning I was worth it. I am worth it, regardless of what happened in my past; I am always worth it.” Tears are threatening to fall, but I hold them steady and deliver my last line to him.
“Whatever happens, you’ll always make me proud, even when we part ways. I will always be proud of you.”
I take his hands and shove him back, using my eyes to tell him he needs to do this, and I’ll be right here watching till the very end.
Noah hesitates, lingering, watching my face, but only nods and retrieves his stuff, heading to the starting line.
Henry catches up and pulls me aside. “I’m so glad you made it.”
I turn back, watching Noah disappear beyond his teammates. “Let’s hope it’s enough.”