Chapter 6
Six
Andie
“Oh, God! I’m gonna be late again,” I mumble to myself as I step out of the college library and into the snowy night, the chilly air slamming into my face, sending a violent shiver rolling down my body.
Adjusting the scarf around my neck and pulling the beanie down, I rebuke myself for losing track of time while studying. The pressure of exams usually makes me nervous, and I tend to forget everything in an attempt to get ahead of my class.
Ezra always says that I’m the brains to his brawn. On days like today, I’m inclined to believe him. Thinking of him, I call my brother; he was supposed to pick me up, and I can’t see his car in this freezing cold as the fog settles close to the ground.
He picks up after a few rings. “Hey, where are you?” I say without greeting him, my teeth chattering as the cold starts to seep in through my clothes.
“Shit. Sorry, kiddo. It totally slipped my mind to text you that Noah is coming to pick you up. I got slammed with some media training at the last minute. So, I gave him your number, just in case. Sorry again, Andie!” his voice crackles as he profusely apologizes through the speaker.
At the mention of his name, my heart stutters and stomach flips. For some reason, my brother’s best friend does that to me. Not that he has ever done anything that would indicate that he’s anything but a gentleman.
Maybe that’s why I feel butterflies in my stomach. It’s hard to find decent guys in college. Boys my age are all about chasing the next skirt and dating girls who could be the next Victoria’s Secret model.
“Okay, bye, kiddo. Gotta go. Love you,” Ezra’s voice brings me back to the conversation at hand, and he hangs up the phone before I can get a word in.
Pocketing my phone in my jeans, I wait for Noah outside the library. I can’t figure out if I’m excited to see him or nervous. It’s not that I’m shy, but I have seen the types of women he sleeps with.
My eyes widen at my own thoughts. Not that I want to sleep with him. He’s literally seven years older than me and far more experienced than I am.
I’m also quite literally sure that all he sees when he looks at me is his best friend’s baby sister. Maybe even his sister.
Choco cookies in a sundae! I’m spiraling, and I need to stop before I succumb to the urge to do things I shouldn’t.
My head jerks up when I see a jeep pulling in front of me. Thinking that it’s Noah, I take a step only to take many back. A man I don’t know steps out of the car, a small camera in hand.
When he looks at me with a wicked glint in his eyes, my senses go on high alert. I swivel on my feet and attempt to leave. But the man follows me, his reporter voice hitting my ears, “Are you the NHL player, Ezra Moore’s sister?”
When I continue to ignore him and hasten my steps, so does he. “What was he like as a child? Does he have any ghosts he hides in his closet? Has he ever done something he’s not proud of?”
“I’m sorry. You got the wrong person,” I lie, trying to get rid of him, my hold on my tote bag turning punishing.
He gets too close for comfort, and my heart leaps to my throat. I cast a frantic glance around. There’s no one in sight for miles, so no one would listen even if I call out for help.
“No, I got the right person. My sources told me Andie Moore would be here. And you’re the only fat person here.” I’m not surprised by the words that leave his mouth.
Before I can even process his words, a growl rips through the air, startling us both. Out of nowhere, Noah appears behind the sleazy reporter and grabs him by the collar, lifting him so his feet barely touch the ground.
“Cream on a fudge cake! You scared me!” I shriek, but it’s not me that Noah is paying attention to. A sudden surge of safety rushes through me at the sight of him, and my shoulders sag with relief.
“Put me…down. W-What are you doinggg?” The reporter struggles in his hold, his eyes wide in panic.
“If I see you near her or belittling her ever again,” Noah lets his words hang in the air as the reporter braves his glare like a deer caught in headlights. “I’ll fucking rip you to shreds and make you wish you never chose this path for your career.”
When the reporter doesn’t respond, his frame racked with tremors, Noah pulls him closer, their faces inches away. “Do you understand me?” he growls.
The reporter seems to come to it. “Yes, yes. I understand, sir,” he squeals, nodding his head like a clown.
“Apologize,” Noah states.
“I’m so-sorry, sir.”
Noah jerks his head toward me. I really didn’t think he noticed me until now. “To her, you asshole.”
His eyes widen when he realizes his mistake. “Yes, right. I-I’m so so-sorry, ma’am,” he stammers, clutching his camera to his chest, probably cursing the moment he decided to follow me.
Satisfied, Noah shirks him away. “Now, leave.”
The reporter doesn’t have to be told twice. He runs away with his tail between his legs, without a backward glance. Within seconds, his jeep is zooming past us, leaving behind a thin curtain of suspended snow.
Unfisting his hands and sliding them in his hoodie, he turns to me. “You alright?”
His tall frame has me tilting my chin up, releasing my breath, which I didn’t realize I was holding. “Yeah, I guess.”
He opens his mouth to say something, but closes it at the last second. “Wait here, I’ll bring the car around.”
Still reeling from the aftermath of the incident, all I can do is nod.
Noah pulls up close to me and gets out of the car to open the passenger door for me. “You didn’t have to do that,” I say, making my way toward the vehicle.
“Of course, I do,” he mumbles in a low voice, his brows furrowing as he holds out his hand to me.
Surprised, I place my hand in his, and a zap of electricity travels through my body. The stark size difference in our hands would’ve made me giggle if it were any other day. But after the run-in with that reporter, I can’t find it in me to feel a positive emotion.
As I lift myself to get in the car, I catch Noah staring at where we are joined. I wonder what he’s thinking. He pulls back his hand just as quickly, and I instantly miss the heat.
Don’t think that, Andie. He’s your brother’s best friend.
I try to remind myself of it as he jogs his way to the driver’s side. Opening the car door, he smoothly slides inside. We’re soon on the mostly empty road, the car enveloped in utter silence save for the sounds of our breathing.
My head is pressed against the foggy glass of the window, and I feel my heart finally calm down, when Noah’s voice filters into my ears. “Are you alright?”
Turning to him, I catch him glancing at me before focusing back on the road. “I’m fine.”
“How often does this happen?” he asks. I hesitate to answer. It’s not like he can help it. He might even tell Ezra about it, which is the absolute last thing I want.
When I don’t answer, he halts at a red light and twists in his seat to look at me. “How often, Andie?” He repeats, this time his tone holds a command to it, compelling me to answer.
“It’s been happening for years now. Since Ezra joined the NHL and has become one of the youngest captains in the league, it’s gotten worse,” I reveal with a sigh. I shouldn’t, but I feel a bit better after sharing it with someone.
His grip tightens on the steering wheel. “Have you told anybody?”
“Nope.”
His eyes flare at my response, as he grits out, “Not even Ezra?” I shake my head in denial. “Why?” he asks, astonished at my choice.
I shrug, choosing not to explain myself and look outside the car.
“Fuck,” his voice echoes in the silence of the car. When I think he’ll demand an answer, he surprises me by saying, “Are you hungry?”
“What?”
“Are you hungry?” he repeats.
“Won’t you ask me why I told nobody?” I challenge, trying to get a read on his intentions.
This time, it’s Noah who shrugs. “You would’ve told me if you wanted to. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
“Oh, okay,” is all I manage to say, surprised at his logical response. “Yes, I could have a bite,” I say, answering his earlier question, my fingers playing with the strap of my tote bag in my lap.
With a nod, he swerves the car and pulls up in front of a McDonald’s outlet. Feeding me and helping me distract my mind without me having to ask.
I didn’t realize I could feel this safe around the broody goalie.