10. Zoey #2
Guilt. The realization was a bitter pill, and I swallowed it down with difficulty. How had I not seen what Noah had? Was it purely a shifter thing? Or had Roland been shielding me from his pain?
I hoped Noah’s boxing training could help Ro get control of his emotions and that he’d help him with his first shift. Because if Noah was right, Sam and Heather wouldn’t be able to help, no matter how much they wanted to. And I didn’t want my son in any more pain.
“Come on, kiddo, you’re supposed to be sleeping,” I said, leading him back to his bedroom, where I tucked him into bed.
I brushed his dark hair away from his face and planted a noisy kiss on his forehead. “Sleep.”
He yawned loudly. “Okay. Can Auntie Heather come tomorrow?”
“We’ll see,” I said, leaving the small night light on, casting a soft glow throughout the room. “Good night, Ro. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mommy,” he mumbled.
I walked through to my own bedroom and changed for bed. I didn’t think I’d sleep with everything still so close to the surface, but when I opened my eyes, I was surprised to discover I’d slept through the night.
Ro was up and dressed without any fuss, eagerly awaiting his next boxing lesson.By the time breakfast was finished and I’d washed the dishes, I discovered we had forty minutes to get to the gym—much to Ro’s delight.
“Are you coming, Auntie Heather? You’ve got to come and see me box. Please?”
“Yup,” Heather said, smiling. “I sure am. Let’s get your gym clothes ready.”
“Can I wear the shorts and T-shirt Noah gave me?”
They went up to his bedroom, their voices gradually fading into whispers. It gave me a few minutes alone to prepare myself to see Noah again.
I didn’t quite understand the attraction I felt towards Noah. After everything I’d been through, I hadn’t thought I’d ever have feelings for another man, but when Noah had touched my hand in his office, there’d been a spark. A warmth I hadn’t felt in too long.
But I couldn’t think of such things now. Luckily, I had become accustomed to wearing a mask in front of George, which allowed me to hide my reactions from observant shifters.
It was, however, something else to ask the therapist about. I made a note on my phone to get Heather’s recommendations and schedule an appointment.
When we entered Vitality Athletics, the sounds of clanging weights and thumping music surrounded us as we made our way through the maze of equipment. When Ro spotted Noah, he charged towards him without hesitation, yesterday’s timidity forgotten.
I gazed around the gym, toying nervously with the hem of my shirt, then stopped as if my fingers had been burned. It was a nervous habit I hated and was trying to break.
“You never told me Noah was famous,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.
Heather laughed. “Ah, Noah’s little stint in the spotlight?” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “I didn’t think it mattered much. Fame’s fleeting, especially in the boxing world.”
“Little? I’m not so sure I’d call it a little stint, Heather. He won a lot of titles. It’s... unexpected.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “And how would you know how many titles he’s won?”
My cheeks heated and threatened to turn a rosy shade, but I tamped it down and smiled blandly.
“He told me to Google him so he could prove to me he was a suitable guide for Ro after he caught him using his alpha energy.” I wasn’t going to tell her about the hours since, reading up on his accomplishments and even watching some of his matches on YouTube.
“It doesn’t really matter, Zoey,” Heather said. “To people here in Boldercrest, he’s just Noah, our soon-to-be alpha. That means more to the shifters than any shoelace, or ribbon, or whatever they win at a boxing match.”
“Belt, Heather,” I corrected. “They win a belt and a title.”
When I saw her smug grin, I could almost see the victory dance she was doing in her head. She’d played me.
We approached the ring, where Noah was helping Ro into a pair of boxing gloves and fastening headgear on his head. Concern shot through me. No punching bag today.
“Hey,” Noah said when he saw me. He must have noticed the worry on my face because he nodded reassuringly. “He’ll be fine.”
My heartbeat slowed ever so slightly, but the tight knot in my stomach wouldn’t budge. Noah turned back to Ro, and I watched on anxiously.
“Step in, Ky.”
Kyler, all easy charm and athletic grace, climbed into the ring with a fluidity that spoke of years of experience.
“All right, Ro, let’s start with the basics,” Noah said as he slipped the padded mitts onto Kyler’s waiting hands. “These are called hook and jab pads. While Ky is wearing them, it is safe to box him, but only when he is wearing them.”
I leaned against the ropes, watching Ro bounce on the balls of his feet, his small fists raised. Noah demonstrated each punch, his muscles flexing under his T-shirt. “Now, I want you to try,” Noah said. “Jab, jab, cross. Nice and easy.”
I tried to focus on Ro’s form, but my gaze kept sliding back to Noah. The way his biceps coiled and released with each movement was hypnotic.
“Keep your guard up, kiddo,” Noah reminded Ro, throwing a quick glance in my direction. Heat rose to my cheeks. I tore my gaze away, attempting to mask my reaction by studying the scuff marks on the mat.
“Like this?” Ro’s tentative tone pulled my attention, and I watched him mimic Noah’s combo, his gloves thudding against Kyler’s mitts.
“Exactly like that,” Noah praised, and the obvious pride in his chest made something warm unfurl in my chest. I smiled, despite myself.
Noah adjusted Ro’s stance, and again, those muscles shifted. It was ridiculous how much effort it took not to stare.
I shook my head to regain my focus. This was about Ro, not whatever ridiculous attraction I thought I had to Noah. But even as I chided myself, I had no choice but to acknowledge the truth. It would take a great deal of willpower to turn a blind eye to Noah Alexander.
“Zoey, if you drool any more, we’re going to need a mop,” Heather teased from beside me.
I shoved her arm playfully even as I blushed. “Shut up,” I said, unsuccessfully hiding the small laugh that slipped out. God, had laughing always felt this good? I couldn’t remember.
In the ring, Ro took to the basic combos like a fish to water.
His tiny fists pummeled the mitts with surprising accuracy.
The mom in me wanted to believe he excelled at everything he tried, but I didn’t know a thing about boxing.
I glanced at Noah and Ky, and their impressed expressions told me I had it right. Ro had a talent for boxing.
Noah approached my sister and me after bumping gloves with a beaming Ro. “He’s a natural,” Noah said with a grin. “He picks things up quick and has great hand-eye coordination.”
“Really?” I wavered between surprise and delight, my guard momentarily slipping.
“Yeah, he’s impressive,” he said. His gaze lingered, assessing me. “Got some questions about him, though. You free for dinner?”
“Dinner?” I echoed, biting the inside of my cheek. “Can’t we just talk in your office?” I glanced at Heather for some kind of support.
Heather slapped her forehead softly. “Zoey,” she groaned, her exasperation filling the space between us.
Noah simply smiled, a subtle air of intrigue emanating from him. “It might take some time, and I have other clients this afternoon.”
“Maybe I can come back another time, then.”
“Nonsense,” Heather cut in. “I’ll watch Ro tonight. You go meet Noah for dinner.”
My gaze shifted between Heather and Noah, who now sported something that was almost a smirk. It tugged at the cautious walls I’d built around myself.
“Okay,” he said, those piercing eyes meeting mine. “I can pick you up, or we can meet there. Whatever makes you comfortable.”
“Meeting there works,” I managed. To my surprise, I didn’t feel cornered, although that was exactly what had happened.
“Great,” he said, scribbling down an address on a scrap of paper before handing it over. “Seven o’clock work for you?”
“Seven is fine,” I muttered, pocketing the paper like it was a grenade about to go off.
“I’ll see you later,” Noah said, then strolled back to the ring where Ro was waiting. He and Ro fist-bumped again. My heart did a little skip. Not from fear, but from something else entirely. Something I couldn’t quite place.
I watched Noah’s retreating back as he made his way to another client. The gym buzzed with the sounds of grunts and thuds, but they seemed distant, like background noise on a TV left on in another room.
I fingered the scrap of paper in my pocket as his words replayed in my mind. Seven o’clock work for you? My stomach dipped in a not-entirely unpleasant manner.
“Mom, did you see that?” Ro snapped me out of my trance, his face flushed with excitement. He reenacted a punch. “Pow, pow.”
“You were great, honey,” I said.
“Thanks!” He beamed, and I reminded him about the rules—no boxing without the mitts in front of him—as a particularly enthusiastic swing nearly hit a large man working on a weight bench.
Noah glanced over once more, offering a nod of approval to Ro before shooting me a look.
Was it expectation? Anticipation? I couldn’t tell.
But the small smirk was gone, replaced by something softer, more genuine.
It threw me off balance, and suddenly, the piece of paper in my pocket felt like a promise.
“Zoey, what’s up?” Heather nudged me, her eyebrows raised in silent inquiry.
“Nothing,” I said too quickly. “Just... thinking.”
“About dinner?” she teased, and I could feel my cheeks flaming. Traitorous body.
I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Maybe.”
“Looks like someone’s got a date. Zoey and Noah sitting in a tree,” Heather sang with a teasing laugh.
“I don’t know about that,” I said, but even to my ears, it sounded like wishful denial. “It’s just to discuss Ro.”
“Come on.” Heather looped her arm through mine. “Let’s get Ro cleaned up, then you can get ready for your date.”
“It’s not a date,” I hissed, trying to convince myself more than her.
“Sure,” Heather said with a wink.
As we walked away, I stole one last glance at Noah. Uncertainty swirled inside me, mixing with a hint of something new. Something frighteningly like anticipation.
Oh, boy…