Chapter 3
Noah
A fter unloading the last box from the moving truck, I thank the guys I hired to move me and close my front door, still chuckling to myself about Paisley’s reaction to us being neighbors. My carefully crafted plan worked perfectly. It’s going to be impossible for the sassy little thing to ignore me now.
For the last six months I’ve been living at The Alexander Hotel while I got my shit sorted out and was able to pack up my place in Jacksonville and finalize the ownership papers on Nanna’s house. And for the entire time, Paisley Whittaker has pretended I don’t exist.
I dump the final box in the master bedroom and pull the curtains aside to get a better look at the view. It’s glorious. My new bedroom looks straight into Paisley’s. Every inch of her powder-blue bedroom is in full view of mine. Her extravagant bed, overflowing with an abundance of pillows and cushions, looks so damn comfortable. When she makes her way to bed at night, I will be right here with her, just a couple of walls in between her beautiful body and mine. A sexy-as-fuck little red dress is discarded on her flawlessly made bed. The outfit she wore to her horror show of a date last night. My fists clench at the thought. That creeper won’t be bothering her again. I made sure of it. Some dudes just can’t take no for an answer, but I would like to think he’s learned his lesson now.
Paisley strolls into her room and flops down on her bed, grabbing a fluffy-looking pillow which she holds over her face, kicking her legs like a four-year-old having a tantrum. A small white cat pounces on the bed then bounds right onto her belly. She collects it up and hugs it to her chest, stroking its silky fur. I could watch her all day. And I just might, at least until she works out I’m doing it.
My doorbell chimes, breaking me from my trance. I push off the wall and head downstairs, swinging open the door to find one of the older locals, Mrs. Rashford, holding a green ceramic casserole dish. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Mr. Harrington. The ladies from tennis won’t believe their eyes when they find out we have a Super Bowl superstar in our midst,” she coos, her sun-damaged skin crinkling like crepe paper as her face lights up with excitement.
I chuckle as I imagine the reaction of her friends. Old ladies did always seem to adore me. “I appreciate your kindness, Mrs. Rashford.” Trying to be courteous, I take the casserole dish from her.
“It’s a family recipe that one, green bean casserole.” She beams with pride.
“I can’t wait to try it.” I give her my best smile back, hoping that’s all.
But she takes my arm, looking way too comfortable for my liking. “Oh, look at those muscles,” she says, having a squeeze.
I lift a skeptical eyebrow, unimpressed by her clear boundary issues. “Did you need something else?”
“Oh yes, dear. Now, I know you grew up in this town, but a lot has changed since you moved away to play football. Let me catch you up to speed. Next door to you on the right is Gladis, her and your nanna were the best of friends before their big feud. Rumor has it Gladis’s late husband had preying eyes for your grandmother.” With a knowing expression, she arches her eyebrow.
My eyes widen as I glance back at her, unable to believe that my own grandmother could be involved in a scandal. But from what Emerson says, you can’t believe everything you hear in this town. “I don’t think I need that kind of information,” I tell her, tugging my arm free.
“On the other side of you, we have the three young girls. Dorothy-Mae, Gisele, and Paisley, but I noticed you met that one already,” she goes on, not bothered that I’m clearly too busy to listen to her chitchat. “She’s a fiery one. You don’t want to get on her bad side. I saw her over here earlier. Was she troubling you, dear? I can have a talk with her if she was. Like to think of myself as the neighborhood watch.” She gives a determined nod. I can only imagine what that entails. Her sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.
While attempting to figure out how to get rid of her, I absentmindedly remove my baseball cap and scratch my head, looking past her over to the girls’ front porch, wondering where she is right now. “I think I can handle Paisley.”
“That’s good, dear. Most can’t. You know, I have seen a lot of men coming from that there townhouse over the last two years.” She points toward the girls’ house, making it blatantly obvious we’re discussing them. “I don’t know what she does to the gentlemen callers who visit, but they never come back more than twice.” She holds her hand up to her mouth as if to whisper a secret. “I hope it’s not something illegal. This is a nice respectable neighborhood, you know. We don’t need her frivolity bringing down the street’s reputation.”
I force a smile, my tolerance growing thin. “Thank you for the casserole and the useful information. I will keep you in mind if I ever need the neighborhood watch,” I say, trying to cut her gossip short. The last thing I need to hear is what Paisley’s been up to for the last few years. Watching her social life play out before me on social media was enough to make me homicidal, but I had to bide my time. If I came home before I knew the situation was under control, the consequences could have been dire. Turns out, it didn’t matter in the end. The motherfucker came good on his threat and destroyed my career anyway.
The elderly lady moves into the opening of the door, stopping me from closing it on her. “Oh, I’m not done, dear. On the other side of them is Emerson Alexander. She’s a beauty, that one, so kind too. But sad, her dear daddy has not long passed away, and it affected her deeply. I’m over the road from them, and next to me is my dear granddaughter, Whitney. Now she’s someone I think you should meet. The most beautiful girl in town, but of course, I’m prejudiced. Smart too. She’s just home from college after studying to be a veterinarian. Opening her own practice here, she is,” she explains proudly.
With resignation, I find a half-smile, knowing exactly where this conversation is headed. The neighborhood busybody wants to set me up with her granddaughter. “Good for her. Sorry to cut your wonderful catch-me-up off, but I really have to get going. House full of boxes to sort out and the day is getting away from me,” I have to say, since she’s not taking any of my subtle hints to get her to piss off.
Her hand comes to my arm, and she squeezes gently. “Oh, I can see how busy you are, dear. Don’t let me hold you up. I could send Whitney over to help. She’s off work today. I’m sure she would be more than happy to lend a hand.”
“Thank you, the help is unnecessary. I have some friends dropping by soon to give me a hand.” I gently guide her through the doorway, my hand resting lightly on her back.
Turning, she flashes a bright smile. “Well, just shout out if we can do anything,” she sing-songs.
“I’ll be sure to.” I offer her a wave and take the handle of the door to give her the heads-up I’m closing it, with her still standing in the way or not. She takes the hint and moves aside. “Thanks again for dinner. That was too kind.”
“Any time, dear.” She brushes me off and carries on walking. Shutting the door, I lock it. Knowing what this town is like, the next thing, she’ll be letting herself in. I place the casserole in the empty fridge, Mrs. Rushford’s gossip about Paisley crawling up my spine. Does she really have that many men coming and going from her place? There are three of them living over there, but I know the other girls. Gisele’s dating Brody, and Mae I’ve never seen with a guy before, so if there are guys around regularly, they must be Paisley’s friends. They won’t be dropping around now that I can keep a proper eye on her. I’ll make sure of it.
Surveying the chaos of stacked boxes now littering my new living room, I don’t know where to start unpacking. Before I have a chance, another knock sounds at my door. I close my eyes in frustration, trying to compose myself before I open the door again. What now? This better not be the granddaughter here to help. I open the door to find a meticulously dressed blonde woman in a cream pant suit. “Noah Harrington?” she asks with an unsure smile. The old woman was right. Her granddaughter is a looker.
“In the flesh.” My eyes roam over her. She’s probably thirty at most, with full lips painted in red and piercing blue eyes that smile shyly. “What can I help you with?”
She looks past my shoulder. “Sorry, you look busy. Are you just moving in?” Confusion clouds her pretty features.
“Just this morning.”
A hand comes to her chest, and she takes a step back from me. “My apologies for bothering you, but I was told this is where you lived. I didn’t realize they meant from today. Word around town was you have been here since just before Christmas.”
I glance at her again, wondering what her confusion is. Didn’t her grandmother send her to assist me, aware that I was moving in today? “I have been staying at The Alexander Hotel temporarily while helping a friend. But this is my place now.”
Understanding dawns on her as she nods in agreement. “I know Mr. Alexander well; our daddies were friends.” She drops her eyes shyly, holding out a hand for me to shake. “I’m Margo Parish from the mayor’s office. I have a proposition for you, Noah.” Her cheeks blush a pale pink as her eyes meet mine.
A smile twitches at my lips. “A proposition?” I ask, waiting for her to go on, keen to hear what she has to say. Looks like the whisper mill really does work as effectively as Emerson says.
She sighs heavily, like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. “Mayor Michaels is about to retire, and we have been hunting for a suitable replacement for months, but no one has fit the bill. I got chatting to Mr. Alexander late yesterday, and he mentioned you were home. I did some research overnight, and I think you would be the perfect candidate, Mr. Michaels agrees.” She smiles at me eagerly.
“Are you suggesting that I should run for mayor?” I ask, hardly able to believe how easy it was. Brody has more sway than he thinks. When the two of us came up with this idea a couple months ago, I didn’t realize it would all fall into place so nicely.
“Yes. The people of this town already adore you. If you’re interested, and I really hope you are, we would just need to send off some paperwork, then I can get the wheels in motion.” Her eyes linger on mine, the pink of her cheeks deepening to a beetroot red. I’m sure I’m better to look at than the old coot she’s been working with for the last six years. Maybe I can understand why it’s so easy.
There is just one thing that has me on edge. “You know who my father was, don’t you?”
Her posture straightens, and I notice the look of discomfort; she would be a fool to approach me if she didn’t know my father’s story. “Yes. As I said, I’ve done my research. What happened with your father was unfortunate, but we can’t all live off the reputations of our parents. No one will judge your character based off what he did. I certainly don’t. I saw the way you led your team to victory time and time again. You’re a force to be reckoned with, Noah. It would be a privilege to have you run this town.”
My smile brightens toward her, enjoying the praise. “Are you new around here? That’s exactly what these people do. I’ve been here a couple of hours and already had the run-down on the occupants of Main Street.”
“Mrs. Rashford?” She smirks knowingly.
I nod, unimpressed. What she said about Paisley is still bothering me. What did she mean, illegal? If she’s in some sort of money trouble, she should have come to me. I file that thought away to revisit with her later.
“Not when you have built such an excellent reputation for yourself,” Margo continues, and my attention comes back to her. “The good people of this town don’t even remember your father. It was so long ago. But they know you. They know your high school football team was the very first to beat the Bluewater Beach Eels. They know you brought your team to victory at the Super Bowl. You’re the talk of the town already. A local hero.” Her piercing blue eyes, blazing with unwavering determination, fixate on mine, silencing any doubt. It’s clear she believes in me and my ability to make a difference in this town.
For a second, I allow myself to envision the possibilities, the impact I could have as mayor. This is the change I need. A fresh start to show everyone I’m not washed up just because my football career is. This is my chance for redemption. To clear my family’s name and to get some revenge on the fuckers who have wronged me in the process.
A surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, causing my heart to pound against my chest. A thrill, like a jolt of electricity, courses through me, mixing excitement with a nervous flutter in my stomach. The feeling I used to get just before a big game. My lips twitch up at the sides. “You really think I could do it?”
Margo smiles sweetly under my attention. “You’re not able to play again. And you’re a permanent resident of this town now. I think this would suit you nicely.”
“Maybe.” As the seconds tick by, a growing certainty fills me. The scrutiny of the public can sure be both exhilarating and daunting at the same time, but it’s a road I know how to walk. Is this my next step? Brody doesn’t need me running security at the hotel anymore now that his security issue is all sorted. I’m looking for something to fill the days. The last Harrington to be mayor disgraced himself, and this town turned on him. Even if I am a sporting hero, why would they accept me into such an important role after what he did? It’s a question I’m going to have to find out, because this is my chance to make things right, and I’m going to take it.
Brody’s truck pulls into my driveway, with Gisele, his new girlfriend, sitting up front. Followed by Elliot and Parker in Elliot’s Range Rover.
Margo looks them over curiously. She wouldn’t be much younger than us, but I don’t remember her from school or from around town at all. “I’ll leave you to ponder that idea. But don’t think on it too long. I need confirmation by Friday.” She hands me her business card. “Call me or drop by my office. We’re just up the street by Pecan Pie Bakery.” Her hand lingers in mine, and she looks up at me, her dark lashes fluttering shyly.
I give her a nod. “Will do. Thanks for stopping by, Margo. It was a pleasure to meet you.” I lay on the charm real thick. She’s my ticket back to some sort of normality. My way out of this limbo I’ve been in since my injury. And this job could change everything for me. It’s been a while since my career-ending accident. The public remains unaware of the circumstances surrounding my injuries; my manager successfully dodged around all details of the incident in the press conference in the weeks following it. And I have been happy to keep it that way, but something has felt as though it was missing from my life. A few somethings, if I’m being completely honest. My eyes wander back over to Paisley’s place again.
Margo passes Brody on the stairs; a quick smile is exchanged between them before she walks to her little red car. She waves goodbye as she jumps in.
The scent of warm pizza fills the air as Parker and Gisele walk past me into the kitchen, balancing several boxes and cans of drinks.
Brody eyes me with an intrigued expression, his gaze lingering as if waiting for me to speak, a silent question hanging in the air. “So?” he asks.
Elliot’s eyes light up. “Lucky man, just moved in and already got the girls flocking to your door. It should have been me the scouts picked, how different my life could be.” His laughter is filled with a sense of cheerfulness, but I know there’s pain behind his words. His life hasn’t ended up anywhere near where he thought it would, and as much as he jokes around, I know he’s hurting.
I watch as Margo drives off, and my eyes travel to the girls’ place next door. I wonder what Paisley would make of Margo or the prospect of other girls lining up at my door. Would it make her crazy like when we dated a few summers back? She was insanely jealous of other girls back then. Even if she didn’t need to be; that summer, I only had eyes for her. Part of me hopes she’s standing at her front window peering through the curtains, the green-eyed monster of jealousy bubbling up inside her more by the second. Anything that might catch her attention and force her to come over here again.
I close the door behind my friends and throw Elliot a look. The dude needs to get out more, and now that I’m home, I’m going to make sure that happens. “That was Margo Parish from the mayor’s office. She said she got my details off you?” I raise a brow in Brody’s direction. The man’s a genius.
There is a devilish glint in his eyes. “She thinks you would be perfect. I hardly had to say your name and she was all over the idea. I didn’t expect her to stop by your house today.”
“Apparently, they need a decision by Friday.” Excitement floods through me, knowing things are going to move quickly now. No more waiting. I’m taking back some control.
Elliot slaps me on the back, a goofy grin on his face. “Well, good for you. New house and a job offer all in the one day.”
“Should I do it?” I know this is the change I need to turn my life around. Rebuild my shattered reputation and find a sense of purpose again. This opportunity is too good to be true. But I need to hear from my closest friends that this is possible.
“I’m sure Margo can catch you up to speed,” Elliot replies, flashing a playful wink, and I know his mind has gone right to the gutter.
“Sleep on it, then go down to the mayor’s office tomorrow and have another chat with her,” Brody agrees. He knows what this could mean for me. All four of them do.
I nod along. Sure, this whole thing’s come out of left field, but considering my family’s been in the political game and all, this isn’t exactly alien territory. I grew up in this world. Before Dad went and tanked his career, he was a force to be reckoned with and did wonders for the economy and small businesses around here. I can’t ignore the fact that some of that might’ve rubbed off on me. I can picture myself in this role, it would feel good to be back on top. But more than anything, I can see the motherfucker who screwed me over’s face when he works out he’s thoroughly fucked, and that thought alone drives me forward. This town is the place where I grew up. It shaped me into the man I am today, but it also left me with scars, some so permanent they’ve left gaping holes in my life. It’s time to fill them.
The smell of oregano and tomato sauce fills the air as I pull up a chair to the table, grab a greasy slice of pizza, and relax, propping my feet up on some boxes.
“So, Noah,” Gisele begins, her voice tight with suspicion, “tell me exactly what you did to Paisley that makes her hate you so much.” A playful smirk dances across her face. I imagine the scene from this morning caused quite the entertainment over in the girls’ house. I can only imagine how angry Paisley was when she got home this morning. To her, I’m the asshole who made promises then disappeared. But she doesn’t know the truth.
From beside me I can feel Paisley’s brother, Parker’s eyes scrutinizing me. The two of us have known each other our entire lives, he was my best friend all through high school. We would’ve done anything for each other. Still would. We share secrets no one else knows. But he’s fiercely protective of his sister after their upbringing, and he’s still coming to terms with the idea that she might mean something more to me as well. So, I don’t like to push the idea around him. “No idea.” I smirk cheekily around my pizza.
I like Gisele, she’s a nice girl, and I don’t like lying to her face, but she has no idea the can of worms she would open up if they all knew the truth right now. And if Paisley didn’t enlighten her, I won’t be the one spilling her secrets.