CHAPTER 17
BELLA
As soon as we pull on to the grassy field that the drive-in movie theatre is being held on, I know why Noah suggested coming almost an hour early.
Various cars and trucks are parked all over the place. Some people have laid blankets on the ground with pillows and picnics set up around them while others have opted for the comfort and warmth of staying inside their vehicles.
Advertisements play on the large screen while people chat amongst themselves and set up their spot for the evening.
The sky is a deep shade of pink and purple as the sun sets but it’s still warm out considering its only May. There are a number of food trucks lining the edge of the field, and the smell of fried food and donuts linger in the air.
I close my eyes and suck in a deep breath, soaking it all in as Noah finds somewhere to park.
I used to love coming to the drive-in in my teen years. It was an annual thing for Rosewater Creek, but a few years ago they stopped doing it. I don’t know why, because it was always a hit and judging by the turnout tonight, I’d say I’m not the only one to have missed it.
Noah swings the truck around, turning in a circle before backing up slightly and my brows pinch at the view of the entrance. “You’re facing the wrong way.”
He smiles so wide it’s almost blinding, turning to face me. “No. I’m facing the right way.”
I look at him in confusion, not understanding. How the heck are we supposed to watch the movie if we’re facing away from it?
“I have a surprise for you,” he says, putting the truck in park and unbuckling his seatbelt.
“What kind of surprise?”
“I need you to wait in here for a minute. Can you do that?” He asks, reaching over the backseat to retrieve and large duffle bag.
I look around, perplexed, but nod anyway. “Okay…”
“Be right back.” Noah jumps out of the driver’s side and disappears, and I lean back in my seat with a sigh, pulling my phone out of my pocket.
Clicking onto the town webpage, I scan the apartment listings page and pray that something has become available in the five hours it’s been since I last checked.
It’s not that I don’t like living with Noah, because I do. Other than the early morning wake up calls, he’s the perfect roommate. In the two weeks I’ve been staying at his house, he hasn’t brought home a single woman which is surprising to say the least.
Now that I think about it, he hasn’t been staying out either.
He’s home when I finish work, we eat dinner together, discuss our days and watch some TV before both returning to our respective rooms. Between all of that, I’m not sure where he’s finding the time to get laid but I’m grateful that he isn’t doing it right under my nose.
We aren’t a couple and he doesn’t need to explain himself to me but coming from a home where the person I shared it with was always out late, it’s nice to have someone to spend my evenings with and never have to wonder where they are or what they’re doing.
As much as I’m enjoying my time at his house, I’m starting to feel like a burden.
Noah is too kind, too sweet, to tell me when I’m overstaying my welcome, but I think two weeks is probably long enough.
If I don’t find somewhere soon, I’m going to have to get a hotel or take up residence in the office of my café.
To nobody’s surprise, there’s nothing new on the listings page, so I shut down the app and open my messages, deleting all the new ones from Justin.
I haven’t spoken to him once since the night I left, and I don’t plan to.
I thought I would be more hurt about our relationship ending, but honestly, I just feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders and I can finally take a full breath again for the first time in two years.
I hadn’t realised just how suffocated I was by him until he was no longer breathing down my neck.
I’ve been lucky enough to avoid him in town, and he’s been smart enough to stay away from my café but it’s only a matter of time before I’ll come face to face with him again. I swallow down the bubble of panic that climbs up my throat at that thought and focus back on my phone.
There are a few messages on the group chat with the girls and I click on that, needing something to distract me from housing worries and all thoughts of Justin.
Liv: I got shit on by my son today. It was in my hair, on my face and my clothes. We’ve hit a new all-time low.
Savannah: Welcome to motherhood. It sucks, you’re gonna love it.
Daisy: Did you just quote Monica Geller?
Savannah: Yup. Did you like my little twist?
Liv: Creative.
Savannah: Thank you.
I chuckle at their conversation and keep scrolling, my stomach sinking when I see Daisy’s next message.
Daisy: Anyone heard from Bella?
Savannah: No. Bell’s, you here?
Liv: I have.
Savannah: Hunter said he’s seen her car on the ranch.
Daisy: I haven’t seen it when I’ve been at work.
Liv: Hunter is a gossip. She’s fine, guys. Busy with the café.
I blow out a breath, grateful for Liv for not giving away too much.
I feel guilty for not telling them everything that’s been going on in my life.
They’re my best friends, and I know they’ll support me no matter what, but I’m just not ready to admit that the relationship that I spent two years of my life building, suddenly came to an end in the worst way possible.
A separate text comes through, this time in a private chat and I cast a quick glance out the window before opening it.
Daisy: Your niece misses you. I miss you. I don’t know what’s going on in your life right now, but I want you to know that when you’re ready to talk, I’m here. I love you, Bells.
My vision becomes blurry as my eyes water, and I blink down at the phone several times before replying.
Me: I miss you guy, too. We’ll get drinks soon? I’ll explain everything then, I promise.
Daisy: Okay. Just let me know when and I’m there.
Blowing out a breath, I lock my phone and tuck it back into my pocket just as my door opens and Noah’s smiling face appears.
“Okay. It’s ready.” He holds out a hand for me, and I take it, allowing him to help me out of the truck before following him to the back.
All of the emotions I had just swallowed down come roaring back up when he flips open the tailgate and reveals the surprise.
Thick, wool blankets are laid out all over the bed of the truck. There are pillows spread out along the sides and back, cushioning the metal edges and in the centre is a tray laden with three different types of soda, two beers and the biggest bucket of popcorn I’ve ever seen in my life.
I gasp, my eyes wide as I turn to look at him. “You did all of this?”
Noah’s smile is giddy as he nods proudly. “Yep.”
My chest aches as I return my gaze back to the setup before me. It’s one of the kindest things a person has ever done for me and I’m having a hard time understanding why.
It’s almost like Noah hears my thoughts because he steps closer, his chest almost pressing against my back. “This.” He gestures in front of us with a hand. “Is only a sliver of what you deserve, Bells.”
Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Do not cry.
I blink skyward, trying my hardest to will the brimming tears to disperse but it’s no use and one slips down my cheek anyway. Lifting my hand, I swipe it away quickly and swallow. “Thank you.”
Noah moves to the side and offers me a hand, which I take, once again allowing him to help me onto the truck bed and I kick off my flip flops before crawling to the top, settling back against the pillows.
He follows behind, getting himself comfortable beside me and cracking open a soda just as the opening credits of the movie begins to play.
I watch him, completely and utterly stunned yet eternally grateful that this man is a part of my life.