Chapter Eleven
KATIE
Noah’s the last person I want to be around, but I’d do anything to keep him safe regardless of how mad I am or how awkward it will be. He desperately needs somewhere to disappear to, and I agree that my house is the perfect haven, even if it’s inconvenient for me.
My focus will still be on finishing the house so Owen and I can move in.
I haven’t gotten used to Noah being back in town, and it’s been harder than I ever imagined.
Working on the house has been my escape for the past year.
I’ve lost myself within those walls on more than one occasion, and now Noah will be in my safe space.
I’m not sure how to feel.
He’ll undoubtedly use this opportunity to talk to me about everything, and honestly, I have nothing more to say, nor do I want to hear his excuses. After I put on my remodeling clothes, I cook Owen and me some eggs and bacon. After we eat, I pack the car, and we head out.
My fingers tap against the steering wheel, and I’m a nervous wreck to face him again. Owen doesn’t notice, which I’m thankful for, but I still need to talk to him about Noah living there temporarily. After I park, I turn around and grab his attention in the back seat.
“I’ve gotta tell you something before we go inside.”
Owen furrows his brow. “Okay, what?”
I swallow hard. “Well, there’s gonna be a man staying here for a little while.”
“Who?”
“It’s Gemma’s brother, but it’s really important you don’t tell anybody that he’s here.”
“Why?”
“Because bad people are trying to hurt him, so I wanna keep him safe, which is why it needs to stay a secret.”
Owen’s eyes widen. “Why do they wanna hurt him?”
It’s a question that’s way too complicated to answer.
I haven’t explained to him exactly what happened to his dad other than he had an accident and passed away.
I’ve never said who was responsible or given any details about what happened that night.
I’ve been waiting for him to get older so maybe he’d comprehend it better.
“Well, that’s hard to explain. I don’t know why anyone would wanna hurt him.
Gemma asked if her brother could stay until things were safe for everyone, and I said yes.
But it’s very, very, very important that you don’t tell anyone.
Not Mimi, Pepaw, Memaw, or Pawpaw. Nobody.
It would put him in danger if anyone knew.
Do you understand?” I tell him directly and clearly, then wait patiently for his response.
He nods. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“Not even your teachers or friends at school.”
“I promise.” Owen holds out his pinky finger, and I hook it with mine. He pinky-promises and swears to keep it to himself.
“Is he here now?”
“Not yet. He’ll be arriving soon, though.”
We get out of the car and go inside.
I turn on one of the space heaters to warm up the place. As I walk through and make mental notes of what I want to do today, I can tell Owen is already getting bored.
“Memaw will be here to pick you up for basketball practice in thirty minutes,” I remind him. “Not too much longer, promise.”
Owen forces a smile, but I can see right through him.
Once this place is finished, he’s going to love it, but right now, all he sees is work.
He’d rather play with friends than help me, so I don’t force him if he isn’t interested.
He sits on a stool in the middle of the living room and kicks his legs out as he plays on his tablet.
I hear a knock on the back door, and my heart races in anticipation.
“Hello,” I greet Noah and Gemma. She grins, and I glare in return. “C’mon in.”
“Thank you,” Noah says, walking past me with his arms full of stuff. “For letting me stay here.”
I swallow hard, avoiding his eyes. “Mm-hmm.”
The tension between us is so thick I almost feel bad for Gemma standing awkwardly between us.
“Well, uh…where do you want me to go?” Noah asks.
“A thousand miles north?” I smirk.
“Let’s just get you settled into the primary bedroom,” Gemma interjects.
“Are you sure she won’t kill me in my sleep?” Noah mumbles under his breath.
“No, I mean…” Gemma shrugs with a grin. “Probably not.”
“If I was gonna kill you, I wouldn’t do it in my own house. Unless of course, I can get the concrete truck out here sooner.”
Gemma chokes back a laugh, then quickly clears her throat to cover it up. “She’s kiddin’,” she tells Noah as she grabs his arm and leads him through the house.
I arch a brow. “Or am I?”
When they get to the kitchen, Noah stops and stares at Owen.
I walk around them and kneel beside Owen and speak to him. “This is who I was talking about.”
Noah’s mouth falls open and closes. I brought Owen with me to the retirement party, but we didn’t stay long, and Owen was busy with his friend Anthony. This is the first time Noah’s gotten a close look at Gabe’s son.
“Hi, I’m Noah,” he says nervously.
“I’m Owen.”
Noah smiles, then shakes his little hand. “It’s nice to officially meet you.”
“My mama told me not to tell anyone you’re here. I’ll keep it a secret. I promise,” Owen says.
“Thank you.”
“Since you don’t have any appliances, I told Noah I’d bring him food, or he can sneak over to the cottage, so you won’t have to worry about him much,” Gemma says. “You won’t even know he’s here.”
I grunt, crossing my arms. “Doubtful, but alright.”
Gemma smacks my arm in warning. “Do I need to bring a rifle?”
“For me or her?” Noah quips.
Gemma rolls her eyes. “Okay, well as much as I wish I could stay and witness this grand reunion, I have a new business to get up and running, so I’m gonna trust you’ll get yourself settled in.” She pats his arm. “Call me if you need anything, okay? I’m just down the block.”
“Might wanna check on me if you don’t hear from me in a few days…” Noah taunts, flashing me a look.
“Oh c’mon…” I narrow my eyes. “Now y’all are just being dramatic, and I have a ten-year-old who gives me enough of that.”
Gemma gives me a hug goodbye and thanks me again.
As soon as she walks out the back, a door closes at the front.
“Oh shit, that’s my mother. Of course, she’s early.
You’ve gotta hide. Right now,” I urge Noah.
“She’s here to pick up Owen for basketball practice.
” I point at the staircase, and Noah quickly bolts upstairs.
My heart races a million miles per minute as she knocks on the door.
I put a finger over my mouth, and Owen pretends to zip his lips.
“Come in,” I say, and my mother enters.
She’s dressed prim and proper, looking around at the progress I haven’t made, but at least I’ve taught her to keep her opinions to herself.
“Ready to go to basketball practice?” she asks with a cheeky grin.
“Yep! Coach said we’d be practicing three-pointers today.” He grabs his small duffel bag with his shoes and bottle of water, then gives me a side hug before walking toward the door.
“I’ll probably take him to get something to eat afterward, then bring him back here, unless you’ll be at home?” Mom asks.
“I’ll be here,” I confirm. “Wanna try to make some progress on the guest bathroom.”
“Good deal,” she tells me before leaving.
Once I hear the car back out of the driveway, I exhale in relief.
My phone vibrates, and I see a text from Everleigh.
Everleigh
I want to schedule a girls’ day in two weeks on Saturday. A spa day for a pregnancy gift for Gemma. You in?
Katie
Abso-fucking-lutely.
I’ll need to find a sitter. After we have massages and mani-pedis, I’ll be useless, so I won’t work on the house that day either. Honestly, though, I can’t remember the last time I relaxed.
The old floorboards creak on the second floor, and soon, Noah’s feet touch the bottom stair.
He glances at me with dark brown eyes, then looks around. Noah’s gaze trails over the unfinished walls and hanging electrical wires.
“You are literally in over your head,” he mumbles.
I grind my teeth. “How the hell would you know? I’m not the same twenty-year-old Katie you once knew. And if I’m being honest, it’s actually none of your damn business.”
Noah frowns. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to offe—”
“Just keep your thoughts to yourself. I’m doing you a favor. If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.”
He flashes a cocky grin that makes me want to punch his stupid face in.
“Yes, you are, and I’m grateful for it. I was just gonna say, I could help you with some of this, Katie. This is a huge project to undertake.”
“No, thank you. I don’t need your help. At least not anymore. When I did, you pushed me away, so I’m not taking your pity offer now.”
“It wasn’t a pity offer,” he says, then chuckles softly to himself. “You were always so damn stubborn. Should’ve known that’d never change.”
Narrowing my eyes, I’m over this conversation and want to get to work. “Follow me, I’ll show you the room.”
I open the door. By the expression on his face, I’m positive he’s in shock I actually have a liveable room in this house.
“This is really nice,” he admits, which is good to hear considering how long I’ve worked on it.
I ripped out the old carpet, repainted the walls, and installed crown molding around the ceiling. I still have a small list of things to finish here. The entire house still needs new windows and lighting fixtures.
“Where should I put my bed?” he asks, holding the air mattress bag.
I nod toward the opposite wall. “Probably best you stay away from the window since I don’t have any curtains in here.”
“Alright.” Noah walks over and sets it down with his small duffel bag.
“I packed some things for you too.”
“Really?” he asks, surprised.
“Yeah, they’re in my trunk. I grabbed some extra blankets and pillows, in case you needed them.
I also have bottled water in a small cooler in case you get thirsty.
There are paper plates in the kitchen, though, if someone brings you food or whatever.
” My voice lingers, and now it’s awkward. “I’ll just go grab them.”
“Great, thank you again,” he says sincerely as he blows up the mattress.