Chapter Seventeen
KATIE
“Did you brush your teeth?” I ask Owen.
He’s been up and ready to go for over thirty minutes. Typically, he’s dragging ass in the mornings, but not today. I’m happy he’s amped to hang out with Noah, but I’m a little nervous about it. Noah’s not exactly experienced with kids, but I anticipate they’ll be fine.
As soon as I enter the living room, Owen bounces off the couch and grabs his backpack. Last night, he stuffed it full of DVDs and board games. He even has his basketball waiting by the door.
“I’m ready!”
I laugh at his tone as we go to the car.
On the way to Noah’s, Owen talks nonstop about the plans he’s made today, and I’m an anxious wreck about it, especially when it comes to Owen bringing up his dad.
I trust Noah, but this is new territory for me.
Owen’s only ever been left with my parents, in-laws, and close friends.
As we pull into the driveway, Noah walks outside. I roll down the window, noticing how good he looks in his tight T-shirt and dark wash jeans. He smells like he just got out of the shower. Owen can’t unbuckle himself fast enough and rushes out of the car.
“You’re sure about this? I can still call my mom and—”
He chuckles, and I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy the sound of it. “Katie, we’re gonna have a blast. We’ll be fine,” he confirms, the smile never fading. “Gonna order a pizza and shoot off fireworks in the street.”
My eyes widen, and he bursts out laughing. “Go have fun. Relax,” he says, tapping the top of my car.
I shake my head. “Just make sure you give him back to me the same way I left him.”
“Tell Gemma I said hey,” he offers with a wink. “And try not to talk about me too much.”
I scoff and roll my eyes, but he already knows how Gemma and Everleigh are, so there’s no denying it.
“Be good, Owen,” I say. “Love you.”
“Love you, Mom. See ya later!” Owen waves, and I back out of the driveway.
It takes me no time to arrive at the spa. The quaint red brick building has been completely remodeled. As soon as I walk inside, I’m bombarded by my best friends.
“Yay, you came!” Everleigh says as Gemma pulls me into a hug.
“Mimosa?” Everleigh asks, and I have a feeling she’s already downed one.
“Absolutely!” I barely get out as I’m handed a flute.
Gemma pokes out her bottom lip. “I can’t wait till I can have alcohol again, even if it’s just a little!”
“It’s okay. I’ll drink for two,” Everleigh taunts.
Her antics make me snort.
“I’m sure you will,” Gemma says.
Soon, we’re shown to the back to change into soft robes and slippers. The mimosas are flowing through my bloodstream, and I feel relaxed as hell as I lie on the massage table.
Gemma’s in the middle of me and Everleigh and clears her throat. “So we have some things to discuss.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, playing stupid, but I know exactly what she’s referring to.
“Spill it!” Everleigh demands. “You haven’t given us a proper update.” I’m relieved we’re out of town, and the massage therapists don’t know who we’re talking about.
I sigh. “What do ya wanna know?”
“Everything.” Gemma grins.
“Okay, I have a question for both of you first.” My heart hammers in my chest as I delve into this conversation. “Was it really stupidly obvious that Noah had a crush on me when we were younger?”
Everleigh bursts into laughter. “I’m sorry, it’s the mimosas, but also that’s hilarious you ask. Yes, of course, undeniable.”
My face contorts, and Gemma notices. “You really couldn’t tell?” she asks.
“Well, no. You both knew I thought I was friend-zoned,” I admit. “He was my best friend, but it’s not like he ever made a move.”
“I literally told you he did!” Gemma throws back.
“Yeah, but he never acted on it, then Gabe came along and…” I trail off as the woman puts her elbow into my shoulder.
“Honey, you’re tense,” she says, and I try to relax.
“So let me guess…he finally admitted it, and you were shocked. How’d you respond?” Everleigh asks.
I suck in a breath. “I told him the truth and admitted how I always felt about him too and…”
“And what?” Gemma asks.
“And then we kissed.” I grin, remembering how it felt to have his lips on mine.
Gemma gasps.
“Finally!” Everleigh shouts.
“But we were interrupted and had to finish talking about it later. Then we talked about why he pushed me away while he was locked up. It was great hearing the whole truth, but I just don’t know how to feel. I’m conflicted because of Gabe’s parents,” I admit.
“Well, what does your heart say? Deep inside, none of that logical bullshit,” Gemma asks.
I think about it as my massage therapist works out the knots in my neck. I’m scared to death to say my true feelings out loud.
“I’ve always been in love with Noah, and I guess…if things were different—”
“Things are different now, and you have the opportunity to create your future, so do it. If your feelings are mutual, what’s stopping you now?” Everleigh interjects.
“Exactly,” Gemma adds. “Giving Tyler a second chance was one of the best decisions of my life. I ran from him and my heart so damn much and wasted a lot of time. Who gives a shit what anyone has to say? It’s about you and what makes you happy while doing the best you can for Owen. Anything else is just outside noise.”
My emotions begin to bubble. “But Loretta and Elliot…”
Gemma looks at me, and I meet her eyes. “They’ll get over it.
There’s no way they’d ever give up seeing their grandson.
I know my aunt and uncle better than that.
They might not agree and be angry about it, but Owen is the only piece of Gabe they have left.
Now, you might get guilt-tripped and yelled at, but you can’t allow them to control you.
Following your heart is all you should worry about. ”
“She’s right,” Everleigh says. “I know it’s cliché as hell, but you only live once. And you deserve to be happy. We support your decision and know how good the two of you would be together.”
“And I will selfishly always be Team Noah and Katie!” Gemma reminds me.
“Me too, and then after you and Noah get married, we’ll all be sisters,” Everleigh exclaims. “So make it happen, pronto!”
I snort. “But what if it all goes wrong?” Losing Noah twice would not only destroy me again but it’d affect Owen too.
“And what if it all goes right?” Gemma counters. “Then you get the happily ever after you deserve, and Owen will have a man in his life who cares about him more than anyone else could.”
Though it seems amazing, it’s almost too good to be true.
Their words drift through the room just like the mimosas in my bloodstream. I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath. “You’re both right, but I don’t even know where to start.”
Gemma chuckles. “It starts with you giving him a chance.”
A smile touches my lips, and it’s decided, just like that. My heart has always beat for Noah, and though I loved Gabe when we were together, it hadn’t felt right.
“Not to change the subject or anything, but have either of you been to the deli lately?” Everleigh asks.
“I went a few days ago, and Brittany was working, so we started talking. Then she started asking about my boutique, which is fine, but then it turned to Tyler’s gym and how Smith and Noah were doing there.
Of course, I was vague about Noah, but her sugary-sweet tone threw a couple of red flags. ”
Our massage therapists place warm stones on our bodies, then leave the room, giving us much-needed privacy.
“Yes!” I shriek. “I went two days ago, and oh my God, she gave me the strangest vibe. She was asking why I was buying two meals, then proceeded to talk about Owen. I don’t know. She’s probably trying to be nice, but my gut says something is off with her.”
Gemma lets out a long sigh. “I’m sure she means well. She’s still kinda new around here and is probably just trying to make friends since we’re close to her age. She asks about Tyler and me all the time.”
“I am not listening to your judgment calls when it comes to people,” Everleigh says. “She’s weird as hell.”
I snort. “You’re terrible. Maybe she’s an introvert.”
“Uh, no. Gemma’s an introvert, you’re an extrovert introvert…but Brittany has I’ll sell your soul if you cross me vibes,” Everleigh says. “And I’m clearly an extrovert, which is why I’m the life of the party.”
I burst out laughing, which actually kinda hurts when I’m lying on my chest. “Yes, clearly.”
“Oh my God…” Gemma groans. “Because I make one bad judgment call on someone, now I’m bad at judging everyone?”
Everleigh and I say yes at the same time.
“Plus, she was strange at the retirement party too. She doesn’t even know Noah, yet she was obnoxiously flirty with him,” I say.
“Do I hear a hint of jealousy?” Gemma teases. “I think she’s just friendly and doesn’t know boundaries. Prove me wrong.”
Our massage therapists return and tell us to put our robes on when we’re ready. We’re escorted to the next room for our manis and pedis, plus more mimosas, but I pass because I have to drive after this.
By the time our spa day is over, my body feels like it’s made of spaghetti noodles, but it was a much-needed day of relaxation. After we hug goodbye, I head to my car and am grateful to have spent time with my best friends.
As I drive to Noah’s, I think about what they did all day. Owen packed enough things to keep them busy until next week. My thoughts drift to my conversation with Everleigh and Gemma and giving Noah a chance. If following my heart was as easy as they made it sound, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.
Once I get to Noah’s and knock on the door, I hear them laughing. It warms my heart, and when Owen lets me in, I see his messy hair and chocolate-filled face.
“Back already?” Noah asks, sitting at the kitchen table.
“Are y’all having fun?” I ask, noticing they’re playing Jenga.
“I’m fixin’ to whoop him,” Owen gloats, plopping back down at the table, then pulls out a log. The stack sways, but it doesn’t fall. Noah moans and pulls one out, causing them to scatter across the table.
Owen stands up with his arms in the air in victory. “Woohoo!”
Noah laughs. “Good game, bud. Beat me fair and square.”
I help them clean everything and stack the blocks back in the box. “Get your stuff together, please.”
Owen groans, but it only takes one look for him to do what I say. As he’s stuffing things into his backpack, he tells me about everything they did today.
“You must be tired.” I turn to Noah with a small smile.
“Exhausted.” He chuckles. “But we had tons of fun.”
“Yeah! Can we do it again sometime?” Owen asks.
“We’ll see,” I say, then turn to Noah. “Thank you again.”
“Anytime. It was no trouble at all,” he says. “He’s a good kid.”
Once Owen zips his backpack, we say our goodbyes and make our way outside. Noah stops me as Owen climbs in the back of the car.
“Hey,” he says, leaning against the doorframe.
“Yeah?”
“Do you have any plans for your birthday next weekend?”
I tilt my head, almost shocked he remembered. “Not exactly. Working on the house, I guess?”
The sexy smirk that touches his lips has my heart fluttering. “I’d like to do something special for you. I mean, if you’d like.”
This is my opportunity to give him a chance, and I’ll be damned if I pass it up. “Sure. I’d love that.”
“You can bring Owen if you’d like or…”
“I’ll get my mom to watch him. It won’t be a problem, especially since she was pissed she didn’t get him all day today.”
There’s a sparkle in his eye. “Great, don’t eat beforehand. I wanna cook you dinner.”
“I’d like that a lot,” I admit as a blush hits my cheek, and I don’t know why I’m suddenly nervous.
“I’ll grab your favorites. Steak and potatoes.” He winks.
“It’s a date then,” I say, the word feeling foreign on my tongue.
I take one last glance at him before I go to the car. As I reverse onto the street, I notice he’s watching me. I give him a quick wave before driving away.
I’m happy Owen fills the space by telling me about all the games they played, movies they watched, and snacks they ate because my mind is reeling on the way home.
I can’t remember the last time I celebrated my birthday or had anyone make a big deal out of it.
Sure, Gemma and Everleigh, plus my parents try to do something special, but it’s never been a special date.
I’m floating on cloud nine as we walk inside the house. Owen gives me a hug. “Thank you for letting me hang out with Noah.”
“You like him?” I ask.
He nods. “A lot. He’s super cool.”
I laugh. “Good, that makes me really happy. Now go get your dirty clothes together so I can get them in the washer.”
He sticks out his bottom lip but doesn’t argue. I go to the kitchen, replaying the conversation I had with the girls today.
My doubts have kept me from giving in to what and who I want.
I pull out my phone, then text Gemma and Everleigh, filling them in on my thoughts and Noah’s plans for my birthday next weekend. I already know how they’ll react, but when I get their responses, I smile.
Gemma
FINALLY! Get knocked up so we can have kids the same age.
Everleigh
That would be AMAZING! But then y’all have to have more when I’m ready to start.
I snort.
Katie
Jesus, no one said we’re having sex.
Though the thought has crossed my mind a few times over the past few weeks. I realize this could be the beginning of something amazing. I know I’ll eventually have to figure out what giving Noah a chance truly means before rumors fly like airplanes.