Home to Whiskey Creek (Whiskey Creek #4)(75)
Author: Brenda Novak

“Then why won’t you tell me who did?”

“Some things are better left as they are. Trust me on that.”

He hated not knowing, couldn’t imagine why she wouldn’t tell him. But that wasn’t what bothered him the most, not at the moment. He was trying to figure out how Clyde had known his call was connected to Adelaide. He hadn’t mentioned her—or even Whiskey Creek. He’d provided his name and number, which shouldn’t have been enough to give him away. His area code covered a wide section of Northern California.

“Would your ex have any reason to recognize my name?” he asked.

She stiffened. He could feel her reaction.

“Not really. I mean…I probably mentioned you once or twice. That’s all.”

“In connection with what?”

“Because I used to have a crush on you. That’s what I’m guessing.”

Noah tried to accept her answer. But he couldn’t believe that most men would remember the name of an old crush mentioned once or twice over a long period of time, not if they’d never met the guy. It wasn’t as if he’d ever dated Adelaide, or remained in touch. As far as he was concerned, Addy would’ve had very little reason to bring him up.

“Why don’t you want me to talk to him?” he asked.

“Because he’s my ex! Would you want me talking to anyone you used to date?”

Possibly not. He could see that side of it. But there was something about Adelaide that made him nervous. He liked her too much. Otherwise, maybe the fact that she was keeping secrets from him wouldn’t seem so threatening.

“Where are you going?” she asked as he got up.

“Home.”

She said nothing until he was dressed. “Are you upset?”

“A little.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m starting to care about you.”

Silence.

“The fact that you have nothing to say is not reassuring,” he said.

“I—I appreciate that you’re open to…feeling something.”

He frowned. “Again, not quite the reaction I was looking for.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m hoping we can remain friends.”

He rounded on her. “Friends, Addy? We’ve made love several times in the past week. Is that what you do with your friends?”

She spoke even more quietly. “You know I don’t.”

“So what is it? What’s standing between us? You don’t trust me? I don’t have a good track record? I’m not reliable? I hurt you before without realizing it? What?”

“Why are you trying to put this on me?” She was still whispering, but her words were harsher. “You’re the one who isn’t the type to settle down, to…to commit. You’ve never had a steady girlfriend. I’m just saying I understand and accept your limitations.”

“My limitations? Since when did I tell you I don’t want a commitment?”

“You haven’t. But you haven’t asked for one, either.”

“Because it’s too soon. That doesn’t mean I won’t.”

“You don’t have to. I’m not pressuring you.”

“I think that’s the problem. I’m the only one who wants more. So what do we have? An open relationship?”

She seemed flustered. “I guess…if that’s okay.”

“And if it’s not?” He stopped her before she could respond. “I know what you’re going to say. You tried to warn me. You agreed to be friends with benefits. Never mind that I assumed you were joking.”

She crossed the room, touched his arm. “I’m sorry, Noah. I…I was wrong to get involved with you. I never dreamed you’d want…more than I could give.”

This wasn’t going the way he’d thought it would. She was about to break off whatever they had. He could hear it in her voice. But that made no sense. They had a great time when they were together. He could feel the chemistry, could tell she liked being with him. So what was the problem?

“I’m not one to take things too fast. This is unlike me. I’ll give you that. But…I sense this odd resistance in you. I could wait, see what happens, except I get this really weird feeling that no matter how well it goes, you’ll back out in the end.”

She said nothing.

“Why have you been sleeping with me?” he asked.

“Because I haven’t been able to stop myself!” she admitted.

“But you would if you could.”

“Yes!”

He raked his fingers through his hair. “Great. Well, I feel something for you. That’s got to make a difference,” he said, and walked out.

He was getting into his truck when he realized someone was sitting across the street, watching the house. He tried to get a good look at the man’s face, but whoever it was didn’t relish the scrutiny. Snapping on his headlights, the other driver shot into the street.

But Noah knew that vehicle. It belonged to Kevin Colbert.

25

Kevin could see Noah’s headlights bearing down on him in the rearview mirror and cursed under his breath. He shouldn’t have gone to Addy’s. He’d given the others that big speech about lying low and staying away, but he couldn’t seem to abide by it himself. He wanted to believe he’d be fine if she spoke up, that he’d just refute any claim that he’d raped her. He doubted she’d be able to prove it, not at this late date. But he couldn’t stand the thought of having his reputation ruined. He was respected here in Whiskey Creek. The position he held as head coach of the football team meant more to him than anything, even his rocky marriage.

When he realized that Noah would follow him all the way home, he pulled over and waited for Cody’s brother to come to his window.

It was cold out and the wind was picking up. Noah wasn’t wearing a coat, but didn’t seem to feel the chill breeze that ruffled his hair and rippled his clothes. “What the hell were you doing at Addy’s?” he demanded.

Kevin had never seen him so angry. Noah had always been congenial. Of the two Rackham boys, Cody was the one who’d had the temper. “Nothing.”

“It’s three o’clock in the morning, Kevin. There has to be some reason you’re not home in bed with your wife.”

The excuse he’d planned to give suddenly seemed lame, but he couldn’t come up with a better one. “I was…curious about her. I mean…we haven’t had a scandal in Whiskey Creek for a long time, if you don’t count Noelle killing Kyle’s baby without telling him.” He attempted a laugh at the deliberate way he’d phrased that, but it fell flat. “I thought maybe I’d see if someone was skulking around.”