Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(53)
Author: Jennifer Foor

Then I heard it. I heard him making funny sounds against the phone, and then finally letting out a sigh. “Well, that made a mess.”

I laughed. “Guess you’re going to have to get another shower.” I rolled over on my stomach and rested my head down next to the phone.

“I’ll think about you while I cleanin’ up.”

“I can’t believe we just did that.”

“You still mad at me?”

“No.” Even though I already missed his company, I admired his decision to be loyal to his family. “If I had a family, I’d have done the same thing.”

“I’m goin’ to need to see you again.”

“It’s probably going to be a while before I can go anywhere. Can you come here? I’ll be settled by next week. I don’t know the rules, but I’m sure we can have visitors. It’s not like I’m in prison. I mean, it’s not like we’re a couple or anything.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what you’d call this. I just know I need to see you. So, let me see what I can work out. I’ll call you later, if that’s alright?”

“Yes. You can text me if you don’t feel like talking.” I was trying to not sound so needy. He obviously didn’t want a girlfriend.

“I like hearin’ your voice.”

“Okay.”

I got ready to hang up and then heard him start talking. “Don’t forget about my picture.”

I had. “I won’t.”

I hung up the phone before he could keep me any longer. Once I knew the line was dead I let my arms fall above my head. I wasn’t used to being naked, but I felt totally exhausted. Dinner was going to have to wait. I needed a nap.

Just before letting my eyes close, I grabbed my phone and opened up the message.

A picture of Noah lying on a bed, in nothing at all was staring back at me, and all I could do was laugh, because he’d been telling the truth the whole time.

Noah

Dinner with my parents felt like I’d been away for months, instead of just days. At first they didn’t ask me about my trip, but after we ate, and I went outside on the porch, it was the first thing my dad wanted to know. “How was New York?”

I leaned over the railing next to him. It wasn’t uncommon for him to act like we’d never had it out. “It was fine.”

“Accordin’ to the credit card receipt, you weren’t alone, at least for part of your trip.”

I didn’t look at him when I spoke. “You know, it really bothers me that I can’t get an ounce of privacy. Does it matter who I was with?”

“I was just curious. Did you take Perry? Your mom was disappointed that she didn’t come to the party.”

I rolled my eyes, realizing he was never going to change. No matter what I did, he’d know about. It made me want to keep Shalan a secret forever. “We broke up.”

He looked over at me. “Is there a good reason?”

“Probably not one you would want to hear.”

“Is there someone else?”

I had to be short with my dad, because the last thing I wanted to do was tell him my business. I guess, in a way, he was trying to smooth things out with me. To me, he was just trying to interfere even more in my life. “Dad, do you really want to know who I’m takin’ to bed, or are you just askin’ just to avoid what needs to be said?”

He stood up straight and crossed his arms. “Are you here for good, or do you plan on takin’ a lot more of these trips?”

I turned and leaned my back against the porch railing. Like him, I crossed my arms in front of me. “Do I have a choice?”

“You always have a choice, Noah. You just don’t like the options you’re given.” Of course I didn’t. It was his way or the highway.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I shook my head. “You know, there’s a chance that I would have ended up workin’ this ranch my whole life anyway, but bein’ pushed into the position ain’t exactly considerate. I need space. You hoverin’ over me all the time is redundant. I can do the job without you houndin’ me. It ain’t like I don’t know what I’m doin’. You just look for things to bitch about, because I’m your son.”

“Watch your mouth, son.” He took a long breath before continuing. “You want to discuss this now?” I could tell he was irritated, but not as much as me.

If I was going to be stuck with this life, he was going to listen to me bitch about it, at least once. “I want you to know where I’m comin’ from.”

My youngest sister came into view. “That’s goin’ to have to wait. Mom said get your butts inside for dessert. Gram’s goin’ to need a ride home afterwards, Noah.” Addy held the door open, not giving us a second to hash out our concerns any more.

My grandmother was spending extra time with Bells. We knew she was worried about her, and more so what her parents were going to say when she told them that she’d decided to move to the ranch with me.

I think in some ways they always knew we’d grow up and want to live closer to each other. Summers were never enough time to spend with my best friend, girl or not. We used to count down the days until we could hang out with each other again. When we both entered into college it got even harder. Her jackass boyfriend kept her away from family get-togethers, and I was starting to feel like we were losing that bond we’d always shared.

It wasn’t until their first big blow up that I knew she still needed me just as much as I needed her. After that, we never kept anything from each other.

My gram winked at me as I walked in and sat down across from them. Bells smiled, but kept her head low. My dad had pulled her aside three times asking for details. My mom just asked me when nobody was around. I think that even though she knew she was safe, Bells felt uncomfortable being around everyone.

My sister, Christian, was playing with her phone. I snatched it out of her hand and read the message she was replying to.

Tonight. My place. Wear something black, with lace. – Kev

She yanked the phone out of my hand and gave me this look like she could kick my ass. “Dick.”

I got close to her ear, so our parents wouldn’t hear us. “If this Kev wants to live to see another day, he’ll keep his f**kin’ hands off of you. Make sure you tell him that.”

She punched me in my stomach. “You can’t control me, Noah.”

I took her phone again, this time holding it up so she couldn’t reach it. I liked to antagonize my sisters whenever I got a chance. “Hey, Mom, did you know Chris plans to meet up with some guy tonight after dinner?”