Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(68)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I didn’t have a blanket, so the grass was going to have to suffice. Shalan took my hand and let me guide her to where I wanted to sit. “It’s so dark out here. Aren’t you scared something is going to get us?”

“Nah. I’m bigger.” I sat down and she sat between my legs with her head rested on my thigh. “Look up, beautiful.”

The sky, so full of stars, was the most breathtaking view each night at our ranch. I knew that she couldn’t see them this good in New York. “This is amazing, Noah.”

“Yeah, so are you.”

Her attention turned to me. “You’re different here.”

“Maybe it’s you that’s makin’ me different.”

“What do you mean? Are you trying to impress me, because you don’t have to try, Noah, I like you no matter what.”

“You like me?” For once I was starting to hate the word.

“Of course I do.” Shalan sat up and straddled me. I held her there, making sure she was as close to me as possible. She smelled like my soap, only reminding me that I’d washed her earlier.

“I’m not real good at this, so forgive me for bein’ blunt, but I don’t want you to like me, Shalan. I don’t want that at all.”

Her smile, noticeable against the pale moonlight, turned into a frown. “I don’t understand. I thought we -.”

I had to kiss her so I had time to think about what I wanted to say. She pulled away, looking more concerned than ever. “Noah, I-“

I placed my finger over her lips and went for it. “I don’t want you to just like me, Shalan, I want you to love me.” Her eyes doubled in size as I released my finger from her lips. “Havin’ you here, feelin’ you close to me, I don’t want it to end.”

“Don’t do this right now, Noah. Please, I’m begging you. Just hold this conversation until I get things sorted out.”

Right then and there was when I knew she was going to break my heart, and what was about to come next would end it all.

Shalan

I’d gotten the call when I was helping his mother with dishes. Shelly rang me to offer me a spot on a tour of Europe with a popular country band, who had a back up singer quit on them. She’d explained that this was common, especially during long tours where people were away from their families. For me it was easy. The tour would last for two months, with breaks in between cities. I was so excited that I’d accepted immediately. This was my chance to travel the world, and sing my heart out. If I impressed the company enough, I could speed up the process on my own album.

There was just one problem standing in my way.

Noah.

Since I’d arrived at the ranch he’d been amazing. I fell in love with his family, and treasured the perfect life that they had together. It was a life that I’d only ever dreamed of having.

I’d planned on telling Noah my news when we left dinner, but then he took me out to see that beautiful sky, and I got lost in the moment. The only thing more exciting than a record label was being in Noah’s arms. I know the two have nothing to do with one another, but in my eyes it felt equally as fulfilling.

Everything was fine until he started talking. Then I knew that my decision was going to tear him apart.

We’d talked about this. He knew this could happen for me. This was why we didn’t do labels. It just sucked that the moment we took that leap I’d get the chance of a lifetime.

“What do you have to sort out, darlin’? I thought we established things earlier.”

His smile had dissipated and I could see that his hope was failing. “Can we go back to your place? There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Tell me here. We’re all alone.”

“Please.” I needed the couple minutes it would take us to get back to decide how to tell him that I wasn’t staying. He’s planned our weekend out and I knew he was going to already be pissed. Now, on top of everything, I was going to be in another country for a long period of time. Shelly had told me on the phone that they didn’t just choose me for my singing. She said she needed someone they could count on to be gone for long periods of time. Since I told her I had no attachments, she assumed I was the perfect candidate.

Noah walked us back to the golf cart and we started driving back to his house. “You’re really not goin’ to talk to me until we get back?”

I wrapped my arm under his and nestled my head next to him. More than anything I wanted to tell him that I was in love with him. I’d known it for a while, but life got in the way. I was being selfish, I knew I was. Still, I couldn’t stop wanting to be with him. “It’s not about what you said in the field, Noah. I just need to tell you something important.”

He stopped the golf cart and turned toward me. “Are you pregnant?”

“What?” Shocked, I backed away. “Why would you think that?”

“We don’t exactly use protection anymore. I just assumed.”

“I’m not pregnant, at least I wasn’t the last time I checked. It’s not that at all, I promise.”

It was strange seeing such concern in Noah’s eyes. He was truly a strong man, and I hated that I was hurting him. It made me want to pack my bags and run away, just to avoid seeing the look in his eyes when he found out.

We pulled up to the house, but we weren’t alone. A strange car was in the driveway. Bella was standing on the porch yelling at a blonde who stood in front of the steps.

“You need to leave, Perry. I ain’t goin’ to tell you again. If I come down there, I’m goin’ to kick your pretty little ass.”

“You can’t tell me what to do. Noah needs to talk to me. He can’t keep doing this.”

“Fuck my life,” Noah mumbled. “Stay here. It’s dark enough she won’t see you.”

I grabbed his arm. “That’s your ex?”

“Unfortunately.”

Noah approached the woman, and talked low so I couldn’t hear what he was saying. For someone that had been cheated on and lied to, it rubbed me the wrong way. After Bella went back inside, I was just sitting there not knowing what was being said. When I couldn’t take it anymore I climbed off the golf cart and headed for the house. I just wanted to start packing my things up to go home. This was the last thing I needed in my life.

I reached the porch when I heard her speaking louder. “That’s her? That’s who you’re f**kin’ now? Did you just come from the willow tree?” She turned her attention to me. “Let me guess, he took you to see the stars? You aren’t the first, darlin’.” She mocked Noah.