The Last Husband (Forever Love #2)(62)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Noah, I don’t want any of those things.” I ran down the stairs and headed to the front door. My friend John and his mom were waiting in the driveway to take me to his house. I stopped at the front door and looked up the stairs. Noah was sitting there with a sad face, staring down at me. He looked so alone and tiny, and in that moment, I knew I couldn’t leave.

“Alright you win, I’ll stay.” I dropped my bag on the floor and shouted up at him. His face lit up and he came running down the stairs.

“Here’s my watch Zane. It’s yours now.” He reluctantly held it out to me and I shook my head. I felt guilty that he was willing to give me the watch he had begged to receive for the last six months.

“Thanks, Zane. You’re the best big brother ever.” He hugged me close to him and I patted him on the back awkwardly.

“Don’t ever forget it.” I grinned at me and we both walked outside to tell John that I would no longer be attending the sleepover.

“Oh, what a beautiful morning.” Lucky’s singing woke me up and I saw her pulling on a pair of shorts. Her face was vibrant and happy, and she looked like she was going to workout.

“Where are you going?” I yawned, still slightly tired. The events of the last week had been exhausting and I was emotionally spent.

“I thought I’d go downstairs and cook Noah breakfast.”

“Just Noah?” I pretended to pout, but I sat up and jumped out of bed eagerly. I had almost forgotten that Noah was here and back in my life. It had all seemed like a dream—the best dream of my life, but a dream all the same.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to help?” She looked astonished and walked over to give me a kiss. “Good morning sleepyhead.” She played with my hair and then stepped back and looked at my face.

“What’s so funny?” I grumbled, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her towards me.

“I think you need the chia now.” She mussed with my hair again and giggled.

“Are you telling me I look a mess?” I squeezed her ass and was about to lean down and kiss her when I heard someone clearing their throat.

“Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but I was wondering if one of you would let me know where the coffee is?” Noah grinned at us as he stood in the doorway and my heart thudded as I stared at my little brother. Though he wasn’t so little now, he was buffer than me.

“Always preventing me from doing something, aren’t you Noah?” I walked towards him and slapped him on the shoulder. “Next time knock, yeah?”

“I didn’t think I had anything to worry about.” He stared at Lucky. “She’s been singing for the last 30 minutes at least, and I know you may be good in bed bro, but you’re not that good.”

“Noah.” I chastised him and looked at Lucky. “You’re in the presence of a lady.”

“My bad, Lucky.” He grinned at her. “You look beautiful by the way, I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you, Noah.” She walked over to join us and I stared at her legs. She looked sexy as hell, but I hadn’t realized before just how short her shorts were. They seemed to be showing an awful lot of leg, more leg than I thought any other guy should be seeing, not even my own brother.

“Do you want to change, Lucky?” I looked at her pointedly and she stared at me with a blank expression.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Zane. You just watched me get dressed.” She shook her head and linked her arm through Noah’s. “Now let’s go and get you some breakfast.” She smiled up at him as they walked to the stairs.

“So what am I then?” I called out to them. “Chopped liver? Doesn’t anyone want to make sure I get some breakfast?”

“Stop being a crybaby.” They both uttered at the same time and then they started laughing. I stood in my doorway, watching them walk down the stairs arm in arm and I wondered at how lucky I was to be witnessing my brother bonding with my fiancé. It was a sight I’d never thought I would see happen. I had never planned on getting engaged. I hadn’t believed in love and I certainly hadn’t planned to give my heart to some lady to trample all over. But then Lucky had wormed her way in and drilled a hole so deep that even I couldn’t ignore the way she made me feel. I smiled to myself at the feeling of complete and utter joy that I was experiencing. I don’t think I could remember ever feeling this happy before in my life.

“Yo bro, you coming?” I heard Noah call up the stairs and I hurried down to join them before he ate all of Lucky’s special home fries.

***

“You still mad?” Noah’s voice was cautious as he helped me put away the dishes from the dishwasher.

“What do you think?” I shook my head and placed the last glasses in the cupboard before turning around to face him. “I thought you were dead, Noah, and you weren’t. You didn’t even call me.” I glared at him and kept my voice low. “The only reason I’m not shouting right now is because Lucky’s upstairs in bed and not feeling well. I don’t want her to see how mad I am at you, but trust me bro, I’m still really mad.”

“I know you don’t understand why I did what I did. And I’m sure you feel like—” he started and I held a hand up.

“You have no idea how I feel. I feel overwhelmed with happiness and love. I feel like I’ve been given my whole heart back. You’re my best friend, Noah. All our life, it’s just been you and me. I thought you respected and loved me enough to let me know what’s up.”

“I couldn’t tell you.” He looked into my eyes and I was reminded of the little boy who followed me around everywhere. “You know I would have told you man if I thought it would be okay.” His eyes pleaded for my understanding.

“I don’t understand why you told Sidney Johnson.” The words sounded childish coming out of my mouth and I glared at him for making me sound like a jealous pansy.

“Sidney was the only person I told.” Noah sighed. “I can’t tell you why, but I trusted him.”

“More secrets, Noah?” I shook my head. “Whatever.”

“Trust me, Zane.” He grabbed a hold of my arm. “Please just trust me.”

“I missed you, man.” I turned my face embarrassed at how my voice had broken. “You know I trust you, but I missed you.”