“She won’t speak to me, so I doubt she’ll let me near her tools.”
“Wait…is that a euphemism for something?” Gemma waggles her brows.
“Hormones,” Tyler mouths with wide eyes, signaling for me not to challenge her.
I suck in a breath. “I’m gonna take a shower and get ready to go…”
“We’re leaving in thirty minutes,” Gemma announces as I walk down the short hallway to the bathroom.
Once I’m under the stream of hot water, it doesn’t take long before visions of Katie surface. I’ve thought about her every single day of my life, so today’s not any different. My cock gets hard as I picture her heart-shaped face and ruby lips. I always adored her spitfire attitude. It’s why I fell for her in the first place.
Before Gabe showed up, we used to have movie nights every weekend. We’d sit on my bed, share a large bowl of popcorn mixed with M&Ms, then fall asleep together. I almost had the courage to kiss her one night, but then something in the movie had her bursting out with laughter, and Coke spewed out of her mouth. It sprayed all over my chest, and she couldn’t stop giggling.
Of course, I laughed with her, but as soon as I took off my shirt to wipe off the mess, I saw the way her eyes stared at my chest. Katie licked her lips and quickly averted her gaze when she realized I’d caught her.
That was when I should’ve made my move, but I fucking chickened out. The self-conscious part of me took over, so instead of kissing her, I created more space between us.
Didn’t stop my fantasies every time I took a shower.
“You ready?” Gemma asks as I stroll into the kitchen with my duffel bag and air mattress.
“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
“Eh, don’t worry,” Tyler says. “What’s the worst that can happen? She poisons you and feeds you to the gators?” He chuckles, patting me on the back.
“Just promise me you’ll at least look for my body…” I groan.
To be on the safe side, we walk through the backyards to Katie’s. It’s just down the block, so it’s not far. The asshole harassing me might be watching my dad’s place, so it’s best if they don’t see where I go.
“If you need anything, just call, okay? I don’t want you out of work for long, so I promise you we’ll find whoever it is,” Tyler reassures me.
“Yes, and let me know if you need me to bring you anything to eat. Katie’s a good cook and all, but she doesn’t have a fridge yet, so I think your choices will be limited,” Gemma tells me.
“I’m sure I’ll manage.”
Gemma walks with me, and soon, we’re at Katie’s back door. I knock and nervously wait.
CHAPTERELEVEN
KATIE
Noah’sthe last person I want to be around, but I’d do anything to keep him safe regardless of how mad I am or how awkward it will be. He desperately needs somewhere to disappear to, and I agree that my house is the perfect haven, even if it’s inconvenient for me.
My focus will still be on finishing the house so Owen and I can move in. I haven’t gotten used to Noah being back in town, and it’s been harder than I ever imagined. Working on the house has been my escape for the past year. I’ve lost myself within those walls on more than one occasion, and now Noah will be in my safe space.
I’m not sure how to feel.
He’ll undoubtedly use this opportunity to talk to me about everything, and honestly, I have nothing more to say, nor do I want to hear his excuses. After I put on my remodeling clothes, I cook Owen and me some eggs and bacon. After we eat, I pack the car, and we head out.
My fingers tap against the steering wheel, and I’m a nervous wreck to face him again. Owen doesn’t notice, which I’m thankful for, but I still need to talk to him about Noah living there temporarily. After I park, I turn around and grab his attention in the back seat.
“I’ve gotta tell you something before we go inside,” I say.
Owen furrows his brow. “Okay, what?”
I swallow hard. “Well, there’s gonna be a man staying here for a little while.”
“Who?”