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He cannot know what’s going on.
I’m quiet as we finish up cooking and then eat our meal. I can manage a few sentences for Elijah, but I can’t even bring myself to make eye contact with Noah.
When we’ve finished, Elijah plays his video games for a few minutes while I wash the dishes, and Noah sits next to him, watching.
I can sense the pull he feels to be near his son, and I understand why. Natasha wants to take him away.
They’re happy as they sit on the couch, laughing about the silly game, and it’s all I can do not to burst into tears.
When it’s time to put Elijah to bed, Noah and I walk him up. Elijah brushes his teeth, leaving Noah and me in the room alone together as we set up his lights and grab pajamas.
“Are you okay? You seem quiet.”
“Mmm.”
I don’t know what the grunt is supposed to convey to him, but I smile and deliver the PJs to Elijah. He changes, and we meet him at the bed for a story.
The voices are hard for me this time, and I know I don’t give it the same gusto I usually do. Elijah seems to notice, but I just fake a yawn and pretend to be tired.
He’s tucked in and ready for sleep, so we leave Elijah’s room, and I stand with Noah silently in the hall.
This is when I’m supposed to go, at least according to Natasha. This is when I have to say goodbye.
Chapter 26
Noah
Liv is acting strange, and I know it’s something that Natasha did. She won’t speak to me, not really, and getting her to look me in the eye has been impossible.
And on the awkward scale, this evening was right up there with the one when John came for dinner. It would be something different if she seemed pissed or frustrated, but I see the tears she’s been holding back.
Dammit. What did that bitch do?
“Hey, so do you want to ta—”
Liv cuts me off. “I should go. I have stuff at home I need to take care of, and everything is all set here. Elijah is down, and the place is all tidy. I’m going to go.”
I hold up a hand as Liv starts for the stairs, blocking her a bit with my body.
“Liv, please. I’d like to talk about—”
“I can’t.”
Her words come out harsh, but she quickly schools herself.
“Sorry. I just need to go.” She doesn’t meet my eyes as she speaks.
“Did I do something? Did Natasha do something?”
Liv shakes her head, but I can see her fighting back tears even more now.
“No, no. It’s fine.”
“Liv—”
She steps back and moves around me toward the stairs.
“I’m just not feeling well. Probably too much food. I’m going to go get some rest. Talk to you tomorrow.”
