When I rolled slowlydown Noah’s driveway a couple of hours later, my nerves only slightly less jumpy than they’d been the last time I’d been here, a small red sports car was parked in front of his garage. I frowned slightly; I assumed it belonged to one of Noah’s teammates, perhaps Zeke, whom Emma had mentioned a few times. Damn, I’d hoped to catch him alone. This wasn’t the kind of conversation I wanted to have with an audience present.
Still, there was no backing out now. Slowly, and with a stuttering heartbeat and rolling stomach, I climbed out of the driver’s seat and up the porch steps. I rang the doorbell before I could lose my nerve.
For several long moments, I waited. I didn’t hear anything coming from inside. I twisted my hands together and wondered how long I should wait. Maybe I should just sit out here on the porch until Noah got home. Having gotten up the nerve to get here today, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to repeat the process and come back to try again.
The door suddenly swung open, but it wasn’t Noah on the other side. Nor was it a football player-sized man. No, answering Noah’s front door was a woman I recognized. She was wearing a thick pink terrycloth robe and had a towel wrapped around what I knew was her long blonde hair. The last time I’d seen her had been in the ICU family waiting area when Noah had still been comatose.
I remembered her name, but I didn’t intend to give her the satisfaction of using it. Squaring my shoulders, I stared down into her wide eyes and cleared my throat.
“Hi. I’m here to see Noah, please.”
Juliet raised one eyebrow. “He’s not here. Sorry. You just missed him, actually. He’s at physical therapy.”
“Oh.” I felt stupid standing here awkwardly on his front porch while this woman who seemed to have made herself comfortable at Noah’s house smirked at me. “Uh—how long is his appointment? When do you expect him back here?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Not sure. Zeke drove him today—usually it’s me who does that, of course—and I know they were thinking of stopping for a beer afterwards. He’s at the clinic for a couple of hours at least.”
“Okay.”Damn. I wasn’t going to loiter on the porch for hours. I already felt pathetic just being here, talking to Juliet.
“Is there anything I can help you with?” She tilted her head and leaned against the doorjamb. Her robe gapped, giving me a view I truly didn’t need.
“No.” I shook my head. “Nope, nothingyoucan do for me. But can you please give Noah a message?”
“Um, sure?” She frowned. “What do you want me to tell him?”
“Let him know that Alison was here. Tell him that I’ve been trying to reach him, that it’s very important that we talk as soon as possible. Ask him to call me tonight, please.”
“Alison?” Juliet shook her head. “I don’t think he’s ever mentioned you.”
I was embarrassed to be here like some deluded ex-girlfriend who was still pining for the man she’d lost. I was pissed off that I’d gotten up the nerve to drive here only to find that Noah wasn’t home. And I was sick and tired of trying to do the right thing by Noah, only to have every effort thwarted.
I snapped.
“Oh, come off it, Juliet. You know who I am. We met at the damn hospital.” I tossed up my hands. “Noah’s mom was there.”
“Oh.” She nodded slightly, but there wasn’t any accompanying recognition in her eyes, which told me I was right on the money. She knew me. She just didn’t intend to give me the satisfaction of acknowledging it. “Mrs. Spencer didn’t know you. You said you were a friend of a friend, right?”
“I was trying not to make waves.” I spoke through clenched teeth. “I didn’t want to upset the poor woman when her son was in serious condition. But I know Noah. I know him—well.”
“If that’s the case, then why do you think he hasn’t called you back?” Juliet tapped her chin as though pondering this question. “It sounds to me like he doesn’t want to see you.” She sighed and shook her head. “I’ve been around football players all of my life, sweetie. I know your type—you met a sexy one, he gave you a good time, and now you can’t seem to stop thinking about him. But let me give you a piece of advice—walk away. Noah’s having enough trouble adjusting to his new normal without having to deal with someone like you. He’s made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t want to see you—or he would have gotten in touch.” She began to ease the door shut. “Take my word for it. Save yourself some heartache and embarrassment. Let it go.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” I was close to going full-on Hulk right now. “And what was between Noah and me is none of your business. Just give him the message.” I lowered my voice and leveled a steely gaze down at her. “And let me tell you—if you don’t tell him I was here, it’s going to backfire on you in a big way. Takemyadvice—sweetie.”
With that final parting word, I turned around and swept off the porch and into my car. I didn’t even glance backwards to see if Juliet was watching me.
As I drove away from Noah’s house, I knew full well that she wasn’t going to tell him I’d been there. He’d never get my message.
But I’d done all I could to tell him. Now, all of the choices were mine to make.
12
Noah
“Was that the doorbell I heard?” I stepped out of the bathroom, using a towel to dry off my hair. It was longer than I’d ever worn it, I observed absently to myself. I should probably think about getting a haircut.
“What?” Juliet was perched on the bed, her pink robe wrapped around her, her face still flushed from the hot water. Or maybe it was more than just the water . . . as a reward for getting through a painful, challenging session at physical therapy, she’d joined me in the shower and given me an incredible blow job.
“I thought I heard the doorbell ring right after you got out of the shower. Who was it?”
