I stayed where I was, watching as my partner opened the love letter I had written them.
The paper unfolded and Noah scrambled to grab the small wallet sized photos I had printed as a gift from the finals Sadie sent me.
Noah’s face turned bright red as they tried to stuff the photos back into the envelope, as well as the letter soon after when a few swirly letters spelled out sentences likeMomma looks forward to seeing that pretty pussy tonight.
It might not have helped the picture of me holding Noah by the hair as they practically drooled on their knees and fell to the grass where anyone passing could have seen it.
Thankfully, Noah had impressive stamina.
“Miss Sullivan.” Noah tucked the envelope safely inside their inner jacket pocket once they confirmed all the photos were present. “Are you trying to get me fired?”
“A little pressure on the heart never killed anyone, Coach Thatcher.” I anchored my hands on my hips and watched Kendall warm up.
Noah shook their head and walked just ahead of me. They lowered their baseball cap in front of their mouth so the surrounding students couldn’t read their lips.
“You know I adore you, Sully.” Noah scrunched up their nose. “But you surprise me more every day.”
I smiled at the cutesy nickname. They were such a golden retriever, I was beginning to fall in love with everything they did.
Who was I kidding? I’ve adored Noah since I first laid eyes on those sterling eyes.
“I love you.” I blurted out.
And, truthfully, I meant it.
Noah blinked in surprise. They lowered their baseball cap and grinned.
“I love you too, El.”
CHAPTER 01: PETER
A single red leaf falls onto my windshield in the shape of a broken heart.
Fitting.
It’s midday, and my body revolts at the idea of getting my picture taken. I don’t feel attractive and will feel even less attractive when I get in there.
I check my phone and see the picture of Todd and me on our honeymoon in Paris. No matter how hard I try, I can’t bring myself to remove it from my home screen.
Don’t worry, Todd’s not dead. He left me for someone 13 years younger.Now, do I wish he were dead?
My phone buzzes in my hand, almost sending me through the roof. I check the screen, and see the devil woman who did this to me.
Angela: Are you there yet?
I’m pretty sure my eye roll has made a full rotation around the planet.
I can’t believe you convinced me to do this! What was I thinking?
After Todd left me, Angela swooped in to pick up the pieces. We’ve been best friends since our freshman year of high school. When she asked me out on a date and, on said date, we kissed in the backseat of my parents’ Honda Civic, and she screamed, “I knew you were gay.”
Angela: Are you sitting in your car like a Grumpy Gus?
I’m not a Grumpy Gus!
Angela: Get in there! She’s waiting for you. I told her she has to send me stills so I can see how cute you look.
All of this is a morale boost. I’m beyond grateful to have a friend like Angela, but her remedies for complicated feelings tend to lean to the extreme. Like this, setting me up as a model for a couples shoot to show me how “gorgeous” I still am.
