Page 29 of Before We Break

NOAH

Hurried footsteps echo in the hallway between our apartments, a chorus of giggles following the sound. I pull open my apartment door to find Auggie rushing up the stairs with Lexi and Clio on his heels like a stampede of mischief.

“You can’t get me,” he chants.

When they reach the landing, Clio doubles over like she’s trying to catch her breath. “You’re too fast for me, Super Auggie.”

Lexi holds out her fist, and Auggie bumps his against it as they make an exploding sound. “Good job, little dude. Mom’s the rotten egg.”

Clio plasters on a fake scowl, her lips barely twitching. “I’ll get you next time.”

Lexi heads into the apartment, leaving the three of us alone.

“Thanks for bringing him home,” I say.

“Wow. First, an apology, and now a thank you from Noah Weston?” She pulls out her phone and opens the camera app. “Can you say that again so I can record it. Nobody’s ever going to believe this.”

“Ha ha. Very funny, Princess.”

“I have my moments.” She shrugs one shoulder, pocketing her phone.

The stairs creak, and I turn to find an unfamiliar dark-haired woman in a pantsuit approaching. My blood runs cold when I spot the Child Protective Services badge hanging around her neck.

I crouch down to Auggie’s level. “Hey, buddy. Go inside, ok? I’ll be there in a minute.”

Auggie tilts his chin up, smiles obliviously. “Ok.”

Fuck me. I wish I had his courage right now.

I widen my eyes at Clio, silently signaling for her to leave, but she doesn’t get the hint.

She scrutinizes me. “What⁠—”

I grab her by the wrist and pull her to my side.

“Hello. Are you Noah Weston?” the woman asks.

“Yes. And you are?”

“My name is Charlene White. I’m a caseworker with Child Protective Services. I’m here to check on the well-being of August Weston. May I come in?”

My muscles are coiled tight. I fix my intense gaze on the caseworker. “Do you have a warrant?”

She hugs a stack of paperwork to her chest. “No, sir. It’s a routine visit at the behest of the judge in your brother’s court case. We just want to make sure August is in good hands.”

A gentle hand presses against my bicep, and I relax in spite of myself.

I peer down into those brilliant green eyes that shimmer even in the dim light of the hallway, finding a quiet comfort I don’t deserve staring back at me.

“It’s alright, Noah. She’s just here to make sure Auggie’s ok.” She turns her attention to Charlene, giving her that kind smile she offers to everyone she meets as she holds out the opposite hand. “Hi. I’m Clio.”

Charlene shakes Clio’s hand, and her brows furrow. “That’s an uncommon name around here. Are you the Clio who teaches preschool at the elementary school?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Charlene’s face lights up the same way most people do when they meet Clio for the first time. She just has that effect on people. “Nice to meet you! You taught my grandson, Archer, last year.”

Clio beams at the recognition. “Oh, my goodness. How is little Archie doing in kindergarten?”