Page 40 of Before We Break

She sits up straighter, crisscrossing her legs and picking at a thread on her ripped blue jeans. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

I set down my hair brush and sink onto the bed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about me. That’s my job.”

“Be honest. Do you like him?”

“He’s a good guy. I think maybe we could be friends.”

“But not…”

I don’t even let her get the words out. “Noooo. Nope. That’s not going to happen.”

“Ok…” She sounds skeptical, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before Noah sees me as anything more than his annoying neighbor or—at best—Auggie’s teacher.

She stands, arms outstretched, twirling out of the room like the whirlwind that blew her into my life sixteen years ago. “Have fun,” she sing-songs on the way out.

“No. Nope. Absolutely not.”

“If you’re gonna be my woman, you’ll have to ride my bike.”

I cross my arms over my chest, taking a defiant stance. “That’s not in the contract. I never agreed to it.”

“File it under ‘etc.’ in the canoodling clause.”

“Do you want to end up in prison for my murder?”

I regret the words as soon as they’re out. Rumors have been swirling about Noah’s brother lately, and he hasn’t confirmed them, but the look on his face tells me everything I need to know. Way to go, Clio. Open mouth, insert foot.

Noah’s jaw ticks and he looks away, climbing onto the front of the bike. He holds out the helmet. “Get on the fucking bike, Clio.”

My heart stutters. “Noah… I…”

“We’re going to be late.”

I pull on the helmet, tucking my hair away from my face, and climb onto the back of his bike. It’s not the most comfortable position to be in, but I’ve already fucked up enough for one date; I shouldn’t make matters worse.

I hold onto his hips, my hands curling in his leather jacket.

“You’re gonna have to hold on tighter.” In a move that shouldn’t be as sexy as it feels, he takes my hands and wraps them all the way around his waist, setting them against his hard abs. He pats my hands twice, and the engine starts, vibrations pulsing between my thighs. “Don’t let go for anything,” he shouts. “I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”

Something about those words said by this man at this moment leaves a hollow ache in my chest. No man has ever said such a thing to me.

The sentiment curls around me like soft velvet, easing my frayed nerves—at least until he starts driving and my stomach plummets to the ground. I bury my head against his back, hanging on for dear life as he navigates through the alley and onto the road. I’m positive he’s taking it slow for my benefit, but I still feel like I might throw up.

It’s a short ride to the library, but I’m grateful all the same when he parks in the back alley and kills the engine.

I pull off the helmet, practically hyperventilating.

He climbs off the bike first and gives me a once-over. “Still in one piece. Guess I won’t be joining my brother.”

“Noah. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have said what I said back there.”

“It’s fine. We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

I gaze at him expectantly, holding out my hand. “Engaged, remember?”

He loosely weaves his fingers through mine, the bare minimum by anyone’s standards. As he starts to walk away, I tighten my grip and tug him back. “We don’t have to do this. We can end it right now if that’s what you want.”

“No. We already signed the contract. Let’s get this over with.”