AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Linsey and Robin…were kind of small for grown-ups. He’d never really noticed that before. Wesley and Philip were almost as tall as they were—and the twins were only nine. Why hadn’t he ever noticed that before? Robin and Linsey had just always seemed to know what they were doing.
He was getting taller. And older. He wanted to be the kind of guy who knew what he was doing, and just did it. Like Nick tried, too. Nick…would keep doing what he had to do, even if he was scared. Noah swallowed once, and tightened his hold on Becky. As he said the words from his gut. “Shouldn’t I have a say in where I have to go? It’s my life. Mine and Novie’s.”
“I don’t want my brother to go away!” Nova yelled, gearing up again.
Robin pulled her closer. “It’s ok, baby. Nick isn’t going to let you and Noah be separated ever again.”
But Nova was getting upset all over again. And so was Becky.
“Noah, you’re a bit too young to have a real say, legally, at least not completely. Our state has laws. But that’s not how we do things around here,” Jude said, firmly, shooting a look at the bald guy who was still being stupid and running his mouth to Linsey—who was just ignoring him completely. “Your wishes matter most of all, to Linsey and me. It’s my job to make sure you are where you will be the happiest.”
The bald guy was now trying to argue with Linsey—who put that hand in his face again. Noah fought the stupid urge to laugh.
Linsey kind of reminded him of Patton’s dog Winnie whenever she was trying to protect one of the baby goats at Uncle Phil’s house. Little and fierce—with her wacky hair sticking out everywhere.
“I suggest we all sit down and talk about this,” Linsey said firmly. “Figure out what is best for Noah—together.”
“You promised I would be with Nova,” Noah reminded her. That was something that he would always want. At least…until Nova was a grown-up, anyway.
He’d made her a promise to take care of her when she’d been just a little baby. Nick said a real man kept his promises, no matter what. Especially to the people that mattered most.
“I know. And I keep my promises, Noah. But we have rules for how these types of meetings are supposed to go. Jude and I have to follow that procedure,” Linsey said, patting him on the shoulder. “We’re going to talk about this and make sure everyone is good with what we decide.”
Noah just nodded, shifting Becky to one side. She laid her head on his shoulder and just sniffled a little. Her eyes closed. She was usually asleep when they got back from school. For at least another hour. She was probably still sleepy.
He didn’t want to let her go. He didn't want to think about not ever seeing her again. Or Patton. Or even Wesley and Philip.
If someone didn’t keep an eye on those toadstools for Robin, they’d end up falling off a cliff someday. Or getting squished by a tractor. Or the school buses. They were completely clueless about how the world worked. And sometimes clueless about the world around them.
And…the idea of leaving Nova again…made him kind of sick. Even though he knew she’d be ok with Nick.
He knew that. Nova would be ok, now. Even without him. Some of the sick feeling in his stomach lessened. It had been there forever, it seemed. He couldn’t remember not being afraid for Nova. Not her entire life. But…she had Nick and Robin now, and they loved her.
Nick and Robin would be her dad and mom forever. She’d be…ok.
But what about him?
What did he want for him?
He looked at Nick…and knew.
