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“I’m sorry. Gotta go,” I say.
“No problem at all. Love you,” he tells me.
“Love you too, bye.”
Unfortunately, the day passes by at turtle speed, and I’ve looked at the clock more times than I can count. By the time I pick up Owen from my parents' and Noah comes over for dinner, I’ve thought of every possible scenario known to man. My mind has been in overdrive, wanting to know what was said.
Noah brings fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a pile of buttered biscuits. We devour the food like we haven’t eaten in a week. Owen yawns, and I notice he’s struggling to stay awake, probably because I let him stay up a little later last night.
“Time for bed,” I finally say, and he sticks out his lower lip.
“But I wanted to hang out with Noah some more.”
Noah grins wide. “I’m gonna be around a lot, bud. Get some rest, and maybe we can hang out this weekend?”
Owen’s eyes light up, and it makes me smile. “Deal,” he tells Noah and holds out his hand to shake on it. I lead him to his room, and after he changes into his pajamas and brushes his teeth, I tuck him in, then tell him good night.
On the way back to Noah, my body buzzes with the prospect of what he’ll say. I sit next to him on the couch, and he leans forward, painting his warm lips across mine. When we break apart, he meets my eyes. “Are you ready to hear this?”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s best to just pull off the Band-Aid. Tell me what kept you up all night.”
Noah sucks in a deep breath, then begins, and after he explains what Belinda heard, I feel queasy.
“What’re you thinking?” he asks, studying my face. “You okay?”
“All of this makes me sick to my stomach and puts me on edge. I’ve hardly been able to eat or keep anything down.”
He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. Sad eyes meet mine. “I’m so sorry to put you through this, baby. I hate that it’s affecting you so much.”
“It’s okay. We’re going to get through this and prove they’re responsible.”
Noah lets out a long breath. “There’s more.”
“More?” I ask. “Seriously?”
“I have a gut feeling she’s the woman Gabe was with the night of the accident,” he barely whispers. “And I think she was pregnant with his baby.”
A chill rushes through me as I remember what Owen said about Anthony not having a father either.
“I don’t remember the woman’s name who testified against me or what she looked like, but I’m almost certain it was her. I also think Loretta knew about the baby and has tried to keep it hidden. I believe that’s what all of this is really about. It’s the only thing that seems to make any sense.”
I try hard to understand, but some of this still doesn’t line up. “So why would Brittany want you dead?” I ask.
“Revenge,” he simply states.
My head spins. “The stress of it all is weighing so heavily on me because I’m so worried about you. I was hoping we’d have a fresh start together.”
“I’m not gonna let anyone or anything get between us. Not Loretta. Not Brittany. No one. I’m so sorry I brought this trouble to you,” he states matter-of-factly.
“It’s not your fault, Noah. I just know we have to be careful because you’re being watched. Keeping you safe has to be our priority.”
He lets out a sigh. “Based on what I heard in the hospital and the lengths Brittany's already gone to get back at me, you’re right. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants—me dead.”
“I’m still convinced Loretta is the ringleader of all of this, especially since she asked Brittany why she’s still in town,” I say.
“She could be, but Brittany has skin in the game too. Can’t trust either of them.”
Noah pulls me into his body and holds me. I lean my head against his shoulder and inhale his scent.
