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“I heard you.”
“Shortcake.” He took a step toward me. “I’m telling you, it wasn’t me.”
“Well, it wasn’t Connor. And Austin wouldn’t—”
“That sneaky fucker,” Noah breathed.
“What?” It was my turn to frown.
“Austin’s been seeing someone. Acting all cagey about it. It’s Fallon. I’d bet money on it.”
“We don’t know that.”
“Well, I know I wasn’t in the house banging her that night. So unless we had an intruder or Connor is cheating on Ella, then I hate to break it to you, shortcake, but it was big brother.”
“That is… Oh my God, I think I’m going to puke. I heard my big brother having sex.” I clapped a hand over my mouth, bile churning in my stomach.
Amusement danced in Noah’s eyes, but it did little to ease the knot in my stomach. Just because he didn’t drop me for Sam last night didn’t change anything.
If anything, the whole debacle only reaffirmed that I was out of my league.
When I’d calmed down, Noah took another step closer. “I didn’t sleep with Fallon. And I certainly didn’t fuck Sam last night or any other girl, for that matter. I had some family stuff to deal with.”
“Family stuff?”
“Yeah. And no, I don’t want to talk about it.” I went to speak but he added, “That’s not me trying to give you more ammunition to go off on me. I just don’t talk about him. I can’t.”
“I believe you.” I did because I knew all about difficult families. But the rest? I didn’t know what to think, but my gut said Noah was telling the truth. Which meant I’d gone full Fanny Price on him.
Crap.
“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions,” I said. “But I’m way out of my league here, Noah. I tried to tell myself I could do it, that I could put aside all my insecurities and fears and just enjoy this. But I realize now I can’t do it. You’re Noah Holden, and I’m not the kind of girl who dates hockey players.”
Not anymore.
“What are you saying, shortcake?” The muscle in his jaw ticked, his eyes locked on mine. Pleading with me not to say whatever was on the tip of my tongue.
I inhaled a sharp breath, hesitating. I needed to do this.
I needed to protect myself.
My heart.
“I’m saying,” I forced the words out. “I can’t do this.”
CHAPTER 24
NOAH
She didn’t waver as she said the words.
Not even a little.
Regret cut me right through the chest because I’d done this.
I’d made her doubt me—my intentions—to the point where she wholeheartedly believed she wasn’t good enough for me.
Well, fuck that.
