AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know,” she said.
“You do?”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you, Noah, it’s that despite the rumors and gossip, you’re a good guy. If you say you didn’t lead her on, I believe you.”
“That’s not the weirdest thing,” I admitted.
“It’s not?”
“Remember she said her apartment was broken into? Well, I always thought something was a little off about it. Pretty sure she was wearing the scarf she told me went missing that night.”
“You think she made it up?”
“I think love makes you do crazy things.”
“Maybe you should tell somebody. That’s pretty wild, Noah.”
“Nah, Sam is harmless. A little certifiable, maybe, but harmless all the same. Why? Worried about me, shortcake?”
“Maybe, just a little.” She smiled.
“Does this mean you’re ready to give me another chance?” Hope was a living, breathing thing in my chest.
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
“Well, shit. I thought we were making progress.”
“I like you, Noah. I like you a lot. But that terrifies me.”
“I like you too, shortcake.” I brushed the hairs from her face, dropping my gaze to her lips. Wondering how hard she would kick me in the balls if I kissed her right now.
“But we’re so different,” she added.
“You’re wrong, you know. We’re more alike than you think. I mean, you grew up with shitty parents; I grew up with shitty parents. Your favorite animal is a dog; my favorite animal is a dog. You like Mr. Darcy; I like Mr. Darcy… it’s practically a match made in heaven.”
“You’re crazy,” she laughed. A real honest-to-God laugh that filled the arena and made my heart fucking soar.
It was a sound I wanted to bottle. To record and play before every game. Because knowing I was the one who made it happen made me feel ten feet fucking tall.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked.
“Sure.”
“Does Austin know about how bad things were with your mom?”
Her expression dropped, and just as I suspected, I had my answer.
CHAPTER 27
AURORA
“I…” I inhaled a sharp breath.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Noah took my hand, squeezing it gently. “I shouldn’t have—”
“No, it’s fine. Austin was always distant growing up. Mom hated that he reminded her of Dad, and the two of them bickered over everything. I was in the middle a lot because despite how difficult she was, she was still my mom, you know?” I shrugged, hating that I needed to justify our complicated relationship.
“He knew she pushed me to do the modeling thing, but he was three-and-a-half years older than me and was already in deep with hockey. All he wanted was to get a scholarship and get out of Syracuse, so I got really good at hiding the truth.”
