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CHAPTER 9
AURORA
Noah watched me intently.
I didn’t like it. The way he saw past my defenses.
I couldn’t tell him about the argument. He was Austin’s friend, not mine. And yet, I found myself wanting to spill the tea.
“You know, my offer will expire eventually.” He smiled, and that one simple gesture broke right through my defenses.
I was weak when it came to this guy.
“What has Austin told you about our mom?”
“Not much. He doesn’t really talk about his family all that much.”
My heart sank.
But I couldn’t resent Austin too much because neither did I.
“Our mom can be… a lot. She’s always had a lot of opinions on how we should live our lives. It’s why Austin left and never looked back.” I plated up the pancakes and slid a stack toward him with a bottle of syrup.
“Thanks,” he said. “These look great.”
“I’m not sure they’re Coach Tucker approved, but if you don’t tell, I won’t.”
“Aren’t you having any?”
“Oh no, I already had some fruit.”
“Don’t tell me you’re one of those girls who doesn’t eat sugar or carbs before lunchtime?”
“Do I look like the kind of girl who doesn’t eat sugar and carbs?” I rolled my eyes.
“What do you mean?” His brows crinkled as he studied me.
“It’s okay, Noah. You don’t have to do that.” The words tumbled out because self-deprecation was my armor. “I know what I am.”
“You lost me there, shortcake. What are you talking about?”
“I think the term you and your friends would use is chubby bunny.” I flinched.
“What the fuck?” Anger flared in his eyes. “No one would ever call you that, Aurora.”
“You’re just saying that because I’m Austin’s sister.”
“Actually, I probably shouldn’t say that because you’re his sister.”
“What—”
“You know, I think if you gave me a chance, you and I could be great friends.”
I rolled my eyes, disguising the sinking disappointment I felt.
Friends.
Was I destined for a life on the sidelines?
