AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One: Noah
The fasten seatbelt light lit up above me just as the captain’s muffled voice warbled through my earbuds. Taking one out, I half-ass listened as I shoved my tray table back up and stuffed my water bottle into my carry-on at my feet. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We’re about to make our descent into Atlanta.”
Home.
It didn’t matter that I’d spent the last seven years predominantly away from the city except for holidays and breaks. Regardless of where I’d been in the country, or even the world for that matter, Atlanta would always be home to me. It’s where I’d grown up—well at least in the burbs, that is. It’s where my parents and siblings still lived along with my large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. It’s where I’d experienced the happiest memories of my life.
It was that intense love of family that was providing me a break from my rigorous training schedule as a competitive swimmer. When my cousin and best friend, Mason, had asked me to be the best man at his wedding, my coach grudgingly granted me two weeks away. I’d had to practically sign in blood that I would still be in the water every single day I was away. At twenty-five, I was nearing what was considered somewhat middle-aged for competitive swimming, so I didn’t want to do anything to screw up my chances of competing in another Olympics.
Putting my name alongside “Olympic swimmer” was still something that felt like a dream. All the years of crack-of-dawn practices and hours upon hours submerged in the water had culminated in earning a spot as an alternate on the US swim team. Of course, my real break came with a teammate’s misfortune. Or I guess I should say idiocy considering he got blackout drunk celebrating after the Opening Ceremonies and fell down the stairs at the Olympic Village. That mishap resulted not only in a concussion, but a broken arm. Since I had the highest qualifying score of the alternates, I was the one who got moved into his spot.
As the plane skidded along the runaway, I dug my phone out of my pocket. After powering it on, text messages dinged in rapid-fire succession. Fielding through them, I fought the urge to both roll my eyes and chuckle. Of course, the majority were from my mom.
Mom:Hey sweetie, we’re leaving now for the airport. Can’t wait to see you!
Mom: I vetoed your dad’s and Liam’s idea to pick you up curbside. We’ll be waiting for you inside.
Jesus. Could my mom possibly be any more embarrassing? The thought of my family waiting for me at Arrivals and Departures like I was an unaccompanied minor home from his first flight was absurd.
Mom:Let me know the instant your plane lands!!
I’m not sure why Mom’s texts even surprised me. As much as she aggravated me, deep down I knew I should be thankful to have such an involved mom. She had sacrificed so much for not only my dreams, but my siblings as well. She always tried to argue that we’d made her dreams come true by allowing her to be a mother.
When the pilot’s voice once again came over the intercom and everyone began scattering to gather their things, I quickly texted:Just landed. See you in a few.
And of course, I’d barely finished hitting send before Mom’s swift reply came ofLove you bunches!followed with five heart emoji. With a shake of my head, I pictured her sitting shotgun in Dad’s Mercedes convertible—the one my siblings and I teased him with was a mid-life crisis car to which he had immediately clapped back with, “Who’smiddle-aged?”
Mom would be grinning from ear to ear as she texted me—her auburn hair blowing in the breeze from Dad’s insistence of having the top down even in rush hour traffic. Meanwhile, Dad would be checking his reflection in the mirror as well as sharing eye-rolls with my younger brother, Liam.
Damn, I’d missed them.
A commotion to my left drew my attention from my phone. In an instant, my family was forgotten. Two college-aged girls held one of the Delta Sky magazines between them while gesturing wildly at me. I couldn’t help the smirk that curved on my lips at their reaction.
I’d had an amused moment when I’d taken my seat after boarding and saw my grinning mug staring back out at me from the seat pocket. Being part of the US swim team that brought home the gold meant I’d been asked to be part of a celebratory press tour. One aspect of that was an interview with Sky Magazine. With Delta’s hub in Atlanta, their angle had been focusing on a hometown hero. I’d been more than happy to pose in my jammers—the replacement to the speedo—wearing the team medal.
By the time the photo landed on the cover, I’d been cropped from the waist up, conveniently obscuring my junk.
As I stepped into the aisle to retrieve my carry-on, the bustier of the two girls edged closer to me. “Aren’t you Noah Fitzgerald?”
I flashed her a smile. “Yeah, I am.”
Turning to the girl beside her, she said, “Molly, didn’t I tell you it was him?”
Appearing as the shyer of the two, Molly merely nodded while glancing up at me through her eyelashes. At my cocky wink, a flush crept from her cheeks down her neck.
Before I could pay any more attention to Molly, her friend thrust her hand in front of me, “I’m Angelica.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Are you here for training?”
I guess she hadn’t bothered to read the article about me. “Actually, Atlanta is home for me.”
Angelica’s eyes bulged. “No way. You’re really from here?”
“Born and bred.”
“Same.”
