Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“I could’ve easily liked him if given the chance, but that truck… Kyle didn’t see it. He’s here, in the hospital. He wants to come see me but his lawyer won’t let him. He’s not you though, Noah.” I run my hand through his hair, wishing I could feel it move between my fingers. It’s been so long since I’ve held him the way I’ve wanted. He closes his eyes and for a moment I think he’s leaning into my touch.
“It’s like I can feel you here, Peyton.” Noah laughs and shakes his head.
“What’s so funny, Noah?”
He doesn’t answer. Not that I expected him to.
“I feel like I should confess my sins to you or remind you of the things we’ve done together so you don’t leave. I have so many memories of us, but the most important one has always been the night of your prom. Even though you don’t think so, I was so happy to take you. You were the most beautiful girl in the room that night and every guy wanted to dance with you, but for one moment, you were mine.”
“That night,” Noah pauses and I lean forward, waiting for him to finish. “You asked me to rent a hotel room and I did, knowing exactly what you wanted. What you gave me that night, Peyton, I’ll never forget it. I thought that things would change for us, but days after you were so excited about college that there was no way I could burden you with being with me. I wanted you to experience everything that I had, and now I fear it’s too late. If you can hear me, I’m begging you, please don’t leave me. I don’t know what I can give you in return for staying, but I’ll do anything, just stay.”
“I love you, Noah. That night we spent together was the most magical night of my life. I want to stay. I want to be here with you, I don’t want you to marry Dessie.”
Noah turns toward the door at the sound of my uncle Liam clearing his throat. He stands there with his arms crossed over his chest. He’s glaring at his son. Tension fills the room, but neither of them moves from their positions.
“What’d she give you?”
“Um…” Noah doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns his attention back to me.
“You took her virginity, didn’t you?” he asks, and even though I’m not technically here, I feel the scrutiny under his gaze.
“She was eighteen, Dad.”
“That’s very noble of you to wait until she was an adult.”
Noah turns back and looks at me. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Liam comes into my room. He towers over Noah and I. “There isn’t any justification, Noah. You’ve known her all her life. You’re supposed to protect her. She’s a sister to you.”
Noah stands, the force of his movement pushes the chair into the wall of my cramped room. “Don’t,” he says, pointing his finger at his dad. “For as long as I can remember everyone has said Peyton is my sister, but I have never seen her like that. Ever. No one understands the relationship that we have except for us.”
“Noah…”
He holds his hand up. “Please, I asked for a few minutes alone with her. Unlike everyone else, I won’t tell her it’s okay to go. I’m going to remind her why she needs to stay.”
Liam leaves, but not before taking one more look at me. I can tell that this particular conversation isn’t over yet though. As soon as Noah sits back down, his face morphs back into the sad smile he’s been sporting.
“Sorry about that, Peyton. Now where were we?”
“You were about to tell me that you won’t marry Dessie,” I say as loud as my voice will carry, but still he doesn’t hear me.
8
Noah
The smile I wear is forced. There isn’t a single thing I’m happy about right now. Be it, my best friend lies motionless in her bed or the fact my father heard me admit to something only Peyton and I are aware of. I’m assuming she hasn’t told her sister although I've often wondered whether Peyton told Elle about prom night or if Elle asked where we ran off to.
“I can’t believe you came home to take her to prom,” Mom says as she straightens my bow tie. When I called to tell her, she thought I was joking, but quickly realized I was serious. Thing is, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for Peyton. I likely would’ve done the same for Elle, but she’s never had a problem getting a date. My friendship with Peyton has always put a damper on her dating life, not that I’m complaining.
“She’s a senior and needs to experience everything.” If I were living back in Beaumont, this wouldn’t even be an issue, but I’ve made Portland my home. It’s easier to stay there, especially with my off-season regimen. After my first year in the league, I felt that I was lacking the right speed and strength to compete at the highest level. My coach was thrilled I recognized I needed improvement and set me up with one of the best trainers in the business. The constant work makes it nearly impossible to visit my parents.