“But why, though? Says who?”
Noah made a noise of frustration, looking like he was on the verge of tears. “You just don’t get it.”
Adam sank from his knees to sit criss-cross in front of him. “Then explain it to me. You’re right. I don’t get it. But I’m trying.”
“I know you are. But I just don’t know how to explain it.”
“Can you try?”
“They’re all watching,” Noah whispered.
Adam frowned, looking around their empty apartment. “You’re worrying me, babe. Who’s watching?”
“The entire world.”
Adam couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped. One he abruptly cut off when tears spilled down Noah’s cheeks. “I know we’re Mulvaneys, but I promise, nobody gives a fuck about a rich asshole’s wedding. We’re not the royals or the Kardashians.”
“I can’t embarrass Dad.”
Adam’s brows rose as Noah sniffled and wiped at the tears on his face. “Thomas? What are you talking about? How would you embarrass Dad?”
“Everybody is watching us. Everyone knows I’m the outlier.”
Adam sat for a minute trying to wrap his brain around where the fuck Noah’s head was at. “Outlier? What does that mean?”
“Lucas is a professor. Jericho owns his own business. Zane is a celebrity author suddenly. And Felix is blowing up all over social media. He fucking designed a dress for the fucking Oscars. And then there’s me, the slacker who does nothing.”
Adam’s fury was instantaneous, a molten heat that rushed through his veins. He didn’t want anybody talking that way about Noah, especially Noah. “What the fuck are you talking about? You work harder than anybody. You’re always researching, tracking down leads, coordinating with Calliope to help keep alibis intact, debriefing after targets are taken down.”
Noah shook his head, tears flowing faster. “Not to the outside world. To the outside world, I’m the loser who landed a billionaire model.”
Adam’s stomach twisted into knots. He hated that he didn’t know how to fix this. “Baby, you’re spiraling here. I need you to come back to reality. I’m not a model. I haven’t modeled in years.I’mthe loser of the two of us. I do nothing all day, not just to the outside world but to my brothers, too. Archer—who is a professional gambler—is considered more successful than me. I’m the least successful Mulvaney. If I had feelings, they might be hurt by this, but I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks. I care what you think. Just you.”
“If I fuck this up and embarrass Dad, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Asa and Zane were half an hour late for their wedding because they were fucking in a broom closet. Archer has puked or passed out at no less than two Mulvaney weddings. Adelynvomited all over Felix in the first family wedding photo. If none of those things have embarrassed Dad, he’s not going to give a fuck about flowers in buttonholes.”
“He’s the only parent I’ve got,” Noah mumbled.
Adam frowned harder. “What? What are you talking about? I know you and your mom aren’t close, but?—”
Noah reached behind him to pull something out from beneath the couch, thrusting it into Adam’s chest. It was a crumpled envelope with their address on it. Adam’s fury continued to simmer as he realized it was a Texas address. Noah’s mother.
Dearest Noah,
I’ll keep this short. We won’t be attending the wedding. I know you were waiting for us to let you know when we’d be available to visit so you could set the date, but this just isn’t working out. We’re not working out. I think it’s best that we don't contact each other again.
I don’t make this decision easily, but it’s clear our lives are just too different. The knowledge of your existence has been hard on the girls and Chad. And on me. Every time I look at your face, I know what you suffered when you were taken from me and I can’t help but feel my heart being ripped out once again. It’s taking a toll on my health and well-being and affecting my children. My other children.
I’m so happy and truly blessed to know that you’re alive and thriving and I wish you nothing but the best. But please, don’t contact me again.
Juana
“When did you get this?” Adam rumbled, his tone lethal.
Noah shrugged. “I found it on the table last night. It must have been in the mail we grabbed when we came in after the movies.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” Adam asked, opening his legs and dragging Noah into his arms before closing them once more so he was surrounded.
