The simple statement hits me in the center of my chest.
“I tried to let her go, like we talked about, but she ended up walking away from me.”
Noah rubs his jaw, letting out an exhale. “She told me.”
“I should have told her the truth then, but I panicked. I was still trying to run from my feelings and running from her out of fear.” I shake my head. “I was a coward. I should have told her the truth and I should have come to you sooner.”
Noah tips his head to the side. “Sometimes fear can be blinding and we can’t always see clearly past it.” He blinks twice, his expression soft. “You needed her to walk away to see that it’s worth the risk.”
My breath catches. “She’s worth the risk.”
“I know,” he says, dipping his chin. “But only if you’re going to be the man she deserves. Only if you can love her in the way she deserves to be loved.”
“I can.” My words are a solid declaration. “I will.”
Noah’s eyes are locked on mine. “I believe you.”
“I owe you an apology,” I say in a rush, the words coming out with a heavy breath. “I should have trusted you. You’re her brother and my best friend. I was afraid you would think less of me or that I’d never be good enough for her—which at the time, I wasn't. I didn’t want it to complicate anything between us.”
“It would have and it did,” he says with honesty. “We could have talked it out. And you’re right, I didn’t think you were good enough for her, but that was my anger. I know you, Jace, and I truly believe you can be the man she deserves.”
“I’m sorry, Noah. I’m sorry I wasn't upfront with you. I’m sorry I hurt you and her.”
He stares at me, his throat bobbing as he swallows hard. The silence stretches, time hanging precariously in the air before he finally speaks. “I forgive you. It’s something I’m going to need to adjust to, but I’d rather do that than lose you as a friend.”
Emotion tugs on my heart. “Thank you. I won’t hurt her again. I won’t betray your trust ever.”
“Just be honest with both of us—and yourself,” he adds. “You’re not the only one who was afraid to admit their feelings. She loves you and I think she has for a long time.”
“I was so afraid I’d fail her and in the end, I did because of my fear.” My voice cracks. “I fucked it all up.”
His forehead creases. “No, you didn’t.” He shakes his head, his expression softening. “It’s not too late. You can still make things right with her.”
“How?”
His expression grows thoughtful. “Tell her the truth.”
“It’s that simple?”
He gives me a sideways glance, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Itisthat simple.”
I snort, shaking my head at myself. “I really did make a mess.”
“Well, thankfully you seem to be getting good at cleaning them up,” he says with a soft laugh, bumping his shoulder against mine as he turns on his heel to head back toward the house. “The Harvest Fest is about to start soon. Willow is already there getting things ready.”
Rolling my wrist, I check the time on my watch. “I won’t be able to get there before. Should I just wait until after to talk to her?”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Don’t you think you’ve waited long enough?”
“I don’t want to interrupt her day.”
“You’re as blind as your cat,” Noah snorts. “I don’t think the timing matters. I think she’ll be happy just to hear the truth from you.”
“You’re right.”
We fall in step together again, slowly making our way down the path, although my legs itch to move faster. The sun filters through the leaves of the trees lining the drive. The tension no longer lingers in the air and there’s a lightness that settles in my chest, although the ache still lingers.
“I just want you to know that I’m not mad at you anymore,” Noah says suddenly, his words breaking through the quiet.
