I had no clue what to say to that as Noah left Beckett’s side, got into his side of the car, and began to search for something. Beckett walked closer to me but kept a safe distance away.
“Thank you for sharing your friend with me tonight, Asher.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I looked back at Noah as his happy cheer came from within. “He found his snacks.”
“Fruit snacks are the best!”
I always had a few packages stuffed somewhere for him in there.
“He’s very fond of you,” Beckett went on. “And sweet and kind.”
“Ashie?” Noah held out a hand, a fruit snack package out. “Help?”
“Of course,” that meant I had to sit on my seat to reach for the snack and open the blue wrapping before handing it back. But while doing so, it gave Beckett enough reason to move closer so when I stood up again, it was on the other side of my open door.
I kept my eyes on his chest, not daring to look up. He was too close. And in more than one way.
“Noah has my number.” I heard the unspoken words. In case he dropped. I didn’t think he would. “You are free to call me, or text, if you need anything, too.”
“I’m fine.” I always was. I had to be. “Thank you, though. You gave Noah something he needed tonight.”
“But you didn’t get what you needed.”
I never do, I thought. Not in the way that this man surely thought anyway.
“Who says I don’t get what I want?” I countered, risking a glance at him. But my eyes got stuck on his face, my gut filling with bugs that crawled every which way.
“You do. It’s written all over you.” Beckett, either was brave enough to try, or not thinking, reached out too quickly. His fingertips brushed against my jaw before I stepped back, almost falling into the car.
He dropped his hand.
“I....need to get Noah home now.”
“I’m only a phone call away if you need anything.” Beckett stepped back, giving me space. His hands were stuffed into his pockets. “Noah is to text me at least, once you are both home safely.”
“He worries like you,” Noah said loud enough to cause Beckett to lightly laugh.
“I do. I can’t help it.”
“He’ll text you.” With that, I shut the door, cutting off any other conversation that could possibly happen.
Chapter 26
“I can’t carry you, sweetheart. You gotta work with me here.” Noah was almost asleep when I pulled into the parking lot. And now, apparently, his feet were too tired to walk up two flights of stairs.
I didn’t blame him. I didn’t exactly want to walk up the steps either, but there was no way I’d sleep in the car. Nor would I let my best friend.
Noah pouted but finally got moving. He hugged my arm, leaning more on me than his own legs. His steps were slow, and it didn’t help when his knee nearly gave out and I had to catch up.
I wondered briefly if he’d overdone it tonight. I wasn’t sure if playing on the floor could make his sore leg ache worse, and it was hard to tell with how he leaned on me. It could easily be given away by just tiredness.
“Ash?” Noah’s voice was muffled as he pressed his face into my arm while we stood in front of my door. It took a bit of work to dig out my keys since someone wasn’t letting me go.
“Yeah?” I slipped my key into the lock, twisted the knob, and opened the apartment. The light I kept on leaked out into the hallway, giving us enough light to see into the place.
“Beckett...he’s nice.”
I hummed while shutting the door behind us, and then tossing my keys on the small table.
