“Okay.” Noah sighed quietly. It took him a moment longer to move and let go of me.
Beckett waited until it seemed like Noah was distracted before stepping closer to me so he could keep his voice down. “What’s your safe word? I know Noah’s.”
“Why would you want to know that?” I glanced over at my friend, finding him sitting on the edge of the couch, eyes glued to the TV as he brought up one of his favorite streaming apps.
“This is your safe place, darlin’. You have as much right as he does to stop anything that happens. With or without me here. Surely the two of you have a way of telling each other to slow down.”
I haven’t needed to do so. Noah hadn’t crossed into anything I hadn’t minded doing. So, I just shrugged. “Whatever his words are works for me.”
“He uses the stoplight colors.”
I nodded once. Easy enough.
“I’m...laundry...” I motioned towards the area before just turning to leave. Once I was around the corner and out of sight, my breath came a tiny bit easier, yet at the same time, I felt heavier.
Ignoring the murmurings of Beckett as he talked to Noah, I pulled the blanket from the dryer, then tossed the clothes into it and started it up.
Keeping my steps light so no one could hear me, I snuck into the bedroom, shutting the door all the way behind me.
I couldn’t care about what the two in the living room may or may not do. It was easier to pretend that Noah wasn’t here at all for now.
Too bad my heart knew the sad truth.
Huffing at my stupid thoughts and how my heart pounded in my chest, I tossed the blanket over the top of the bed. Then, just because I was that freaking tired, I laid face first on top, inhaling the clean scent.
Maybe a few minutes of pretending to be dead would give me enough energy to at least go out and make sure everything was okay. I just needed like five minutes.
Chapter 28
So, maybe five minutes turned into a bit longer. Possibly a lot longer. I don’t even remember falling asleep. I hadn’t planned to while Noah and Beckett were here. I could have waited them out.
Maybe.
Trying to figure out what may have woken me up, I heard the giggling again. I guess Noah was still here. That meant I didn’t have to worry about him as much.
Rolling over so I was no longer on my stomach, I noticed there was a blanket laid over the top of me. Huh. I hadn’t recalled putting that on. I was sure I’d have woken up if someone came in because the door squeaked.
On my side, facing said door, it was cracked open enough to let Noah’s voice travel in. It wasn’t loud, but it was enough to tug at me to get moving.
I didn’t want to be the reason why Noah hadn’t left yet. Although, he could have easily just left a note or texted me. I’d see it. Eventually.
I lay there for a few more minutes, not quite ready to move. I was still tired, but that seemed to be a normal everyday thing. Working long hours at a bar kind of did that to a person. Plus, the past two or so weeks had been a bit more adventurous than I was used to.
Finally, I pushed my body to sit, letting the blanket fall to the bed as I got my body moving. Keeping my steps light, I made my way to the door, peeking through the crack.
The bedroom was situated just right to look into the living room. The TV was on, and although I couldn’t see Noah, I could hear him.
I was pretty darn sure that Beckett was still here, too. Otherwise, Noah would have crawled into bed with me.
Running a hand loosely through my hair, kinda hoping it didn’t look too messy but knowing it probably did, I pulled the door open. It squeaked, just like I knew it always did. At the noise, Noah popped his head up over the edge of the couch, a smile lighting his eyes.
“You’re awake.”
I didn’t bother to answer that remark. I also didn’t move a step closer to him, either like I’d normally do. Where was Beckett? Did I really want to know? Maybe he did leave and Noah was just talking to himself. Or-
Nope. He was here, walking from the kitchen, hands shoved into his pockets. I didn’t let my eyes go any farther than that. Nope. Keeping them at his knees or feet was an even better idea.
“There’s some pasta up in the fridge if you’re hungry. We ordered in instead of going out.”
