“Yep.”
“No one comes over?”
“Just Mila and Mara.”
Nodding, I breathe a bit easier. No guys, then.
“Oh, and Matt,” he adds as if an afterthought.
I feel a flash of anger ripple through me at the mention of his name. Fucking Matt. He was here the other night, but I can’t figure out how he fits into it.
“Is that her boyfriend?” I ask, already detesting the way it sounds. I know she said he wasn’t, but I need to find out how much he’s around.
“No. Cora doesn’t have one. Matt is Dane’s brother.”
“Who’s Dane?”Why are there so many guys?
“My friend from school.”
Now it makes sense. He’s always around because Noah is friends with his brother. I guess I’ll just have to make sure I’m a bit more present now, especially when Noah adds, “Yeah. He coaches my soccer team.”
Slimy bastard.
“You play?” I stupidly ask, knowing full well he has a bag of gear upstairs.
“Yep. I have a game on Saturday morning. You could come,” he offers, and just like that, I think I have some form of acceptance.
“Thanks, I’ll be there.” I don’t care if it’s pouring rain or fucking blizzarding. I’ll be there. Noticing the time on the wall clock, I glance his way. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe, yes?” I quirk a brow at him. His smile tells me he knows he should be. “Probably best to head to bed, kid.”
“Will Cora take me to school tomorrow? Isn’t she still sick?”
“She’s still sick, but it’s okay. I’ll take you.” I don’t mind taking him if it means she can rest longer. After I get him squared away, I’ll check on her.
“I don’t know if Cora will be okay with that.” He looks unsure.
“Nah. It’s fine. She needs her rest, and I’m up early anyway,” I toss out, hoping he agrees.
“Okay. Cora hates it when I’m late. The secretary is mean to her.”
Holding in my laugh, I just nod along. “No problem. We’ll get you there on time.”
Noah nods in agreement and heads upstairs. I wait until I hear a door close, then head upstairs as well. The need to check on her is overwhelming, even though it’s only been about forty-five minutes. Slowly entering her room, I watch her sleeping form on the bed and wish I could crawl in right beside her, but I take comfort in knowing our time is coming soon.
Taking her temperature one last time, I’m satisfied that it’s gone down a bit. Leaving the water on her nightstand, I head back downstairs to settle in for the night.
The TV is still playing the documentary as I put most of the soup in the freezer, leaving one for the fridge. There’s no point in going back across town to my place when this is where I want to be. Where Ineedto be. I will prove to Cora that she can count on me. My girl will not be alone anymore.
Turning off all the lights and double-checking the door is locked, I settle onto the couch. Pulling a blanket off the back of the sofa to get comfortable, I look around for the remote. Shit, I have no idea where the kid put it. Oh well. Closing my eyes, I fall asleep as the narrator continues to describe fireflies and mating rituals.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cora
Peeling my eyes open, I wince and sit up in bed. God, I feel awful. I don’t know what Noah had, but it hit me harder than it hit him. Flipping my blanket back, I realize my legs are bare. I don’t remember undressing myself but,wait. Some type of vision flashes in my mind of Atlas being here.That can’t be right, right?
