He swallows audibly. “I won’t, I promise.”
I guess I’m going to have to trust him on that.
“There’s one more thing that needs handling before anything else.”
Noah groans, the sound pained and full of hesitation. “Cole.”
“Cole,” I agree.
“I know we both need to talk to him, but I think it would be better if I were to go home without you and talk to him alone first,” he says and I’m about to object—since you know, he’smybrother—but he continues. “I understand that you’re his sister and want to make things right with him, but it’s me who he feels betrayed by, not you. I really feel like if I’m the one to talk to him first, maybe get him to see my side of things, without the things he doesn’t need to know about, obviously, then it’ll make things easier for you when it’s your turn.”
I sigh, nodding my head against his before pulling away.
“Fine, but you’re doing it tonight. I don’t want to wait too long before making things right with him,” I say, and he reluctantly agrees.
“Let me kiss you?” he asks, a note of hope in his voice that has my lips quirking in a half smile before I press my mouth against his.
He kisses me back immediately, and it’s soft and sweet and it makes my freaking heart ache.
I don’t know what will happen with my brother or how we’re going to make things work, but what I do know is that wewillfind a way to make it work.
There is no other conclusion to our story.
Noah wouldn’t allow it even if I tried.
But he isn’t the only one with a possessive grip on the other.
Just like he’ll never let me go, I’ll never let him go either.
Now that I know what it feels like to have him in my life like this, I’ll be damned if I ever let him slip away.
FIFTY-ONE
NOAH
Iwas hoping I’d find the cottage dark once I got here, considering it’s just past midnight, but to my dismay, I can see the lights on from the outside and I have no doubt that everyone inside is awake.
I head up the steps and sigh as I open the door before following the sound of voices into the kitchen.
Everyone goes silent as they notice me, and I lean against the wall with my arms crossed.
“You fucker,” Cole spits and storms over to me. “Just what the fuck do you think you’re playing at?” His expression twists into a snarl as he reaches me, but Logan is quick to pull him back.
“How about we let Noah explain before we bury him, hmm?” Logan says, letting go of Cole but staying close, as though he doesn’t want to let him out of reach in case he tries something else.
I sigh and head over to the kitchen island, taking a seat on one of the stools. “I’ll answer anything you want to know, just ask away.”
“You and Gracie? Dude, I did not see that coming,” Harley states and Lana snorts.
“I think you and Cole were the only ones who didn’t see it coming,” she says and Logan nods.
“You knew too?” Cole asks Logan, and the latter nods unapologetically.
“I’d have to be blind to not know that the guy has been in love with her for years. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t see it sooner.”
“You’re in love with her?” Harley asks, a look of contemplation on his face and I nod silently.
“Wait, what?” Cole asks and we all turn to face him. I arch a brow when he doesn’t say anything else and he glares at me, murder written all over him.
