Sorry, just saw Eli’s picture. Tell him it’s perfect. Engineering meeting ran late—more issues than we thought. Need to be back on site early tomorrow.
Noah’s fingers moved before he could second-guess himself.
I’m sorry. For everything.
The typing bubbles appeared and disappeared several times before Luke’s response came through.
Me too. We’ll talk soon. I promise.
Noah’s throat felt tight.
When things settle down at the site?
As soon as I’m not practically living out here. Give Eli a hug for me?
The walls we build to protect ourselves usually end up being our own prison.
Jules’s words came back to him again as he stared at his phone, wanting to say more but knowing this wasn’t a conversation for text messages. He needed to see Luke, to look into those warm hazel eyes and find the courage to tear down the walls he’d built.
But for now, all he could do was reply.
He misses you. We both do.
Luke’s response was immediate.
Miss you too. Both of you. More than you know.
Noah curled deeper into the couch, Luke’s shirt still clutched in his hands. He’d made such a mess of everything, letting his fears override the happiness they’d found together. Now he just had to figure out how to fix it—how to show Luke he was worth the risk, that they were stronger together than apart.
As he drifted off to sleep on the couch, surrounded by reminders of the life they’d begun building together, Noah promised himself that whatever it took, he would find a way to bring Luke home.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“You’ve gotto be kidding me,” Noah muttered, staring at the class list he’d just received. Three of his most disruptive students from last year had been placed in the same period this year. He wasn’t sure if having them all in the same class would minimize his stress or make him go fully gray prematurely. No, this was definitely a recipe for mayhem, and the rest of his students deserved better. He made a mental note to speak with Sarah about rearranging their schedules before school started.
His phone buzzed. The display readAnderson Homeworks. That was odd, but maybe it was just Finn calling to tell him there was yet another invoice for materials. Until now, all of that had been going through Luke, but since they weren’t exactly speaking, it made sense that the company’s office manager would call.
“Hello?”
“Noah.” Keaton’s usual gruff tone held an edge of concern that made Noah’s chest tight. “Look, I probably shouldn’t be calling you, but there’s been an accident at the site. Luke’s hurt.”
The world tilted sideways. Shit. That hadn’t even been a possibility in Noah’s mind. “What happened? Is he…?”
Noah couldn’t bring himself to finish the question. He’d seen too many stories on the news of construction workers falling to their deaths on job sites.
“He’ll be okay,” Keaton rushed to assure him. “Broken arm, maybe a couple of broken ribs, some bruising. He was taking a look at the old depot in the center of town to see if it could be saved. Part of the ceiling collapsed while Luke was trying to stabilize it. He’s on his way to County General now.”
Noah was already grabbing his keys, his mind racing. “I’m on my way.”
“Noah.” Keaton’s voice stopped him. “He was asking for you. Even if he won’t admit it.”
“Thanks.” Noah’s throat felt tight. “That means a lot.”
“Yeah, well.” Keaton’s laugh held no humor. “Sometimes it takes something like this to make us see what matters. Life’s too damned short to be stubborn, and you’re both too bullheaded for your own good at times.”
Noah ended the call, his hands shaking slightly as he pulled up Megan’s number. The clock on his desk showed one forty-seven—Eli would need to be picked up from camp in less than two hours.
“Noah?” Megan answered on the second ring. “What’s up?”
