“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” He huffs.
I sigh, leaning my head on the headrest. “Listen. I’ve met six versions of you since my dad left. I’m sorry, but I doubt you’ll be any different than the rest. My mom will screw you until she screws you. You want to marry someone like that? Cool. Be my guest. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I shake my head and look back out at the oncoming blur of trees. “I don’t know you. I don’twantto know you, and frankly, I shouldn’t have to. Let’s just get through this weekend and then stay out of each other’s way after that.”
I feel him hesitate to say something, but I cut him off before he gets the chance.
“Can I smoke in here?” I ask, dunking my hand in my pocket for my smokes.
“I’d honestly prefer if you didn’t—”
“Thanks,” I cut him off, already rolling the window down as I flick my lighter. I take a deep inhale of the sweet taste, and blow out a big puff of smoke into the air.
2
Brad
Noah isexactlyhow I expected him to be.
A complete and utter asshole.
This is why I insisted on meeting him before Veronica and I tied the knot. Something about their relationship always felt off. The way he avoided coming around. The way she stiffened every time she took his calls. My gut said something was wrong, and I’ve learned not to ignore it. Especially not before signing my life away.
Getting married to a woman I barely knew, who also had an adult son she seemed to be on the outs with, wasn’t exactly how I envisioned my happily ever after. But the truth is, when I met her at Home Depot that Sunday morning, lost, wandering through the gardening aisle—I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time.Needed.Like there was some invisible pull drawing me toward her. Almost as if… we were meant to meet for some reason.
Hookups weren't cutting it anymore and I’d been itching for something…real. Or at least,real enough.
All I know is that when she insisted on grabbing a drink after, I didn’t hesitate.
One thing led to another. Dates became sleepovers. Sleepovers somehow turned into talk of rings. And before I knew it, she started asking when I planned to propose.
Andin a panicked haze, I find myself here—sitting beside her son on a wilderness getaway.
Ironic.
And honestly? I’m surprised he said yes.
But he did. And now I’m not sure if this was a good idea… or just a way to delay the inevitable.
I steal another glance at him. He hasn’t said anything for the past hour. Just…sits there, leaned back in the passenger seat like he has no care in the world. He exhales slowly, letting the smoke from his cigarette slip from his lips as it drifts away in the wind.
The whole thing is almost… cinematic. Though something tells me he doesn’t give a damn what he looks like.
He’s good-looking. I’ll give him that. Probably doesn’t have a problem finding someone to warm his bed. He’s got his mom’s dark beauty, but where she’s all warmth and easy smiles, there’s something cooler behind his eyes. Quiet. Sharp.Dangerous, maybe.
He doesn’t look like anyone I work with. I’m used to Carhartts and steel-toes. Noah wears a black sleeveless tee, small tattoos scattered across his arms, and a silver lip ring that flashes in the sunlight every time he presses his lips together for another drag.
That lip ring. I don’t know why I keep looking at it.
I wonder what it felt like going in.
What it feels like between his teeth.
“Are you planning on staring at me all weekend, or should I brace for impact?” he mutters, eyes still on the blurry trees. But I can feel the smirk behind the words.
I swallow, flicking my gaze back to the road. Shit. Guess I was staring.
“Sorry,” I say. “Just... you and your mom are so different.”
“You like comparing us?”
