Noah’s jaw clenches and I don’t miss the way he looks down at Kev's hand touching him.
Does he not like him?
I file that away to ask for later.
“Nah, I think I’m good…” Noah mutters, nudging his hand away.
"Yeah, I guess that’d be weird," he cringes. Kev folds his hands together, his eyes bouncing between us. “So… where’s Vee? She ready yet?”
My eyebrow arches. “Why?”
Just as I ask, Veronica comes running down the steps with her suitcase noisily bouncing down the stairwell behind her. “Oh shit!” she mumbles, fumbling to pick it up.
“What the hell? What are you doing inside?” She blows hair out of her face as she looks at Kev.
“I wanted to say hi,” Kev says, shrugging.
“Well, we gotta go. Help me with my bag.” Veronica snaps, shoving the handle at him.
“Kev going on this girl trip too?” I ask, slightly intrigued.
“No.” Veronica looks at me with her hands on her hips. Uh oh, I shouldn’t have asked. “He’s just driving me to the train station so you two can stay with Paislee. Just like Itoldyou Kev would—two weeks ago.Why do you insist on not listening to me?” she snaps.
I cringe. “Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry.” I offer her an apologetic smile. “Have a nice time, Vee!”
I don’t miss the way she rolls her eyes at me, trudging past Noah and I, and picking up Paislee. She immediately softens as she kisses and plays with her.
This must be a scary moment for her, seeing as she’s never been away from her for too long.
“We’ll take good care of her. Don’t worry about anything.” I smile. She looks at me and gives me a light nod and thankful grin before kissing Paislee all over her cheeks.
As she says her goodbyes, Kev taps me on the shoulder.
“Whole weekend without mom in the house. You two going to get into some trouble?” His eyebrows raise and fall with a mischievous grin.
I try to keep down the excitement I have brewing in my stomach. “What do you say, Noah?” I shrug, nudging him with my foot.
Noah looks at me, and it’s like we share the same thought. I can feel the intensity vibrating off him. “Trouble is my middle name.”
31
Noah
Guess getting up to trouble means a good fucking day out in the sun.
As soon as mom and Kevin left, Brad and I started getting ourselves and Paislee together for the petting zoo.
I might have suggested it after seeing thatThe Wiggleswere in town after a night of scrolling on my new phone.Thanks, Brad.
Brad knows exactly what to do to make sure she’s all ready to go, but I’m happy to help pack a day bag full of all the essentials. After all, sheismy baby sister.
The drive to the petting zoo is quick enough. Before long, the sun is beating down on us as we make our way through the zoo grounds. There’s a collection of different sounds and smells flying through the air.
Next up, sheep. She points at the little fluffy lamb, snacking on some hay.
I poke Paislee’s little belly full of milk. “Try sayingbaaah.” I overextend my words as I hold her to my chest.
Spit bubbles form in her mouth as she babbles to her heart's content, making me laugh. I look over at Brad who looks at us with a big smile on his face. He looks absolutely incredible today. With a backwards hat, sunglasses, a white t-shirt and black shorts, he looks like the hottest dad in the world. He seriously needs a trophy or something.
