“Hey, Dave,” he said, joining them. He beamed at AJ. “There she is.” Numbly, AJ hopped off the stool for a hug, squeezing her eyes shut as he planted a kiss on her cheek.
Now Brian turned to Noah, who sheathed his confusion behind a mask of geniality. “I’m Noah,” he said, offering Brian his hand.
Brian shook it heartily. “I know who you are, man.” Clearly, he had missed tonight’s show. “I loved you inThe Contract.I’m Brian, AJ’s boyfriend.”
Noah stilled, and AJ watched him take in this information, watched him take in Brian, and what a viscerally good guy he was.
“AJ’s boyfriend,” Noah repeated, the muscle in his jaw working. AJ felt searing shame, swiftly followed by indignation. Yes, she could have mentioned it. But it wasn’t like Noah had asked if she was seeing anyone. He’d just assumed she hadn’t been.
“Brian works for ESPN,” said Dave, performing AJ’s part of the conversation. “He loves baseball. Like,reallyloves baseball.”
Noah straightened. At his full height, he was a hair taller than Brian. “Brian McKenzie?” he said. Brian nodded. “I loved that piece you wrote about the Brooklyn Dodgers last year.”
Of course you did,thought AJ, as Noah now extended himself to Brian. AJ could sense no hostility as the two of them began to ardently shoot the shit about this long-dead baseball team. She did notice that Noah was no longer looking at her. After Brian’s favorite story about Jackie Robinson, he surveyed the group.
“I’m gonna grab a whiskey. Can I get you guys anything?”
Noah shook his head. “I should go over there and apologize to Dani.”
“Better you than me,” said Dave.
Noah downed the rest of his drink. “I got nothing to lose.” He clapped Brian on the shoulder. “I’m really glad I got to meet you,” he said, looking him square in the eye.
“Same,” said Brian, giving Noah a nod.
“I’ll see you, Dave,” said Noah. He turned his head toward AJ, but didn’t meet her eyes. “Age.”
He crossed the room in a few strides. AJ resumed her seat at the bar and let Brian get her a drink. She did her best to follow the conversation between Brian and Dave while clocking Noah’s movements around the party. He went over to Dani, and then to the outdoor lounge for at least one round of drinks with the cast.
As each second ticked by, AJ could feel the wormhole reopening. Soon, Noah would be gone. Maybe for good, if he truly had gotten himself banned fromSNL.He had blazed through and, in a matter of days, reduced any chance she had of forgetting him to cinders.
As AJ threw back a series of scotch neats, it dawned on her that Dani had been right. Noah was a nepotistic, privileged asshole who never gave a thought to how his whims affected her life. This was no different from when he’d trapped her into playing Alara.You should be with me. Onstage.Nice for him to get to decide that. He who, in his own words, had nothing to lose.
How dare Noah ignore her email then impulsively kiss her. How dare he be hurt she had a boyfriend. He was the one who didn’t want a relationship. He was the one who had rejected her.
You have no idea how much I missed you.
As if he hadn’t known exactly where to find her this entire time. He was just fucking around. Him leaving—that was real life.
When Noah rose to go to the after-after-party with the rest of the cast, AJ stood, tumbler in hand. She intercepted him before he reached the elevator.
“Not saying goodbye? How unlike you,” she said, and felt the energy linking them crackle.
Noah’s eyes gleamed as he motioned for the rest of the cast to go on without him. Slowly, he stepped toward her, sliding his hands into his pockets. In a low voice he said, “I like Brian.”
AJ swirled her drink. “Do you?”
Noah looked right at her and said, “I do. He’s exactly who you should be with.”
The floor had begun to tilt—either that or AJ was listing. “Soglad you approve.”
Noah gave her the once-over. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” he asked, concern flitting across his face.
The words sent a vile substance swirling in AJ’s gut. Maybe she had, butfuck him.“I’ve hadjust enough,” she said, “of you. You could have gotten me in real trouble tonight.”
Noah leveled his stare at her. “I didn’t think, I’m sorry.”
AJ smiled at him derisively. “Yeah, you say that, but all I hear isfuck you.”
