Noah took another step toward her. “Well, you didn’t seem that upset about it earlier,” he said softly, and for an instant, the ghost of their kiss hovered between them. He swallowed hard. “Then again, you’re not exactly communicative these days, are you?”
“I’mnot communicative. Really, Noah?” said AJ, her eyes burning. “Iwroteyou.”I needed you.
He said nothing, his expression drawn. AJ wasn’t having it. “What, too deep in character to type a response? Or too deep in PETA’s hottest spokeswoman?”
Noah flinched. “Youknowwhy I didn’t—”
“You always do this,” she interrupted. “You appear out of nowhere and pull me into this fantasy performance piece you live in, which is fine for you, because all the world’s a stage when you’re aDrew.But, in case you haven’t noticed, we can’t all beDrews.”
Noah was livid. “There she is,” he said, his gaze scalding. “Still playing it safe. Don’t blame me because you didn’t have thegutsto go for what you really want in life.”
“What are you talking about?” said AJ, her cheeks coloring.
“Acting,” said Noah. “You love it.”
AJ laughed. “Ireallydon’t.”
As she lifted her drink for a sip, his hand enveloped hers. “Tonight,on that stage, you werelovingit,” he said, his eyes lethal. “I could feel you.”
AJ tried and failed to shake him off. “Right,” she seethed. “That’s because I was—”
With you.
AJ’s jaw clamped down as the horrible truth washed over her. She did love acting…with Noah.
Sheonlyloved acting with Noah.
And while she might have prevailed on herself to move on in every other aspect of her life, the part of her that played was still seventeen and unbroken and his. Even if he didn’t know it. Even if he didn’t want it. Even if he didn’t want her. It had been done long ago, and AJ was powerless to undo it.
This wasn’t anger AJ felt now. It was wrath. The air around them was warping with it. His touch was iron on her skin. AJ could not stand to be powerless for another second.
“What would you know about guts?” AJ sneered. “Your entire life’s been handed to you.”
Noah wrested the glass from her. “At least I’m not hiding in a bottle, pissing away my talents.”
Just like your old man.The words were implicit.
AJ’s teeth were actually bared. “No, you just piss off anyone you can. Does it work? Does it make you feel alive, daring everyone to fight the great Noah Drew?”
He advanced on her, so close their noses were almost touching. “You could have been great,” he said viciously. “But you’re too much of a coward. You were too scared of being seen when you had it, and too scared of looking stupid to get it back.”
AJ glared at him, alcohol rising in her gullet. “You know what, you fuckingdeserveto be sick.”
The energy between them surged.
Noah blinked rapidly. “I’m not the only one who’s sick,” he said, his voice shaking.
Their connection blared then cut out.
AJ’s eyes stung. “You can stay the fuck away from me.”
“Done,” said Noah. He continued to watch her, breathing hard. AJ stared back. She sensed nothing. She felt nothing. Noah’s lips parted, and he took a breath.
Then he finished her drink and stalked off toward the elevator.
AJ waited for it to ping, gathering herself as it carried him away. Then she walked back to the bar, bid Dave good night, and went home to fuck Brian McKenzie.
New York, New York
