Page 62 of Praising the Pitcher

“Did Nat tell you the news?” Olly blurts out, and it’s clear he’s just itching to throw whatever it is in Noah’s face.

I look at Natalie to read her expression, seeing she instantly looks down, shamefully.

“Nope,” Noah says.

“Nat, you didn’t tell Noah?” He smirks harder, clearly bursting at the seams to drop whatever bomb. “We’re having a baby.”

Noah is clearly taken aback, but he recovers quickly. “Congratulations,” he says, before glancing at me. “We should really get going before Haven and Dallas leave us.”

I’ve never seen him this uncomfortable, and I finally know what that feeling is in my gut …

I’m feeling protective of him, and I can’t let this go on.

Channeling some Haven energy, I grin, holding my hand out in front of Natalie.

“Hey girl, I’m Gigi,” I say, taking her hand and giving it a shake before moving to Olly. “Congratulations on the baby!” I take Noah’s hand in mine, looking at him. “Babe, we really do need to get going. I still have to get your mom and dad one last gift.”

At first, he’s stunned, but then, the corner of his lips turns up. “You’re right,” he says, glancing back at the new assholes in front of us. “Have a Merry Christmas. Oh, and congrats on the baby.”

“Yes, congratulations,” I say, tugging Noah beside me for good measure as we walk away.

I don’t know what came over me, but I know one thing to be true …

I couldn’t stand watching him squirm in front of people who hurt him a second longer.

We walk off, heading toward where we were supposed to meet at the coffee shop—continuing to hold hands just in case the traitors are still watching.

“That was quite a way to ask me to be your boyfriend,” Noah muses in my ear, and I can practically hear the smirk in his tone.

Tightening my grip on his hand in attempt to shut him up, I make sure my body language stays calm and relaxed. “Well, darling, I couldn’t stand back and do nothing.” I glance up at him once we make it out of sight, just as snow begins to spit from the sky. “Sorry for what just happened. That must have been tough.”

“It’s all good.” He shrugs before he breathes out a short laugh. “Can’t believe that fucker used to be my best friend. What kind of person would do what he did to a friend and then seven months later just run up and blurt out they’re having a kid?”

“You dodged a bullet,” I say, trying my best to make him feel better. “He seems like he’s lacking some brain cells. And she’s dreadful. And just so … hard to look at.” I lie, knowing damn well she’s stunning and he knows it too. But it gets the job done because he laughs harder this time.

“Yep. She is.” He nods, keeping my hand in his as we walk up the few stairs to the coffee shop. “Either way, thanks, Smoke.”

“For what?” I say, walking inside.

“For making me feel like less of a loser just then.” He follows behind and we find an open table. “Felt good to show her I’ve moved on.” He pauses, almost like he realizes he said something wrong. “Or, to make her think I have anyway.”

“You’re welcome. Consider me just paying you back for the many times you’ve saved my ass lately.”

I shrug my jacket off, putting it on the back of the chair just as both our phones vibrate, and of course, it’s Haven telling us she needs at least another half an hour to shop. Good thing this café is warm and cozy, because I don’t mind hanging out in here.

We sit and chat for a few minutes about nothing of substance, but it’s comfortable and unforced.

My phone vibrates again, and I expect it to be Haven telling me she needs even longer, but instead, it’s Benny, asking what my Christmas plans are.

I can feel Noah’s eyes on the screen, but he quickly looks away and pretends like he didn’t see it. Meanwhile, I type back a response before pressing the side button and locking the screen.

Noah grows quiet, hardly saying a word to me. The energy between us has shifted as we sit in silence, waiting for Dallas and Haven to join us for what seems like forever.

TWENTY-THREE

NOAH

With Boston hot on his heels, Dallas carries a sleeping Haven to her bed before returning to the living room to grab his hoodie from the couch, the dog, no surprise, having stayed with my sister.