My vision blurs as I hold my cheek, still stinging, and wander through downtown Fayetteville, wondering how my life turned so lonely. How I’m always the one being burned.
I’ve longed for love my entire life. The kind that wraps you up and holds you tight on cold winter nights. The kind that lasts an eternity.
The love Arsen has for Marina.
The obsession Kol has for Thea.
I’ve always wanted that for myself.
Before Noah Brennan…
Noah
I should have seen this coming. I should have known that the minute I experienced just a sliver of happiness, that everything would come crumbling down like the Berlin Wall.
But I didn’t.
And now Ember hates me. Thinks I betrayed her.
And if the side-eyes I’m getting from my fellow officers are anything to go by, they believe the same. I’m no longer Detective Noah Brennan, decorated and dedicated officer to the Fayetteville PD. I’m now Noah Brennan, cheating scumbag.
Except I’m not.
I’ve been pushing for a divorce from this bitch for over two years now. And since she’s made her presence known, I can only assume one thing: she’s been advised of the new court date. Which means my life is about to get a shitload more hectic.
It’s also why I watch Ember run away, tears streaming down her face, and don’t chase after her like I want to.
“That hussy was touching my husband!” Katrina yells back at Kol’s angry stance.
“Ex-husband,” I correct the vile bitch. I’ve been fighting her tooth and nail for a divorce, and since that fucking kiss with Em, I’ve been pushing even harder for her to bring this marriage to an end.
“I haven’t signed the papers!” Her vindictive response makes me homicidal. That must have been what my lawyer called about last week. I haven’t had time to get in to see him.
“Married or not, you don’t randomly get to attack people. Arrest her for assault.” Kol’s move gives me a small measure of satisfaction.
“You can’t do that! Noah!” I shake my head at her—she did this to herself—and follow Kol into his office.
“What the hell was that?” he questions before the door is even closed.
“Trina’s off her rocker. I had new divorce papers sent to her last month. She refused to sign them, so I set up a court date for next week. I need her out of my life, man.” I’m fucking livid I allowed this mess to touch Ember. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now.
“Because of Ember?” Our eyes meet, and I don’t say a thing. “Don’t break her heart, man.” He appears to understand.
“I’ve been trying not t
o. Been putting your sister off for months so I could get this mess dealt with.” Rubbing a roughened hand across my jaw, I stare at the closed door. “I think this might have been the last straw, though.”
Shaking my head at Kol’s silence, I get the feeling he agrees and walks to the door just as Thea enters, shooting me a glare as she passes.
The evening started out so fucking promising. Now, I’m without the girl I’ve been too damn afraid to admit I love and an ex who is likely going to cause a shit-ton of fucking trouble for Em and me.
Staring down at my phone, I debate calling Ember. Needing her to know that Katrina and I have been over far longer than when I left the marriage.
I also recognize, she doesn’t need this shit storm in her life.
So, with a heavy heart, I decide to leave her be. Allow her emotions to settle while I get Katrina out of my life once and for all.
A fresh start is what Ember and I need.