Back to Me (Carolina Rebels 1)

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s not like I’ll be playing in a tournament or anything. I just boss some teenagers around and get bossed around by Erica. The last time you saw me on the courts was high school. It’s just not going to be exciting to watch.”

He reaches over to take my hand in his. “I’ve seen you play as a pro, Mere. All I want is to see you in your new element. What’s so bad about that?”

“I meant in person, Noah.”

“Yeah, I know,” he interjects.

I look at him with my mouth agape. He...what?

“The last title you won before your injury? I was there. That was the third time I saw you play in person.”

Speechless. Stunned. Mind goes off to cloud nine. Heart explodes with one loud and long awwwwwwwwww. I knew he caught some of my matches on TV because he said so, but he didn’t say he ever attended any.

“You...you saw me play?” I whisper.

“Yeah, Mere. I saw you play.”

“Pull over,” I demand.

“What?”

“Pull over!”

The second he’s stopped on the side of the road, I grab his face, pull him to me, and kiss him hard on the lips. Our tongues twist together as our teeth clash a bit. Now, I totally understand how he felt when he learned I bought his jerseys. I pull away when his hands grab my hips. He can’t pull me over into his lap. There’s not enough room in his car, and that’ll make us late. He looks a little dazed and I grin.

“I love you. You can start driving again.”

“Really? I was thinking we could go back home.”

“Sorry. I have a job to do.”

Noah groans, looks over his shoulder, and pulls back onto the road. “You’re a tease.”

“I’m okay with that.”

He laughs.

“Erica probably won’t be happy to see you.”

The smile leftover from his laughter disappears completely. “Don’t give a damn.”

“I really don’t want you to say anything to her.”

Noah reaches over to take my hand. “I won’t unless she pisses me off. It’s your show and you should be the one to

confront her, but I’m going to be there and if she pisses me off, I plan to say something. The only reason she’s being a bitch to you is because of me anyway.”

“Just don’t get me fired.”

I don’t know if Erica can keep her bitchiness at bay if Noah is there, but if not, there’s no telling if I’ll have a job tomorrow if Noah goes off on her. I can’t even believe I’m worried about this. I’m supposed to not care so much since I hope to be back on the courts soon. However, I have to admit, part of me is hoping she pisses him off. I’ve never had Noah, or any other man aside from my father, step in and take over a situation.

Dad did it once with the very first tennis coach I ever had. He was a mean bastard, but I never complained to my parents. I thought they knew, but I should’ve known my father wouldn’t allow me to be treated like that. One day, Dad showed up a little early to see how I was doing. He caught the tail end of a rant by my coach.

That was the last practice I had with him. Dad went so far as to get him fired from the facility. He took me to dinner and talked to me for a long time, explaining how it was his job to care for and protect me until one day he would step aside for the man who I’d spend the rest of my life with. He was sure to let me know that if said man ever slacked on the job, Dad would step in, do whatever needed to be done, and then deal with the man. That’s what Noah is doing today. Caring for and protecting me by being there and being ready to step in if necessary. Dad would be proud.

We’re a little early as planned. Noah holds my hand as we walk inside the school and to Erica’s office after I clock in and Noah gets a visitor sticker. He squeezes my hand as I knock on her door.