Say You Swear

“I have never had sushi,” I admit, picking my bag up off the floorboard.

He drops back against the seat. “How is that possible?”

“It’s always grossed me out.” I shrug. “I like catfish.”

“Cooked catfish, I assume?”

“You assume correct. There’s this little place my grandparents used to take us to called The Catfish House; we’d go, eat fried catfish, okra, and hush puppies. It was out in the country in a little town on the way to the bay. But sushi?” My nose pinches, and I shudder. “Heck no.”

“I’m gonna make you some, change your mind.”

“No way!” I pretend to gag. “Homemade sounds so much worse.”

“Trust me, Juliet.”

I sigh, playfully, a single thought running through my mind as I stare at him, and that is, man, is he easy on the eyes.

A small smirk tips his full lips, and he steps out, so I follow, and as usual, he walks me all the way to my dorm room.

At the door, I turn to face him. “Just to be clear, I should get my game face on, ready to try some sushi soon?”

He smiles wide, glancing down the hall.

A short piece of hair falls over his forehead as he does, and before I realize what I’m doing, my hand is brushing it back into place.

Noah doesn’t tell me no, he doesn’t reach out halting my hand, warning me that I shouldn’t touch him. Not even as it lowers from his thick, dark hair, but instead allowing fingertips to test the feeling of his skin from his temple to his jaw.

My eyes lift to meet his, and then the door behind me is ripped open. Laughter flows from the room, but cuts to silence in the same second.

My hand flies down, and I whip around, coming face to face with a wide-eyed, glued in motion, Cameron. Brady’s at her back with a frown in place.

“Uh, hi,” I offer lamely, my face growing hot, even more so when I peek into the place, spotting Mason and Chase inside. Both slowly rise from their place on the couch, matching glares on their faces, and I quickly look back to Cam.

Cam’s smirk slowly slips into place, and she crosses her arms. “Well, hell to the oh.”

I snap my attention to Brady, too nervous to allow it anywhere else.

Come on, Brady. Help me out.

His features twitch the slightest bit, but he eases up, offering Noah a small grin. “Perfect timing. FunWorks is closing the bumper boats for the season this weekend, so we’re going to get a round in. Looks like you guys are free to join us.”

I glance at Noah over my shoulder, and his eyes snap from where they’re pointed across the room to mine and I don’t have to guess to know what—or more who—he was looking at. His expression holds so many questions right then, but he says not a word, waiting to see what leaves my lips instead.

Do I want to go with my friends to ride the bumper boats? Sure. We used to do that kind of stuff all the time, but do I want to be on edge and anxious all evening? Not even a little bit.

I had such a good-ass day. I deserved a good day and won’t allow anyone to ruin it this time. So maybe we pass on the outing?

I search Noah’s face.

What do I do?

Noah gives a slight jerk of his chin, reminding me we’re not the only ones standing here, and I need to move my ass.

Right, right.

I take a step inside, past a stunned silent Brady and Cam as they shift backward, making room for us to enter. Reaching back, I grab hold of Noah’s T-shirt, and drag him with me.

“Hey, guys,” I absently wave toward the others, without so much as glancing in their direction.

“Hey, man,” Noah says behind me, and I can only assume he’s talking to my brother when he says, “Harper,” in greeting next.

“Long time no see,” Mason jokes, and an easy chuckle slips from Noah.

They’re quiet after that, and I have no doubt the bags hanging from Noah’s hands are being inspected as we slip into the kitchen.

I quickly spin, facing him.

“Do you want to go ride the bumper boats?” I whisper, the second we’re as far away as the space allows.

He moves in closer, using his body to shield me from the others. “Do you want me to go with you?” When I frown, he continues, “Just because I was here when they asked you to go, doesn’t mean you have to invite me.” His blue eyes hold mine.

I glare. “You already know the answer, you just want to hear it.”

I swear he wants to smirk right now, his hand skimming mine as he starts pulling the containers from the bags. “Maybe, but had to be sure.”

“So you’ll go?”

“I’ll go.”