“Are you dating him?”
“What would it matter?”
“It’d make all the difference in the world. If you tell me you’re with Zimmerman, I’ll walk out the door right now.”
“And if I tell you I’m not?”
Noah steps closer. “Then I’m going to drop down on my knees and beg you to give me a chance to prove I’m worthy of your love.”
“I think you’re forgetting about your girlfriend, Noah. I told you before, I won’t be a side chick. I manage to get up on my first try and maneuver my way outside. It’s been so hot the past few days and there are people milling around everywhere.
Noah stands next to me, close enough I can feel him, but far enough way we’re not touching. “The day you and I spent together at the field, you told me something about text messages. When I got back to my house, I did the unthinkable and went through her phone. I saw what she was sending to you, but I saw and read some other messages… Dessie and I aren’t together anymore.”
“But she’s pregnant.”
He nods. “She is, but it’s not mine. She cheated on me sometime after telling me she was pregnant and before we left for Beaumont.”
“Noah, I’m so sorry.” I fight the urge to pull Noah into my arms.
His head drops, but he turns it slightly to look at me. “Better now, right? I mean, Nick raised a kid that wasn’t his, but he knew it. I don’t know how I would’ve coped down the road.” He clears his throat and straightens up. “However, I’ve taken some time to clear my head.”
“Was it foggy?” It’s a stupid joke, but humor is always needed.
Noah laughs. “I miss you, Peyton. I miss everything we had and believe it or not I miss what we could’ve had because I think about it all the time. I had an opportunity with you and I screwed it up, but it’ll never happen again. You see, I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember. I’m not willing to state an age because let’s face it, five years was a big gap when we were growing up. Now, it’s nothing.
“So here’s the deal. I’m going to chase you, woo you, romance you, and beat your ass at Madden because you know I can. And when I’m done, I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t feel the same way. I’m in love with you, Peyton. It’s crazy, ridiculous and unconventional, and it may have taken an accident for me to see the light, but I’m not fighting it.”
Noah stands before me looking sexy and kissable. It’d be so easy to jump into his arms and ask him to take me to bed. But I don’t. I shrug and say, “Okay.” Much to his dismay.
32
Noah
I can feel my eyes bug out of my head at her nonchalant response. Is she for real? I just poured my heart and soul out to her and all she can say is “okay.” I must be living in some twisted version of the Twilight Zone because the last I knew, this woman was in love with me. And color me stupid, but I thought when two people were in love, despite one of them being an idiot, they usually fall into each other’s arms after they’ve declared their feelings for each other and start to live happily ever after.
Granted, I did tell her I was going to woo her, and maybe she needs some romance in her life. For all I know, the guys she’s dated before were dweebs who think being romantic is pizza and a lava lamp for ambiance. The only reason I know this is an option is because of my college teammates. They would share their big plans with us about their date nights. That’s not me, it never was and it never will be. If I learned anything from my dad, it’s how to show the woman you’re in love with the fact that you are completely head over heels in love with them. I’m going to pull out all the stops and show Peyton I mean what I say.
My dad told me earlier that Katelyn had decided to go on tour with the band, otherwise I probably wouldn’t be here. I needed her to be alone when I told her my plan, and having her parents lurking by wasn’t going to do. My dad thinks I’m crazy, and I probably am, but I’m going to spend as long as it takes in order to win her heart. If she makes me wait until after she graduates, so be it. I’ll be the one in the crowd holding a sign proclaiming my love for her. Either way, I’m here until she tells me I don’t stand a chance.