Noah

*

Tennyson and Sophie flew back to LA the following day, and the day after that, it was Daniel and Zane's turn. They went home to New York, though not before Danny insisted I needed a PA. I definitely didn't, but I guessed it couldn’t hurt to have someone come over with food that didn't come from takeout places.

The morning after, it was my turn to leave Pittsburgh.

Completely drained and anxious, I boarded the flight and checked my emails while the plane filled up. I confirmed payments for the gardener and housecleaning I'd ordered for my folks' place, I checked in with James's parents, and I fired off a quick email to Sophie to say when I was landing.

I had a few minutes to spare, so I wrote Julian a text, too. I hadn't heard from him since the night of the memorial, and something told me to pay attention to him.

Off to LA now. Take care of yourself, kid. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything. —Noah

The rest of my blown-up inbox could wait. I was giving myself a month to be a selfish dickbag and drink my sorrows away. After that, maybe I'd return to the land of the living. Possibly.

I looked out the window as the plane taxied down the runway, and there was a tremor of unease and irrational fear. But perhaps I traveled too much to let the accident get to me. The statistics were a comfort, and it ensured that flying remained…slightly tedious and a whole lot boring.

*

The plane crash was old news in LA, and I was back to being only semifamous. Industry people knew me well, but otherwise, I was only interesting to paps if I was out with Sophie or I was at a premiere.

I took a cab from LAX and switched on my phone on the way. A shipping company had sent an update on the two boxes of photo albums I was having sent from Pittsburgh, and I had a message from Sophie, as well.

The only bad thing about our building is that we don't have a doorman. Someone buzzed Emma in, and she won't leave. Let me know if you want me to deal with her.

I groaned quietly and pinched the bridge of my nose. She was right. Having a doorman wouldn’t have hurt. Too bad I'd never been the type of man to want a mansion. I loved my loft, the New York factory feel, the high ceilings, and open space. What I didn't love was having my ex camped outside my door.

Might as well get it over with, though. Our spectacular breakup had ended abruptly, and I'd known I would see her again. Despite that she hadn't been to the loft in ages, she had shit of hers there.

About a year after we'd gotten together, my roommates had moved to their own places, so with them leaving and now Emma taking her stuff, I wouldn’t have much left, I reckoned.

No fucks to give.

When we finally reached my street, I was both relieved and anxious. Once I'd dealt with Emma, I would be alone. At fucking last. I couldn’t wait to shut everyone out and be miserable. But at the same time, I was dreading it 'cause I knew it was gonna get ugly. As difficult as it was to hold myself together—somewhat—for the sake of others, it also kept me from knowing how deep I'd fall once I let go.

I paid the fare and got out of the cab, and I wasn't too surprised to see Tennyson waiting outside our building. He had his daughter and their new puppy with him.

"Uncle Noah!" Ivy waved madly, almost dropping the leash.

"Hey, sunshine." I smiled, a genuine one, and walked over to them. "How many dogs do you guys have now?"

Tennyson and his brother ran a charity organization for rescue dogs, including a massive rehabilitation ranch in San Diego. He and Sophie had at least four of them up at their house in Mendocino. Someone lived there 24/7 just to take care of the dogs.

"Not enough," she said cheekily. "Right, Daddy?"

Tennyson chuckled and ruffled her hair. "If you say so, baby." As if he didn't agree. His grin faded a bit as he turned to me. "She's waiting outside your door." He spoke of Emma. "Sophie tried to get her to leave, but unless we involve the authorities, there isn't much we can do."

I shook my head grimly. "I'll deal with her. Might as well get it over with. I want her outta my life."

"I figured." He inclined his head and opened the door. "I took the liberty of ordering a truck for her belongings, and Sophie stacked a bunch of moving boxes in the hallway. Emma was quite adamant about talking to you, but her excuse for not budging was her 'right' to get her things."