Pushing You Away - Noah & Katie (Ex-Con Duet 3)

“For me or her?” Noah quips.

Gemma rolls her eyes. “Okay, well as much as I wish I could stay and witness this grand reunion, I have a new business to get up and running, so I’m gonna trust you’ll get yourself settled in.” She pats his arm. “Call me if you need anything, okay? I’m just down the block.”

“Might wanna check on me if you don’t hear from me in a few days…” Noah taunts, flashing me a look.

“Oh c’mon…” I narrow my eyes at him. “Now y’all are just being dramatic, and I have a ten-year-old who gives me enough of that.”

Gemma gives me a hug goodbye and thanks me again.

As soon as she walks out the back, I hear a door close from the front.

Panic fills me. “Oh shit, that’s my mother. Of course, she’s early. You've gotta hide. Right now,” I urge Noah. “She’s here to pick up Owen for basketball practice.” I point at the staircase, and Noah quickly bolts upstairs. My heart races a million miles per minute as she knocks on the door. I put a finger over my mouth, and Owen pretends to zip his lips.

“Come in,” I say, and my mother enters.

She’s dressed prim and proper and looks around at the progress I haven't made, but at least I’ve taught her to keep her opinions to herself.

“Ready to go to basketball practice?” she asks with a cheeky grin.

He smiles and nods. “Yep! Coach said we’d be practicing three-pointers today.” He grabs his small duffel bag with his shoes and bottle of water, then gives me a side hug before walking toward the door.

“I’ll probably take him to get something to eat afterward, then bring him back here, unless you’ll be at home?” Mom asks.

“I’ll be here,” I confirm. “Wanna try to make some progress on the guest bathroom.”

“Good deal,” she tells me before leaving.

Once I hear the car back out of the driveway, I exhale in relief.

My phone vibrates, and I see a text from Everleigh.

Everleigh: I want to schedule a girls’ day in two weeks on Saturday. A spa day for a pregnancy gift for Gemma. You in?

Katie: Abso-fucking-lutely.

I’ll need to find a sitter. After we have massages and mani-pedis, I’ll be useless, so I won’t work on the house that day either. Honestly, though, I can’t remember the last time I relaxed.

I hear the old floorboards creaking on the second floor, and soon, Noah's feet touch the bottom stair.

He glances at me with dark brown eyes, then looks around. Noah’s gaze trails over the unfinished walls and hanging electrical wires.

“You are literally in over your head,” he mumbles.

I grind my teeth. “How the hell would you know? I’m not the same twenty-year-old Katie you once knew. And if I’m being honest, it’s actually none of your damn business,” I snap.

Noah’s lips tilt down. “I’m sorry. I wasn't trying to offe—”

“Just keep your thoughts to yourself. I’m doing you a favor. If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.”

He flashes a cocky grin that makes me want to punch his stupid face in.

“Yes, you are, and I’m grateful for it. I was just going to say, I could help you with some of this, Katie. This is a huge project to undertake.”

“No, thank you. I don’t need your help. At least not anymore. When I did, you pushed me away, so I’m not taking your pity offer now.”

“It wasn’t a pity offer,” he says, then chuckles softly to himself. “You were always so damn stubborn. Should’ve known that’d never change.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I’m over this conversation and want to get to work. “Follow me, I’ll show you the room,” I say, keeping my tone flat as I head down the hallway.

I open the door to the master and go in. By the expression on his face, I’m positive he’s in shock I actually have a liveable room in this house.

“This is really nice,” he admits, which is nice to hear considering how long I’ve worked on it. I ripped out the old carpet, repainted the walls, and installed crown molding around the ceiling. I still have a small list of things to finish in here, though. The entire house still needs new windows and lighting fixtures.

“Where should I put my bed?” he asks, holding the air mattress bag.

I nod toward the opposite wall. “Probably best you stay away from the window since I don’t have any curtains in here.”

“Alright.” Noah walks over and sets it down with his small duffel bag.

“I packed some things for you too.”

“Really?” he asks, surprised.

“Yeah, they’re in my trunk. I grabbed some extra blankets and pillows, in case you needed them. I also have bottled water in a small cooler in case you get thirsty. There are paper plates in the kitchen, though, if someone brings you food or whatever.” My voice lingers, and now it’s awkward. “I’ll just go grab them.”