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

Once I get to Noah’s and knock on the door, I hear them laughing. It warms my heart, and when Owen lets me in, I see his messy hair and chocolate-filled face.

"Back already?" Noah asks, sitting at the kitchen table.

"Are y’all having fun?" I ask, noticing they're playing Jenga.

"I'm fixin’ to whoop him," Owen gloats, plopping back down at the table, then pulls out a log. The stack sways, but it doesn't fall. Noah moans and pulls one out, causing them to scatter across the table.

Owen stands up with his arms in the air in victory. "Woohoo!"

Noah laughs. "Good game, bud. Beat me fair and square."

I help them clean everything and stack the blocks back in the box. "Get your stuff together, please."

Owen groans, but it only takes one look for him to do what I say. As he's stuffing things into his backpack, he tells me about everything they did today.

"You must be tired." I turn to Noah with a small smile.

"Exhausted." He chuckles. "But we had tons of fun."

"Yeah! Can we do it again sometime?" Owen asks.

"We'll see," I say, then turn to Noah. "Thank you again."

"Anytime. It was no trouble at all," he says. “He’s a good kid.”

Once Owen zips his backpack, we say our goodbyes and make our way outside. Noah stops me as Owen climbs in the back of the car.

"Hey," he says, leaning against the doorframe.

"Yeah?"

"Do you have any plans for your birthday next weekend?"

I tilt my head at him, almost shocked he remembered. "Not exactly. Working on the house, I guess?"

The sexy smirk that touches his lips has my heart fluttering. "I'd like to do something special for you. I mean, if you'd like."

This is my opportunity to give him a chance, and I'll be damned if I pass it up. "Sure. I’d love that."

"You can bring Owen if you'd like or..."

"I'll get my mom to watch him. It won't be a problem, especially since she was pissed she didn’t get him all day today."

There's a sparkle in his eye. "Great, don’t eat beforehand. I want to cook you dinner."

"I'd like that a lot," I admit as a blush hits my cheek, and I don’t know why I’m suddenly nervous.

“I’ll grab your favorites. Steak and potatoes.” He winks.

"It's a date then," I say, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. I take one last glance at him before I go to the car. As I reverse onto the street, I notice he’s watching me. I give him a quick wave before driving away.

I'm happy Owen fills the space by telling me about all the games they played, movies they watched, and snacks they ate because my mind is reeling on the way home. I can't remember the last time I celebrated my birthday or had anyone make a big deal out of it. Sure, Gemma and Everleigh, plus my parents try to do something special, but it's never been a special date.

I'm floating on cloud nine as we walk inside the house. Owen gives me a hug. "Thank you for letting me hang out with Noah."

"You like him?" I ask.

He nods feverishly. "A lot. He's super cool."

I laugh. "Good, that makes me really happy. Now go get your dirty clothes together so I can get them in the washer."

He sticks out his bottom lip but doesn't argue. I go to the kitchen, replaying the conversation I had with the girls today.

My doubts have kept me from giving in to what and who I want.

I pull out my phone, then text Gemma and Everleigh, filling them in on my thoughts and Noah’s plans for my birthday next weekend. I already know how they’ll react, but when I get their responses, I smile.

Gemma: FINALLY! Get knocked up so we can have kids the same age.

Everleigh: That would be AMAZING! But then y’all have to have more when I’m ready to start.

I snort.

Katie: Jesus, no one said we’re having sex.

Though the thought has crossed my mind a few times over the past few weeks. I realize this could be the beginning of something amazing. I know I'll eventually have to figure out what giving Noah a chance truly means before rumors fly like airplanes.

Chapter Eighteen

NOAH

After being gone for two weeks, it felt really good to be back at work. It’s only been five days since I’ve returned to the gym, and I’m on high alert when in public. I constantly look over my shoulder and double-check my surroundings. The trauma of what’s happened has affected my anxiety, and a couple of days ago, I finally booked an appointment with a therapist. I won’t go for a few weeks due to their availability, but I think it’ll be good. Even if I don’t like talking about my personal life to strangers.

Though I miss seeing Katie during her lunch breaks and at dinner, I’m hoping that will change after this weekend. I’ll never pressure her to make a decision about us even if she’s conflicted, but I want her to know where I stand.