The Scarred Wife's Racing Five

Chapter Seventeen

POV Noah

A Few Hours Prior

“Do you plan on going home anytime soon?” Zander groaned as he slowly walked into the kitchen. “Don’t you have a job to go to?”

“Don’t you?” I growled back before rising up from the couch. I've been avoiding her for two days. Two days of literally hiding from my own house and I still can't figure out what I want. There has to be something that I'm missing.

“Nope. It’s a school holiday. I don’t go back until Monday.” Zander called, pulling me out of my head.

“Awesome. Then, neither do I.”

"You and I both know that's a lie. You had better be lucky you are a Canterwood or no one would deal with your crap." Zander added with a mocking tone. I turned my eyes over to him and I knew the glare I had could peal paint.

The doorbell rang and Zander waved toward me in defeat as he yanked the door open. “Hello you two. I wasn’t expecting both of you to look like you haven’t slept in days. How long did you two stay up drinking yesterday?” Sawyer asked as he stepped into Zander’s condo without a single concern in the world. Lucky him.

“Long enough for the grumpy Gus over there to finally pass out on the couch. Honestly, if she’s alluring enough to get you to drink this much, I think you are out of time.” Zander called.

“Sawyer shouldn’t have spilled the beans in the first place.” I know I was grasping at straws. They were both right, but I didn’t want to face her yet. I was still getting a hold of the reality of it all.

“Sawyer didn’t have to. We’ve known you long enough to notice when you are grinding over something. Maybe you should get behind the wheel. The race is coming up.” Zander noted.

“Right, the night challenge that the forum scheduled. You are racing that night, Noah. Right?” Sawyer asked. He sat beside me on the couch and Zander came over with a glass of water and some well-deserved aspirin. I popped the pills and chugged the water before looking at the pair of them.

“I swore to all of you that we won’t go into a relationship again unless we are all in.”

“We know Noah, but that was more for your protection than ours. You fell hard for Beth. You swore she was the one for you. But she wasn’t the one for us. She fought tooth and nail to separate the four of us from the two of you. She was your world. We don’t want that to happen to you again.” Sawyer concluded.

“So, what’s it going to be, Noah? The ball is in your court. Are you going to make the shot?” Zander said.

I looked between my friends, then rubbed my eyes. Was it really that simple? If I decide to take the shot…am I going to miss?

POV Holly

----Present----

I blinked once, twice, then a third time as Noah slammed his hands on the table. He looked like a man on a mission, and I wasn’t too sure I’d enjoy what that mission entailed. “Noah, I -”

Before I could finish my sentence, Noah cut in. “I don’t know what this is, and I’m not going to put a label on anything, but I want to get to know you more. I want to be there for you and I can’t turn that off even if I wanted to. So, I need you to let me in.”

I stared at him in shock. Let him in? Why do I need to do that to coax his ego? “Noah, I don’t need to do anything. Let’s get that one thing clear.”

“I know.” He rubbed his hands through his hair and I had no idea what to think next. I haven't known him for long but I can tell this wasn't like him.

“Then why would you tell me to?!” I screamed back.

“Because I was hoping you would. I…I want to be the one to listen. I want to be the one you think about when things get hard. If there was one thing I’m sure about over the last two weeks, it would be that you, Holly, are one of a kind, and I’d be a fool not to notice.”

I felt my cheeks flush bright red as he spoke. “You don’t mean that.” I whispered.

He stood to his feet and gently placed his hands on my arms. “I wouldn't say it if I didn't. s**t Holly, I've been sleeping on my friend's couch for two days because I couldn't make up my mind about you. Now that I have, I will not take it back.”

The lump in my throat grew larger as I looked up into his eyes. “I don’t know if you won’t change your mind after you really hear me.”

“Try me.”

I gulped and let my story fall from my lips. Every word I told Sawyer, but then it was time to tell Noah about my current injuries. The ones blessed by the man from my nightmares. Just like last time, my mouth clammed shut, and I couldn’t let another word follow. I sucked in a breath, and he rested my head on his chest. “I’m sorry. That’s all I can tell you for now. I don’t…I can’t say more.”

“Then don’t. That’s more than enough.” I let the tears finally fall as I gripped hold of his shirt. He held on tighter and just let me cry. Scooping me into his arms, the pair of us ended up on the couch as he held me closer. I was engrossed in the warmth I’ve never felt before until the seconds turned into an hour. Then, I finally let go and he looked down at me. “Just know, I have not changed my mind. When you are ready to finish your story, I won’t change my mind then either. Everything will be alright, Holly. Now you have me. Remember that.” He cooed. His warm voice was intoxicating.

“Why can’t I stop this?” I huffed, and he leaned back on the couch while I snuggled in further.

“Stop what, Holly?”

I pressed my mouth into his chest and let the words fall that I desperately wanted to hide. “Why can’t I stop caring about you?”

He laughed dryly. I didn’t have to look up to know the smile wasn’t meeting his eyes. “I’ve been asking myself the same question.” He admitted. My eyes grew, and I shot my head up to meet his. “Holly, the offer for a job is still on the table, but I have another one for you. Would you do me the honor of coming to my race next weekend? It will help both of us get our head straight. What do you say?”

His race? I smiled, and nodded quickly. “I would love to. As long as you let me treat you to dinner first. It’s the least I can do…. For someone I care about.” I said.

He nodded slowly before tapping my nose with his fingertip. “Alright, princess. Whatever you want.”

Wait…. Princess?!