Two Yards from Heartbreak

Chapter five

Noah didn’t ask about the message again on the way home.

He just drove, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the center console. The easy feeling from earlier was gone. I kept glancing at my phone like it might light up again.

When he parked in front of my house, he finally spoke.

“You don’t have to tell me what he wrote,” he said. “But I can tell it bothered you.”

I looked down at my hands. “It was nothing. Just Jace being Jace.”

Noah gave a short laugh that didn’t sound happy. “That’s what everyone says.”

I turned to him. “He’s your best friend.”

“I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s what makes it complicated.”

We sat in silence for a few seconds. Then Noah sighed and looked at me.

“Can I ask you something honest?”

“Okay.”

“If Jace actually started being nice to you… would that change things between us?”

The question hit harder than I expected. I opened my mouth, then closed it again.

“I don’t know,” I said quietly. “I’ve liked him for so long that it’s hard to turn it off completely. But what you said yesterday… it matters to me. You matter to me.”

Noah nodded slowly. He reached over and took my hand again, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.

“I’m not trying to pressure you,” he said. “I just need to know where I stand.”

“You’re not just a backup option, Noah. You’re not.”

He looked at me for a long moment. Then he leaned in a little closer.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked, voice soft.

My heart started racing. I nodded.

Noah closed the distance carefully. The kiss was gentle at first — warm and a little unsure. Then it deepened just enough that I felt it all the way down to my stomach. His hand came up to my cheek, holding me like I might disappear.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathing a little faster.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he whispered.

I smiled, still a bit dazed. “Me too.”

He rested his forehead against mine for a second. “Text me later?”

“Yeah.”

I got out of the truck and walked to the door. When I looked back, he was still watching me. Only when I turned on the hallway light did he drive away.

Upstairs I dropped onto my bed, still feeling the kiss. My phone buzzed almost immediately.

I expected Noah.

It was Jace.

Jace:

You and Brooks looked cozy today.

I stared at the screen.

Another message came in right after.

Jace:

Didn’t know my best friend was making moves on the coach’s daughter.

My stomach twisted.

I typed back before I could stop myself.

Me:

Why do you care?

The answer took less than a minute.

Jace:

Who said I care?

Just making an observation.

Sleep tight, Carter.

I locked my phone and pressed it against my chest.

Noah’s kiss still lingered on my lips.

But Jace’s words were already sitting heavier in my head than they should have.

And I hated that part of me wanted to know why he was suddenly paying attention at all.