Noah’s Journey(14)

“Oh, well, I just thought since your friend wasn’t available, you would want to stay and have dinner with us.” Stacey’s voice was sugary-sweet, yet laced with contempt. “Austin would love to have you stay.”

It was a low blow, but that was the kind of person Stacey was.

“I already talked to Austin, and like I said, I have plans.” I opened my truck door, paused, and looked back over my shoulder. “You do understand there ain’t a chance for you and me, right? Because I’m sensing you think this is all a game.”

“I’m just trying to keep the peace, Noah. For Austin. It’s good for him to see us getting along.”

She shrugged innocently, but I could see right through it. I chose to ignore it, though, because fighting with her would solve nothing. Until I could get an attorney to check into my options and make the chances of Stacey skipping town with Austin impossible, I had to maintain the peace.

“I’ll pick him up around ten in the morning,” I said as I climbed into my truck and shut the door, giving her no chance to argue.

I knew she would try to wheedle her way into our day tomorrow, but it would only be Austin and me. Stacey would have to entertain herself.



***



It was dark as I drove down Main Street, but the lights that were still on in the store across the street highlighted the road. Most places were closed by this time, but I knew Alena was in the process of getting her new shop ready. Ryan and Amber had filled me in on the details after she left the bakery earlier.

I’d be lying if I said her brush-off didn’t hit me low in the stomach. But she had every right to push me away. I hadn’t been the kind of guy she deserves lately. But I was hoping after we got the chance to talk, I may be able to change her mind about that.

I slowed to a stop in front of the store and smiled up at the bright teal sign still lit up just above the door. Sassy Ladies seemed fitting.

I sat in the darkness of my truck and watched through the front windows as Amber, Bailey, and some guy with jet-black hair unloaded boxes and placed the contents throughout the store. When Alena stepped up to the guy’s side and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, my stomach dropped. I knew he was a friend of hers from Chicago and he was in town helping her get the store ready to open, but I knew nothing more. But when he leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead, I was reaching for my door handle without a second thought. I had gotten out of my truck and was pushing through the front entrance before I had time to think about it.

All heads turned in my direction, but the guy just smirked at me. The hair I thought was jet-black was actually blond with black tips. He wore the tightest pair of shiny, black pants I had ever seen.

“Well, you must be the asshole that doesn’t know a good thing when it’s dry-humping him against the side of his truck,” the guy said with a smirk. I just looked back at him and blinked. I knew in that moment I had absolutely no reason to feel threatened by his closeness with Alena.

“Hayden,” Alena said as she gave him a glare and shoved him.

“What? This is Noah, right? Because I’ve met Jackson and Ryan already, and he looks a lot like those Sawyer brothers. So I’m just assuming he’s the guy that’s responsible for your moodiness.”

Alena hung her head, trying her best to hide her embarrassment. Amber and Bailey both just smiled at Hayden. They were obviously amused by his attitude toward me. But he was right. I was that asshole.

“Yeah, I’m Noah. And I’m also the asshole that’s here to beg for five minutes of Alena’s time,” I offered as my gaze connected with Alena as she looked up at me.

“Five minutes,” Hayden humphed. “That’s all it takes. Well, it’s hardly worth the time.”

I looked up just in time to catch the look of discomfort on his face when Alena pinched his side. “Stop it,” she growled.

Bailey laughed and then covered her mouth a second too late, making it turn into a snort. Suddenly, everyone else was giggling while Alena and I just stared at each other. Her expression was unreadable.

“Please?” I asked, and she stood just a little taller. She was attempting to show that confidence she always tried to portray. There was still so much I didn’t know about Alena, but I knew she was not as unbreakable as she tried to appear. She had a fearful side that made her want to hold back, and I was only making things worse by allowing Stacey to hold Austin over my head. I had to find a way to show my ex that she no longer held the winning hand.

“I guess I have a few minutes, but I still have a lot to do here.” Alena stepped toward me.

“Take your time, really, we got this,” Amber yelled after us as we began to walk outside. I couldn’t help smiling on the inside as Alena shot her a death glare. I suddenly was even more aware of why my brother was so in love her.