In Need of a Distraction |18+| Book Two | ✔

Chapter 9

Noah

Alyssa, Dane, and I laugh uncontrollably at the post-credit's scene of some con movie. The two leading con women were being chased by their latest victim and the police, only to vanish. Turns out they were hiding as large gifts by an enormous Christmas tree in the background.

Dane gets to his feet, stretching out his limbs with a loud, obnoxious yawn. "I'm gonna crash. Is my room still in the same place or have you turned it into the private strip club which we envisioned?"

"You'll have to find out. Keep your paws off Cinnamon, will ya? She's mine."

"Aye, aye captain," he fake salutes me, walking towards the guestroom downstairs. I feel Alyssa's eyes drilling holes into the side of my head.

"Only joking," I kiss the side of her lips and switch everything off. "Let's go to bed," I hold out my hand for her, but she hesitates.

"The manuscript on your bed, w-who wrote it?" She stammers. Fuck, I can't lie. I know she saw it when she went up to use the en-suite.

I told her about Timay and the friends with benefits thing we had going on, but I never told her about our demise, nor did I tell her about me confessing my love to Timay.

"Timay Hues." Fuck it, if I'm going to make this work, it'll be with honesty.

"Oh, what is it about?"

"You know I can't tell you that."

"Right, no, I understand," she smiles but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm exhausted and I haven't packed yet. I need to go... Is she going to be at the wedding?"

"Yes," I admit and her face falls, the light in her brown orbs fade, lips tugging down on the sides and a crease forms between her brows. "But you have nothing to worry about," I pull her impossibly close to me, wrapping her in my arms, hoping it'll chase away the insecurities swarming her mind.

"I-I'm not worried, I'm afraid."

"Mind telling me why?" I kiss the top of her head, trying my level best to make her feel secure in my arms.

"You loved her, Noah, and a part of her loved you, too. That doesn't just go away."

"Who told you I loved her?"

"Friends with benefits always ends when someone falls. You're an amazing man, I know you fell for her, and I know she fell for you. She'd be crazy not to," Alyssa huffs and sniffles.

Fuck it, right? Honesty all the way, right? I could kick myself for using those words.

"I might've loved her, but she didn't love me. Trust me when I say you have nothing to be afraid of, please."

She pulls away from my chest, tears forming in her eyes staring into mine. "Okay," she whispers but I see that one burning question – the do you still love her question – swimming in her orbs. The question she shouldn't ask. If she does, she won't like the answer and it'll destroy everything between us.

Her mouth opens and closes, the words struggling to come out. "Don't," I almost beg. "Don't ask that question."

"Okay," she presses her lips against mine and I taste the saltiness from her tears. A wave of guilt and regret surges through me but I force it down.

I need to focus on her.

I can't bear to look at her as I walk her to the door, attempting one last time to get her to stay. "Stay the night?"

"I wish I could, but I need to pack," she says, pecking my lips. "Goodnight, Noah."

"Goodnight," I lean against the door, watching her walk away. I see her wiping away the tears, knowing more are going to follow.