If I'm There - A Noah Sebastian Story

Chapter Seventeen - Weddings Kinda Suck

KAT'S POV
My leg shook rapidly as I sat in the elegantly covered chair outside. The bride and groom were currently swapping vows, but I couldn't pay attention. All I could think about was whether or not he was here, watching. I'm a sitting duck, and it wouldn't be the craziest thing if he showed up. Noah glanced over at me, then gripped my hand in his.

"Kat, it's okay. He's not here," Noah assured me as he leaned in. I nodded my head and took a deep breath.
Last night Chris had said that he'd checked the cameras every night, and that he never saw him come around, but that doesn't mean he's done stalking me. He probably just knows I'm not home. Which means he could know exactly where I am. That'd be crazy for him to spend money to get out to Texas, though. Regardless of how insane all of it is, I was still on high alert even though the only people I needed saving from where guys from high school who wouldn't give me the time of day then, but now look at Noah with jealousy.

"Cam, this is Noah. Noah, Cam," I introduced the two as I stood nervously popping my now empty cup at the reception. Noah didn't spare so much as a handshake even. Instead, he pulled me closer to him, almost as if he were establishing dominance and staking his claim. I felt uncomfortable under Cams gaze, as his eyes were directed straight down the low cut V dress I was wearing.

"Kat, you really have grown up. I mean, you are beautiful! Not that you weren't when we were together, but even more now. Noah, she's a keeper," Cam said with a wink. Noah's eyes narrowed and Cam leaned in closer. "Plus, I hear she's one hell of a ride in bed." I could see the wheels in Noah's head turning, contemplating his reaction. I was just gobsmacked that Cam had the balls to even say such a thing. "I gotta go, but save me a dance later tonight, yeah?" Absolutely not. He bounced off and next to the next crew of people.

"I don't have a good feeling about that Cam guy," Noah said as we both stood there, watching Cam force smiles and fake laughter with a few of his old high school buddies.

"Well, he is one of me ex's. And you're my current boyfriend. It would make sense."

"No, it's not that. Something is just... weird about him. The way he looked at you was almost as if you were his prey and he was ready to pounce." He had a point. Cam had been eyeing me, and I was sure it wasn't just the silk red dress that hugged my body with a slit that almost went too high. I was sure Noah picked this dress solely for the fact that there was easy access.
Across the room sat the the groom, Jordan, and the bride, Emery, my two best friends from high school that made an unlikely pair. Jordan was the quarterback for the football team, and Emery used to clip wolf tails on her jeans and go through eyeliner twice a week. Jordan squeezed his way into our group after sharing his love for rock music, and Emery couldn't stand him. She said he was pretentious. Somehow they turned their lives into a real life enemies to lovers story, and here we are.
Emery shot up from her seat and headed straight to us, a large smile covering her face. Her brown hair was pinned up in an elegant bun with pearl accents in it, and her lace dress hugged her torso, then flared at the bottom. She looked gorgeous, and it made me miss my wedding day. A simpler time. Before the cheating, before the separation, before the stalking. Before the death and grieving.

"Kit Kat! You made it, I'm so glad," she said as she pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged her back, squeezing her tight. "How are you? I know at the funeral you weren't ready to talk to anyone and Chris did a lot of the talking for you. I'm honestly surprised you brought Noah and not Chris." Ah yes, the blunt honesty. Emery always walked that fine line of never knowing when or when not to say something. Noah shifted awkwardly, placing one hand in his pocket and clutching the still empty cup in the other.

"Yeah, Noah's my boyfriend actually. Chris and I were just really good friends is all." Emery nodded her head, maintaining her smile.

"So, how are you doing? Are you feeling better?" She pried. That was a loaded question with a loaded answer. Even I didn't know how I was doing.