The Bad Boy's Secret (Book 1)

Chapter 26: Love Bite

-Willow-

 “You’re too tense.” Noah came up behind me, his warm breath caressing my ear. 

I dropped my arm to my side, fighting the urge to drop the dagger.  “You need to relax your shoulders.”  He brushed his palms down my arms slowly, making their way down to my hips.

                “You know that’s distracting, Noah.” I laughed, knocking his hands off.  “And I have a sharp object in my hand.”

I heard him suck in a breath behind me, “Right, right.  Just relax.  Clear your mind.”

I dropped my hand again and turned around to face him.  “You told me to get angry.”

                “We’ve both seen what happens when you get angry.”

We’ve seen that a few times.  “Focus on the target for now.  Don’t think about anything else, but the target.”

I turned back around and set my sights on the blue figure standing in front of me.  I could hardly focus because the burn from Noah’s touch still lingered on my bare arms.  I knew wearing a tank top wasn’t the best idea.  But I had better movement.

                It’s been two weeks since Alex was found and Joel wasn’t.  Since I found out it was Ashley that wrote the notes.  Since I broke up with Scott…But I still needed to talk to Ashley.  I’ve asked for space and she’s given me enough.  It’s time to talk.  Words can’t explain how much I miss her.  Rebecca doesn’t know why we’re fighting, but she knows.  She’s not getting in the middle of it and I didn’t want her to be.  The middle is a bad place to be.

                As for Noah and I, we’re doing great.  We still haven’t found the courage to tell Ash, but we’re working on it.  Dinner with my parent’s is scheduled tonight, but Noah’s parents weren’t home this morning so we decided to squeeze some training in.  But this training session just included me getting frustrated and Noah getting a kick out of it. 

                I try not to ask too many questions anymore.  Joel is still missing, yes, but there’s people looking for him.  He won’t be able to get within ten feet of my house, Noah’s house, or our schools.  His face is everywhere, he has to come out of hiding eventually.  But it’s like he’s a ghost.  He just disappeared out of thin air.

                Noah’s shouting brought me back out of my head.  I focused back on the target, realizing I had thrown the dagger, sticking it in the figures shoulder.  “See, I told you it works.” He smiled and retrieved the dagger.

I let go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding.  “Uh, yeah.  But it was the shoulder.”

                “At least it stuck this time.” He shrugged and placed the dagger back on the wall.

                “I don’t feel like I’m progressing any at all.” I frowned.

Noah walked up to me, taking my sweaty hands between his own.  “You’re doing fine.  But that’s enough for the day.”  He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

                “I have to go anyway.” I said and tucked a lose strand of hair behind my ear.  “I promised Ashley I would talk to her today.  I’m supposed to be meeting her for lunch.”

                “You sure that’s a good idea?”

I nodded and grabbed my bag from the bench.  “It’ll be good for me.  I miss her.” I admitted.