Falling for the Bad Brother//A Noah Flynn Story

Chapter 2

Noah's POV

Did I really just say that? Did I just blurt out the secret I've been holding onto for years?

"What did you just say?" Ashley's voice squeaks, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"I'm falling for you," I repeat, slower this time, the weight of the words sinking in as I shut my eyes, bracing for her response.

Her brown hair whips around in the wind as she spins on her heels, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. "You're joking," she says, her voice trembling.

"I'm not." I exhale, trying to steady my racing heart. "Look, Ashley, I know this is coming out of nowhere, but it's the truth. I've felt this way since... since you first came over to our house in the third grade. I've been holding it in because I was scared of what you'd think of me."

She stares at me, her eyes searching mine as if looking for some sign that this is all a cruel joke. "What about Elle? That whole thing... did you like me then?" Her voice is quieter now, more guarded.

"I buried it," I admit, my voice low. "I didn't think you'd ever feel the same, so I tried to move on."

"So you went for my sister instead?" she asks, crossing her arms, hurt flickering across her face.

"I guess I did," I confess, feeling the shame settle in as the realization hits me. She rolls her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

"I'm gonna go home." Her voice is clipped, and before I can say anything else, she's gone—leaving the balcony and me standing there like an idiot.

I stare down at the ground, a knot tightening in my chest. How could I be so stupid? Of course she doesn't like me. I've just ruined everything. Our friendship, this moment, all of it. I drag myself back inside and collapse into Lee's lounge chair, burying my head in my hands.

"Well, did you tell her?" Elle's voice startles me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, I did," I say, my voice flat.

"And?" Lee chimes in.

"She left. First, she was shocked, asked why, then we argued a bit, and she just... walked away. She doesn't like me back." The words taste bitter as I force them out.

"What? But I know she likes you!" Elle says, her eyes wide. "She told me."

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head. "I guess she was lying because when I told her, she bolted."

"Dang, that sucks," Lee says, but I barely hear him.

"Lee, for once in your life, can you just shut up?" I snap, my frustration boiling over.

"Jeez, sorry!" He throws his hands up in surrender and quickly leaves the room.

I groan, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes. This day couldn't get any worse.

"Noah," Elle says softly, resting her hand on my shoulder. "Go after her. Don't give up. She's just scared."

"No." I shake my head, standing up. "I gave her a chance. I'm not chasing after her like some desperate idiot. If she wants me, she'll have to come to me." I push past Elle, walking toward the door.

"Noah!" she groans, but I block her out, heading to my room. I slam the door shut behind me, leaning against it as the silence surrounds me.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ashley's POV

I left the house feeling heavy with guilt, my heart aching for leaving Noah like that. Tears blurred my vision as I drove aimlessly, the roads becoming a hazy mess of lights and shadows. I didn't even realize it until I found myself back in front of Lee's house, driving in a giant circle. With a sigh, I pulled into the driveway, my emotions still swirling, but there was no denying it—I had to face this.