A Million Tears (Wish 2)

17 - Magic spell

Noah knew he was brooding again. Thankfully, he was on the opposite schedule from May and Derek wasn't in the ED very much. He didn't want to hear their comments.

The way his mother tried to manipulate things with Brenna annoyed him, but he couldn't be mad at her. His guilt would eat at him if he was angry with his mother. The voice in his head kept saying what if something happened to her?

Noah was also mad at himself. His emotions were worse than a rollercoaster. One minute, he enjoyed waking up with her, and the next, he was jealous because she said Greg was good looking. He told her that  her body was his, like he was a Neanderthal. His head was screwing him over.

Three nights, he spent alone flipping through channels and going to bed early. Finally he couldn't stand it anymore. He was mad at himself for missing her, and he felt lost after only three nights apart. She had a magic spell over him.

The minute he saw her they kissed and he bit back the words he missed her. She probably knew. He was beginning to think she could read his mind.

Noah should have left after she fell asleep, but he didn't want to get dressed and walk home. He pulled her close and held her. Afterall, he was off the next day. When he woke to her alarm, she was still in his arms.

She reached over to hit snooze. "Good morning."

"I was too tired to walk home."

"I don't mind, but I don't have a lot of time. I should have set my alarm for earlier."

"I can be quick." Her laugh echoed in his chest.

After she showered, he sat on her bed and watched as she chose a dress from her closet and put it on. He jumped up to pull up her zipper.

"Thank you." She kissed his cheek.

It took all his self control to not grab her, but he got dressed too.

On the sidewalk, she kissed his cheek. "See ya."

He waved and turned toward home. He could get used to waking up and watching her dress and kissing her goodbye. Fear gripped him. He instantly thought about staying away, but it was a Thursday and she'd be away all weekend. His confusion continued from one week to the next and Brenna never commented. Did she miss him? She was always glad to see him.

His mother had been busy all summer fixing up the house and putting it up for sale. "Sweetheart, I found the perfect condo. I'm excited. It's in town so I'll be close to help with Olivia."

"That's good, Ma." The old house was full of memories — memories hurt.

"Sweetie, Bill's selling his house too."

"But. But you haven't been dating very long." His life was changing, and he felt out of control.

"He's a good man, and he makes me happy. It's okay for us to be happy."

"Do you love him like you did...?"

"Sweetheart, I will never love anyone the way I loved your father. We love people differently. I loved you and your brother equally, but differently. You two were not the same. You were always more sensitive. Dec liked everyone, but you were selective. You were loyal to those you chose. You will be that way with love."

"Ma, don't."

"Don't what? Brenna's a nice girl."

"I have to go. I love you." He hung up without hearing her reply.

Noah swapped his schedule so he worked the day before Brenna's party. His rented a tux hung at his house, but he was apprehensive. Meeting her family was a big deal, and he wasn't ready. He had gone to grab lunch, when he came back overheard Mark.