“You should go nap. You’ve got Nick’s birthday dinner, right?” Gabby bumped her hip against her. “Did you get him something nice?”
“I think he’ll appreciate it.”
“What’s this?” Eleanor’s brow furrowed. “Are you seeing Nicholas Winters?”
“She is,” Amber said dryly. “They are absolutely adorable together.”
Amber’s obvious sarcasm was hard to miss and a tense silence stretched across the group. Noel broke it by clearing her throat. “I think I’ll take Gabby’s advice and go get a few hours’ sleep.” Noel gave first Gabby and then Eleanor a hug. “Thank you so much for the latte and lunch, Mrs. Montoya.”
“Good night, dear. Have fun at the party.”
“I will. See you, Amber.”
“I’ll see you later, Noel!” Amber called sweetly.
Noel walked away, wishing she could get over her dislike of Amber. She’d settle for indifferent. It wasn’t just her connection to Nick, although that hadn’t endeared her to Noel. Or Amber’s relationship with Gabby.
The animosity between Amber and Noel started long before her parents’ deaths and only worsened after they were gone. While most of the other students were somewhat sympathetic, Amber never let up. When Noel quit the choir, Amber got every solo and continued to throw it in her face. When Noel dropped out of the spring musical, Amber, her understudy at the time, took over the role. Mocking her clothes. Her hair. Tearing her down bit by bit for years. As an adult, she should be over it, but when she looked at Amber, there was no goodness that she could see. Nothing redeeming.
But as long as she made Gabby happy, she could keep a smile on her face.
Chapter 17
NOEL
Noel clutched the festively wrapped birthday present in her hands, waiting for someone to answer the door. She’d already rung the bell, but the distinct sound of loud music probably muffled the noise. Normally, she’d walk right in, but for some reason, everything involving Nick felt off, even barging into the Winterses’ family home.
She unlocked her phone screen to shoot Nick a text and noticed he’d sent her a snap of him rocking his shoulders to the Beatles Birthday song. Noel grinned down at the goofy smile on his face, the way his brown eyes lit up on screen. God, he was cute.
“Noel?”
She turned to find Merry standing at the bottom of the porch steps, wearing a dark puffy coat and knit cap.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing out here?” Merry came up alongside her and turned the knob.
“I tried knocking but no one answered,” Noel said.
“What’s this knocking bullshit? Family doesn’t knock. Let’s get inside. It’s freezing.”
“Right behind you.” Noel followed her inside, where they found the rest of the Winters crew playing a karaoke video game. Holly shook her hips while singing “Proud Mary.” Victoria and Chris sat on the couch, clapping along to the beat while Nick hung out in the corner, talking to Pike and Anthony. The moment he saw her, his face lit up and Noel’s heart leaped with awareness.
“Look who finally decided to show up,” Nick called as he made his way over.
Merry accepted his hug first, slapping him on the back. “Pardon me, big brother.” She shrugged out of her jacket and whipped off her hat. She shook out her hair and handed both off to Nick. “It takes time to look this good.”
“Yeah okay.” He passed her outerwear right back to her. “You can hang up your own crap, unless you got a gift hidden somewhere for yours truly.”
“Geez, rude. It’s already here.” Merry fluttered her lashes at her big brother. “I just need to sign the card.”
“Ah so, Mom bought it and you are paying her to slap your name on it?”
“Absolutely. Be grateful. It’s the thought that counts.”
Nick shook his head. “Classy.”
“Hell yeah I am. I’ll let you say hi to Noel while I find the beer.”
“Hey.” Noel awkwardly held out the package she’d been clutching for five minutes. “I’m a little more original than your sister.”
“Thanks.” He took the present and wrapped her up in a hug. His breath rushed across her cheek as his body pressed closer to hers. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss your birthday.” She held on a little tighter, adding, “It’s the first one I’ve actually been able to spend with you in years. It’s been Skype and e-gift cards since we were eighteen.”