“I don’t know… I am kind of basic,” I tease.
“I disagree.” He smirks, removing the lids and adding one creamer to each until the paper cups are full and then places them both in front of me. “Prove me wrong.”
I lift a brow, grabbing the caramel one as he eyes me, and then I set it in front of him, our laughter following.
A satisfied grin pulls at his lips as he pulls the sandwiches from the bag. “Ham or sausage?”
I scrunch my nose and his face falls.
“You don’t like either?” he nearly pouts, and my smile is instant.
“I like both, and I’m dying to drink this coffee, but… mind if I shower?” Maybe, I don’t know… put some pants on?”
He frowns, his attention immediately dropping to my bare legs, and then his dark brows jump. “Shit. I’m sorry.” He spins on his heels, running a hand over the hair at the base of his skull.
I laugh. “I’ll be quick if you want to find something to watch. Unless you can’t stay, of course, then thank you for—”
His glances over his shoulder. “I can stay.”
“Okay, then.” I grin, grab my coffee and lift it. “Thank you, Noah. Seriously.”
He nods as I make my way into my room to grab my things. It’s times like this I appreciate the private bathroom Cam and I were blessed enough to get.
In the shower, I think about Noah being here, as well as how Mason would murder the man if he knew. Actually, maybe it’s me who he’d murder for allowing Noah in like nothing, but I don’t know. He lives in the same house as my brother, plays on the same team, and so far, no one has had a bad word to say about the guy. Mase would have never left me on the beach with Noah that day if he didn’t trust him in some manner, let alone invite him to the bonfire that day, so it doesn’t feel like a bad move.
Plus, I had a lot of fun last night. Having someone to talk to outside of my normal group was refreshing in a way I’ve never experienced.
I love talking to Cam and I’d trust her with all things in my world, but I had a fresh mind with a fresh outlook and I think it was exactly what I needed. While it seemed to bother him that I was upset, he wasn’t wounded by the situation as me, Chase, and Cameron were, or as Brady or Mason would be if they knew. It’s different, and I love that.
We didn’t sit around the entire time working to wash away or prevent awkwardness. It was fun and stress-free. It was easy.
Noah being here now, though, I one thousand percent did not expect. It was easy to see he was being genuine last night, that he honestly wanted to hear what I had to say, but I didn’t exactly think past that conversation.
Now I can’t help but wonder if Noah could use a new friend as much as I need one.
Hurrying out of the shower, I throw on my favorite ‘death before decaf’ T-shirt and a pair of leggings. I run a comb through my long dark hair, brush my teeth, then grab my coffee and step out of the bathroom, wet-haired and fresh-faced.
Noah’s on the couch, as I expected, so I fall into the space beside him. He grins my way, passing me the ham breakfast sandwich and remote as he takes a bite of his own breakfast.
I look up at the TV as the commercial ends to find he’s about twenty minutes into the movie Grown Ups, so I toss the controller to the side and settle in to watch with him.
Once I’m done eating, I cradle my coffee in my palms, folding my legs up on the couch.
“Thank you, Noah,” I tell him again, peering at him over the rim of my cup when he looks my way. “For last night and today. For right now. I’ve locked myself away a lot lately, so it’s really nice to have you here.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do.”
“You don’t.” Noah twists to face me. “I came because I wanted to.”
I let my head drop onto the cushion, smiling up at him. “Well, thank you anyway.”
A small shadow falls over his eyes, but he nods.
“I was too busy being a baby last night, I didn’t get to tell you, but you play like a boss.”
That brings a wide smile back to his face, but he turns away, shielding it from me.
“I’m serious. Your very first throw the first game and that quarterback keeper? So smooth.” I chuckle when he shakes his head, still not looking at me. “And last night, that Flea Flicker was genius. I feel like a jerk because I totally spaced on you being the main man until I saw you last night and remembered. You’re a badass, number nineteen.”