I get right to passing around plates, thankful for the quick and easy option, since Noah asked me to go with him somewhere today.
We carry the boxes into the living room, and this time, the TV stays off.
We sit back, listen to the boys’ play-by-plays, as if we didn’t watch the game on TV, but we don’t care. Growing up, this was one of our favorite times of the week, when our families would get together at the end of the week and talk shop.
We chat about school and midterms, and the guys let us in on their idea to go camping over the upcoming school holiday, instead of going to our beach house as we had thought we would. They scored a Thursday game, so once they get back into town, they’re free until Monday. The second we agree to go, the plan is official.
I’m leaning against the coffee table beside Cameron when my phone rings on the ground beside me. Noah’s name, or more Romeo, flashes along the screen.
“Someone got a new phone.” Cameron, being the asshole she is, grabs it, answering on speaker. “Oh, Romeo, Romeo, where for—”
“Shut up!” I laugh, snagging it from her, only to have Brady snag it from me.
“Hello?” He does his best to mimic a woman’s voice, failing miserably, making us laugh.
“I’m going to take a wild guess and say this is… Lancaster?” Noah’s grin is evident.
I smile, and Brady nods.
“I’m impressed, fuckhead. Now, why you callin’ our girl?”
“Okay!” I jump up, yanking it from Brady’s big ass hands, and hop over my brother’s extended legs. I bring it to my ear. “Hey.”
“Their girl, huh?” he teases, and my face heats as I realize I forgot about the speaker part.
I quickly whip around, so I’m not facing them, turning speaker off. “Yeah, Mason has tried to retrain the boy for years. It’s useless,” I joke.
“Noted.” Noah chuckles in my ear, and then he’s quiet for a moment. “You still mine today?”
Heat washes over me, and I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I am.”
“Good, because I’m already on my way.”
“Perfect.” I head toward my room for my purse. “Cameron is about to leave, so I’ll walk out with her. Meet you by the doors?”
“Wait inside until you see my truck.”
I bite back a grin. “Yes, Noah. Mason happened to train me well.”
His airy laugh fills my ear. “Five minutes, Juliet.”
“K.”
I turn to tell Cameron, let’s roll, but the words die on my lips when I find all eyes on me. “What?”
After a second of silence, it’s Mason who jumps to his feet, and with more energy than I’ve seen from him all day.
“Nothing, baby sister.” He pauses, staring at me a minute before kissing my temple again and heading for the door. “Love you.”
“Love you. You don’t have to leave.”
“I’m not, I’m locking it behind you guys so none of your flirty hallmates try to slip in when you’re gone.”
I laugh, stuffing my phone inside my bag. “Good idea.”
Cameron steps up, pulling a sweater over her head. “Ready?”
“Yep.”
We look to the others.
“Bye, guys.”
“Later,” Brady shouts.
Chase says nothing, facing the TV once more, and we walk out the door.
Noah is pulling up the second I get to the exit, so I slip out with Cameron.
He leans over, pushing the passenger side open for me, and I slide inside, waving at Cameron over my shoulder when Trey pulls up right behind him.
I turn to him. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He smiles, turns the radio up, and then we’re on the road.
He pulls onto the highway, headed the opposite direction of where we went last night, but I don’t ask where we’re going, and it’s not until we’re in the parking lot of Tri-City Medical that the sudden need to know sweeps in.
Noah stares straight ahead as he pulls the keys from the ignition, his hand dropping into his lap as if the weight of the lanyard in his palm is too much.
With a deep breath, he begins to climb from the cab, so I do the same, meeting him near the hood.
It takes several seconds, but then he points to a small building near the back, not quite a part of the hospital, but on the same grounds. “That’s a rehabilitation center.”
I glance to the building with confusion, but his next words clear it right up.
“My mom lives there.” He nods to himself. “For about two years now.”