Page 21 of Twice as Forbidden

Noah and I stare at each other. I open my mouth, but he speaks first. “College.”

“Cute.” Katie grins, and Jacob jumps in, “How long have you been together?”

I shift uncomfortably in my chair. “Um…”

“Ten months,” Noah answers smoothly, flashing me a smile. “Ten crazy months, right, George?”

I fake a smile. “Yeah.” I shove a forkful of salad into my mouth, hoping it will keep any more questions at bay.

My phone vibrates on the table, and relief floods through me—an easy excuse to step away. But when I glance at the screen, my stomach tightens.

Mom.

My lips press into a thin line. So much for an easy escape.

“You going to finally talk to her?” Noah asks, startling me. I hadn’t realized he was so close, spying over my shoulder.

My eyes lift to meet his. “Huh? Um… no.” I swipe to decline.

“Babe, maybe you should just talk to her—”

“And maybe you shouldn’t involve yourself in my business…” My words taper off as what I said dawns on me. Kate and Jacob pause in their conversation, both staring at us.Fuck.“Sorry. I…” I manage a strained smile. “Parents. Always so naggy.” I grab my tray and stand. “I’m going to the bathroom. Meet you all back upstairs?”

Noah nods, clearly unhappy I’m leaving, but he doesn’t say anything.

I weave through the cafeteria and head straight for the nearest bathroom, locking myself in a stall. My phone buzzes again.

Mom.

I haven’t spoken to her in months, and even then, it was brief—just long enough for her to tell me Lettie had gotten hurt at school. She hadn’t called to check on me, hadn’t cared about the silence between us. And now, all of a sudden, she wants to talk?

I stare at the screen, my grip tightening. I already know what she’ll say—more lies, more excuses. Reasons why she let a man who wasn’t our father rip our lives apart. I was done listening to them.

He loves us. He has good intentions. It wasn’t on purpose.

Bullshit.

Instead of mourning her husband, she opened the door and let a monster in. No mother who truly loved her children would do that.

I shake my head, declining the call, then shove my phone into my pocket and head back to work.

For the third night in a row, I succumb to the same dream. Hands, tongue, filthy words—I’m brought to a level of euphoria that steals my breath. I gasp and shoot up in bed as an arm snakes over my belly.

“Chill…” A voice resounds from my left, and I tense.

“What the hell, Noah? What are you doing in here?”

“Sleeping, George.”

“You can’t be in here.” I attempt to move his arm off me, but he holds me tighter.

“I just need to sleep. I’m not trying anything. Please. Let me sleep.” He sounds so tired. Almost defeated. My shoulders deflate, and I nod.

“Fine. But this is the last time.”

I lay on my side, resting my head on my pillow, and close my eyes, my dream still heavy on my mind. After what feels like forever, I finally find sleep.

The blaring of my alarm wakes me. I reach over to shut it off and twist onto my back, sighing in annoyance. I attempt to maneuver Noah’s arm off me, but he doesn’t budge. “Noah, get up.” I shake him. “Noah—”

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