Page 11 of Minor Trouble
“Then you should get a move on and get changed.”
“Why?” I glanced down at my work clothes, the oil stain on my tank prominent. “Oh, yeah.”
With a wave in Maddox’s direction, I headed upstairs to the apartment. If I needed to get dressed, there was every likelihood Noah needed to as well. I wasn’t wrong. He was sprawled on the sofa bed, still under the duvet as he had been since breakfast. Dirty laundry spilled over the floor, the boxes he’d brought still unpacked under one window. At least he didn’t have his headphones on, his gaze instead glued to an episode ofSouth Park.
“Come on, kid, let’s go.” I grabbed the remote and clicked the television off.
“Go? Where?” Noah’s blue eyes, so similar to Hannah’s, glared at me.
“School. You need to pick your classes.” I folded my arms across my chest, trying to give off some serious parent vibes.
He grunted. “Can’t I stay here?”
“What? You wanna let me pick your classes?” I joked. “I can highly recommend automotive repair.”
My comment at least elicited a tiny smirk. Grasping the small win with both hands, I pulled the covers off him. “Go get a shower and get dressed. We’re leaving in twenty minutes.”
Reluctantly, Noah dragged himself off the sofa bed. He went to one of the boxes, found some clean clothes, and headed into the bathroom. I waited until I heard the water running in the shower before I started a mini clean up. Dirty clothes went into the hamper in my bedroom, and I swiftly turned the sofa bed back into a sofa again. Maybe we could have dinner in front of the television that evening, watch a football or basketball game or a movie. It occurred to me I didn’t actually know if Noah liked or played sports. A cursory look through the boxes didn’t give anything away—no sports gear or helmets or other obvious equipment.
Getting to know Noah was like pulling teeth, and it wasn’t getting any easier.
Going back into Cali Cross High brought back memories of Hannah and me. The door to the greenway where we’d sneak off after cutting class, the bench I’d waited on for her to finish cheerleading practice, even the faint smell of the cafeteria where we’d sit with our friends and steal glances at each other.
But being there with Noah would bring forth a whole heap of new memories and new experiences.
We found our way to the administration office—some things hadn’t changed in the years since I’d last been there.
There were some students milling about, waiting to speak to someone, but I cut to the front, not wanting us to be late. “Oh, thank God, a friendly face.”
Lyla, Maddox’s girlfriend, stood behind the desk. I knew she worked at the school, mostly through the amount of time she’d spent complaining that her mom had bullied her into getting a proper job. Never had I expected to deal with her in this capacity though.
“And only ten minutes late too.” Lyla grinned. “Principal Collins would be so pleased if I arrived that early.” Her smile softened as she turned to Noah. “Hey, buddy, how’re you doing?”
The tips of his ears turned red, and he stared at his shoes, mumbling something I couldn’t catch.
Lyla picked up the phone on her desk. “I’ll let Ainsley know you’re here.”
“Ainsley?” I frowned. It wasn’t that common a name. Surely it couldn’t be the same woman who I’d rescued this morning?
“Mmmhmm, the new guidance counselor. She’s going to be Noah’s point of contact. Started here just this morning, but I think you’ll like her. Particularly as I think you already met her.”
I heard Lyla say I’d arrived, and the thoughts I’d had earlier of Ainsley’s legs and ass firmly placed themselves front and center of my mind. Now wasnotthe time to be thinking in that vein.
We stepped away from the desk to get out of the way and waited. It was a good five minutes before heels tapping on the hard floor caught my attention. I half-turned and saw the owner of the Fiat 500 stepping towards us. She wore a floaty, black and white patterned top which I hadn’t noticed this morning. It scooped around her neckline, hinting at a glorious rack.
I swallowed hard.Fuck. Focus, Seth. This is not a Tinder date. This is your son’s future.
“You again?” The words came out of Ainsley’s mouth almost as an accusation. Her blonde head whipped around to glare at her colleague. “Lyla?”
Lyla stifled a grin and pointed to the phone which coincidentally began to ring at that exact moment. She shrugged and picked up the receiver.
Ainsley drew in a breath and straightened her shoulders. “Mr. Hudson, Noah, please follow me.”
We did as she asked. I tried to keep my gaze on the back of her head, despite my eyes wanting to wander lower. She opened the door to her office, and the three of us went inside. The room was small, barely able to house a desk, four chairs, and a bookcase. As we sat down, I noted the lack of personal effects, but Lyla’s earlier remark about her only starting the job today meant she’d barely had any time to unpack. Especially with her car issues that morning. It also might have gone some way to explaining her attitude towards me when I went to pick up her car.
Ignoring me completely, Ainsley turned to Noah. “How are you settling in? What do you think of Cali Cross?”
I stared expectantly at Noah, willing him to say something, anything which showed he registered living with me.
