Page 143 of Here With Me
I keep my head down as I continue working, then clear my throat. There’s no point denying it since he seems to know anyway. “Thanks.”
“I appreciate you watchin’ out for her. She’s stubborn and will probably tell you she doesn’t need the help.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”
“And if something’s goin’ on between y’all, you better come clean before my parents find out on their own.”
“There isn’t.”
I keep my focus on Ranger’s hoof. Ellie asked if I’d keep an eye on the infected hoof and clean it out. I suspect he’ll be ready for training again in a few weeks.
Landen chuckles. “Alright, man. Have a good one.”
When he walks away, I look around to see if anyone else was listening. Luckily, we were alone. I don’t blame him for not believing me, even if it is the truth, but I don’t need anyone else getting suspicious.
Even though I’m not staying with Noah, I told her to let me know if she needed anything. She texted earlier asking if I’d run to the store and grab a few things. I was happy to do it for her, and it gives me an excuse to see her.
After finishing up for the day, I go home and clean up before heading into town. I look over her list and freeze when I see the wordcondoms. And if that isn’t bad enough, next to it in parentheses isthe biggest size there is.
She has to be messing with me.
Regardless, like the whipped man I am, I grab a pack of Magnum XL.
When I arrive at her house, Jase’s truck is parked in front, and I contemplate returning later. But the perishables in the bags could go bad, so I suck it up and get out.
He knows I’ve been helping her and how guilty I felt when she got hurt on my watch, so he shouldn’t suspect anything. I’ll keep my distance, put her food away, then get out.
“Hey,” I greet, walking in with my hands full.
Noah’s on the couch, and Jase sits close next to her.
“Hey, old man. You lookin’ extra nice today. You got a hot date tonight or what?” Jase’s snarky tone has me grinding my teeth so I don’t say anything I’ll regret.
“Nah, just changed after work so I didn’t come smellin’ like a barn.” I set the bags on the counter and start unloading stuff.
Jase continues talking to Noah about work and closing on his house next week. Then he asks if she’d help him pick out furniture and decor. She tells him about Pinterest and other websites to look at for ideas, but if he wants her to go with him, it’ll have to wait until she’s more physically stable.
When he goes on about other random stuff, I try to tune them out instead of eavesdropping. I know they’re friends now, but I still wonder if he’ll eventually want more.
Once everything’s put away, sans the condoms, I head toward the door to leave. “If you need anything’ else, Noah, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Mr. Underwood. I appreciate it.” She looks at me like she’s staring into my soul.
“No problem.”
“I was gonna attempt to make her supper,” Jase chimes in. “You wanna stay?”
My gut tenses at the thought of another awkward dinner. “Maybe another time. I’ve got some errands to run. You two have fun, though.”
With a forced smile, I walk out and blow out a breath.
The onlyerrandI need to do is take a long-ass nap before returning tonight.
I wake up disoriented at ten o’clock with a couple of missed calls and text messages from Noah. Fearing the worst, I return the call without reading her messages first, but then it goes to voicemail.
Noah
Why are there condoms on my kitchen counter?
