Page 61 of Puck with Karma
“I’m not even sure how to respond to that,” I admit to him. “Why would I throw you out when I offered you the place to begin with?”
Noah takes a moment to just stare at me. He looks scared.
“I’ve never stayed in a place this nice before.”
I look around us, but I don’t see anything special. My apartment is larger than the other ones in the building, but it is not luxurious or anything. It has all the basic necessities, and itdoes have new appliances in the kitchen. That’s all I can say that would stand out.
I squint my eyes at him in suspicion, hoping that I am wrong.
“Where did you live growing up?”
“Some really shitty places,” he shrugs. He wants to make it look like it’s no big deal, but it is obvious that whatever his life was before he joined the pros, it is still haunting him. “I grew up in the system.”
“What system?” I shake my head at him.
“Foster system,” he explains.
“But you mentioned your parents earlier,” I remind him.
He stares at me and struggles to swallow.
“I lied.”
I don’t have any experience with whatever is happening right now. I’ve never known anyone personally who grew up like that. I’m not sure what to say, and now I feel ashamed for having given him shit over his modest accommodations.
I drop my bag to the floor and start walking toward the master bedroom.
“I’m just gonna grab a few things. You can stay here for as long as you want.”
That seems to break the sudden tension between us.
“Really?” He is back to acting like an eager puppy. “I will wash the sheets and everything,” he promises. “And I love that bathroom. That shower is the bomb! I’ll never use the tub though.”
A grin breaks on my lips. At first, I was a little annoyed by him, but now, the more he talks, the more I like him. Maybe because he shared a little glimpse into his past. He is obviously looking to have a friend on the team. I’m not sure if he is like this with everyone or just with me, but I could use a friend as well.
I walk into my closet and grab a few things that I throw into a backpack. My favorite carry-on bag is still at Abby’s apartment.
“Okay, dude,” I say on my way out. “Try not to break anything.” I turn and give him a mock stare down. “You break it, you buy it. Understood?”
Noah’s face changes in an instant. He doesn’t think I am joking at all.
“Understood,” he assures me. “I will make sure it’s all in perfect order for when you come back.”
I want to stop and explain that I was only joking, but I don’t have the patience for it right now. It’ll have to wait.
Just as I am walking back out into the hallway, there’s pounding at the door. We both freeze, staring at each other.
“Should I open it?” Noah whispers my way, like we’re in some spy movie and we are about to be invaded by the enemy.
The corner of my mouth lifts into a smile. “Well, it is your temporary home, so…”
I take a step back to allow him to pass me. He rushes to the door just as another loud knock echoes from the other side.
The smile dies on my lips when Noah opens the door only to reveal the one person I was hoping to avoid for a while longer. My father.
“Took you long enough,” he growls at Noah, who steps to the side with a surprised look on his face.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Hamilton. I…”
