Page 8 of What are the Risks
Knowing the drive between Bella’s and my house was only fifteen minutes, I dashed to the shower to get ready for the day.
I was so excited to see Noah. It had been way too long since we were last together.
Like Ryker, Noah’s water polo schedule kept him busy. His team hadn’t made it to the conference tournament though, so his season was over. While Noah was bummed about that, I wasn’t. It meant his weekends were free now, so realistically we could see each other more often. I couldn’t go another two months again.
After taking an express shower, I hurriedly went through my skin care routine and tamed my hair with a claw clip. Pulling on a pair of jeans and one of Ryker’s old football hoodies, I rushed downstairs, just as Noah walked through my front door.
Leaping down the final two steps, I threw myself at him. Despite clutching a paper bag and tray of coffees, he managed to catch me with his free arm.
Resting my head against his chest, I listened to the familiar thrum of his heartbeat. Even with a sweater between us, he felt bulkier,like he’d packed on some muscle. Given how obsessed he was with clean eating and exercising, it was highly likely.
There’s no chance he would have treated himself to a chocolate croissant too. It wouldn’t fit into his meal plan.
As annoying as his health obsession was – since it meant no dessert dates – the perk was I never had to share my treats with him.
Pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead, he eased back slightly. “Hey, babe.”
I grinned. “Hi. I missed you.”
“I missed you more,” he returned, matching my smile.
“Ruby? Noah? Is that you?” Mum called out.
Too excited about seeing Noah, I’d completely forgotten Mum was home. Following her voice to the kitchen, we found her at the breakfast bar with a stack of ingredients laid out, prepping the Thanksgiving pies. She made the world’s best pumpkin pie, and each year she also made a pecan pie because it was Ryker’s favourite.
Wiping her hands on her apron, she rounded the bench to hug Noah. “You’re looking very tanned, hon.”
“The sun shines year round in Miami, Cherie,” Noah smiled, showing off his perfectly straight and bright teeth.
Noah’s father was a dentist. He owned a dental practice here in Detroit and had been prepping Noah since high school to help run it after college.
“What are you making, Mum?” I asked.
“Just the usuals. Pumpkin pie and Ryker’s favourite.” She picked up her knife and sliced a pumpkin straight through the middle. “Are you coming to the Richardson’s for Thanksgiving, Noah?”
He never had before, and there were no plans for that to change this year. My parents and I spent each Thanksgiving with the Richardsons – a tradition we’d had my entire life – and Noah’s family always spent the day with their extended relatives.
As a kid, I used to fall asleep in Ryker’s bed while waiting for my parents to be ready to head home. More often than not, I’d wake up there the next morning too, with my tipsy parents having snuckhome at some absurd hour and decided it would be easier picking me up in the morning.
It happened so many times that mine and Ryker’s annual Thanksgiving sleepover became its own tradition. After stuffing our faces all day and playing countless games of charades, we’d sneak off at some point and fall asleep while watching a movie in his bed – or a football game.
“Noah’s family already have plans,” I answered. “We’re spending today together instead.”
Mum smiled. “Well don’t let me stop you. Have fun.”
Taking Noah’s hand, I guided him upstairs, closing my bedroom door behind us. In high school my parents had an open door rulewhenever Noah was over,but they’d relaxed that since I left for college.
My bed was still unmade, with the blankets messily kicked to the foot. I subtly attempted to straighten things out while Noah shrugged off his sweater.
Noah was, to put it bluntly, a complete neat freak. He kept his car spotless and literally couldn’t leave his house in the morning without making his bed. Often before we’d leave for an event, he was the one offering to ironmyoutfit.
Case in point, as I placed my iced latte and pastry bag on my dresser, Noah’s face twisted.
“I wouldn’t leave that there, babe. That bag is really greasy.”
“It’ll be fine.”
Knowing we were finally alone, I kissed Noah, something I’d been waiting months to do. It wasn’t ahellokiss either, it was anI-missed-youkiss.
