Page 97 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

“Was that before or after you saved me?”

“Uh…” He shifted uncomfortably. “After.”

I glanced down at the mark on his stomach. “So, this one happened while you were saving me?”

Another uncomfortable look. “Uh…yeah, that was from Pock.”

My eyes widened as reality hit me. “Pock was shooting at me?”

Noah cringed before clenching his jaw. It seemed it was still a tender topic for him.

I shook my head slowly, trying to comprehend the enormity of what he was telling me. I looked down, not knowing how to even start explaining my gratitude.

“You sacrificed so much,” I whispered, looking back up to meet his perfect hazel gaze. “I don’t know how I could ever thank you for what you did for me.”

He shook his head, his eyes flickering with something that made my heart ache. “You don’t need to do anything, Kaeli,” he said, brushing his thumb over the side of my face. “You don’t know how much you gave to me in those last couple of months while I was at the Den. You were like a tiny ray of light to the world of darkness that had suffocated me for so long. When you came, I found I could finally breathe again. You gave me purpose and strength to finish what I’d started. I honestly don’t think I could’ve done it without you.”

A hint of a smile touched my lips. “So, we saved each other then…”

His face softened in response. “I guess so.”

Chapter 60

Noah

Being back inside a high school was more than a little strange. Although it’d only been two years since I’d been in one, it felt like forever, and as I watched the graduating students of Kaeli’s year throw their caps in the air and cheer, I couldn’t help but feel a little envious.

I remembered being there. The thrill of the unknown. A future with endless possibilities. Naivety.

I knew the world I’d been thrown into after graduating wasn’t by any means the norm when it came to the ‘real world’, but after everything I’d been through since I’d left the academy, I thought it’d be nice to go back to a time when the worst I had to worry about was waking up on time. It excited me to think, from here on out, that might actually be a possibility.

Kaeli and I had lain awake for a long time the night before, talking about the past and the future. I wasn’t surprised in the slightest when she told me she was going to nursing school. I could easily see her filling that role. She was just a natural at wanting to look after people, and I knew first hand that she wasn’t squirmish when it came to gore.

Talking about her future got me thinking though. A lot. I liked being a cop, but I wanted more. I wanted to aim higher. I wanted to be something Kaeli could be proud of. Something that would enable me to support a family should the time come.

After I’d dropped Kaeli home that morning, I’d gone in to talk to Walt, my captain, and together, we’d managed to work out an arrangement that seemed to benefit the both of us. To say I was a little excited was an understatement. And I couldn’t wait to share it with Kaeli.

As she came bounding over to where I was standing with her mom, she surprised me by throwing herself into my arms. She kept doing that. Surprising me. I didn’t know what she saw in me, but I was fucking happy she did.

Laughing, I squeezed her hard, lifting her off her feet and swinging her around, hoping I wasn’t going to take anyone out in the process.

“Congratulations, beautiful,” I whispered in her ear.

She squeezed me harder, slowly lowering herself to the ground. When she smiled up at me, my heart stumbled. Damn, she was gorgeous.

“Thanks,” she said sweetly.

I watched her turn to her mom and hug her too. Mel had tears streaming down her face, but she was smiling with pride.

“I’m so proud of you,” she said, laughing as she swiped at her tears. “Your father would’ve been too. I wish he could’ve been here to see.”

Kaeli hugged her again and I saw tears glisten in her own eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”

Another pair of arms went around them, then another, and before I knew it, they were swamped. It didn’t take me long to realize it was her friends. I’d yet to meet them all - that was supposed to be happening later that night, but I recognized Mia, Jace and Aiden.

When they broke apart, one of the girls, tall and blonde, moved closer to me, her blue eyes curious. “Hi. I’m Amber, one of Kaeli’s friends.”

I smiled. I liked this girl. She oozed confidence, but not in a flirty way. I shook her outstretched hand. “Noah,” I said.

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