Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
She lets out a happy sigh, and I brace myself for whatever bullshit is about to fly my way, but instead of professing her undying love, she crashes into me and flings her arms around me for the second time tonight. “It’s good to see the real Noah again,” she tells me. “I’ve missed you like you wouldn’t believe.”
My heart shatters for the hell I’ve put my mother through, and I realize that Zoey isn’t the only one I need to earn forgiveness from. Then wrapping my arms around her, I squeeze tightly. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to cause you so much hell over these past three years. I’ve just been—”
“Lost,” she offers, and honestly, there’s no better way to describe it.
“Yeah,” I say, holding her a moment longer than necessary. Only she doesn’t let go, she just holds on as though she’ll never know when she might be able to do it again. “Ahhh, Mom,” I mutter, gripping her shoulders and trying to peel her off me, but she holds on tighter. “You can let go now.”
“Shut up, and love me, Noah,” she demands. “You’re not going anywhere until I’m done with you. Now wrap your arms around me and settle in for the long haul. It’s gonna be a long night.”
Well, shit.
28
Zoey
Noah’s message comes through almost the second after he steps off the field. It’s their third game of the season, and I’m not surprised to find that the Mambas are still undefeated. I overheard Tarni talking to the girls at lunch recently about her thorough research on Noah and his flawless winning streak since freshman year. Apparently, no one else thought her super-stalker mode was creepy.
Resident Asshole: You saw that right? I dominated that game.
A smirk settles across my face as I grab Hazel’s hand and lead her down the grandstand while trying not to trip and fall. And because I’m just so nice, I do what I can to keep Noah’s ego in check.
Zoey: Wait. What did I miss? I was too busy watching the hottie on the other team. You know, the one who nearly took you out. Did you see the arms on that guy?
Resident Asshole: You’re an ass. Just tell me how great I was.
Zoey: You were a dazzling shining star. I’m sure if your game were a ballet, you’d be showered with hundreds of bouquets of the most stunning roses this world has to offer.
Resident Asshole: …
Resident Asshole: I don’t know what to make of that.
Zoey: Just tell me how great I am.
Resident Asshole: Touché, Zoey James. Touché.
I laugh to myself for a job well done before focusing on getting the rest of the way down the grandstand, pleased that Hazel and I managed to make it through a whole football game without either of us being shamelessly tormented.
We make our way back across the field to the lot, and I listen to Hazel’s recap of the game from start to finish as though I didn’t just watch the whole thing right by her side. I unlock the car, and we’re just getting in when my phone buzzes again.
Resident Asshole: Soooo…There’s a party tonight, and I know I told my mom that I’d come to dinner at your place. But do you wanna bail with me and party instead?
Zoey: Wow! Is that your way of asking a girl out because it kinda sucks! But also…I don’t know. Me and parties don’t really mix. You remember what happened at the last one, right?
Resident Asshole: Shannan knows what’ll happen to her if she goes anywhere near you again. Let your hair down, Zozo. Have a little fun. Besides, think of all the things we could do at a party that we can’t do at your dining table.
Resident Asshole: Also, for the record, you’ll fucking know when I’m asking you out.
Butterflies swarm through the pit of my stomach as Hazel groans. “Are we just going to sit here all night or are you actually going to turn on the engine and drive us home? I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry, and watching you grin at your phone isn’t helping me get fed.”
I roll my eyes and groan before tossing my phone down into my bag and getting us out of here. The drive home is filled with music and Hazel’s mindless chatter about how cool Noah was, and I find myself zoning out, wondering exactly what it would mean to go to a party with Noah Ryan.
Though, would I actually be going with him, or will I just happen to be in the same place at the same time while both of us watch each other from opposite ends of the room like we’ve been doing ever since he got to East View? It’s not like I get to complain about that. I was the one who put limitations on us. I told him not to kiss me again until he was mine, and now I’m regretting that decision. I want to feel his lips on mine, even if he’s not quite ready to emerge from the hell he’s been living through these past few years.