Dating: On the Rebound

by Stephanie Street

  Instead, I settled for an anti-anxiety pill that I hadn’t needed for a long time and book in my room for the rest of the day.

  Back at school the next Monday, I was determined to talk to Noah. I wanted him to know I was sorry about what had happened with Piper and let him know that no matter what had happened between us, I still thought of him as my friend.

  I arrived early to biology. There were only a couple other people in the room. One of them was Drew. I’d heard that it was him and Piper’s brother, Luke, that had come to her rescue that night. I could only image how they must have felt. I’d heard rumors about Piper and Drew being an item and Noah had all but confirmed that it was true. The closer I got to him, I could see his whole body gave off signals of pain, from his tense shoulders, pinched lips, to his sunken eyes.

  I approached slowly. I hadn’t really ever talked to Drew. He seemed nice enough, but he looked intimidating in a sexy, bad-boy kind of way I knew a lot of girls at school found attractive. I might have, too, if I wasn’t so obsessed with Mr. Perfect.

  “Drew,” I said his name softly, tentatively.

  His gaze snapped to meet mine, his eyes defensive for just a moment before softening into something more like curiosity.

  “Tierney, right?”

  I nodded a little surprised he knew my name. “I just, um, I wanted to say-” I broke off feeling really stupid for approaching him. He didn’t know me. I was just some girl in his biology class. The next thing I knew, much to my horror and embarrassment, my eyes filled with tears.

  Drew frowned and got to his feet. “Hey, don’t cry.” And then without warning, he hugged me.

  I was so surprised I didn’t know what to do at first. It was a nice hug and he smelled good. Not as good as Noah, but it I liked his scent.

  “I’m sorry,” I mumbled against the middle of his chest. Even though he’d bent down to hug me, he was humongous.

  Drew pulled back, keeping a light hold on my arms. “What do you have to be sorry for?” he asked but not unkindly.

  “I heard about what happened. It was a really brave thing you and Luke did going after Piper like that. Not everyone would do what you did. I just wanted to tell you that. And say,” my voice cracked and I dared glance up at Drew’s face. It was full of pain and compassion. I wondered if he could see straight to my soul, if he knew what I’d gone through. “I hope Piper’s okay. And I’m glad she has a friend like you.”

  I didn’t wait for him to respond. I was feeling incredibly foolish, but also glad that I said something. I’d been thinking about it a lot. I needed to be someone that said something. Did something. And maybe telling Drew what I thought was a start. I sat down at the table I shared with Noah and hid behind my hair.

  Just a few seconds later Noah slid into the seat beside me. “Hey, how’s it going?”

  I looked up, surprised. He hadn’t really spoken much other than mumbled hello’s since the day in the hall when I told him anything between us was impossible.

  “Hi. Fine.” I sounded stilted even to my own ears. I didn’t know what to do with this new development, so I did what I always did- I hid.

  But whatever was going on with Noah, it extended to him reaching out and pressing a finger to the side of my face. And just like he’d done that first day, he slid his finger down, collecting my hair as he went until he could tuck it behind my ear.

  My eyes slid shut at the first touch and by the time he was finished, my body trembled. “Noah-”

  “I hate when you hide from me,” he said, his voice low and raw.

  “Noah-” I started again, panic rising in my throat.

  “Are you okay, Tierney?” he asked, speaking over me. “With everything that’s been going on, I was worried about you.”

  My heart broke just a little. He was worried about me? With everything he had to worry about, his dad, Piper. All of his friends had to be gutted by what had happened to her, they were all so close, and he was asking about me?

  Sniffling a little, I blinked the moisture from my eyes. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.” I wasn’t, but that wasn’t his problem.

  Noah’s hand covered my forearm on the table between us. “Hey,” he stopped. “Can you look at me? Please?”

  That word again. I wondered if he knew how difficult it was for me to deny him anything.

  I turned my face until our eyes met. His were so full of compassion and, was that love? No. It couldn’t be. But it was something. Something so intense I couldn’t stop the flood of my own emotions. I missed him so much!

  “It’s okay,” he said. “You’ve been through a lot. I’m sure all of this has brought up memories you’d rather forget.”

  I nodded because he was right.

  Class still hadn’t started, but the room was full. I hardly noticed. I’d hardly noticed anything else since becoming friends with Noah. He filled my vision with light and like a beacon I was drawn to him no matter how I fought the pull.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

  I shook my head. “It’s not your fault.”

  “No, it’s Jack’s and Patrick’s.”

  And Trina’s.

  The words floated across my consciousness and hit me square in the chest. It was true. Guilt unlike I’d ever known filled me with an ache so intense fresh tears pricked my eyes. I’d been blaming Noah for what Trina had done. I’d even projected Alexa’s actions onto him, and not just him, but everyone around me, holding myself back from friendships and support and love because of the actions of a few.

  Noah must have seen the change in me because his expression grew alarmed. “Hey-” He reached out, like he wanted to hug me, but he stopped himself at the last minute.

  But I wanted him to hug me. I wanted it a lot.

  “Please,” I whispered.

  Noah’s face was fierce, his approach gentle as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tight against his chest in the best hug I’d ever had in my life. Even better than any I’d had with him before.

  As soon as our bodies touched, it was as though they both sighed with relief. The familiar scent of Noah’s cologne filled my senses as his warmth seeped into my skin everywhere we touched.

  The bell was going to ring, but neither of us cared. Noah held me across the distance between our chairs and the connection I’d never be able to deny even under the threat of torture, grew and expanded until I was filled.

  “Thank you,” Noah murmured against my hair.

  That made me smile. “For what?”

  “I saw you give Thompson a hug.”

  My smile grew. I pulled back until our eyes met. “Were you jealous?”

  Noah’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “You have no freaking idea how much.”

  I threw my arms back around his neck and pulled him close. “I’m pretty sure he loves Piper,” I said.

  “I’m pretty sure I love you.” His comeback was so quick and so sure it took my breath away.

  I pulled back, my eyes wide. “What?”

  Noah didn’t shy away from my gaze. “I think we need to talk, babe. But not now.”

  Babe? I wanted to argue with him. He couldn’t just drop a bomb like that on me and then expect me to wait. I was tempted to grab his arm and drag him out of the classroom, demanding that he explain himself, but that wasn’t going to happen.

  “Alright. Yes. We should talk.”

  Noah nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “I don’t have anything after school. Shakes?”

  “Shakes.”

  It was the longest day of my life, but in retrospect, I was glad for the time to come to grips with some things before Noah and I had a chance to talk. I mean, what a one-eighty. I’d been determined to leave Noah and my feelings for him behind. But something about Drew’s devotion to Piper, Hannah’s determination that I give Noah a chance, and my own crazy mixed up feelings for the most perfect boy… I just couldn’t deny myself any longer. And if I had any further doubts, the feel of Noah’s arms around me dispelled them.
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  I needed Noah.

  I just hoped he was being truthful when he said he loved me, because it was going to take love for him to forgive me for pushing him away. I slammed my locker shut for the last time that day and whirled around to see him standing just a few feet away, watching me with a small smile.

  “Oh, my gosh!” I breathed, putting a hand to my chest. “You scared me.”

  His smile grew as he took first one then two steps toward me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to. You ready to go?”

  I nodded, but didn’t move. Goodness, I could stare at him all day long.

  Noah walked until he was a breath a way. “How about another one of those hugs? I’ve been thinking about that all day.” His voice was low and husky. His eyes roamed over my face making me blush.

  I didn’t answer. Instead, I jumped into his arms.

  We left the school in his car and drove to the diner without saying much. Noah pulled up to the drive thru window and ordered two shakes and some fries. Instead of parking in the lot of the diner, he drove to a nearby park. It was too cold to get out and walk around but the view was better than the one at the diner and more private.

  Even though I’d been anxiously awaiting this moment all day, I was nervous, not knowing where to start or what to say.

  “How’s Piper doing?” I’d been wanting to ask. It was as good a place to start as any.

  Noah took a long draw on his straw before answering. “The bumps and bruises will heal quickly. The rest of it? Well, you know.”

  “Yeah.” I did.

  “I told my dad about Trina.”

  I gasped. “You did?” I’d begged him to talk to someone about his ex-girlfriend, but he’d been reluctant.

  Noah nodded. “I did. I owe you an apology for not saying something sooner. It might not have changed anything, but at least I would have the knowledge that I tried.”

  I reached for his hand. “It wasn’t your fault. We were both victims.”

  “I see that now, but I still should have done something. Trina would never have gone after you if it wasn’t for me. I should have realized and done a better job protecting you from her. I’m so sorry about that, too.” His eyes looked tortured.

  I set my shake in the cup holder on the console and reached with my free hand to cup his cheek in my palm. “If it will make you feel better for me to say it, then I will. I forgive you. But Noah, I don’t blame you for what Trina did.”

  “I know you don’t. I just-,” he sighed and tilted his face, pressing his lips to my hand. “Thank you.”

  “I owe you an apology, too-”

  “No, you don’t,” he interrupted, shaking his head.

  I covered his mouth with my hand. “Yeah, I do.”

  “Did you just put your hand over my mouth?” His words were muffled and his eyes twinkled.

  “Yes. Now are you going to be good?” I used my sternest mom voice.

  “Probably not,” he replied and promptly licked my hand.

  “Noah!” I pulled my hand back, not as grossed out as I acted. “Be serious.”

  He just grinned and took another drink of his shake.

  “I’m sorry I pushed you away.” I hated to bring the light-hearted moment back down, but I needed to tell him. “I was scared.”

  “You don’t have to say anymore. I understand. I was hurt, but I do understand.” He set his shake beside mine. His chilled fingers reached for the sides of my face. “I meant what I said earlier. But if you aren’t ready, I was going to tell you we can be friends. I don’t want to push you. I just don’t want to lose you.”

  The remaining armor around my heart fell away. I covered his hands with my own. “You aren’t pushing me. I’ve missed you, Noah. So much.”

  He exhaled a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “I missed you, too.”

  I smiled. “How much?”

  Noah grinned. “A lot.”

  “Enough to want to kiss me again?” I flirted.

  “Oh, yeah,” he replied as his lips dipped and touched mine.

  24

  Noah

  “I don’t know how she did it, but he’s gonna play.” I wrapped my arms around Tierney from behind as she helped Mom chop veggies for a salad. I’d just returned from practice to find my girl already at my house. I loved how well she got along with my family and my parents treated her like she was one of us. In fact, I was certain they liked her better than they liked me.

  “Hey, did you just get back?” she asked over her shoulder, a smile curving her lips.

  I shot a glance at my mom who was pretending it was normal for her son to show so much affection for his girlfriend in her presence. I wanted to pump my fist in the air just thinking about Tierney being my girlfriend. I didn’t care who was watching as I leaned in to press a kiss to her mouth. She tasted like candy.

  “Yum,” I whispered against cheek.

  “Noah,” she mouthed, her elbow connecting with my abdomen. Her smile said I wasn’t in too much trouble.

  “Who’s he and who is she? And what is he going to play?” Mom asked, her head in the refrigerator as she looked for dressing for the salad.

  “Piper got Drew to play basketball,” Dad answered from behind his newspaper. He was doing much better and his doctors were hoping for another remission soon. It was good to have him sitting at the table for dinner rather than eating from a tray in his room.

  “How do you know that?” Mom asked as she set the dressing on the table in front of him, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

  “I pay attention to these kinds of things,” he answered with a wink at Tierney and I.

  Mom rolled her eyes and kissed the top of his still bald head. “Since when?”

  Dad’s face fell a little at her teasing but he recovered quickly. “Since I realized what an amazing kid we’ve been raising and how much I’ve been missing of his life.”

  “Don’t say things like that, Brian,” Tierney joined in the teasing. She stepped out of my arms and walked the bowl of salad to the table and set it down beside the dressing. “His ego is inflated enough.”

  “Not with you around to keep me humble.” I kissed her cheek and held out a chair for her to sit in at the table. I sat beside her, hooking my leg around her’s out of my parents view. Tierney widened her eyes, telling me to knock it off. I just grinned.

  “So, this boy wasn’t going to play basketball?” Mom circled us back around.

  I shook my head. “Yeah, I still don’t know why, but I guess Piper talked him into it. I don’t really care as long as he’s playing. We’ll win State for sure with him on our team.”

  Mom raised her eyebrows. “He must be really good, then.”

  “Like you can’t believe good.”

  Dad cleared his throat while scooping a serving of lasagna onto Tierney’s plate. “Speaking of basketball, Noah. You’ll never guess who I got a call from today.”

  My hand froze halfway to the salad. “Who?”

  I felt a spike of nervous energy. I still hadn’t talked to my parents about my desire to go to IUPUI and study medicine rather than go to Dad’s alma mater, Notre Dame.

  Dad said the name of the man who called.

  I felt the blood drain from my face. “Oh, Dad, hey,” I coughed to cover my uneasiness as well as stall for time while I came up with a response.

  Dad raised his hand to stop me. “When were you going to tell me the Jaguars wanted you to play for them?”

  I abandoned the notion of getting any food and put my hands in my lap under the table. Tierney reached out and I clasped her hand between both of mine, so thankful for her support. More than anyone she knew how conflicted I was about my future plans.

  “Uh, I wasn’t. You know I’m applying to Notre Dame.”

  My parents exchanged a glance.

  “You wouldn’t be able to play basketball at Notre Dame. However, the scout from IUPUI said you’d get a full scholarship, Noah. Partial athletic and partial
academic. He said you turned him down.”

  Oh, boy.

  I wiped my face with my free hand. I hadn’t wanted them to find out about that. I had no idea the recruiter would go around me to speak to my parents directly.

  “Uh-”

  “Noah, how could you turn down an opportunity like that without talking to us first?” Mom asked.

  No one was eating. Dad’s face was solemn as I’d ever seen it. Mom’s looked pinched and Tierney’s fingers gripped mine so strongly I could’t feel them anymore.

  “Uh-” Real eloquent, but I had no idea how to respond. My parents were acting like they wanted me to go to IUPUI. What about Notre Dame? What about all that talk about me going to Dad’s alma mater and bringing me home from the hospital as a baby with a leprechaun on my shirt? “I thought you guys wanted me to go to Notre Dame.”

  “Of course, we want you to go to Notre Dame,” Dad exclaimed like I was an idiot.

  I shook my head in order to clear it. Maybe I was an idiot. “Am I missing something here?”

  Dad folded his hands in front of him on the table. “Just because we want you to do something doesn’t mean you have to do it, son. You have to make your own choices. I never expected you to follow in my footsteps unless that was your dream.”

  “What?” I sat back in my chair, stunned. I glanced at my mom and she nodded. My mind started racing. All the plans, all the dreams I thought I had to give up to live up to my parent’s expectations…

  I turned to Tierney. Her smile was as big as mine. I threw my arms around her, lifting her as I jumped out of my chair.

  “Babe! Do you know what this means?” I shouted, twirling her around.

  Tierney laughed. “You get to go to medical school and play basketball?”

  “Medical school?” I heard my dad say in the background, but I wasn’t paying any attention to him. I was too focused on the girl in my arms.

  “No. Well, yes, but it also means we’ll only be twenty minutes away from each other.” We’d discussed the fact that our relationship was new. That we couldn’t make life decisions based on our desire to be close, but this- this changed everything.