Noah
This was the first time since Roni had started working out at the gym that she hadn't made it in. Her text simply said she wouldn't make it in and she'd see him tonight. Anxiety crept into him as he shoved his things into his locker.
Noah heard the guys walk noisily into to the locker room.
"It's not his place, Hector," Abel said.
"Yeah, it is. He's paying rent, right?"
Noah looked up at them as he slipped his arm into his jacket. Hector and Abel walked side by side toward him. Gio was just behind them.
"Hey, Noah." Hector grinned. "What do you say we have a New Year's Eve party at your place?"
Noah chuckled. "It's not my place."
"I told you," Abel said, shaking his head.
"You pay rent, don't you?" Hector insisted.
"Yeah, for one bedroom."
The idea wasn't half bad. Noah had a feeling Roni would, once again, be flying solo on New Year's Eve, at least he hoped she was, and once again, he had every intention of being there to keep her company. Hell, he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd rather be. But having the guys over to celebrate sounded like fun. Roni had enjoyed Christmas Eve with them. She might agree to something like this, but he wasn't about to volunteer her place before making sure with her.
"Well, can't you ask Roni?" Hector asked.
Noah refrained from frowning. Hearing Hector refer to her as that rubbed him the wrong way. "We'll see." He grabbed his helmet and his keys. "I'm out. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"Let us know ASAP. We need to plan something. It's just days away."
Noah turned around and walked backwards. "I'll ask, but you better not be an idiot about it. If she does agree, it's not gonna be some big shit with all your stupid high school friends."
Hector's face screwed up. "I hardly even hang out with anyone from school."
Noah turned around. "I'll let you know."
All the way home, Noah pushed the speed limit, anxious to see Roni. He could only dream of the day he'd walk in and take her in his arms. His entire body ached with the desire to do it already, but he had to be patient. It was torture, but the more he was around her, the more he was certain it would be worth the wait.
Spending Christmas day with her had been more than he could ever dream of. At one point, she'd leaned her head against his shoulder as they watched A Christmas Story. Nothing had ever felt so perfect as being there with her all day.
He drove into the back, opening the garage door with the extra garage door opener Roni had given him. He felt an instant letdown as the door slid open and he saw her car wasn't there yet.
In no rush now, he slowly took off his motorcycle gear and hung it on hooks in the garage. The backdoor of the house opened and out came Roni.
"Hey." She smiled. "You hungry? I made dinner."
Just seeing her brightened his mood and he smiled goofily. "Yeah, I'm starved." He turned back to where her car should've been parked. "Where's your car?"
She frowned, hugging herself and rubbing her arms as she walked toward him. He pointed to the house. "Let's get inside. It's freezing out here."
"I had to get it towed," she said as they walked back to the house together. "It wouldn't start."
"What? You should've called me."
They walked in the house, and the smell of something delicious hit him instantly.
"No, you were working."
"Babe—" he caught himself quickly as he followed her into the kitchen. "Roni, next time call me. They're gonna charge you an arm and a leg, and I'm sure it's nothing I can't fix. Even if I can't, Abel can."
If she caught the babe thing, she didn't say anything. Noah could hardly believe how that had just slipped. He had her explain to him exactly what the car did or hadn't done. He couldn't help laughing at her attempt to mimic the sound the car had made. She laughed with him. "That's what it sounded like."
Damn, he wanted to kiss her. "So you were stuck home all day?"
If his eyes hadn't been glued to her smiling face, he might've missed the way her expression slowly turned uneasy. She turned her back to him and stirred the saucepan on the stove.
"What's wrong?"
He walked up behind her. She wore her hair up in a clip. A few soft ringlets of hair fell around her neck, but for the most part, it was exposed. It took everything in him to not slide his arms around her waist and kiss her neck. Instead, he forced himself to take a the few steps away and lean against the counter to face her.
She stared into the small saucepan as she slowly stirred. Noah leaned in to peek at what looked and smelled like clam chowder. Then he brought his attention back to her again. "What's the matter?"
Their eyes met for a moment, and she appeared troubled. "I, uh . . ."
He searched her eyes, waiting. He'd never seen her like this, and he didn't like it.
"I was just bummed that I didn't get to go shopping." The side of her lips lifted in a weak attempt to smile. "There's only a few more days until I go back to work, and I don't know when I'll get my car back."
Noah hadn't even realized he'd tensed up until he felt his muscles ease. He smiled, feeling strangely relieved. "Is that what you're worried about? They probably haven't done anything to it yet."
"No, they wouldn't unless I okay it, and no one called me today."
"Perfect," he said, grabbing one of the rolls of bread on the counter, then turned gazing into those beautiful eyes. "I'll call first thing in the morning. Me and Abel will go pick it up and work on it ourselves. I'll have it running for you in no time."