A Winter's Date (21 page)

We’re back at Heather’s apartment; she seems comfortable and relaxed for the first time in weeks. She’s sitting on her pink couch with her leg propped up as she searches her iPad for a physical therapist who will fit her needs. I know she’s dying to dance again, and I’m going to be here for her every step of the way. I have my first bar prep class in the morning, and I’m sure it will be intimidating, but I’m ready. I’m ready to leave the past behind and move forward with my life.

My phone goes off and Heather glances up at me. It’s a text from Joel:

Welcome home, Ryan. We need to get together soon.

I type out a reply:

Thanks, man. We’ll need to set up a time for the four of us to go out. Unless you have a plus-one?

His reply comes soon after I hit send and I move to sit next to Heather:

Nah, man, it’s still just me. I heard Dillen broke things off with Coen the second he left London. What a bitch.

I almost spit out the water I just sipped:

Dude. I’ve got nothing to say on that topic. I’ve seen too many damn tears in the past week.

Tears? Because she misses Coen or because she misses that dick?

Now that is a good question.

I set my phone down before turning to Heather. “Have you had any luck?”

“Mmm, yes, I’ve found two. One is Dr. Miller Blythewood, and the other is Dr. Lacey Repler. It looks like Dr. Blythewood has had more experience with dancers, though, so I think I might set up an appointment with him.” She looks up at me nervously, and for the life of me, I cannot figure out why the hell she just got so nervous.

She shifts so she’s sitting on my lap, and I place my lips on the top of her head, breathing her in. “That sounds good, ballerina. I’ll be at as many appointments as I can make it to.”

“You don’t have to do that, but thank you. I’ll call his office tomorrow to set one up.”

“Good, because you are going to be incredibly jetlagged.” I stop speaking when she nuzzles my chest and bites at my right pec. “You’re asking for it, Miss Lane.”

“Oh? I wasn’t aware,” she says innocently, her voice husky with need.

I tilt her chin up and take her mouth with mine. Her soft, velvet-like tongue caresses mine, and I can’t hide my fervor.

“Noah?” she asks when we break our kiss.

“What is it?”

“Have you decided when you’re going to go and meet your parents? It’s been weeks since they found out their son is alive, and I bet they are beyond restless to meet you.”

I kiss the shell of her ear and exhale soundlessly. “I’ll need to get in contact with them.”

I reach for my phone and open up my email application, deciding that I might as well be the one to start this transition in my life. In fact, I’m pleased to be taking control of my life again.

To:
Henry Somer

From:
Noah Ryan

Subject:
Meet-Up Date

Henry,

I hope you and Ellery are doing well. I wanted to let you know that I am back in New York City. I would like to meet you soon, if your schedule allows for it. I am able and more than happy to travel to you.

Please let me know which dates would work best for you. I am enrolled in a bar prep course as of now, so weekends would work best for me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Your son,

Noah Ryan

I hit send and look over at Heather, who was watching me type out the email. I let out a deep breath and try to tell myself that this is what needs to happen, as well as this is what I want. My family. My life.

“You’re still going to come with me, correct?”

“Of course I am. I promised you, didn’t I?”

“I know you did. I just needed the confirmation.”

“Well, you’ve got it, Greek god.”

“Thank you. Now tell me, would you like to go out with Joel and Coen tomorrow night? Joel was texting me earlier.”

“Sure, that sounds like fun, but has Coen said anything to you about Dill?”

“I’m glad.” I look at my watch and yawn. “No, he hasn’t said anything since we got back . . . should I call him?”

I watch her think it over for a moment and then nod. “Yeah, call him.”

I nod and hit dial and then put it on speakerphone as it rings a few times.

“What the fuck is up, man?” Coen’s voice breaks through the silence.

I laugh and shake my head, leaning back against the couch. “Not shit. Just wanted to let you know we’re back in the States.”

“Nice, assfuck. You’ve been missed around these parts. Are you two going to be joining the three of us tomorrow night?”

I pause and look at Heather. She shrugs and pipes in. “Hi, Coen, I thought it was just the four of us going out?”

“Nah, not anymore, little lady. I’ve got someone I want you both to meet. Her name is Lana.”

Her eyes go wide, and I raise my brow at her. “Uh . . . oh, okay,” she stutters and closes her eyes, shaking her head slowly. I’m sure we’re thinking the same thing.

“Is this a new piece of ass, or do you see this going anywhere?” All of these girls cannot be good for his pride.

“Ah fuck, man, I don’t know, but I’d pay her bills. And she does this thing with her throat that . . .” He stops mid-sentence before speaking again. “Wait, is Heather still listening?”

“Damn right she is.”

Heather snickers and gets off of my lap. “I’m going to bed, boys. Play nice.”

“’Night, sis,” he calls out and we both look at each other.

Heather breaks out a megawatt smile and mouths, “Awww” to me, before she kisses me and heads upstairs to bed. I take Coen off of speaker and pick the phone up from the coffee table.

I watch her walk upstairs before I speak. “All right, she does what with her throat?”

He laughs and starts in again. “Shit, man, does Heather deep-throat?”

I chuckle and grin. “Wouldn’t you enjoy that bit of knowledge? Huh? Now tell me who the fuck this woman is.”

I can hear him grin and then a beer crack open. “I met her at a club last week. Long blonde hair, perfect tits, and an ass you can bounce a quarter off of. Need more?”

“Right, the typical Coen type of woman but in all seriousness, are you good, man?”

He’s quiet for a long breath, and I can tell he’s contemplating. “I’m good. So where we going tomorrow?”

“Good to hear. Uhh, tomorrow . . . fuck, man, I don’t know. Skydiving?”

He laughs. “You think you can talk Heather into that, man?”

“I fucking doubt it, but shit, I would be interested in doing it here in New York. Phoenix was great.”

“Come on by, man, I’ll hook you up. We’ve been slow lately so I’ve got the time to jump with you.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

I hear Heather call out, “Noah? I can’t sleep without you . . .”

I look over my shoulder toward the stairs and get up off the couch.

“All right, man, my girl is waiting in bed. I can’t disappoint her,” I say as I pull my shirt off as I walk up the stairs.

“Ah, enjoy the little lady, dipshit. I’ll text you with details on tomorrow night soon. Bye.”

“See ya.” I end the call as I reach the top of the stairs and unbutton my jeans. I get them off before I walk into the bedroom where my ballerina is holding the covers up to her neck. “Are you cold?” I ask teasingly. She nods as I shut the door and walk toward the bed.

“You know that answer by now, don’t you?” she asks in a sleepy voice.

I turn off the lights and get into bed, pulling her against my chest. “I do, but I seem to be your solution.”

She nuzzles my chest and tangles her legs with mine before settling comfortably. “Yes, and I can’t sleep unless you’re in bed with me. You’ve pretty much ruined me for life.”

For life?

“I think I can handle taking the blame for that.” I pull the blankets up and kiss the top of her head, her long dark-chocolate brown hair fanning out against my chest.

“I love you, Noah.”

“I love you, Heather.”

How the hell did we get back here after what I did to her? I’ve never had anyone love me without any bounds before. I threw a ring at her in anger and was cold, even cruel to her. Yet here we are. I’m lost to this woman, and I sure as fuck hope she’s lost to me.

My mind races for what seems like hours as I listen to her breathe. I have so much emotion pent up; I think I’m going to lose my shit. I can feel my heart start to race, and I’m moments from getting out of bed to pace when Heather seems to sense my unease even in her sleep. Without waking, I feel her hand drift up my bicep, and she shifts to the side. Just one touch of hers breaks me out of my marathon of thoughts, and my heartbeat returns to normal.

I slide my hand down her back to her ass, pulling her as close to me as I can without waking her. She breathes in deeply and sighs, mumbling something to herself, something that she’s dreaming wildly about. I look up at the ceiling and shut my eyes in hopes of getting some decent sleep tonight.

HEATHER

We are on our way to meet up with Coen and this Lana girl. I’m rather skeptical about all of this. I’m sure Dillen would not like me hanging out with his next lay. I know she was the one who broke his heart, but I also know how much she liked him.

When Noah told me that he and Coen wanted to go skydiving today, I laughed in his face. When he didn’t join in my laughter, my smile fell, and I knew that he was serious. I may have overreacted a tad with my refusal, and now I sit here, arms crossed, while Noah drives. I’m having a hard time hiding my anger and irritation. “You do realize how dangerous this is, right?”

He reaches over and puts his hand on my thigh. “I do, ballerina, but I’m licensed, and I’ve jumped out of a plane with Coen more times than I can count.”

I don’t even try to hide my scowl. I can feel my eyebrows knitted together as I stare at him. “Noah, seriously. What if something happens? When did you become an adrenaline junkie? Why am I just now hearing that you skydive?” I hear myself huff and slam my head back against the headrest. I look over and he’s got a small smirk on his face while he drives.

“Baby, you know I fucking love it when you’re pissy. Relax for me, okay? It’s just something that Coen and I have always done.”

“Yeah? Well, it’s stupid,” I spit out and exhale hard.

He growls under his breath and looks over at me as he pulls up next to Coen’s car. “Settle down.”

I lean forward with my arms still crossed and look out the window and up at the sky, squinting as I look for bodies falling from planes. His body is buzzing with excitement and mine is telling me it’s time to panic. I’m suddenly wishing I had a tiny shot bottle of liquor stashed away in my purse.

He gets out of my car and walks around to open the passenger side door for me. “Are you coming?”

Coen emerges from the building and calls out, “Hey fucker.”

He’s already dressed in his jumpsuit and walking toward us with a huge smile plastered on his face. I want to hate him right now. I do hate him right now. I’m sure he came up with this stupid boys’-day-out idea. Noah turns, and they do that male handshake-hug thing and then start walking back toward the building as I sit here waiting.

Ugh . . . stupid boys and their stupid toys.

I grab my bag and get out of the car when I’m suddenly face to face with a beautiful blonde woman. “Oh . . . uh, hi,” I stammer out as I shut and lock the car.

She smiles brightly. “Hi, I’m Lana. I’ve heard so much about you.”

I’m taken by surprise because I want to hate her but . . . I just can’t. She’s got the most pleasant smile: it’s genuinely friendly.

Errr . . . sorry, Dill.

“Heather,” I say and take her extended hand to shake.

She beams as we follow the men. “Are you going to be jumping too?”

My eyes go wide, and I shake my head. “No. No way. I actually think it’s an insane idea.” I say those last two words a little louder than necessary, so the boys hopefully hear me.

Noah turns back briefly to wink at me.

Lana giggles and nods. “I completely agree with you. I’m not into anything that puts my life at risk. I’m glad I’ll have someone to hyperventilate with when they jump. I thought I was going to be the odd one out.”