“We have to make this look as convincing as possible,” I told Chase.
My heart was breaking more with each step. I had been talking to Ellie at least a couple times a week since our arrival here. She told me that Noah had been doing nothing except moping around since I’d left. He was even ignoring Jackson. I needed him to do the right thing. Chase and I formulated a plan to push him in the right direction. We had been hiding out at his grandfather’s cabin in rural North Carolina since we’d left New York. The circumstances weren’t the greatest, but we were making the best of it.
Chase reminded me of all the reasons I had loved him in the first place. He was so loyal and protective. I was thankful for everything he’d helped me through over the past month. Although we slept in the same bed every night, we maintained a strict “friendship only” relationship. I couldn’t deny that I enjoyed the comfort and security it brought, but I knew I was asking him to cross the line today. I worried it would ignite old feelings. However, I wasn’t ready to put Noah behind me yet. I was still grieving him; I would probably grieve him for the rest of my life.
Although Noah and I had only been back together for a short time, it was as if no time had passed between us at all. We were made for each other. At the same time, I loved him enough to want what was best for him, even if it was killing me.
Chase led me down to the dock, where he’d set up our photo-op. I took a deep breath and sat on the blanket. I had my Trac-phone in my right hand and his grandmother’s ring on my left. We leaned back and kissed as I hit the camera button, making sure that the ring was in the picture. I looked at the picture. It looked convincing. I sat up and quickly pressed send.
Ellie had been sure to place her phone where Jackson would see it. Jackson, being the drama king he was, would make sure Noah saw it. I just hoped it would be the ammunition that he needed to go back to Carrie. I don’t think he knows how much he wants this. I knew this marked the end of the Noah and Jules saga. At this point my heart was already broken, though, and I just wanted to make sure one of us made it out with a happily ever after. As soon as it was delivered, I slid the ring off my finger and handed it back to Chase.
“It looked good there. Maybe someday you’ll let me put it there for real.” He smiled. He was trying to make it sound like a joke, but I wasn’t buying it.
I slid Noah’s promise ring back onto my finger and headed back to the cabin. I knew I was about to have a moment and I just wanted to be alone. As soon as I walked into the bedroom, I closed the door behind me. I climbed into bed and broke into tears. I was grateful for what Chase had done and kept doing for me, but I was starting to feel crowded. He kept pushing for more. It wasn’t fair to keep stringing him along, either. I spent the afternoon crying on and off. Chase came in a little while later and offered me his shoulder. I guiltily accepted.
“What can I do to make you love me like that, Jules? I would do anything. I love you so much. I wish you could see that,” he pleaded.
“You know you can’t help who you love. It just happens. I do love you. Just not like that, not anymore. I’m sorry. You’re an incredible man, Chase Mitchell, but I’m not sure I’ll ever find another Noah.”
I slid out from next to him and put my sneakers on. I needed to take a walk around the lake so I could clear my head. I felt bad that Chase’s helping me was hurting him. I needed to find another alternative.
Time was moving in slow motion, but I'd make it another two more weeks. Ellie texted me that Noah was trying to spend more time with Carrie. I was both pleased and devastated. Chase continued his efforts to win me over. They were starting to wear me down, though, and I knew I needed to leave. When I told him I was thinking about leaving, he went into an absolute panic. He said there was nothing left for me at home, and all of my suffering would be in vain if I went back now. He was right, and I couldn’t think of where else I could possibly go.
I went to lie down in the bedroom. I started asking myself, why me? Why do I always get the shit hand? I knew I needed to get away; being with Chase was just making it more difficult.
I turned on my real phone for the first time in over a month and a half and scrolled to a number I hadn’t used in three years. My dad. My message indicator continually blinked throughout our brief conversation. They were all from Noah. There was one a day for the first month, and some sporadic ones over the last few weeks. They ranged from I love you and I miss you, to desperate pleas for me to come home and work things out.
“The ticket will be at the kiosk,” my dad said. “I’ll have Harry come collect you from the airport. I’m glad you called, Juju.”
I hung up and headed out to tell Chase I was leaving. “We need to talk,” I said. He was watching a documentary and he looked content. I hated myself even more.
“What’s up?” He put his hand out and pulled me down, so I was sitting in his lap. I rubbed my hand on his cheek.
“I’m leaving.” I hugged him. “I need to go. It’s time. Thank you for everything.”
“You can’t leave. Please don’t leave me,” he pleaded. “I love you, Jules. You’re my Noah.” That last part tugged at my heart because that’s the kind of love that doesn’t just go away. I knew that pain firsthand. A single tear fell from his cheek.
“I’m sorry, Chase.” I stood up and went to pack my things.
My phone chimed, and I realized I had forgotten to turn it back off. Of course it was from Noah.
He sent me the YouTube video for Three Doors Down's 'Without You'.
I can’t think of anything more fitting even if I tried. I know where you are now. I’m not going to chase you. I’ll see you in my dreams tonight and I’ll love you forever. Noah.
Jackson and I were sitting in his kitchen; Ellie had just arrived. The two of them were so in love. It was sickening to watch. They were going to end up together, whether they wanted to admit it or not. Jackson had grudgingly allowed Carrie to come over for a little while, but she quickly ducked out as soon as Ellie showed up. I knew she wasn’t Ellie's number one fan, and Ellie was most certainly not hers, but I still couldn’t understand why Carrie refused to be in the same room as her. At least Ellie made an effort to be cordial towards her.
“Noah, how many weeks is Carrie now?” Ellie asked.
“Eighteen, almost nineteen. Why?” I could sense that this wasn’t an out of the blue question.
“Because that’s how far along Jules was when she lost the baby. She had a pretty good bump by then. Carrie doesn’t have one at all.”
“Some people carry differently than others,” I said quickly, almost defensive.
“Chill, bro, it was just a statement,” Jackson snapped.
I knew I’d been being a super asshole ever since my phone finder app had alerted me to Jules’ whereabouts last week. I had not been happy to find out that she was staying with Chase. I guess I’d still been in denial. She’d left with him, and they were supposedly engaged now, but I wanted to drive down there and bring her home. Jackson begrudgingly reminded me of my place now, and it wasn’t with Jules.
Ever since my trip back home, I’d actually been trying to work things out with Carrie. I even went as far as recently re-proposing to her, so we could get married before the baby’s arrival. She, of course, was over the moon, but she’d made a snarky remark about the ring. It was the same ring I had given her the last time. I brushed it off. I was willing to do anything at this point for my, our baby. I’d suffer the rest of my life with her if it meant that I could be with my son or daughter.
“Sorry,” I apologized.
“I just think the whole thing is weird. She refuses to see Melissa, one of the best OB/GYNs in the city and every time she has an ‘appointment’” Ellie air quoted, “she miraculously forgets to tell you. We have yet to see an ultrasound picture, too. Jules had one at twelve weeks, Noah.”
Her name was like a Taser to my system every time. I’ve never heard Ellie talk about the baby in detail before. I knew she’d been around during the whole pregnancy, but she had never talked about it until now.
“What do you want me to tell you?” I snapped again.
“Have you been sleeping together?” Ellie snapped back.
“No. I can’t,” I stammered. I didn’t even see Carrie like that anymore. How was I supposed to marry someone I didn’t even want to kiss?
“So you haven’t seen her naked? I’m just saying this doesn’t make much sense. I’m just trying to protect you, so stop being an asshole to me.” She turned and went to the living room. She pulled out her phone and started texting. I wondered if she was texting Jules. I instantly got jealous.
“She has a point, man,” Jackson said. “I mean, she’s rushing to get you back to the altar, and some things are obviously off, especially since Ellie brought that stuff up. Just be careful.”
“I’ll see you guys later,” I said and headed out.
I thought about how I had just re-proposed last week, and she had already mailed the wedding invitations out. Our wedding was supposed to take place in two weeks. Two weeks! She said she didn’t want to be too big to fit in her dress, which made sense to me. However, the more I thought about it, she wasn’t big at all.
I pushed that thought aside and headed home. I ordered a pizza and decided to call Melissa. She would know the answers. We had been talking a lot because of my first time dad questions.
“Hello, Noah,” she answered on the third ring.
“Hey, Melissa. Do you have a minute?” I asked.
“Sure, give me a minute to close the door.” She paused. “All right, shoot.”
“I was with Jackson and Ellie before, and they brought up a couple things that I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I’m all ears,” she said.
“Ellie said that when Jules was pregnant, she’d had an ultrasound at twelve weeks. Is that normal?” I asked.
“Yes. Usually we do one around then to check the baby’s development. In most cases, we usually do one even earlier to pinpoint an accurate due date. They’re usually done at twelve weeks, twenty weeks, and then at least another two are done before delivery to track fetal development and to make sure there aren’t any issues. Carrie has had one, right?” she asked.
“Not that I know of. I haven’t seen any ultrasound pictures, and she hasn’t mentioned one.”
“Well, she should have her twenty week checkup in a little over two weeks. That’s when you can find out the gender, but she should have had one already.”
I took a deep breath and processed the information. My hand was starting to tremble. Two weeks… “She’s also not really showing at all.”
“That could be something to worry about, but remember, all women carry differently. Some don’t start to show until they’re at five or six months, especially with their first. Do you know who her attending is? I’ve asked her a couple times, but she outright ignores me.”
“I think she goes to Luanne Garba,” I said. “I’m not sure.”
“Listen, I’ll see what I can find out for you. Luanne is affiliated with the same hospital as me. Next time, I’m there for a delivery, I’ll see if I can pull Carrie’s records. But Noah, this stays between us."
“I’d really appreciate that, Melissa. Thank you.”
“Anytime. I’ll be in touch.” She disconnected the call.
I walked to my end table and picked up Jules’ note, holding it between my fingers. I’d never forget her.
As I was eating my dinner, a text popped up. My heart went into overdrive when I saw the sender. It was from Jules.
I miss you, too. Just so you know, there's a space that only you can fill. Just so you know, I loved you then, and I guess I always will. We both need to move on now. Be happy, Noah.
My heart jumped into my throat.
I don’t know how to be happy without you. I’ve tried. It’s just so fucking hard! You ruined me. I love YOU! I replied.
Nobody said it would be easy, but you’ll figure it out. Take care.
Melissa called me two days before the wedding was supposed to take place and turned my world upside down. Again. She apologized for not getting back to me sooner and asked me to meet her for lunch. I told her I could meet her in forty minutes. When I saw her at the restaurant, she looked like a celebrity hiding from the paparazzi. She slid over so I could slip into the booth next to her and flagged the waiter. When she ordered me a double Jack, I knew it wasn’t good news.
“Noah,” She placed her tiny hand on top of mine. “I looked up Carrie’s records yesterday and there is nothing, other than a normal checkup three months ago. They even ran blood and urine screens. Even if she were only a couple of weeks pregnant, the blood work would have picked it up. She’s not pregnant, Noah.”
I felt betrayed like I’d been the asshole or the brunt of some sick joke. I was going to pass out… or throw up… or throw something. The waiter placed the shot on the table. Melissa pushed it in front of me and I downed it quickly. I needed to confront Carrie, but my mind instantly went to Jules. She was the only one who could probably save me from this darkness I was falling into.
I thanked Melissa and headed out on a mission. I made a couple phone calls and decided that revenge is a dish best served cold. She wanted to make a joke out of me? I’d do her one better.
I had been in England for a little over two weeks. I was enjoying getting to know my younger brother, Harry. I pretty much avoided my dad. Even though he’d allowed me to come here, it turns out zebras don’t change their stripes. We tried talking a few times, but things were just too far gone. There was too much hurt for us to have a real relationship.
Harry, on the other hand, was a great kid. He helped me keep my mind off of things back home. It was weird at first because he was eighteen and we’d never met before, but we bonded quickly. His mom, Meredith, seemed nice enough. I hadn’t spent much time trying to get to know her, either. I had a small loft to myself with a private entrance. No one other than my dad knew where I took off to. Not even Ellie.
“So, tell me about the States,” Harry said.
“What do you want to know?” I laughed.
“What are your mates like? What do you do for fun? Stuff like that.” He had the most adorable British accent.
“Well, my best friend back home is Ellie. She’s awesome. We live together in a little house outside New York City, and we worked together. She’s really funny. We met at boarding school when I was sixteen. We have been best friends ever since.”
“What did you do for work?” he asked. How was I supposed to answer that?
“Um, I, um… I danced,” I stuttered.
“Like ballet?”
“Something like that.” I smiled.
“What about your other friends? Dad said something about some bloke, and that’s the reason you were coming here.”
“That would be Noah. He was my best friend growing up. My mom is not like yours. She’s vindictive and likes things to go her way. When I was sixteen, she forced me to move with her to New York. Noah and I were separated, but we found each other again not too long ago. We had a whirlwind romance. Then some things happened, and here I am.” I tried to muster some enthusiasm.
“He didn’t hurt you, did he? I’d kill him if he did.” It was so adorable how he stuck up for me. Although he could probably defend me if necessary. He was a big kid. He was into boxing and wrestling. He was also on a rugby team. I had even gone to a couple of his matches since my arrival.
“No. He didn’t hurt me, not like you’re thinking. Just some grown up stuff that neither of us had any control of.” I patted his shoulder.
I walked over to the end table and pulled out a picture of Noah and me, handing it to him.
“You both look really happy here,” he said. “Whatever happened, maybe you could get past it. You only get one life, no dress rehearsal. You should make the best out of every day because there is no guarantee that you are going to wake up tomorrow.”
“You’re awfully wise for being so young, Harry. We’ve made our peace, and we’re moving on. I’ll get there one day. I’m just not ready yet.”
I held back my tears as he handed me the photo. I ran my thumb over Noah’s beautiful face before placing the picture back in the drawer. Harry and I talked for a couple more hours and watched a movie before turning in for the night. At three in the morning, my phone started ringing off the hook. I reached over to see who it was. It was Chase. I declined the call, but it kept ringing. Again and again. I knew there had to be some reason for him calling me this early in the morning.
“What?” I barked.
“Jules, there’s a problem. I need to talk to you. You’re going to hate me.” He was speaking a mile a minute. When he was finished, my blood was boiling.
“You fucking did what?” I screamed. “Please tell me you’re kidding, Chase!”
“I’m so, so sorry.”
I hung up before he could say anything else. I called the airline and booked the first flight I could get. I went to say goodbye to Harry and told him that he better come visit me soon. I promised I would be back. I didn’t want to wake my dad, so I left him a note and went outside to wait for the taxi.
I didn’t even look at the speedometer; I knew I was going well above the posted speed limit following the GPS directions. Randall had flown me to the nearest heliport in his private helicopter. He even had a rental waiting for me when we landed. When I called him earlier, I started to tell him what happened. I didn’t even get out more than two sentences before he told me to meet him. He said he would take me himself. Randall was a man with connections galore, and this was one of the times that I was grateful for each and every one of them.
When I pulled up to the little cabin in a secluded part of North Carolina, I saw a familiar car. It was Jules’ Infiniti. I barreled into the driveway and started pounding down the door like a madman. Jules didn’t answer; Chase did. I punched him, because deep down, I somehow knew he had something to do with this.
“Where is she?” I bellowed. I started walking around and opening every door.
“She’s not here.”
“What the fuck do you mean she’s not here? Where is she?” I lifted him by his shirt and jacked him up against the wall.
“I don’t know. She left about two weeks ago. She didn’t tell me where she was going. I swear.”
“You knew, didn’t you? You sick and twisted little fuck! You were part of the plan all along, weren’t you?” I yelled.
“It wasn’t supposed to end like this. You were supposed to marry Carrie, and I was going to get back together with Jules. No one was supposed to get hurt.”
I couldn’t help myself. I punched him again. I was seething. “You selfish prick!” I screamed in his face. “Did you not think of how Jules felt?”
“I didn’t. I thought I could get her to change her mind. I thought if she had enough time she would heal. She would get over you, especially since she wanted you to work things out so badly with Carrie that she set up a fake engagement. I figured if she knew you guys were done, she would finally give me a second chance.”
“Did you know that Carrie wasn’t pregnant?” I asked.
“What? No. She is. I saw the test and everything.” The lawyer in me knew he was telling me the truth.
“She’s not. She never was. It was all a hoax.”
I let go of him, and he slid to the ground, dropping his head into his hands.
"Listen, I slashed her tires but Carrie was the mastermind. She was also the one who had come up with the school scandal in hopes of ruining Jules’ chances at getting her degree." He cringed. "I couldn't let that happen. That's why I resigned.
I was ready to break his face, but I decided I needed his help.
“You fucked up, and now you’re going to help me fix it,” I said.
“How?” He looked up incredulously.
I delved into the plan, and he listened patiently. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
I woke up relaxed and refreshed. Today, I would be Mrs. Carrie Sinclair and Noah would be mine. Finally. Of course, I was going to have to fake a terrible miscarriage, but I would make sure that it only brought us closer. I had stopped my shot months ago, so I shouldn’t have any trouble getting the deal done for real this time.
I headed to go get my morning coffee. I walked in and saw that stupid bitch, Melissa, and who was with her, other than my second least favorite person, Ellie. I hated that whore almost as much as I hated Jules.
“Getting ready for the big day?” they asked. I was not happy that they were on the guest list, but Noah had insisted.
“Yep. Only a couple more hours.” I rubbed it in a little more than necessary. There was no way they were knocking me down. Not today, bitches!
I headed over to the hotel where we were getting married and checked into the penthouse suite. I waited for my bridesmaids to show up and I was sipping on a vodka tonic when the first of my guests arrived. All my friends knew the baby was a lie, but they were just as vindictive as I was and didn't care.
There was a knock, and when I opened the door, there was a room service cart filled with champagne and my favorite mini desserts. They must be from Noah. I popped an éclair in my mouth and finished my drink. It’s going to be a fabulous day!
By the time I touched town at Newark International Airport, I was both physically and emotionally exhausted. When Chase called and told me what he'd done, I was beyond appalled. The amount of betrayal I felt made me sick to my stomach because I trusted him. I was also outright pissed at Carrie, that conniving bitch. She knew damn well Chase would go along with her plan. She preyed on his vulnerability and used it to push Noah and me apart.
I felt absolutely disgusting from all the travel. I grabbed my luggage off the turnstile; Melissa and Ellie were waiting for me by the baggage claim. Ellie was holding a sign that read, “The real Mrs. Sinclair,” which made me smile. She tossed the sign on the ground and practically knocked me on my ass as she ran to embrace me. I gave Melissa a hug, too.
“Thanks so much for coming to collect me.”
“I missed you so much!” Ellie cooed wrapping her arms around me again.
“I missed you, too.” I patted her head.
“Come on, let’s go! We have a plan to put into action,” Ellie said with an evil laugh.
We got into Melissa’s Range Rover and headed towards NYC. Melissa explained to me her findings on Carrie. I was shocked all over again hearing it from her. She had been the one to tell Noah. She said we would have never known, though, if it weren’t for Ellie’s persistence.
Ellie climbed into the back and rustled through my suitcase, looking for something suitable for me to wear. She tossed a navy colored wrap dress at me and found a thick, brown belt that went well with it. She untangled my hair and applied some makeup, making me look presentable. I didn’t have much in terms of shoes, so Melissa took off her brand new Tory Birch flats and handed them to me. They happened to be the same color as the belt. She winked and said to think of them as a welcome home present.
I was lucky to have such great people in my life. It made me feel even more terrible for shutting everyone out when things went bad. It’s hard when you run in the same circle. You don’t want to make people choose. That would have been especially hard with Ellie dating Jackson and Melissa being married to Joe. I had honestly wanted Noah to try and forget me. I had wanted him to do the right thing, even though it killed me. Now that I knew the truth, I was going to let that spoiled bitch have what was coming to her. She was going to be sorry she’d ever heard the name Julia Kline.
Ellie glanced at her phone and told me that phase one had been put into place.
"What is phase one?" I asked curiously.
“You know that kid Brian, who comes into the club sometimes?” I nodded. He was a friend of Brad’s. “Well… he happens to work at the hotel where they’re supposed to be getting married.” I nodded again. “I had a nice delivery of laxative-laced treats sent to her room. Noah said she’s a sucker for éclairs, so I made sure there were plenty of them. In about an hour she’s going to be shitting her brains out.”
I looked at the clock and realized that they only had about an hour before the ceremony was going to start. I laughed. I wanted to feel bad. I really did, but after everything she had put me through, it didn’t even seem close to vengeance.
Forty minutes later, we were sneaking in through the back door of the hotel. A very chipper Jackson greeted us. He pulled Ellie to him and kissed her passionately, before engulfing me in a hug. I was glad to see the two of them were still going strong. They made a great couple.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Jules,” he whispered into my ear. “It’s been hell without you and no one can stand what wench.”
"Where's Noah?"
"He'll be here soon. Don't worry." Jackson said.
I stood next to Melissa and thanked her again. I laughed as I looked at her immaculate outfit with my dingy running sneakers. She just shrugged and smiled. Ellie told Jackson what she had done as phase one. He was practically on the ground, he was laughing so hard.
“I love you, woman. I really do.”
I was anxious to see Noah. I had missed him like crazy. Jackson was leading us in a covert mission through the hotel lobby when a familiar set of red claws dug into my arm, halting me in my tracks. I turned and gasped.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the whore, trying to get in the way of the happy couple.” Abigail sneered.
Jackson looked at Ellie with wide eyes. My palm started to twitch. I controlled it since I didn’t want to start a scene. We didn’t need any unwanted attention. “What are you doing here?” I spat.
“Oh, I was invited, sweetheart. Unlike you.” She looked the same, a little older, but the same. She still has the same fucking nails, too!
“Who invited you, Abigail?” Ellie asked, getting in her face.
“I don’t go by Abigail anymore. I go by Libby now.” Something flashed in Jackson’s face. “That’s right. I’m Libby Collins, Carrie’s aunt.” Oh my God!
“You were behind this the whole time, weren’t you?” I asked.
“Oh, darling, I love nothing more than seeing you as miserable as you’ve made me,” she said.
“That’s why we couldn’t find any recent information on you,” Jackson mumbled.
“I didn’t know that Noah was the same Noah at first. However, as soon as I did, I made sure that we never had the pleasure of meeting. I did everything I could to make sure he would never know that I was part of the happy family. I even made a point to avoid any work function where he might be. When Carrie came to Robert crying, saying that Noah had called off the engagement, she mentioned your name. I knew that you’d gotten your filthy claws back into him. You don’t deserve him, You never have. I made sure that Carrie had the information she needed to win him back.” She was referring to my baby, the same baby that she’d made me lose. “We found out how bad the Mitchell boy had it for you and worked him into our little plan as well. I knew you would take off. You’ve got your father’s disgusting conscience.”
I was shaking and having a hard time staying upright when a familiar scent hit me. I’d know it anywhere. I sucked in a deep breath. “Abigail, what are you doing here?” Noah demanded.
“Is that any way to speak to your future mother-in-law?”
He looked confused as he wrapped his arms around me. I felt safe like that. I turned my head slightly so I could look at his profile. He looked haggard but still breathtaking. She couldn’t hurt me as long as he was holding me. He gave me the strength I needed to stand up to her for the first time in my life. She stood there with a smirk on her face as we filled in the gaps for him.
“Abigail, you need a high five in the face, with a chair,” Ellie said.
I looked her straight in the eye and said my piece. “You are so self-absorbed! You have never cared about anyone except for yourself, ever. You have never been a mother to me. For a long time, it made me sad, but you know what? I’m actually grateful because if you hadn't made me into that shy, broken little girl that needed someone like I needed Noah we probably wouldn't have known that we were soul mates. And guess what? I’m much stronger now. I'm standing here with this group of incredible friends and the guy whom I love more than my own life and all of that is because you showed me everything that love isn't."
“You’re nothing but a bitch,” she said.
“If I were really a bitch, I’d make your life a living hell. Instead, I’ll just stand by and watch you do that yourself. You seem to do a pretty good job at it.”
Robert was standing within earshot. I knew he’d overheard most of what was going on. He approached slowly and Abigail started the dramatics. He looked slightly perplexed, so Noah and Ellie filled him in on the rest. When they finished, Robert looked green. Jackson brought over a chair for him so he could sit.
The wedding was supposed to start in ten minutes, and Carrie was going to feel a bit of what Noah and I had been feeling for the last two months. Alone. Ellie was hoping she would shit herself in front of everyone. Jackson seemed to have everything under control. Noah pulled me into the stairwell and pushed me against the wall, claiming my mouth with his. I forgot everything and lost myself in his kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him as close as I could. We kissed until we were out of breath. He pulled away and looked me in the eyes.
“I missed you so much.” He had tears streaming down his cheeks. He put his hands on the side of my face as if he was trying to reassure himself that I was really there. I leaned in and kissed him again for reassurance.
“I never left you,” I said, putting my hand on his heart. “I’ve always been here.” My own tears started flowing.
Jackson tapped on the door, interrupting. “Sorry to break up the reunion, but it’s show time.”
Noah tugged on my hand as we moved swiftly through the corridor to where Melissa and Ellie were standing. Apparently, Robert was furious and he had hotel security holding Abigail until the ceremony was done. He had agreed to go along with the plan because he believed in tough love. More than that, he believed in true love and he wished Noah and me nothing but the best.
We had a perfect vantage point to see everything but we were where we couldn’t be spotted. We watched as Carrie came through the lobby with her posse. They went down the aisle, one by one. I watched as Chase stood with his back to the crowd, filling in for Noah. They did a great job. Even I couldn’t tell the difference from the back. Carrie walked arm-in-arm with Robert down the aisle. I leaned my head on Noah’s shoulder and he turned and smiled at me.
When they arrived at the altar, everyone took their seats. Chase finally turned and looked at Carrie. The look on her face was priceless. It was one of complete and utter shock. She started running back down the aisle, only to trip on the horrendous thing she called a dress. Unfortunately, she didn’t take a total spill. We moved to greet her in the lobby.
She pointed her bony finger at me. “You!” she yelled.
“Haven’t we done this before, Carrie? It’s not a wand.”
She started screeching; what a horrid sound it was.
“Damn, girl, are you a fire detector? ‘Cause you’re really fucking loud and annoying,” Jackson said.
Carrie moved to take a step towards me, but Ellie stepped in. “If karma doesn’t hit you, I fucking will, you lying bitch.” She was nose to nose with her. Carrie started to look unwell. I had a feeling the laxatives were about to make their presence known.
“Why?” Noah asked.
“I love you. It was supposed to be us all along.”
“This isn’t what you do to someone you love. If you really loved me, you would have done what Jules did. She left. It killed her to do it, but she wanted me to do what was right. She did it because she loves me. That is what love is really about. It’s about sacrifice and putting the ones you love before yourself. You know nothing about love, Carrie. Nothing. I’m actually ashamed that I even entertained the thought of marrying you. After this is over, I never want to see your face again.” He looked her square in the eyes. “I don’t believe in hate. I think it weighs you down, but you’re my exception. I hate you. I hate what you’ve done to me, and more than that, what you’ve done to the people I love. You disgust me,” he said.
Just then, she grabbed her stomach and shit herself. It was disgustingly epic.
Noah grabbed my hand and walked away from her. He didn’t even look back. Robert apologized again, saying he’d be in touch. I felt bad for him. He had a psycho bitch for a daughter and a spiteful, vindictive bitch for a sister-in-law.
The rest of us made plans to meet at Jackson’s in a couple hours. Noah and I needed a little time alone first. Once we were back at his condo, exhaustion hit me full force. He picked me up as if I weighed nothing and carried me to the bedroom. I laughed when I noticed nothing had changed. All of my things were exactly how I had left them.
“She never came here,” he said, reading my mind. “You belong here, Jules. You’ve belonged here all along. I didn’t sleep with her, I promise.”
“Nothing happened with Chase, either. Other than the kiss, but you already knew about that.”
“I just want to hold you for a little while. Who am I kidding? I want to hold you like this forever.” He pulled me snugly against him, so we were face to face.
We stayed like that for a long time until I drifted off. I was sleeping soundly until my stomach started rumbling. Noah helped me to my feet. We decided it was time to head to Jackson’s where there was food. We headed down to the parking garage and I saw my car parked next to Noah’s Jeep.
He shrugged. "I drove it back. With Chase in tow." I couldn't do anything but shake my head.
We climbed into the Jeep and headed to Jackson’s apartment. When we arrived, everyone was cheerful. They were happy to see our reign of misery come to an end. I was still exhausted, but it was nice to see them. We laughed and joked around like nothing had happened. At the end of the night, we made plans to catch up again tomorrow when I was better rested.
Finally, Noah and I headed home.
I jumped in the shower and changed into a pair of boyshorts and a tank top and then I climbed into bed. Oh, how I’ve missed this bed. Noah wrapped his arms around me and I was asleep instantly.
I woke up the next morning with Noah between my legs. He lifted his head and grinned. “I couldn’t wait anymore. I feel like I’ve been in a desert since you left. I’m like a starving man at a buffet.”
He resumed until I was gripping the bed sheets. We made slow, passionate love for most of the morning. We talked in between sessions. We were both on the same page. It was as if this had brought us even closer. It proved how strong our bond truly was. He asked if it was okay if we headed home next weekend to visit his parents, mostly his mom. She was extremely worried when he’d called to tell her to cancel her flight, and that the wedding was going to be called off. Of course, I agreed. I had always loved June. She had been like my adopted mother growing up.
The next day, we made arrangements to go to Atlanta at the end of the week. Robert called Noah to let him know that his brother was planning on filing for a divorce. They were also looking into the mysterious disappearance of Abigail’s last husband, Clark. Noah put in his resignation from the firm. Robert was sad to see him go but offered his services if Noah ever needed them.
“I want to talk to you about something,” Noah told me that night. “I want your honest opinion.”
“That’s all I ever give you, silly.”
“I’m thinking of starting a new endeavor. I want to open my own firm. I know it’s going to be hard, but I’m thinking about asking Joe to come with me.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. I’m proud of you.”