Ruin: Part One

Chapter 5




Doug gestures towards Noah with a nod of his chin. "What's with his face?"

Any desire that may have been edging its way to the surface is lost with that one question. "What do you mean?" I whisper back. "What are you talking about?"

I know exactly what he means. Noah Foster was stabbed years ago and now the ever-present reminder of that juts down the length of his face. I've grown so accustomed to it that I don't even register it anymore when I look at him. It doesn't define him in any way but brash, thoughtless comments like the ones that Doug just made tear through Noah still. I've seen it happen in the past.

"Something is wrong with his face."

Something is wrong with your sense of decency, jerk.

"It's a scar," I point out the obvious.

"How did he get that?"

Alexa turns her attention away from Noah to lock eyes with me. She's sitting next to Doug. There's absolutely no way she hasn't tuned in to the current conversation Doug is straining to have with me.

"Do you like being a teacher?" I pull the question out of the back of my mind because I don’t want to make a scene. Axel NY is one of the most expensive restaurants in Manhattan. It's a place where you wear your Sunday best and put on a brilliant smile.

"It's alright." He reaches for his water glass. His arm brushes against mine and I feel absolutely nothing from the touch.

"Doug received the teacher of the month award in January," Alexa chimes in. "It's kind of a big deal."

"Congratulations," I offer because it's expected. This is a mistake. I wish I were back in my bed at Alexa's apartment. I knew it was too soon to venture into the dating world again. I was happy just sitting back watching that world pass me by.

"Sure, thanks." His eyes scan the room before they settle on me.

"Kayla just got a new job." Alexa is bound and determined to push this date over a cliff. Is it not obvious by the way I'm avoiding eye contact with him that I'm not having the time of my life here?

"Do you have a sister?" His fingers glide over mine.

I pull my hand back so abruptly that my wine glass teeters precariously for a second before I reach to balance it. "Why?"

Noah clears his throat looking for someone's attention. I'll happily give him mine. I look up and our eyes lock. He cocks a brow before a wide grin overtakes his handsome face. "Kayla has a brother."

I'm surprised that he knows that much about me. Our conversations have always involved Alexa. "Damn." Doug's fist hits the table lightly. "I have a friend who is looking for a girl just like you. I thought if you had a sister we could all hang out."

If I had a sister I'd hide her in a closet until the perfect man came into her life. Dating sucks.

"Sorry," I shrug scanning the room in hopes I'll find the waiter so I can order something strong enough to get me through the dessert course.

"I have a sister," Alexa offers because she's always the extra helpful one. "She's married though."

"What about you, Noah?" Doug's eyes blaze a path across Noah's face. "Do you have a sister?"

"I don't." He taps his finger on the edge of the table. "I have a brother."

"He has a twin brother." Alexa turns sharply to stare at him. "A fraternal twin brother I've never met."

He tilts his head towards her before scooping her hand in his. "We're not close."

"I'm still waiting for you to explain that to me." Her voice cracks.

"We'll talk about it later." Noah's deep voice carries softly over the table. "Now is not the time."

Her head bows towards her lap. I watch her shoulders quiver. I want to reach to comfort her but Doug is in the way. She's told me about Noah's brother. I've heard the story about how he offered the information with a caveat about how they haven't spoken to one another in years. He's not a part of Noah's life. Alexa's love for Noah runs deep. She wants to understand every facet of who he is, including the brother that he'd rather forget.

"Alexa?" I whisper her name in her direction.

"I'm fine." The words don't match her body language at all. She's gripping the linen napkin that was beside her plate in her hands, wringing it recklessly. "Will he come to our wedding? It's only three months away now. You should fix things with him before then."

Noah shakes his head slightly as a muted curse word leaves his lips. "I'm not having this conversation here, Alexa."


"I'm not having it unless it's here. We have to send out the invitations soon." Her head juts up. Her expression is stoic and determined. I've seen that look before. Alexa is out for answers and Noah is going to have to give them to her.

"Maybe we should go." I reach to grab Doug's hand and instantly regret it. It suggests I want to be alone with him. I don't want that. As much as I want to chase away Parker's memory, Doug isn't going to help me do that. I'm not attracted to him at all.

He's on his feet in an instant. "We can go to my place."

Um, no. No, we cannot.

"Stay." Noah's hand flies over the table. "Don’t take off."

I look to Alexa for confirmation of his words. She's frustrated. I can see it when her eyes meet mine.

"I think we should go," I whisper as I follow Doug's lead and pull myself to my feet, teetering slightly in the nude heels I paired with the navy dress I have on.

I stare at Alexa seeing gratitude there. She's taken so much pride in the openness within her relationship with Noah. The knowledge that he has a brother that she's never met pains her because soon his twin will be her family too.

"We'll see you at home later?" Noah nods towards me, the words filled with a trace of warmth.

I look at Doug and his overly eager grin. F*ck. I have to walk out of this restaurant with him and keep myself occupied for a few hours before I can go back to Alexa and Noah's place. They need time alone. It's only another two days until I move into my own apartment but right now that feels like an endless eternity. "I'll be there."

"This way, my lady." Doug pulls my arm through his. "I'm going to give you an evening you'll never forget."

Great. This evening has officially gone from bad to hell.