Noah wanted me to be a part of his world, and I think Creed only wanted to be a part of mine, if that made any sense.
I knocked on the door and waited while looking around the front yard. Memories of the last time I was here instantly assaulted every last fiber of my being, witnessing the fallout between Creed and my father all over again. Thinking how things had changed in just four short months. At least between Noah and me. My dad still hated the boys, and felt the need to remind me often that they were nothing but biker trash, even though he knew his words hurt me. He still couldn’t look me in the eyes, and I hated that more than anything.
“Hey, pretty girl,” Noah greeted, pulling me back to reality, moving aside to let me in.
I shyly smiled, looking down at the ground as I walked by him.
“I like your dress,” he added, grinning. Eyeing me up and down, taking in my white flowy maxi dress.
I swallowed hard, locking eyes with him. The familiar mischievous spark glimmered right back at me.
“Thanks,” I replied.
“You get dressed up for me, Mia?”
I smirked. “Don’t flatter yourself, Rebel.” I never called him Noah, I only knew him as Rebel. “I wanted to look nice for your momma.”
“Don’t need to put on a dress to accomplish that.”
I shyly smiled again, my cheeks flushing. “Are you going to show me around or just stand there and flirt with me?”
“It ain’t flirtin’ if you’ve already slept with the girl.” He put his hand on my belly, proving his point.
I stepped into the foyer a little further, putting some distance between us. He smiled, shaking his head, pulling the screen door shut, but leaving the other open to allow the evening summer breeze to flow in.
“Come on.” He grabbed my hand, leading the way around his parents’ house.
Showing me all the rooms, including his, which was just how I imagined it. A typical guy’s room complete with a big screen T.V. and PlayStation. A black bedspread ruffled on his mattress, and laundry piling up in the corner.
He continued, walking past a closed door that I assumed was Creed’s room, not stopping to show me, much to my disappointment. It was the room I wanted to see the most, hoping it would give me more answers about the man I loved. Instead, I took the opportunity to look at all the pictures of Creed throughout the years on the walls. He was the cutest baby and little boy, looking so sweet and innocent, but I knew otherwise. Already sporting tattoos from such a young age, and a cigarette in his mouth in almost every picture shortly after.
“This house is beautiful. Your momma did a great job making it feel so homey and loving.”
He narrowed his eyes at me as if what I’d just said had been anything but the truth.
“Oh my God, Noah, is this you?” I pointed to the baby boy straddling a mini-motorcycle. Creed stood next to the bike, holding another little boy that looked a few years younger in a headlock.
“Who is this?” I pointed to the mystery boy, noticing another picture of him on the wall with a rosary hanging from the frame.
“Our brother, Luke.” Noah simply stated, not elaborating.
“I didn’t know you guys had another brother.” I glanced over at him dumbfounded.
“We don’t. Not anymore.”
“Mia!” A woman’s voice, who I assumed was their mother’s, echoed down the long narrow hallway into the living room where we stood. She immediately pulled me into a tight hug. “So nice to officially meet you, honey. I’ve heard so much about you and your family, I feel like I already know you.”
I hugged her back, pushing back the thoughts of the Jameson boy I didn’t even know existed. Making a mental note to ask Creed about it later.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, too. But please don’t believe everything you hear from Creed, he—”
“Creed?” She pulled away, cocking her head to the side. “You mean Noah?”
I shook my head. “Right.” Playing it off like I said the wrong name, trying to hide the hurt expression on my face. “I mean, don’t believe everything Noah has told you. He—”
“Hasn’t said anything but the truth. You’re perfect, Mia. Couldn’t ask for a better girl.”
I smiled again, ignoring the sentiment in his tone. Handing his momma the sonogram picture in my hand. “Congratulations, Grandma. It’s a girl!”
She beamed, staring down at the photo with the same expression my mom had when she saw it earlier that day. Her eyes welled up with unshed tears. Before I could give it too much thought, Noah tugged me into the nook of his arm, close to the side of his body. My hand subconsciously connected with his firm, muscular chest. Steadying myself.
From an outsider looking in, we probably appeared to be a couple. I nervously laughed. Silently thanking God that Creed wasn’t there to witness this particular scene playing out. He would flip his shit if he saw—
I jolted awake from the unexpected bump we hit on the road, followed by a strong hand placed on my head in a comforting gesture, pulling me away from the day that was supposed to be nothing but happiness.
“Fuck! She’s waking up! Fucking hell, just keep her quiet,” I heard a male’s voice I didn’t recognize, shouting from behind me.
We weren’t alone.
I opened my mouth to scream, but quickly shut it when I felt a needle poke my thigh, and warmth spread throughout my entire core in a matter of seconds.
“Heeellllp me,” I whispered as loud as I could to no avail.
“Shhh...” the voice of the person who was rubbing my head coaxed near my face.
I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer to care, closing on their own. My body instantly went lax as sleep took over once again.
All eyes turned to him, stepping inside the house in that Creed sort of way. Dominant and overbearing, demanding that his presence be acknowledged by all.
Especially me.
“Creed, honey, what are you doing here?” his mom greeted him with a smile.
“Since when do I need an invitation to come home? I interruptin’ somethin’, Noah?” he snapped. His eyes burned holes into his brother’s arm that was still placed around me, which only provoked Noah to hold me tighter.
I warily smiled at Creed, casually stepping away from Noah. I didn’t want to hurt Noah’s feelings. I tried to gauge Creed’s reaction as to how I should proceed. My heart was beating out of my chest so hard. I swear he could hear it.