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Did it work, though? No, he was still the asshole he was 30 years ago.
All Naomi had done for me only pulled me into wanting her around me everywhere and every day, and now that she was gone, I felt like I was losing my mind.
“So, what did you want to say, boy?” If this wasn’t for Naomi, I would have walked away, because Noah was so difficult! Had he always been this annoying? FUUUCK!
“I want to see Naomi and make sure she’s okay,” I said as I straightened my back, and he pursed his lips. “Please,” I begged, and he sighed, shaking his head.
“Naomi is okay,” he said as he put his hands on his waist, jutting out his belly.
“She hasn’t been coming to work, so how can she be okay?” I argued. Why wouldn’t they just let me see her face and talk to her?
“Naomi really is okay, dear,” Mia said, and I calmed down. Getting riled up wouldn’t help with anything. “She just doesn't want to see you yet,” she whispered, and I appreciated her honesty, but fuck it hurt!
“And you won’t be seeing her anymore either. She handed in her resignation,” he said as he gave me a hard look.
“What?” I breathed. “Why?”
“As if you don’t know.” Noah rolled his eyes, and Mia pinched his elbow again and he groaned. “Fine!” If she weren’t here, he would’ve probably beaten me up already.
I’m so grateful she’s here.
“You only gave her trouble ever since she came. Now, I don’t know what happened between the two of you for her to make such a rash decision, and I won’t ask you ‘cause you ain’t my son, but Naomi is leaving the Chicago Grizzlies and you won’t see her anymore. So rejoice!” Noah huffed, and I shook my head.
What is there to rejoice about?
“That wasn’t my intention. Don’t misunderstand me, Mr. Collins.” I said, and he raised his hand.
“I don’t owe you anything and I don’t need to understand. All I know is that my daughter has cried more than enough because of you, and if she’s quitting and doesn’t want to see you, then I support her fully. You caused enough trouble for her already. It’s enough.” His eyes were glossy and I finally understood him.
Even though he didn’t know what had happened between us, his heart ached for his daughter because she was in pain caused by me. I would have reacted the same way. I didn’t know what I was hoping to happen.
“So if you don’t mind, could you please leave?” he said softly, and I nodded.
Pushing the items in my arms toward Mia, I whispered, “Could you please make sure she receives this?” I was thankful that she took them and Noah didn’t turn them away. “Thank you.” I turned on my heels and walked down the stairs.
Getting inside my car, I pressed my head against the steering wheel.
It’s all my fault again.
Chapter 25
Alexander
“Ahhh,” Aaron groaned as he slumped on the bench. I turned to look at him from the corner of my eye, wondering why he had to disturb the silence we were all enjoying. I didn’t blame him, though; training today was kind of intense, and what made it even worse was how we were not done.
Aaron sighed again, and I raised my eyebrow, staring at him. What is his problem? “What?” I asked, annoyed, and he sighed again, sitting up straight.
“I miss Naomi,” he whispered, slumping his shoulders and looking off into the distance as if he was the one going through a breakup.
“Are you guys talking about Naomi?” Leo popped out of nowhere and squeezed himself between Aaron and me.
Are they going to start talking about how she changed their lives?
“Yeah, it’s a bit dull now that she’s no longer here,” Aaron said as he swung his feet back and forth. Was he really on a mission to annoy me today? Everything he was doing right then was quite irritating.
“Yeah, it feels a lot gloomier,” Leo said as he turned to face me, and I looked at him, bewildered. Is he blaming me for it being gloomier? I admit, I had never been the best person to be around, but I was pretty sure I greeted everyone, and I did pitch up to practice every now and then, and I did miss Naomi. More than anyone here!
“Right? The warmth disappeared,” Aaron whispered as he stared at the sky, and I tilted my head to look at the sky, too.
