Page 77 of Falling Back to You

I bristled but took a breath. No point poking the bear. Despite his levelheadedness, Myles could be surprisingly stubborn when he chose a hill to die on.

“You gave me something to think about,” I finally said.

He grunted.

“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely, meeting his gaze. No laughing. No jokes. He needed to know I meant it.

Myles nodded. “Sorry doesn’t fix it, but it’s a good start.”

“Can you help me find her?”

“I don’t do social media.”

“No, you don’t have it,” I said pointedly. “But you can ferret out information like a weasel. It’s uncanny. Probably because Juliet rubbed off on you.”

“Your sister’s good people. Give her a break.”

“She’s sixteen and a blackmailing fiend.”

“If you hadn’t rigged her brakes to her horn and tried to blame it on Grey, I might be more sympathetic.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“Hers,” he said firmly as we reached the front doors.

And I shouldn’t have been surprised. He’d always had a soft spot for Juliet.

“So we’re good?” I asked, slinging an arm around his shoulders.

“Actually think about what I said and we’ll be fine.”

And though I didn’t say it, I was silently grateful to have a friend who cared enough to call me out on my mess even if I didn’t agree with him.

Chapter twenty-six

Cal

Being stuck at home on crutches for the next week wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but there was an infinite amount of things I’d rather be doing.

Breaking down boxes for recycling.

Scrubbing the bathtub with a toothbrush.

Cleaning the gutters with a fork.

Changing a flat tire blindfolded.

Not to be dramatic or anything.

Although . . . it was nice having Noelle around. She insisted on continuing to nanny Khia because, well, mobility was an issue. Watching her with my daughter did things to my heart. Khia lit up in a whole new way, and Noelle looked at my girl with so much affection I had to catch my breath.

The first afternoon, Noelle spoiled us with her millionaire shortbread bars.

I groaned at the first bite, not even caring Coach might have a few things to say about my current eating habits. I was an injured man, and Noelle was an amazing cook. You do the math. I wasn’t turning down anything.

“I’ve missed these.” I snagged another one off the plate after polishing off the first in two bites.

Noelle flushed with pleasure. “I haven’t made them in ages. And making them gluten-free can change the taste.”