Page 47 of Before We Break

What is wrong with me? This is Clio we’re talking about—the woman who’s done nothing but drive me crazy from the moment I handed her the keys to the apartment across the hall. She begged me to paint the walls pink and plays her music way too loud. We’re incompatible at best. So, why do I want to find out what she tastes like? And why can’t I bring myself to walk away?

TWELVE

THE GANG’S ALL HERE

♫ Bed Chem - Sabrina Carpenter

NOAH

The week crept by way too slowly with the near miss at the festival playing on a loop in my mind ever since—her scent, her touch, the feel of her soft body beneath my palms, I can’t escape it.

By Friday afternoon, I’m crawling out of my skin to get away from my thoughts. I need to do something about it, or I’m going to lose my mind.

When Emma drops off Auggie after preschool, I beg her to stay over and babysit so I can drive out to Oak Ridge and get away from the apartment for a while. It’s all I can do to keep myself from doing something even more reckless, like barging across the hall to break the no sex clause.

I could find someone hot and willing to satisfy my needs, make sure they’re satisfied too, and come home before anybody knows I left this shithole, but I won’t. Not only would it violate the contract and humiliate Clio, but it could also jeopardize the custody arrangement.

I take the back roads out of town, pulling up to The Ridge, a small town dive bar just half an hour outside of Willow Valley. Friday nights are always busy, so I park around back next to my buddy Liam’s SUV. He won’t mind, and even if he did, I could offer him a free tattoo to shut the fuck up about it.

I slide into an open seat at the far end of the bar, and Liam appears a few minutes later, setting a coaster down in front of me. “Well, if it isn’t Noah fuckin’ Weston. What the hell are you doing in my neck of the woods?”

“Me? What are you doing here? I thought you quit this gig.”

“Paige and Cade are up in Canada visiting her family, so I took a few part-time shifts to cover for him. What brings you to Oak Ridge?”

I run my fingers through my hair and huff out a breath. “Long story.”

He laughs. “I know that look. Pick your poison.”

“Hayes Brothers Bourbon will fix you right up.” Jaxon Hayes slides onto the stool next to me, smiling smugly and patting me on the back. “Try the single barrel. It’s good for a broken heart or unrequited love.”

“What do you know about that? You’re married now.”

He flashes a wedding band. “That I am. Took a helluva long time to find her, but she fixed me up better than whiskey ever could.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not broken or in love.” I turn back to Liam. “Just give me a pint of whatever’s good.”

He raps his knuckles on the bar, heading back the way he came.

Callie appears at his side, running her hand down his spine. He looks at her like he's seeing the end of the universe. I feel bad for the son of a bitch. It’s nothing against Callie—she’s great—it’s the whole idea of love and marriage in general. I don’t need to be tied down by vows and wedding bands.

“Hey, Noah,” Callie says. “Fancy seeing you here.”

I tip my head and give her a two-finger wave.

“Clio break up with you already? It’s been, what… a week since she saved your ass?”

“It’s only a matter of time.”

Jaxon looks between us. “You keeping secrets with my wife now, Weston?”

Callie pops onto her toes and kisses his cheek. “I’ll tell you later. Come dance with me.” She drags Jaxon to the dance floor, throwing me a wink over her shoulder.

Liam sets a beer on the coaster and leans his elbows on the bar. I try to hand him my card, but he waves it off. “This one’s on me.”

“Aw. That’s cute, but you’re not really my type. And I’m not gonna get on the wrong side of Ruby Lynn Hayes.”

“You a comedian now? You should take that act on tour. I’ll ask my girl if she needs an opener.”