AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They sat in silence together as he processed the revelation. She wasn't sure whether she should have pulled her hand away, but he seemed like he didn't mind it there.
At one point, she saw Ryker gesturing out of the corner of her eye and she looked up. He motioned with his hands and mouthed that he was going to take a shower. She nodded to him and turned back to Noah, who still hadn't moved.
She pulled her hand back, which seemed to bring him out of his train of thought. She was a little surprised to see that when he raised his head, his eyes were lined with tears. She was good at dealing with those close to her when it came to serious emotions, but she hadn't known him for long. He wasn't even her friend. What was she supposed to do for him?
It was strange as it was to see someone so snarky but reserved show such vulnerable emotions. He always seemed to brush anything hurtful off and hid behind the sunglasses he kept on his body whenever he wanted to avoid reality. At least, that was what Dexter implied to her.
"I understand being there for her," his voice was barely above a whisper, "but why is it always her that he runs after?"
She squeezed his hand, physically feeling the pain in his words. She wasn't sure she could defend that.
"I'm not sure, Noah. They have a complicated history."
He laughed, but it was bitter and hurt. "He has told me about it. He told me about it the day you walked in on us on the couch. That's why I kissed him; I thought I would have a chance. I realize now how fucking stupid it was for me to think that she'd let him get away."
"Jezebeth didn't know about you two. I'm sure if she knew, she wouldn't have let Dexter push you away," she reasoned, but it sounded wrong even to her ears.
"Even without knowing, she knows just when to sink her claws into him before he can stray too far," he bit out. "She's allowed to whore herself out, but he's supposed to wait at home for her to finally get around to him. It's wrong."
"Stop it," Mykie snapped. "You're angry, but that doesn't mean you can put Jezebeth down. She just lost her father. Yes, what she's doing beyond the time right now is wrong, but Dexter makes the choice to wait for her. Even if they never dated, she's his friend. You're going to have to deal with it, whether you like it or not. if you care about him like you act, then you won't let something like this be a deal-breaker. You'll march in there and fight for him no matter what."
"I don't have a chance against her, don't you get it?" he growled. "You said it yourself. She will always be there, tempting him to be there for her. To spend time with her. To love her. She has more of a hold on him than I could. She's one of you, a Cantil. I can't compete."
"You can't think of it like that," Mykie argued. "If you keep fighting, you can make her the past, not the future. Make him love you. If we both know Dexter, his mind doesn't waiver once he makes a decision. Look how long it took before he thought about anyone but Jezebeth. You have to be extraordinary to catch his eye, and I know you did. He told me himself that he wanted to try with you."
All the air seemed to leave Noah as his anger deflated out of his body. "He told you that? That he wanted to try?"
"Yes. Jezebeth is going to be the one fighting the uphill battle, not you." She paused. "Now, I can't say that they haven't talked, and I couldn't tell you what he's thinking this exact second, but just know that he wants to be happy. If Jezebeth continues to make him wait, he's going to move on, and you're sitting good where you are now with him."
He looked like he was thinking about her words. "I don't want to be his rebound that he screws a few times to get over her."
"Dexter wouldn't do that with you. In all the years that I've known him, he's never half-assed anything, and he won't make a possible relationship with you be the first."
"You don't know that," he said quietly.
"No," she agreed, "I can't predict the future, but as long as you keep persisting to be in his life and show him that you want to be there, he can't forget you. Make him think about you just as much as you think he thinks of Jez. If he starts relying on you, how could he possibly imagine a relationship with anyone but you?"
"Thank you, Mykie," he said after a minute of silence. "I'm glad I came here and talked to you."
"You're always welcome here. We might not be close, but we might be able to change that now. If I've lost my best friend and then give you my only guy friend, I guess you'll have to be my new friend."
She winked.
"I've only met Jezebeth the one time at the diner, but I'm sure you won't lose her over something your dad did. You shouldn't feel guilty, either."
She sighed. "I really hope you're right."
"Besides, I don't think Dex is your only guy friend," he said. He gestured to the hallway with a grin.
He lowered his voice as he leaned forward. "He's hot, too."
"I wouldn't consider him a friend. He's more like the guy who showed up one day and won't leave the place," she said dryly but cracked a grin.
"I guess I should give you some advice, too, since Dex isn't around."
He nodded, like it was already decided and Mykie would just have to listen.
She giggled. "Bring it on, then. Lend me all your wisdom."
