Page 53 of When We Crash

The waitress came back and placed our plates in front of us.

“Maybe someone did give you hope,” I said.

“Lucky for us. The old me, while dazzled by you, would’ve given you an even harder time.” She twirled the pasta onto her fork, using her spoon to keep it all on.

“Trust me, you fought this hard enough.”

She grinned at me and I let her eat, not asking her anything too tough. I wasn’t through yet, but I figured she needed a break.

Halfway through our meal, she set her utensils down. “You have something else you want to ask. Go on.”

I cut another piece from my steak, placing it on her plate. “How can I help you? What do you need in order to stay safe?” I held my hand up when she opened her mouth with her brows furrowed. “This is not charity and it is non-negotiable. I care about you and if anything happened to you, I’d be devastated. I like you. I like you so much, and I would do anything for you. So, please, let me help you.”

She picked up her utensils and began eating again, appearing as if she were thinking about it. Finally, she finished and took a sip from her glass. “I know I can find alcohol if I really want to. But how about we don’t go to parties where it’s so out in the open? It’s tempting. At least for the first few months. I really want to be sober.”

“Deal,” I said. “In return, you need to talk to me. Tell me when something is too much.And, if you’re upset about something, lean on me, even if it’s about me. Tell me because I’d much rather face you angry than face you sick or worse.”

She nodded. “Can we…I really want us to live in this bubble for a little while. I don’t mind Ralph. It’s everything else. The parties. The people.”

When the waitress came back, I handed her my debit card and then directed my focus back on Noa. “I’d be happy to have you all to myself. Don’t get sick of me.”

“Impossible,” she said with a grin, pulling her coat on at the same time I put mine on.

After I was handed back my card, I signed the receipt and then took Noa’s hand, leading her outside.

“I wish we could go for a walk,” she said. “The stars are so bright tonight.”

“How about I drive us to my house and we walk around my neighborhood?” I asked, twirling her as she laughed.

“Sure.”

I opened my car door for her, and she didn’t scoff or roll her eyes. When I went to the driver’s side, I saw she was already plugging in her phone. She turned on a lullaby of a song and I drove slowly, enjoying the quiet roads and the Christmas lights that wrapped around the town.

When I parked in my driveway, I turned to see Noa sleeping. I stepped out of the car and pulled her into my arms, walking carefully so I didn’t hurt my knee.

She mumbled and continued sleeping, her face nestled in my jacket.

I opened the door and Tracey was in the living room, watching a movie.

“Well, isn’t this becoming a habit,” she said with a chuckle. “Have a good night, Dex.”

I set Noa down in the guest room, ready to leave her there and sleep in my own room. We’d kissed, but I wanted to make sure she didn’t feel pressured to do anything else.

I wasn’t sure if I should change her clothes, so I removed her shoes and jacket as gently as I could.

She blinked her eyes open and sat up. “Sorry. Want to walk?” She rubbed her eyes.

“I’m okay. I have some clothes if you want?”

“Toss ’em over.”

“Well, they’re in my room,” I explained.

Before I could start the conversation of us sleeping in different rooms, she was off the bed and heading toward the stairs.

I met her in my room with a smile. Noa sat on my bed while I went through my drawers. I threw a shirt and boxer shorts over to her then turned away so she could have privacy.

She shucked her shirt, and in the window’s reflection, I saw her perfect skin.

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