Page 37 of When We Crash

“I’m as scared as you are,” I told her.

“Dex, why is the door—oh.” Tracey stood outside the doorway, watching us from a few feet away, her lips in a tight line. “No shoes, huh? You guys should come inside.” She left the door open, letting me know the suggestion wasn’t a suggestion.

I grabbed Noa’s hand, tugging her toward the house. She damn near dug her heels into the ground, shaking her head.

“Come on,” I said, smiling. My feet were freezing.

“She won’t mind?” Noa asked, her brows furrowed.

“Tracey? Not at all. She’d love to meet you.” I closed the door when we went in and headed to the kitchen, where I figured Tracey was finishing her first cup of coffee.

“I didn’t know we were having company. Looks like you guys had a late night. Coffee?” Tracey eyed me with curiosity and—while Noa hung her coat on the coat rack—mouthed ‘Noa?’ to me. She brought her mug to her smiling lips.

I nodded and grinned, and Tracey gave me an energetic thumbs-up.

“Uh, sure. I’d actually love a cup,” Noa said as she settled into a chair.

“A coffee drinker? I love her already, Dex. There’s cream and sugar on the table. So, Noa,” Tracey said, setting about pouring two cups and distributing them, “what are your intentions? You know, with my nephew.” She sipped from her mug with mock innocence and sat on a chair, wiggling until she was comfortable.

Noa cleared her throat and I shrank with embarrassment. I gulped the hot coffee to hide it, burning my mouth in the process.

“To get him running in the opposite direction before it’s too late,” Noa said as she ran her finger over the rim of the mug before her.

Tracey laughed and I nearly spit out the coffee I was drinking.

“I can tell you that probably won’t happen, Noa. He’s smitten. I can practically see the stars in his eyes.” Tracey winked at me and I groaned.

“I’m standing right here, Tracey,” I muttered, leaning against the kitchen island.

“See, but how can Ireallyknow that?” Noa asked. “I’ve known him for a few days, during which I’ve managed to make an ass of myself. Isn’t it only a matter of time before he sees me for who I really am?”

Noa still hadn’t taken a sip of her coffee and part of me wondered if it was because she felt like her invite into our home would be rescinded.

“And who is that?” Tracey asked simply, looking Noa square in the eyes.

“Beautiful,” I answered softly, looking down at my mug.

After a few seconds passed, I looked up and ignored Tracey’s knowing grin. But Noa’s eyes smiled, even though she didn’t allow her lips to.

“It’s too fast. I don’t know him at all. Is it wrong to make him work a little?” Noa asked Tracey.

“You’re already smarter than I was at your age.” Tracey placed her mug on the counter, prepping for her second round of caffeine. “I was thinking of putting up the tree today. I know it’s late in the game, but I’ve been busy with work and finishing up my classes.”

“Classes?” I asked, my first time hearing about this.

“Gotta stay sharp, young man,” she answered as she tapped her temple. “Let’s get this tree up.”

Tracey wasn’t one of those people who insisted on a real tree, which I kind of liked. I lugged the fake one up from the basement, and after nearly an hour of putting it together and making sure the boughs were stretched and bent in a realistic manner, she grabbed the boxes of delicate ornaments and lights.

I untangled the strings of lights and made sure the bulbs worked while Tracey got her third cup of coffee in and told us about the guy who asked her out. It was more like she was telling Noa while I just hummed along. I looked over at the pair of them, and it dawned on me that maybe Tracey missed female companionship.

When I finished stringing the lights on the tree, I stepped back and smiled. I had stirrings of what felt like memories, but the more I clung to them, the faster they disappeared.

Tracey made quick work of placing the glass bulbs and ornaments on the tree, employing Noa as well. Each time Noa stepped back from the tree after hanging something, her eyes lit up brighter than the lights on the tree. They laughed and joked, and I had an afternoon I could stow away in my memories and look back on with fond appreciation.

The tree was beautiful and Noa was a part of that. Already, before she could fight it or realize it, she was becoming a fixture in my life.

When it was time to place the star, Tracey handed it to me and I set it on top.

---