Page 59 of Return To You

A few tears fall, and Joel rasps, “Yeah, love may not always be enough, but with you two, I think you're wrong. I think it is.”

I don’t reply, only keeping my eyes on Noah, wishing he had never left the way he did, because I know for a fact that he’s my one, too, and that is something that will never change, even if it means being alone.

twenty

Rose

“Thank you,Kingstonville! Singing for our hometown crowd, on my twenty-first birthday, no less, has been amazing and a dream come true. Drive home safely…” Noah says into the mic as Cameron lifts his drumsticks in the air and Barnett lifts his guitar, before all three leave the stage, looking sweaty as hell, to a roaring crowd, chanting for one more.

Cameron grins, running my way, and I squeal, ready to bolt, but his sweaty bare chest collides with my body, and I whine, “Uh, gross, Cam….”

He laughs and kisses my head before letting me go when I shove him, and Barnett chuckles when I give him a warning glare, and kisses my head as well, before I lock eyes with Noah.

His beater is soaked, his hair damp, but the spark in his eyes lights up the whole place.

He’s living his dream, and honestly, despite the hurt, the pain, and the lies between us, I’m so goddamn proud of him.

He tilts his head, his eyes taking in his button-down shirt tied at my waist, before we lock eyes. He raises a brow, and I sigh, knowing what he wants.

The boys chuckle at my defeated look, knowing I can’t say no, not on his birthday, but I ignore them and walk into Noah’s sweaty body, my arms going around his neck, my head pressing against his chest while he wraps his arms around my waist.

He lifts me, and instinctively I wrap my legs around his narrow waist, squeezing him tight.

Tears sting my eyes at the familiarity of him holding me this way, and I choke out, “I’m so proud of you, birthday boy….”

He squeezes me, his body relaxing into mine.

“Boys,” a loud voice says, but Noah ignores it, only holding me tighter.

“Let’s go distract Joel, they need this,” Cameron rasps with emotion.

I feel Noah kiss my shoulder, and I can’t help the sob that releases from my throat, and he grips me even tighter, if that’s possible.

“Fuck, Petal, don’t cry…” he rasps, and my tears fall faster as I hold him tighter to me.

I’ve missed him so much. I’ve missed his touch, his connection, his voice.

I’ve missedhim.

I shake my head and grip him tighter, my fingers latching onto the sweaty hair at the base of his neck.

“You were amazing,” I croak.

Right now, I regret never listening to his songs and not looking up his music videos.

I know we’re both hurting, but right now, I’m pushing all that aside, not because he’s the love of my life, but because he’s also my best friend, and I’m so proud of his achievements.

“Thank you, baby, for being my muse,” he rasps against my skin, sending tingles and goosebumps over me.

He holds me, not letting me go, and I squeeze my eyes shut, holding on just as tight, wishing things were different.

I love this man so much that it consumes me, but how can we move past everything that’s happened?

I had to give birth on my own.

He left me.

“Noah…,” a voice that sounds like Joel’s says regretfully. Noah tenses when I try to untangle us, only holding me tighter, one of his hands going to my right leg, keeping it around his waist.

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