Page 106 of Echoes of Us

“He’s a terrible kisser. Wouldn’t recommend it,” Chase said.

I shoved him, playfully.

I looked towards the table, seeing Colin laughing at us. I tried to find Noah among them but didn’t see him. It was a little disappointing that I didn’t know if he was jealous after that, though considering how underwhelming the kiss with Chase was, I doubted it.

A little while later, I was done with the constant push of shots and the heat of people dancing around me, so I walked towards the terrace. The cool air was a relief. I leaned on the only open space on the railing, looking out at the city. The terrace was packed with people, too, but at least it wasn’t as stifling.

My eyes wandered until they landed on Noah in the corner, leaning against a wall and smoking one of those electronic cigarettes. I didn’t even stop to think it through. I just went to him.

“I didn’t know you smoked those.” I attempted to break the silence.

He was surprised, glancing down at the device and then back at me, exhaling a plume of vapor away from me.

“I don’t,” he replied. “It’s David’s.”

I was lightheaded enough to lean against the wall next to him, our shoulders almost touching. “So why are you?”

He gave me a resigned shrug. “I’m having a shitty day.”

“We won the NCAA championship today,” I reminded him, hoping to lift his spirits.

But Noah gave me a look that clearly said he wasn’t talking about that.

My gaze wandered towards the city, debating whether to mention Chase. How terrible it had been to kiss him and how it didn’t mean anything. But I remained silent, feeling it wasn’t my place to explain.

“You’re not drinking?” I tried to keep the conversation light.

“No, I don’t really drink anymore. I have a two-beer limit, but I didn’t want to drink today,” Noah explained.

“You don’t smoke weed either?”

He turned to face me fully. “Not really. I still do it occasionally, but not like before.” Noah put the gadget in his pocket.

I thought about that for a while. The silence between us was heavy with unspoken words. “Not any of the things from before?”

His green eyes met mine. “No,” he said simply.

I felt relieved. That was good.

“I went to rehab again after, well, you know, after.”

I stared down at my feet.

“I haven’t, not for more than a couple of years now.”

“That’s great, Noah. I’m happy to hear that,” I told him honestly.

He had a slight smile on his lips. “You are?”

“Yeah, of course I am. I’m glad you’re better. You look better.”

Noah’s smile widened. “I am. Atty—” he started, and I pressed my lips together. He realized what he had just said and closed his eyes with a grimace. “Fuck, sorry. I think that’s harder to stop than the drugs.”

He surprised a laugh out of me.

Noah smiled and then laughed too. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. If I’d ever called you anything other than Noah, it would be hard for me too.”

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