Page 134 of Echoes of Us

I fought the urge to look over my shoulder.

“I’m not proud of this, you know.” He laughed lightly again.

“It’s okay.” I wasn’t sure if it was. I still felt incredibly guilty, and looking at him made it a million times worse. “I kind of have something I have to get to, but I promise I’ll text you back.”

“Oh, sure. I’m sorry for getting in the way.”

I smiled, shaking my head. “It’s not a problem. You’re not in the way.”

He took another step closer to me. “Listen, I just wanted to tell you one thing, and I’m out of here. I know you don’t want to get into anything right now, and I totally respect that. It’s just…”

“What?”

“It was really good sex, Att,” he said with a laugh.

I blinked at him, surprised. That I wasn’t expecting. “Really?”

He smiled and stepped closer. “Yeah, you’re the best I’ve had in a while, and I just want you to know that I’m really up for it. If you want another repeat of Friday night, you know, same conditions still standing.” His flirty smile was still in place.

I was really surprised by this. I figured it was noticeable how out of sync we were. I didn’t even let him move.

“Sorry.” His voice was soft.

I turned and saw Noah standing there.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

How much of that had he heard? Judging by his cold stare, enough.

“Noah.”

His eyes shifted away from me. “We can just talk later. I have to get going.” He left quickly.Shit.

“Oh fuck, do you think he heard?” Mathew asked as I watched Noah walk away.

“I guess.”

“He seemed pissed. Are you two still…? I thought you weren’t.”

“We’re not. It’s just not that simple,” I tried to explain. “We’re not together. It’s fine. I can do whatever I want. I don’t have to feel bad about it.”

He clicked his tongue. “Aw shit, Att.” He was disappointed, but there was something else. Something like pity. It burned a hole in my stomach.

“What?”

“You’re not even close to being over it, are you?”

Noah was walking briskly towards the parking lot. He turned the corner and was out of view.

I ran my hands through my hair. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” I told Mathew and walked away.

I didn’t go after Noah.

I didn’t have to feel bad about this.

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