Page 103 of Echoes of Us

I hung up the phone. I took a deep breath and made my way to Noah. He reached for my hand, and the guy at the door placed a bright-colored strip around my wrist. He moved out of the way to let us through.

“Just like that?” I asked, confused.

Noah smiled. “Just like that.” He kissed me before pulling me inside.

Noah pushed the door open, and the loud music thumped in my chest. He threaded his fingers through mine and led me through the crowd. He turned to me, smiling, and I felt my heart in my throat. I was actually considering this. Everything Chase had said sounded terrific, especially because I could experience it with Noah.

I couldn’t imagine loving anyone more than Noah, and if this made it even more intense, maybe it was worth a try.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

AFTER

Ezra’s words stuck with me. The next time I saw Noah after that game, he smiled at me. It was a small, controlled thing—nervous and hesitant. I didn’t return it. Instead, I turned away. I felt horrible afterward. When I glanced back at him, his usual smile had vanished, replaced by a deep frown. I wasn’t supposed to feel bad about this anymore. I wasn’t responsible for Noah’s mental stability.

I tried to act normally around him, not showing interest or hatred, but I quickly realized I had never known how to do that. Noah and I had never been friends, not really. I either loved him or hated him; there was nothing in between for us. Noah probably faced the same predicament, except he had never hated me. He didn’t know how to act around me either. He was so used to smiling at me that schooling his face into disinterest was challenging. When he looked at me, the only thing that came to mind was yearning.

We had our last championship match against Long Beach State and won. The sheer joy was enough to get me in the mood to celebrate. The team decided we were going to a club, and I didn’t protest. Chase was on the opposing team and was staying with us for the night. So that Friday, I went to the club with him. As soon as I stepped in, like, I was having bad flashbacks—PTSD from Noah’s disastrous birthday, I was sure. Chase walked me to the bar for a drink. As I glanced around, I spotted Noah talking to David.

“How’s that going?” Chase asked, following my gaze.

My resignation must have been written all over my face.

“You need to get over it, King. Do you want to try making out with me again?”

“I’m good, thanks,” I replied as he handed me a shot. I raised my eyebrows at him.

“You won the fucking championship,” he reminded me.

I rolled my eyes and clinked my shot to his before downing it. He turned to a tray holding a million tiny glasses.

“Are you drinking away your loss?” I gave him a pointed look.

“It’s for the team, come on.”

We moved towards the table where the rest of the team was standing. A couple of guys from Long Beach there too. Noah met my eyes and bowed his head slightly. I returned the gesture and said hi to the rest of them.

Chase handed me another shot, patting my back hard. “To the best fucking setter in the country,” he toasted, clinking his glass to mine.

I grimaced but drank it.

“Get me enough of these, and Imightreally make out with you, so play your cards right,” he teased, moving closer.

I shoved him back, and he grinned broadly.

“Not enough tequila in the world,” I said.

“You might not be into it anymore, but it’s getting Noahworked up.” He tugged on my shirt to whisper in my ear. “He was always a little jealous of me, right?”

I nodded, trying my best not to turn and look at Noah. “I’m not playing this game, Chase.” I pushed him back again.

“Suit yourself. I’m game if you change your mind.”

Ezra walked over to us, holding a shot glass too.

“Please don’t leave me alone with him,” I told Ezra, and they both cracked up.

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