Page 91 of Cross My Heart

Noah breathes in deeply, trying to calm himself, and my heart squeezes in my chest. It takes him a couple of minutes to regain his composure, and I wait patiently, rubbing his back soothingly.

“Noah,” I tell him softly, and he stiffens. “You need to get help, please. I can’t watch this happen every time you fall asleep.”

“I can’t.” His voice breaks. “If I do I’ll get kicked out of the Army.”

“Your mental health is more important than a job,” I tell him softly. “Please, Noah. You need to take care of yourself. For you. For us.”

Noah sighs, “I’ll think about it.”

But even with those words, I’ve never been more scared in my life.

Chapter 45

TYLER

This morning was amazing, but I can’t shake the bad feeling settling in my bones. I don’t know what it’s for or why I’m having it, but I can’t deny it makes me nervous. Maybe coming to work was a bad idea, but I could only stay away for so long. I had to show my face at some point. I still own the bar, after all. So I’m here until eleven at night, and that’s still a couple of hours away. I’ve called Noah a few times but he’s not answering, which worries me even more, but he did text me to say he was going to take a nap so maybe he’s still asleep. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Maybe the orgasms have made me clingier than usual.

The sex was mind-blowing—every second of it was worth the wait. The connection I felt was other-worldly. Never in my life did I think it could feel that good, or that I could be tethered to someone on a spiritual level. And now I want to do it again and again.

The door to the bar opens, and in comes Austin. He’s walking toward me with purpose and anger rolling off him in waves. I only know that because I’ve known him half my life. He looks pissed, and I know the reason immediately.

Scarlett.

He takes a seat right in front of me, slamming his hands on the bar top, and narrows his eyes at me. I narrow mine right back, but I can’t help but feel a little intimidated. The man is taller than me by a few inches, and he’s just a little bigger than me. Maybe around fifteen pounds heavier. But that could make a difference?—

“What the fuck were you thinking?” he growls, and his green eyes sparkle with disgust. “You cheated on her?”

“That’s none of your business?—”

He slams his fists on the bar top once more, the sound echoing. “The fuck it’s not.”

“Why do you even care?”

“She’s my friend.” He doesn’t even miss a beat. “The woman is a fucking saint. Are you fucking serious? Howdareyou?”

“I’m—”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it,” he says through gritted teeth. “She didn’t deserve this.”

“I know,” I sigh.

“I’m buying the bar,” he says calmly. “You’ll divorce her.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Or what?”

“I’ll beat your fucking ass—and you don’t want that.” He raises his own eyebrow. “You’ll end up in the hospital and you know it.”

He’s not wrong. More than likely I won’t be able to best him, even if I put up a good damn fight. Which I would. I’m not a coward. I’ll go down swinging, even if I know I deserve it. “So, what?” I ask calmly. “You want my bar and my wife?”

“Ex-wife.”

“Not yet,” I tell him, but I know it’s the wrong thing to say. His hand shoots out and grabs my t-shirt, yanking me toward him until we’re face to face. “What the fuck is your problem?”

“You,” he snarls. “You’ll sell me the bar.”

“Okay, okay.” I raise my hands in defeat, and he lets me go. I stumble back, almost falling on my ass, and grimace. “You can have the fucking bar.”

“And you’ll stay out of her life for good,” he growls. “You already destroyed it.”

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