Page 61 of Forever and Ever

What if Noah isn’t done with Kali? What if he’s only been chasing me as a replacement for unrequited feelings for an ex-girlfriend? If she wants him back, would he want to try and make it work?

That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?

Kali seems like the kind of girl made for a guy like Noah. Sweet, flowery, perfect. She’s everything he’s probably ever wanted—besides the fact that she cheated on him.

The thought makes me want to punch her in the throat.

But maybe she’s changed. She seems like a girl who would pop out lots of babies for him. I can picture her barefoot in a kitchen catering to his every need between tours. That’s what he wants, right? And I want that for him. It’s the same reason I’ve shut him down all these months. Because what he needs is very different from what I can give him.

What Kali can give him.

Where does that leave me?

I could come crash with Sebastian. Cassie is headed back to Seattle to pack up more of her things and put them in storage before she joins everyone on the next tour. Staying at his place for the rest of the time wouldn’t be so bad. I’d keep to myself, give Sebastian his space. Give Noah room to figure things out.

If Noah is still in love with Kali, I have no choice but to just let that happen. It’s not like I have rights to him after I’ve spent the past seven months telling him to get over me.

My stomach spins, and I don’t like the unwelcome feeling flooding in.

“Someone’s got a lot on her mind.” Cassie drops down beside me on the couch.

I’m not sure how long I’ve been spacing out, but the band has moved the conversation from Noah’s dating life to Rome’s, and they’re all giving him shit about some stripper he acted like an idiot in front of.

“It’s just been a long day.”

“Mm-hmm,” Cassie hums.

“I’m allowed to be worried about him. He’s my friend.” I’m not sure what’s making me defensive, but I can’t help it.

“Of course you’re allowed to worry about him,” Cassie says, nudging my shoulder. “How was she?”

“Kali?” I laugh. “She showed up looking like Malibu fucking Barbie with a smug grin. She’s ridiculous, but I guess if that’s what he’s into, who am I to judge? But I don’t like what him being around her does to him. She acts like it’s nothing to show up on his doorstep. But I saw it, he’s a mess.”

Cassie is nodding at me with the slightest tick of a devious smile on her face.

“No.” I shake my head. “Just—no to whatever you’re thinking.”

“I’m not thinking anything.” She raises her hands in defense.

Sebastian slides up behind her on his way to the kitchen and leans over. “Don’t let her lie to you. You know exactly what she’s thinking.”

He lifts an eyebrow, and I really don’t like everyone’s intensified interest in my relationship with Noah.

Not that it’s arelationshiprelationship.

It’s a friendship.

We’re friends.

“I’m getting a drink.” I stand up and follow Sebastian. This group is going to give me a drinking problem if they keep this up.

Cassie follows me and pulls out a bottle of wine from the fridge, while Sebastian grabs water. He’s newer to sobriety than Noah is, but it seems to be going well.

When I first met Sebastian, I wasn’t sure he had been clean a day in his life. He was the walking embodiment of a drunken, drugged-up rock star mess. Seeing him sober looks good on him.

“Here,” Cassie hands me a full glass. “Eloise brought it over.”

“That’s a generous pour.” I lift the wine glass to see it’s filled two-thirds of the way.

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