Page 56 of One Last Time
“I feel as though this is a good move for you, Noah,” Mom gives me her beaming smile that’s filled with pride. “Tell me what else is new. I feel like there’s more you’re purposely leavingout.”
She’s like a shark who smells blood in the water. “There’s not much to say, it’s verynew.”
“You’ve metsomeone?”
It’s easy to forget that my family and real friends don’t read the shit on the internet. They’re not worried about what new drama the media has created to sell magazines. If there’s news, they hear it fromme.
“You’d likeher.”
I know Ido.
“Tell me.” She smiles. “What’s hername?”
Trust isn’t the issue for why I’m hesitant, there’s nothing in the world that would make my mother betray me, but naming Kristin means opening myself up to a millionquestions.
“Noah Frazier, why are you making that face?” Mom asks after I’ve been quiet too long for herliking.
I never could lie to her, which is sad since my job is acting. “Her name is Kristin, she’s a single mom, has two kids, and lives here inTampa.”
Her lips purse. I knew it. “Singlemom?”
“I know what you’re thinking, and I would never do anything to hurt her or the kids. I’m aware of what itmeans.”
My father left my mother when I was four. He took every penny she had, the car, and never looked back. She somehow was able to push on with her life. My mother worked two jobs but was at every soccer game I had, and I had no idea we were poor. The older I got, the more she would share about being a single parent and the reasons she wouldn’tdate.
One being my father hadn’t returned and she still felt he was her husband. That was, and still is, the most ridiculous thing ever, but I think there is more to it than Iknow.
My mother’s eyes are full of concern. “That’s not my worry, Noah. It’s that you live a life that isn’t family . . . friendly. Are you ready to even consider something where you are more stable in where you live? If she’s from Florida, how are you going to have arelationship?”
I clench my teeth so I don’t say something rude. “I’m sure if it gets to anything more than friendship, which is all we are at this point, we’ll figure all of that out. It’s all just happened, and I’m not sure that she’ll even warm up to the idea ofdating.”
She laughs. “You’re crazy if you believe she won’t see what a good man you are. I think you need to be careful, though. Not just for yourself, but for her and her children. A mother doesn’t take chances when it comes to the hearts of herbabies.”
Who knows if it’ll even come to that. At this point, Kristin doesn’t want to chance anything. It’s clear that she has feelings for me, but I see the hesitation in her eyes. Proving myself won’t be easy, but then again, nothing worth havingis.
I smile, remembering her face the other day. Her mouth opening and closing when I let her know what my plans were. Wait until tomorrow when I really turn on thecharm.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve waited a long time for a girl like her, I won’t be taking anychances.”
Her lips turn into a flat line, and she releases a breath through her nose. “Lord help her...and you. I hope to meet hersoon.”
“I hope so,too.”
This meeting is taking fucking forever.I keep scrolling through my phone for anything interesting as they drone on about the movie and filming schedule. Focusing is damn near impossible when all I seem to think about isKristin.
“And you understand this means we’ll start filming much sooner than we originallyplanned?”
It’s been almost a week since I’ve seen her. I’m trying to play this cool, not asking for her number, not emailing her, pretending like I’m letting her lead a little, but I’m anxious to see heragain.
“Noah?” My agent elbowsme.
“Huh?”
“I asked if you were fine with the scheduleadjustment.”
I glance at the paper, now being that asshole who comes to the meeting and doesn’t pay attention, and nod. “Looksgood.”
My agent clears his throat, and I push Kristin out of my mind. This is my career, and I can’t screw thisup.
