Page 91 of Stop and Seek
He couldn’t stop watching the way Rachel held her cigarette, the way she tilted her head, the way her perfume clawed its way through the smoke. Bubblegum and warning signs. She wasn’t just being cute—she wasclockinghim.
Leave it to Benji to not notice a damn thing that wasn’t himself, Belle, or Kyran.
“I have to get Max her food before she loses it,” Noah said dryly, looking back to Benji. “She’s in a mood today.”
Rachel ground out her cigarette with her heel and smoothed her hair back, stepping closer.
“I’ll walk with you. I was going inside anyway.”
Of course you fucking will.
“Teddy’s my best friend, you know,” Rachel said as they walked into the hall.
“Figured that out.”
She stepped in front of him suddenly, and Noah had to pull up short to avoid bumping into her. She looked up at him, all chin tilt and attitude. “Have you?”
“Yes,” he sighed, shifting the cup holder to his other hand. “Whatever it is, just say it. I’m not a total idiot, and I’ve got zero patience left today.”
“Nope. I’m not either. Every time I’ve turned around today, I see you watching him. Not to mention how upset he was about Friday night. Actually,” she gave a bitter little laugh, “this whole weekend has been a rollercoaster for him, hasn’t it? Adding it up, it’s a little creepy when it keeps coming back to you, Noah.”
Creepy? She thoughthewas the creepy one?
There wereway shadierpeople than him in Eunice. Noah knew most of them.
“I think you’ve got the wrong idea,” he said, voice strained trying to keep cool.
“I don’t think I do. Theo’s been through enough shit, and I’d appreciate if your little posse left him alone.”
Your little posse—
What the hell was she even talking about?
Noah laughed. “Sweetheart, listen to me. Your imagination’s goingfull villain mode. Everyone’s beengreatto Theo. If he’s saying otherwise…” He shrugged and let his voice drop. “Maybe you’re not listening close enough.”
Rachel’s sugary tone hardened into something that tried to match his. She wasn’t smiling anymore.
“Don’t bullshit me. I know the kind of person you are. The type who fucking preys on people for jokes or kicks. I’ve seen it before. Is it a dare? Some stupid prank for the reunion?”
Noah tightened his grip on the bag, and it took every ounce of restraint not to fling it in her face. “Watch your mouth.”
“There it is,” she said, almost satisfied. Like shewantedto make him snap. “Right there.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “I’m serious as a heart attack, Noah. I won’t hesitate to call the police if I think something is going sideways. Do you hear me?”
Every inch of Noah was buzzing, thoughts looping like static.
You don’t know him. You don’t fucking know him.
The echo of the hallways went quiet, like it had been vacuumed out of the building. He sat the bag and drinks on the bench beside them and reached out before he could stop himself.
Her face was colder than he expected. She didn’t flinch when he cupped it.
“Don’t threaten me. Doyouunderstand?” he whispered, leaning closer to her ear. “You’re lucky you matter to Theo. That’s theonlyreason I’m being nice. But that luck?” He pulled back. “It won’t last if you keep pushing.”
Rachel didn’t blink, but there was a change in her. That tight little pinch around her mouth. The twitch of her fingers like she wanted to slap him. She was rattled.
Good.
“Can younothit on all the women? Please and thank you, Noah.” Benji’s voice came from behind, dramatic and jealous as hell.
