Page 44 of Unwritten Rules
“Jade took a liking to her almost immediately. It’s like my daughter forgets about my existence whenever Mia is around.”
I snort a laugh. “She’s replaced me already, I see. Well, that will change whenever I visit next.”
Noah laughs with me. “I have no doubt. You’re still her number one, T.”
I smile. “And how are you with having her in the house? I know it’s been hard for you since Em, but don’t think I didn’t see how smitten you were with this Mia girl when you mentioned her the day I left town.”
Noah exhales a sharp breath. “Mia is… great, T. Not only is she beautiful, and a mystery I want to unravel, but she brings out a side to me I haven’t known since Em.”
“And that’s a problem because…?”
“It’s not,” my friend clarifies. “It’s both terrifying and exciting.”
“So what I’m hearing is you have a crush on her.”
“Tate,” Noah groans, and I fight the urge to laugh. “Mia is a reserved person. I can’t just go in guns blazing when we barely know each other. She’s timid, like she’s fighting a silent battle.”
“It still doesn’t change the fact that you like her, Noah,” I point out. “Just accept it.”
He sighs. “It doesn’t matter what I think or feel.”
“You just have to break her walls down,” I offer with a shrug. “It’s an easy solution.”
“What if she doesn’t want that?” His words are filled with uncertainty. “I don’t want to push her.”
“Just let destiny take its course, okay? If it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen. You deserve to be happy, Noah. After all you and Jade have been through, I want this for you.”
“Me, too,” Noah murmurs, voice low.
“Anyway,” I utter, needing to change the topic before Noah starts to spiral in that head of his. “How is Nathan? He texts me every morning and night asking if I can get signatures from everyone on the team.”
Noah chuckles, and I’m reminded of the years of memories we share. “That sounds about right.”
For ten minutes, I’m transported back to Barrenridge with my two best friends. Noah tells me about Nathan and how he’s doing at work, running an organisation that coaches basketball to kids outside of school. He shares stories about Jade and how business at the mechanics is steady, keeping him busy. Even though Noah is sharing menial stories that most wouldn’t care about, I’m beaming with appreciation for my friends and how supportive they are of me following my dreams in Sydney. It’s hard to come by friends like them, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
When Noah asks about my new job, I have to keep from mentioning Sinnett. They don’t know about my night with him and I’m not sure I’m ready to share the details with them yet.I trust Noah and Nathan with my life, but with how confusing everything has been since that night, I need more time to figure my shit out.
A knock at the door pulls me from the conversation, forcing my eyes to meet ocean ones. I swallow hard at the sight of Sinnett standing in the doorway, shoulder resting against the frame with his legs crossed at the ankles. This man is all hard muscle, lean frame and an intensity that melts my insides. The tattoos covering his right arm are visible due to the training jersey—a far cry from the hoodies I see him wearing a majority of the time.
My eyes linger on the wolf head inked into his toned forearm. The detail on the design draws me in, tracing each line with precision. The haunting treetops of a forest below the wolf has me wondering if there is a deeper meaning to the design or if he simply likes it and wanted it to be permanently on his body.
“Tate?”
My heart leaps into my throat at the sound of Noah’s voice. I exhale a sharp breath, pulse racing. “Y-yeah, sorry. Look, I’ve got to get back to work, but I appreciate you calling.”
“Anytime, T,” Noah responds, followed by words of warning to Jade not to put the building block in her mouth. “Talk to you soon, okay?”
“Of course.”
Noah and I say our goodbyes, my eyes never leaving Sinnett’s. He strolls into the room as I stand, hands trembling at my sides.
“Who was that on the phone?” Sinnett’s voice is deep, but the question holds no accusation.
I clear my throat and roll my shoulders back. “Just a friend from back home.”
“A friend?” He flicks his eyes to mine, curiosity seeping into his features.
“We’ve known each other since we were three. His name is Noah.”
