Page 145 of The Breaking Pointe
“Considering the man I’m coming behind doesn’t have a worthy track record at all—yes,” I blatantly say.
A short hum leaves his body as he shakes his head, looking at the television again.“Well, don’t.Until you give me a reason to, I’m not going to treat you the way I treated him. But I don’t think you’re planning on giving me anything to worry about,” he tells me.
Letting his words sink into my head, I desperately gulp down more of my beer, now feeling both relieved and borderline freaked out by his relaxation with his speech. Knowing that he knows how I feel about Noelle is one thing, but knowing he might be waiting for me to fuck up is another. He’s quite different from most parents, but some thingsare universal. Like using fatherly instincts to protect your offspring.I am not excused from the fraction of men who disrespect women, simply because they think they’re a nice person.For that matter, getting my shit together is that much more imperative.
Two hands grasp onto my shoulders, and ginger curls drape over my shoulders.My nose fills with the smell of honey-baked ham and maraschino cherry juice, making me curious to look above me. When I do, Noelle is looking down
at me, holding a thin slice of ham.
“Try, please,” she demands, holding it near my mouth. “Momma needs your opinion.”
“Mine?”Iskittishlyask.
“Yes, Cole—open up,” she titters.
Watching her, I open my mouth, letting her feed me, eagerly. “Now chew, chew.” She continues with her sweet, fluttery laughter, carefully fitting her hands around my jaw as I start to chew, caressing my beard.
She stares down at me, waiting as I purposefully take my time with every chew, mostly so that I can get a good look at her and bask in her existence momentarily.
The ham?It tastes perfect.I wouldn’t change a thing. Neither would I change a thing about this moment, or any other moment I can share with her. It makes me want to re- confess my feelings for her when she does small things such as nurturing me in various ways. I’ve never felt more sure about my feelings, more than how she’s made me. There’s people who pay millions to get this feeling in return—and here, I get it for free.
“You’re done chewing and you haven’t said one thing,”she says, scratching at my chin to regain my attention.
“It’samazing,”Iblurtwithfullconsciousness.
Her eyes expand, chased by the corners of her perfect lips curving into an irresistible smile.
“I made that ham.My first time, too,” she boasts, kissing my forehead and looking at her father.“You have to get Mom to feed you,” she says, still all smiley.
He eyeballs the both of us before breaking into a chuckle. “Right. Let me get on that.” He salutes, standing from the couch and going to the kitchen.
Noelle quickly takes his spot, but instead leaves no room between us, falling into me.
“I’m so happy you came.” She greets my body, hugging my torso tightly.
My arm naturally wraps around her, holding her close to me as I sit us back and take in all of her presence.
“I’m honored you invited us. I can’t imagine I’d be happy at all right now at home, alone.Steven, too.I need tothank you,” I express, slipping a few fingers over her head, brushing her hair.
“No, don’t thank me.”She waves a hand.
“Don’t tell me that, let me praise you. That’s all I wanna do.” I squeeze her side, raising my favorite, glorious sound from her mouth—laughter that could be mistaken for a harp. “Hey, I wanted to give you something.Come with me.”
Shepullsmeoffofthecouch.
“Okay,”Igrunt,grippingmybeertightlyasIgetup.
She leads the way while I don’t spend any time questioning what is about to happen next. I used to hate surprises, but as my walls break down more and more, I’m finding out how great things are on the other side.I’ve had so much hatein my heart, and spent so much time dwelling and pausing while everyone else has found the guide to this whole life thing and how to navigate it. Or they’ve found someone to help them. Noelle is my partner. And we’re navigating this thing together.I don’t care if we get lost—I just care that I’m safe.
As long as I’m with her, that’s all I’ll be.
She continues to pull me, and takes me on a quick journey upstairs to her bedroom, stopping before sheopens the door. “You said I can’t go in there.”I nudge her, teasing her in
amockingtone.
“No, I saidnot yet. You don’t think you’re sleeping in the guest room, do you?” She squints, shaking her head.
“Noelle, your father is downstairs, which is not that far from us.I’m on his good side, and he suggested the guest room to me when we arrived. If I wanna keep the respect he has for me right now, I’m gonna need to stay down there,” I tell her, shrugging with my words.
