Page 62 of Web of Lies
Out of the corner of my eye, movement catches my attention. My breath catches in my throat as Noah walks out of the house. He is wearing black suit pants and a baby blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A cigarette hangs from his lips as he lights it, his attention locked on us.
My gaze shifts to Kyle, who walks up the porch, throws an arm around Noah's shoulder, and guides him toward the door with his loud, warm laugh echoing through the air. To my surprise, when I see the two of them side by side, I notice Noah is taller. Not by much, but it's noticeable. However, Kyle is broader and stockier than Noah, making up for his lack of height with mass.
"Are you okay?" Evelyn asks, and my attention drifts back to her.
"It's just strange to see Noah," I admit.
She chuckles and lightly tugs my hand, pulling me toward the house. "He's not as scary as you think."
I follow her up the steps and into the house. The moment we step inside, my eyes widen at the contrast between the dark polished exterior and the interior. The house is bright and full of warmth. Earthy tones run throughout the space, softened by woven rugs decorating the dark wooden floor and exotic indoor plants nestled in the corners. A few plush dog toys are scattered across the floor, reminding me of Dumpster when she empties her toy basket. The house is warm, lived-in, and inviting. It's nothing like my cluttered, half-organized apartment and worlds away from Kyle's sleek, modern penthouse. It's beautiful andoddly comforting. Until I spot the taxidermied doves. Scattered throughout the hallway, they're perched on shelves, their glassy, lifeless eyes staring forward.
She gives my hand another tug and leads me down the hallway toward the living room. Kyle and Noah are sitting on the large beige sofa. While Kyle leans back with one arm over the back of the sofa, making himself right at home, Noah sits straighter, leaning forward as he twists his cigarette in the ashtray. Kyle looks up first and flashes me a reassuring smile. Noah's gaze flicks to us as well, but his expression doesn't change as he looks us up and down.
"Baby." Evelyn's voice pulls me out of my thoughts when the pet name rolls off her tongue and catches Noah's attention. His gaze locks onto her, and the harsh lines of his face soften as a hint of warmth replaces his previous cold demeanor. Without hesitation, he rises from the couch, steps around the coffee table, and walks up to us.
"Nice to meet you," he says in a low rumble as he offers me his hand. I freeze for a second, every muscle in my body locking in place. Up close, he's even more intimidating. Through his framed glasses, one bright green eye stares at me. The left side of his face is nothing but smooth skin. His eye is gone, the socket sealed shut with skin.
"Nice to meet you, too," I say, my voice wobbly as the word tumbles from my lips.
"Thanks for helping bring me home last year," he adds, with a quiet nod that barely moves his head.
"I—you're welcome?" I murmur, more of a question than a statement, sounding like an awkward teenager caught off guard. Evelyn chuckles under her breath, clearly having fun at my expense. Noah arches an eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth quirks into a small, amused smile.
"What would you like to drink?" Evelyn asks, placing her hand on my back as she guides me past Noah to the couch, where I sit beside Kyle. Meanwhile, Noah heads toward the open kitchen connected to the living room.
"I need a beer," Kyle calls after Noah, who has already pulled open the fridge and grabbed two bottles of beer.
"And you?" Evelyn turns back to me with a warm smile.
"What do you have?" I ask, glancing between her and Noah in the kitchen.
"Everything," Noah says, opening the beers. "Water, juice, soda, and every type of alcohol you can imagine."
"Alcohol sounds good."
"Gin and tonic?" Evelyn suggests.
"That sounds good," I say, smiling up at her when she mentions our usual girls' night drink.
"Coming right up," Noah says and, with a few practiced steps, makes the drinks and brings them over. He sets Kyle and my drinks down in front of us, then hands Evelyn hers before sitting next to her on the sofa with his own.
"Thank you so much," I say as I pick up my glass and take a sip. The liquid slips down easily, melting the tension in my chest.
After a stretch of silence, it is Noah who breaks it. "You were pretty cryptic on the phone last night. Would you mind explaining what's going on?"
Evelyn looks between the three of us, clearly trying to piece things together. "Maybe we should start with the obvious. Why did the two of you show up together?"
I glance at Kyle, silently pleading with him not to say something stupid. But before I can stop him, he blurts out, "We're dating." My eyes widen in disbelief, heart hammering in my chest. Way to go like a bull at a gate. My head snaps toward Evelyn and Noah. Evelyn blinks rapidly, her eyes widening in pure shock. Her jaw drops, lips forming a perfect little "O" as shestares back and forth between us. Noah, on the other hand, is completely unfazed and reaches over and gently pushes Evelyn's chin up.
"Breathe, Dove," he says, then takes a long sip of his beer.
"Dating?" Evelyn finally utters, the initial shock on her face melting into a bright smile. Her eyes sparkle, wide with excitement, and she leans forward.
"You're not mad?" I ask, genuinely surprised by her reaction.
"Why would we be?" Noah says with a shrug, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Honestly, I'm not even surprised."
"What?" Kyle furrows his brow.
