Page 60 of Chasing Infinity

“Noah!”

I look up from the pond and recognize Jordan Coldwell running towards me. I straighten my stance, waiting for him to catch up. “What’s up, man?” I ask him.

When he’s close enough, he claps me on the shoulder, his hand firm. “I haven’t seen you around in a while. Whoa, you alright? You look like someone kicked your puppy.”

I fight the desire to roll my eyes at my friend and instead give him a blank look. Jordan narrows his dark eyes at me, waiting for me to continue, obviously able to tell something is going on.

“Yeah, listen, Jordan. Things might start getting wild around here. I’ve been waiting to catch my father in on some of his more heinous activity, and I think I’m getting closer.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that if he knows I’ve got him, he’s going to make sure to do everything in his power to prevent himself from falling. He won’t go easily.”

“Does he know that you’re onto him?”

“He might. I’m actually going to see him this evening. I’m glad I ran into you,” I tell him, rubbing the back of my neck. “I need you to keep an eye on Addison. The sherriff is in on everything I’m doing. And yeah, he’s her best friend, but he’s also Charlie Sullivan.”

Jordan throws his head back and laughs. “Heard, brother. Yeah, I’ll keep an eye on your girl. I don’t know how receptive she’ll be towards me, though. I don’t think we’ve spoken more than ten words to each other this year.”

“I don’t need you to be best buddies with her or anything, just keep an eye out. Tell Caleb too. If my father is going to get to me, the easiest way would be through her.”

Jordan’s face takes on a more severe expression. “Like last time.”

“Exactlylike last time,” I confirm. “But I don’t know to what extent he would be willing to go. If I’m successful, he’ll be behind bars for the rest of his life at a minimum.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t be too happy about that.”

“No, he most certainly wouldn’t. So you understand?”

“I understand, Noah. I’ve got your back.”

I reach over and clap him on the shoulder. “Thank you. This might be the beginning of the end of this whole ordeal.”

“It’s about time,” he replies. “You’ve only been working up to this moment for the last ten years.”

“Precisely. I’m ready for this shit to be over so we all can get on with our lives.”

“Whatever you need, Noah. I’ve got you.”

“Thank you, Jordan.”

“Any time, man. Oh hey, anyway, I was glad I caught you. Rose and I are having a little co-ed baby shower deal in a few weeks, and I wanted to invite you and Addison. It’ll just be at the bar probably and pretty low-key.”

I reach up and rub the back of my neck, still not comfortable with the fact that my shit-head best friend will be a father in a handful of months. “Yeah, that sounds great. Do you want to just text me the date and time, and I’ll run it by Parks? I’m sure we’ll be able to make it.”

My heart skips a beat when I realize that this is the first time I’ve made conjoined plans for the two of us—as if we’re a couple.

“Sure thing. Also, we are waiting to find out if it’s a boy or girl, so if Addison wants to buy something, tell her to keep it to elephants and duckies.”

I raise one eyebrow at him. “Duckies?”

Jordan raises his palms. “Don’t look at me, bro. That’s just how Rose has been saying it, so I’m sticking to it. Word to the wise if you and Addison ever get to this point, her word isa law,man. You know how fierce Rose is normally. These pregnancy hormones have just made her worse.”

“Noted,” I say with a laugh, trying to ignore my skipping heart at the thought of Addison and me being pregnant. That’s a dream for another time.

“Alright, well, I’ll let you go. Let me know how dinner with your dad goes tonight, yeah?” Jordan offers me his hand to shake and then pats me on the back.

I watch him go, rubbing at my jaw, then shake my head and turn on my heel towards home. When I make it to the apartment, I bound up the stairs and collapsed on the couch, groaning into one of the throw pillows. I still have a little time before I need to head over, so I stretch out and try my best to relax, but my brain is running a thousand miles per minute. I’m tempted to go downstairs to the diner and spend time with Addison. However, I squash that idea, figuring she’s busy working. So instead, I lay there and watch the minutes tick by.

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