Somehow, they were back at the valet, ushered into Alec’s car, and heading back on the 405 north, heading back to Alec’s place.
He called it home, but Noah wasn’t sure she had the same right to do so. She was staying there. Because of Aaron. Suddenly, she realized what had happened tonight. She and Alec went on a date. She and Alec kissed. She and Alec kissed in public with people recording them.
Shit. Aaron is going to find out. Aaron is going to find me. If he knows I’m with Alec, he’ll be able to put everything together. He’s going to –
Alec grabbed Noah’s hand and laced her fingers through his.
“Hey,” he said, his voice low. It broke her heart, how gentle it was. She didn’t think she had ever heard him speak like that, especially with her. She didn’t feel like she deserved it. “You okay?”
Noah swallowed. She couldn’t look at him. She wanted to tell him. God, she wanted to tell someone. But Alec was doing her this favor and the last thing she needed was to bring him into her drama.
“I just, I get uncomfortable with lots of people,” she said. It was a lie, but she needed him to believe it. She needed so badly for him to believe it.
“Hmm.” He said nothing more, and they continued to drive off in silence. However, he didn’t let go of her hand, and that meant more than she was willing to admit. It was her lifeline. It rooted her in place, grounding her to this moment with Alec, and that was exactly what she needed right now, to calm down.
Alec pulled into the parking spot and the two were forced to let each other go. Noah ignored the disappointment in the pit of her stomach. She shouldn’t be getting attached to anyone, especially not Alec. It scared her how easily she could pretend to be his girlfriend, how easily it was to be happy with him. He wasn’t as bad as she thought he was. And knowing that was the worst epiphany she could have had because there was now a small tiny flickering flame inside of her heart that felt like hope. And until she resolved things with Aaron, she didn’t feel like she deserved to have hope in any shape.
They were silent as they headed back to the apartment. Noah made sure their shoulders did not brush. She didn’t want to touch him right now. She just wanted to run away behind the safety of the bedroom doors and spend the rest of the night forgetting everything that happened today, including that kiss.
Except, everything went out the window the second the couple got to the apartment. Aaron was there, waiting. He knew. Of course, he knew. Why wouldn’t he? How many people had seen them kiss? How many people had uploaded their videos? If Pat talked to Aaron about Noah dating Alec, Aaron would probably be watching out for news regarding Alec. Everything fell neatly into his lap.
Aaron and Pat both had resources to track Alec down, where he lived. It wouldn’t be difficult for them to find out the address. And now he was here, waiting for them, smiling when he saw Noah. Except, the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and Noah’s gut coiled tightly.
“Can I help you?” Alec asked as he neared the door. He sounded pleasant enough, and Noah realized he probably thought it was a fan who managed to find out where he was staying and sought him out for a photo or an autograph.
Noah opened her mouth to warn Alec about Aaron. She couldn’t keep quiet anymore. Not when he was here. But it didn’t matter. Without warning, Aaron punched Alec in the face, sending Alec staggering back.
Noah let out a small scream, her hands coming up and covering her face. She reached for Alec, but someone coiled their fingers around her wrist and snapped her away from him.
“There you are, princess,” Aaron said, his voice clipped and firm. The words were supposed to be sweet, but all Noah could hear were sirens in her head, a warning that this was going to end, and it was going to end badly. “I’ve been looking for you for so long. You know, it isn’t nice to avoid me. After what happened with your mother, I expected you to know better. Instead, I find you shacking up with a mediocre hockey player. Are you trying to make me jealous?”
Before Noah could respond, Alec righted himself. His face was marred into a scowl, blood trickling from his nose. Noah didn’t think Alec got caught off-guard, especially when it came to fighting, much, if at all. He was always poised, always ready for anything.
“Who the fuck are you and what the fuck are you doing here?” Alec asked through clenched teeth.
“I’ll make you a deal,” Aaron said, avoiding answering his questions. “How about I leave with Noah here and I won’t kick your ass.”
“My ass?” Alec smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “You sucker-punched me. That won’t happen again.”
“Again?” Aaron arched a brow.
“What, you think one punch signifies you’ve won?” Alec cracked his knuckles. “Boy, I’m just getting started. And if you don’t watch yourself, I’m going to beat you black and blue. Let go of Noah and let’s handle this like men, huh?” He managed to catch Noah’s eye. “Noah, why don’t you go inside?”
“You don’t get to tell her what to do,” Aaron said, tightening his grip on her. “She’s not yours to order around.”
“Alec doesn’t order me to do anything,” she said before she could stop herself.
Noah paused, waiting for Aaron to react. Instead, Aaron’s brow furrowed. Surprise and anger both flashed across his face, and Noah knew if she didn’t do something, he was going to react. It was almost as though he could handle being insulted
