Page 127 of Make Us Yours
She joins the rest of our friends behind us, just as Gabe takes her place in front of me. He looks mad, a deep frown on his face as he watches me for a moment. But then he takes me into a tight hug, squeezing me in.
“Don’t ever do that again, you hear me? You’re my best friend, Noh. We’re supposed to have each other’s back. You’ve had mine through all my bullshit; you should have let me be there for yours.” I hear him sniff as he tries to be strong despite the hurt that he feels right now, and all it does is increase my guilt.
“I know… you’re right, I’m sorry…”
“Enough of that, let’s get through this ceremony. Then we’ll go home, and you’ll tell me all about her.” He releases me and pats my back. “I love you, man.”
“I love you too, brother.” I smile through my tears that keep coming.
He moves over to Veronica’s other side, taking her hand and kissing her temple. I do the same to her, breathing in her cinnamon and apple scent as I close my eyes. “Thank you, Kitten. You are the very best thing in my life, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I hope you know that,” I whisper against her hair.
She turns and gazes deep into my eyes. “I know,” she breathes, then presses her lips to mine.
Chapter twenty-eight
Gabriel
Better luck next time.
I was shocked.
After Ronnie told me what was going on with Noah, that he had a sister that had just died, I was shocked beyond belief. I was hurt that he would keep this from me, angry that he didn’t trust me with his secrets. Jesus, we’ve lived together for the past five years, we do everything together, yet I didn’t know about her existence.
What kind of friend does that make me? A shitty one.
I should have questioned him more every time he left the house and wouldn’t tell me where he was going. I should have pushed harder for answers. I should have followed him. I should have put two and two together.
After the funeral, Ronnie managed to convince Noah to go over to Hayes’s place. He was reluctant at first but eventually agreed. I know he didn’t owe us anything, but we all wanted answers.
So, we sat down together in their living room with a beer in hand, except for Noah, who wanted his heavier drink of choice.One I’ve realized he’s becoming too friendly with. Something we’ll have to watch out for with preseason starting up soon.Then we waited patiently for him to be ready to share with us, and he did. He told us every possible memory he could think of involving his sister. He filled us in on his life, about his mother leaving, his father passing, then what happened to Trinity.
It fucking crushed me knowing he went through all of this alone. But at least he had Vixen in the end when it truly mattered the most.I just wish I could have been there for him, too.
I get why he did it, though. I get that hiding it from us wasn’t intentional. When her accident happened, our careers were just taking off. The spotlight was shining on us, and the media and reporters wanted to know everything about us. Where we went, what we did, where we ate. They dug up everything they could about us.
How he managed to hide his whole family from them is actually pretty impressive. Although I get it, because I did the same with mine. I gave them myattention by partying and going crazy with the female fans, like that their focus was on my present and not my past. He did the same.
I just wish he would have come clean at some point, would have told us what he was going through. We would have been there for him. We would have helped him in any way we could. But I get it, it’s why I’m putting my feelings aside and focusing on him, because he’s my best friend and he’s what really matters at this moment.
After a few hours with our friends, Noah started retreating and we understood it was time to go home. He needed his space and time to grieve on his own. The car ride home was made in silence, and so is the elevator ride up to the penthouse.
Ronnie stands at his side, head leaning on his shoulder, body pressed up against his with his arm around her waist. We haven’t had sex since the night we went out clubbing, and it had been driving me crazy, but I understand why now. Their minds weren’t in it, rightfully so.
We enter the penthouse and I head for the living room. “You guys want to watch a movie?” It’s pretty late, but I’m not really tired yet, and another lonely night without my girl is not something I’m looking forward to.
“Sure.” Ronnie smiles my way.
“Actually, I’m gonna head up. You two watch it without me.” Noah throws his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the stairs.
Ronnie’s face drops. “Oh…”
He turns her in his arms, hugging her. “I’ll see you later in bed.”
She offers him a sad smile. “Okay,” she says quietly as he kisses her for a second then retreats up the stairs.
I walk over to her quickly and take her against me. “We’ll get him back. He just needs a little time.” I kiss her crown.
“I know… I just miss him… I miss us,” she murmurs against my chest.
