Page 41 of Shattered Oaths

“I need you to wait in here for a minute. Can you do that?” He asks, reaching over the backseat to retrieve and large duffle bag.

I look around, perplexed, but nod anyway. “Okay…”

“Be right back.” Noah jumps out of the driver’s side and disappears, and I lean back in my seat with a sigh, pulling my phone out of my pocket.

Clicking onto the town webpage, I scan the apartment listings page and pray that something has become available in the five hours it’s been since I last checked.

It’s not that I don’t like living with Noah, because I do. Other than the early morning wake up calls, he’s the perfect roommate. In the two weeks I’ve been staying at his house, he hasn’t brought home a single woman which is surprising to say the least.

Now that I think about it, he hasn’t been staying out either. He’s home when I finish work, we eat dinner together, discuss our days and watch some TV before bothreturning to our respective rooms. Between all of that, I’m not sure where he’s finding the time to get laid but I’m grateful that he isn’t doing it right under my nose.

We aren’t a couple and he doesn’t need to explain himself to me but coming from a home where the person I shared it with was always out late, it’s nice to have someone to spend my evenings with and never have to wonder where they are or what they’re doing.

As much as I’m enjoying my time at his house, I’m starting to feel like a burden. Noah is too kind, too sweet, to tell me when I’m overstaying my welcome, but I think two weeks is probably long enough. If I don’t find somewhere soon, I’m going to have to get a hotel or take up residence in the office of my café.

To nobody’s surprise, there’s nothing new on the listings page, so I shut down the app and open my messages, deleting all the new ones from Justin.

I haven’t spoken to him once since the night I left, and I don’t plan to. I thought I would be more hurt about our relationship ending, but honestly, I just feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders and I can finally take a full breath again for the first time in two years. I hadn’t realised just how suffocated I was by him until he was no longer breathing down my neck.

I’ve been lucky enough to avoid him in town, and he’s been smart enough to stay away from my café but it’s only a matter of time before I’ll come face to face with him again. I swallow down the bubble of panic that climbs up my throat at that thought and focus back on my phone.

There are a few messages on the group chat with the girls and I click on that, needing something to distract me from housing worries and all thoughts of Justin.

Liv:I got shit on by my son today. It was in my hair, on my face and my clothes. We’ve hit a new all-time low.

Savannah:Welcome to motherhood. It sucks, you’re gonna love it.

Daisy:Did you just quote Monica Geller?

Savannah:Yup. Did you like my little twist?

Liv:Creative.

Savannah:Thank you.

I chuckle at their conversation and keep scrolling, my stomach sinking when I see Daisy’s next message.

Daisy:Anyone heard from Bella?

Savannah:No. Bell’s, you here?

Liv:I have.

Savannah:Hunter said he’s seen her car on the ranch.

Daisy:I haven’t seen it when I’ve been at work.

Liv:Hunter is a gossip. She’s fine, guys. Busy with the café.

I blow out a breath, grateful for Liv for not giving away too much. I feel guilty for not telling them everything that’s been going on in my life. They’re my best friends, and I know they’ll support me no matter what, but I’m just not ready to admit that the relationship that I spent two years of my life building, suddenly came to an end in the worst way possible.

A separate text comes through, this time in a private chat and I cast a quick glance out the window before opening it.

Daisy:Your niece misses you. I miss you. I don’t know what’s going on in your life right now, but I want you to know that when you’re ready to talk, I’m here. I love you, Bells.

My vision becomes blurry as my eyes water, and I blink down at the phone several times before replying.

Me:I miss you guy, too. We’ll get drinks soon? I’ll explain everything then, I promise.