Page 10 of All of Him
“I live off of Palestine Road. Are you familiar with it?”
I nodded.
“Okay. Just let me know if you need directions before you get to that street.”
I nodded again, then tried to subtly get myself together before backing out of the parking space. His fresh-scented body wash was permeating the inside of the car, and I wasn’t sure it was good for my driving.
Maneuvering my way through the crowded city streets, I thought back to the day Noah had arrived at Peabody. There was still so much to learn about him, so much pulling me toward him. Right there, in my car with him, I saw an opportunity to get to know him on a more personal level, but I wasn’t sure pushing him was the best idea. In fact, Iknewit was a bad idea. But saying something regrettable to him was in my nature.
It took longer than anticipated to get out of the city with Friday traffic. Still, even with all the stop and go, Noah kept his gaze out the window and away from me. I peeked a few times, noticing his jawline tight with nerves, fear taking him over. Glancing further down, I saw that his left hand was clenched in a fist and his right hand held the door interior handle tightly.
As I pulled up to yet another red light, I took a longer glance. Noah looked back at me briefly, his face unreadable but definitely tense.
“It’s not you.” He spoke quietly, looking away again.
“Cars still spook you a little? You know, because you were in an accident and all…”
I thought I’d asked a safe question, but apparently, I hit a nerve I hadn’t known existed. He scoffed and shook his head.
“Sorry, I didn’t…”
“Nobody ever really means to bring it up,” he grumbled. “But, yes, cars still scare me when I’m not the one driving.”
“Were you? Driving, I mean.”
Immediately, I realized a second more sensitive nerve had been hit when his jaw dropped and he shook his head.
Amanda, you fucking idiot.
“I’m sorry. I should just stop talking about it. I honestly didn’t mean to…do you have any pets?”Oh my God.
Noah, mouth still open with alarm, looked forward for a few seconds, trying to register why the hell I had asked him that. Personally, I had no answer either. Finally, he clenched his jaw again and shook his head.
“Nopets,” he clarified. “Make this right. I’m the long driveway up ahead at the farmhouse.”
I made sure to pay attention to nothing but the dirt driveway, and I stared forward as we arrived at his house. I expected him to leap out of the moving vehicle at that point, but when I put the car in park, he stayed put. Dust from the driveway settled behind him out the window as his thoughts seemed to gather. I watched the tension slowly drain from his cheeks, and his grip on the door handle loosened. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a brief second before letting out a long breath.
Without turning toward me, Noah softened his voice as he said, “Yes, I was the one driving. Thanks for the ride.”
It sounded like he had been defeated by my question, when in reality, I shouldn’t have ever asked it in the first place. I felt like an insensitive asshole.
I watched Noah as he slammed my car door and angrily walked up his porch steps. He seemed frustrated as he fumbled with his keys, shaking his head and mouthing to himself. It was as if he’d never taken that deep breath; rather, he hadn’t let it all out yet. Eventually, the door opened and he disappeared behind it as quickly as he could.
It took me a minute to pull it together. I’d pushed a guy I barely knew, who had already been having a bad day, and asked him a personal question. With his reaction, I might have been better off asking about his dead dad or imprisoned mom. I picked up my phone to text him a more sincere apology when I realized I didn’t even have his number.
“Shit,” I hissed to myself, tossing my phone onto the passenger seat. I watched as it bounced and fell between the seat and the door. I deserved that. “Fine.” Resigned, I started to back out of the dirt driveway.
I stopped before pulling away, still able to smell his body wash. I enjoyed it and cursed at myself again for my lack of judgment.
Looking out the window, I noticed the house for the first time. It was a diamond in the rough. The white paint needed to be redone, and two of the grayish-blue shutters were missing, but it was essentially my dream house. It stood two stories with a complete wraparound porch. A porch swing hung next to the front door, rusty but hearty-looking. The flower beds needed a miracle, but they were lined perfectly with mossy stone that could be easily power-washed.
The property stretched for acres in the late summer sun—mostly trees in the back but a clearing for the front. An old post fence followed the road to mark the size of the land. I saw why Delia’s firm had wanted some of it. The country charm was so inviting.
As I pulled out of the driveway, I thought about my dad. He’d been redoing houses for cheap since retirement, and he’d kill to get his hands on the Murphy property. I helped him out in my free time, which would also mean I’d get to go inside. If Noah even let me after what I’d said.
Even with my doubt that Noah would want the help, I needed to talk to my dad. He’d get to work on a dream project, Noah would save some cash, and I would get to know the mysterious guy who had become so intriguing. I was playing with fire, but Noah Murphy kept drawing me in.
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