0990418960 (A) by Cynthia A. Rodriguez

Author:Cynthia A. Rodriguez [Rodriguez, Cynthia A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance
ISBN: 9780990418979
Publisher: Allon Media
Published: 2015-10-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Ishowered and put on some shorts and a shirt before I headed down to see who was there. Music was playing, food was set out, and when I stepped out onto the deck, Tracey looked up from her post next to the grill.

That Ralph was working. Ralph.

I laughed at him in an apron with a fake chef’s hat on.

“What’s going on?” I asked as I grabbed a chip and sat at the table.

“Late night, bro?” Ralph shot me a look from behind Tracey’s back, one that I was glad she didn’t catch.

I shrugged and looked around. There were people on the lake, people I recognized from school. A few of them, I knew, talked to Noa regularly. While she’d told me she didn’t have friends in the true sense, she was definitely great at talking to people.

The back door opened, but I’d sensed her before she walked out. Blue hair tucked into braids that wrapped around her head, a white dress and sandals. I blinked a few times, trying to come up with the right compliment.

“Look at you, Noa. Looking all hot,” Ralph yelled from in front of the grill.

No. That wasn’t it. I threw a chip at Ralph, telling him to shut up.

I stood, walked to her and kissed her. She tugged at my hair playfully.

“Just like an angel, Blue.”

I heard people coming up the steps, and when they saw Noa, they chattered animatedly, grabbing her and leading her down to the rest of the guests.

“Don’t worry,” Tracey came up beside me, both of our eyes watching Noa, “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

I placed my arm on her shoulder. “Thanks. Sometimes I wish she didn’t have to be watched. But the truth of it is, I’ll probably always do it, even if she’s been sober twenty years.”

“It isn’t easy. But as long as you love her, and the good outweighs the bad, you’ll be fine.” She clapped her hand over my shoulder. “Now let’s make sure Ralph doesn’t burn this house down.”

The party was in full swing. People were eating, dancing, and swimming, and I could tell Noa was loving every second. I looked at the table bearing gifts, smiling at my small package among the bags and boxes.

I was watching Noa from the deck when I saw someone walking up. I jogged down the steps and made my way across the grass, stopping when I saw who it was. He looked much cleaner than he had the first time I met him.

“Tim? What’s going on?”

He had a poorly wrapped box in his hands and offered it to me.

“Uh, I was invited. She’s—she’s here, right? I don’t know if...I don’t want to ruin her party or anything,” he said, his eyes shifting to all of the people. When I looked behind me, I saw Noa heading toward us.

“Everything all right?” she asked as she walked up. She saw the box in his hand and smiled. “You’re here for the party, Tim? I didn’t think you’d seriously make it.

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