Noah (19 page)

               
Noah

I woke up
in the middle of the night to take a piss and noticed my phone was vibrating across the floor. It must have fallen out of my pocket when I’d taken off my jeans.

The number was familiar, so I walked into the bathroom to answer it. “Bells?”

“Noah,” she was crying. “Where are you?”

“I’m in New York. Why? What’s goin’ on?” I was freaking out that something bad had happened to my grandmother or someone else in the family.

“We had a fight.” She began to sob so hard I couldn’t hear what she was saying.

“Bells, calm down. Are you home?”

“I can’t go home like this, Noah. I can’t let them see.”

“See what?” Now I needed to know. I could feel my fists clenching before she even confirmed it.

“They can’t see my face. They’ll call the police.”

I wanted to raise my voice, but knew Shalan was sound asleep in the other room. “Where the fuck are you, Bells?”

“I’m in my car at the state line. I started to drive to Kentucky but didn’t want the family to see me like this. I don’t know what to do. He didn’t mean it, Noah. I swear he didn’t. I made him so mad at me. That’s all. He just lost his temper. I went there to piss him off. He didn’t know it was me. It’s my fault.”

“Send me your damn location. I’m leavin’ now. It’s goin’ to take me a while to get to you. Is there a hotel you can stay in for the night? Does he know how to find you?”

She cried harder again. “No.”

“Can he search your phone? Don’t lie to me either.” I was going to kill that mother fucker for hurting her.

“I don’t know.”

“Send me the address of the hotel and the room number. Stay put and don’t turn your damn phone back on after that. Do you hear me?”

“Please don’t yell at me.”

“I’m not yellin’.” I couldn’t or else I’d wake up Shalan. “Just do what I say for once.”

She agreed and we hung up. When I walked back out into the room, I saw her lying there, so innocent and beautiful. Shalan wasn’t some woman I’d picked up for a good time. We’d shared so much in such a little time.

When she woke and found me gone it would end anything we’d started. She’d never forgive me for abandoning her, and I didn’t have time to explain how important my cousin was to me, or that I was the only person she could turn to. My family needed me, and it was at that moment when I knew where I had to be.

I gathered my things quietly, and wrote a note that I left on the small table in the room. She’d never forgive me, but at least I wouldn’t have to see her face when she realized I wasn’t coming back. Not only did I need to take care of Bells, but my dad had given me an ultimatum. As much as I didn’t like the idea, I knew I was obligated to return to the ranch, and everything that came with it.

It took the valet around twenty minutes to find my truck and bring it out front, and in that time I swore she was going to come downstairs and find me. I think a part of me wanted her to. I longed to see that beautiful woman again, smiling and touching me in any way possible. I knew it was just an infatuation, but I liked her, probably more than I ever should have let myself.

Once I was on the road, I checked my phone, got the
address from Bells text, and set my GPS. It was going to take me a good seven hours to get to where she was, and without a proper night’s sleep it was going to take everything I had to stay awake.

I made it about four hours before I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. Unfortunately, for the first time in her life, Bella had listened to what I’d told her and turned off her phone. Since I couldn’t get a hold of her, I called the hotel that she’d gotten a room at. The phone rang four times after they’d patched me through to the number.

“Hello?”

“It’s me. I need to stop and sleep for a bit. I’m dog tired and I can’t make it without rest. You alright there until I get to you?”

“Yeah. I’m probably just going to sleep all day.”

“Keep your phone off. If anyone calls from the family I’ll let them know you’re fine.”

“Okay.”

I started to hang up when I heard her talking. “Thank you, Noah. I know you’re pissed at me.”

“You’re damn right I’m pissed. This shit has got to stop, and if you’re not willin’ to do somethin’ about it, then I’m goin’ to take matters into my own hands.”

“Please don’t.”

“I’m takin’ a nap at this rest stop. I’ll be there later tonight. Stay put.”

“Love you.”

I sighed, unable to be mad enough to not say it back. “Yeah, love you too.”

We hung up and I turned off my truck, leaving the windows cracked enough that a cool breeze would travel inside while I slept. After getting as comfortable as the truck would allow, I put my hat over my face and closed my eyes.

It would have been nice if I could think of other things aside from killing my cousins ex, or Shalan waking up to an empty hotel room. At least I’d left her with everything I had  in my wallet, as well as the room paid for the rest of the week. I’d left my number, but knew she wouldn’t bother calling. I’d let her down, money aside. She wouldn’t have wanted it if I’d asked. In fact, I was pretty sure she’d hate me more for leaving it behind.

I woke a few hours later. The sun was bright coming in through the windshield. My mouth felt dry and my skin was sticky when I wiped it, reminding me of the champagne I’d consumed from Shalan’s body. I stared at my phone, knowing damn well she’d found the note and my number that was written on it. If she was going to call and ream me out, she would have done it already.

She hated me.

It aggravated me so much that I knew I’d be able to begin driving again without falling asleep. I started on my way, blaring the music so loud to hide my own anger from myself.

Every song that played reminded me of Shalan. It didn’t matter if it was Country, or Rock. The words came out of the speakers as if they were meant to hurt me. Then I heard the beginning of one of the songs she’d sang by Joplin. It was unusual to hear such an old song playing on the radio, so of course it was like someone was sending me a sign of my wrong-doing. I turned down the volume and beat on the dashboard, taking out my frustrations on the truck. I cursed and cut myself down, accepting that I’d made a huge mistake I could never take back.

Today was going to be the biggest day of her life, and I walked away. She’d begged me to be there and I’d given her my word.

I spent the rest of the day driving in silence, or listening to sports networks. By the time I pulled into the dilapidated hotel, I was exhausted and extremely irritated. I’d attempted to call Shalan twice and hung up before the hotel could ring to her room. There was no message I could leave for her that would make things good between us. She’d been abandoned again, and this time I was the culprit.

Not only had I cheated on my girlfriend with her sister, but now I’d taken an innocent girl and given her hope, only to leave her all alone after spending two nights taking away any trace of innocence she had left.

I didn’t deserve to have a relationship, and neither did my cousin’s asshole boyfriend. Maybe in same ways we were the same.

I was already feeling punished, while his was going to come from the top of my fist, that I was certain of, even before I saw my cousin.

Nothing could have prepared me for how she looked. Sure, her face had time to swell up from the blows it had taken. She opened the door and looked away, ashamed of what I’d say. I grabbed her chin and forced her to look at me. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she fell against my chest. I held her there in my arms for a long time, letting her get a good cry in. She knew she was safe, and that as long as I was with her nothing would happen.

Her eye was swollen shut and the other was black all the way around. On that same side, her cheek was doubled in size. Purple and blue bruises covered it, from multiple blows hitting the same area.

“You’re okay now, Bells.”

She cried harder.

“When I find that fucker, he’s dead. I don’t care if you never talk to me again. I’m goin’ to break his fuckin’ neck.”

My cousin couldn’t respond. She was too hurt both mentally and physically to take up for him any longer. After getting her to lay back down in bed, I sat down beside her and flipped through my phone.

It only took one ring for him to answer, and I didn’t leave him time to ask questions. “Noah, -.”

“I’ll be home tomorrow mornin’. I’m takin’ care of somethin’ for Bells first and then she’s comin’ to stay with me for a while. I just wanted you to know before I did it.”

My dad didn’t argue. Maybe he could hear how serious I was, or that he valued my relationship with my cousin. “Is she alright, son?”

“She will be. Listen, I know you don’t owe me any favors, and that we’re goin’ to have to talk when I get home, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call her parents. Just let her tell them herself.”

“It ain’t my business. I’ll tell your mother you’ll be home for dinner.”

I hung up before I even agreed to eating with them. After seeing my cousin’s face, nothing mattered except getting her home. She needed to be comfortable and recover in the comfort of being in a familiar place, not in  some shit-bag hotel room.

I checked my phone one more time for messages from Shalan, before I put my arm around Bells and closed my eyes. The two of us were pretty messed up. At least we’d be able to recover from our mistakes together, just like we did when we were kids. After all, if you don’t have your family, who do you have?

My mind went straight to Shalan.

She was all alone.

She’d never know what a real family felt like.

I hated knowing that.

              Shalan

I couldn’t remember
the last time I’d slept all the way through the night without waking up. Surely I thought it had to be because I was with Noah.

That’s when I opened my eyes and saw that he wasn’t in the room. I walked into the bathroom and noticed that his toothbrush was gone first. I then rushed back out into the room to discover that all of his things were gone.

I spotted the note on the table, but didn’t rush over to read what it said. I knew he was gone, and I’d never felt so alone.

For a while I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the piece of paper on the table. I didn’t want to see his
handwriting, and read the words that would definitely crush my soul. For some reason I’d thought of Noah as my protector, feeling that as long as he was with me, I’d be safe from anything bad happening.

Courage was something that I’d never been very good with. It took a lot of it to reach across that table and unfold the note. There was a wad of cash inside of it.

I traced my name that had been written in his handwriting.

The tears began.

Shalan,

The past few days have been great. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed someone’s company as much as I’ve enjoyed being with you. You’ll never know how much you being around helped me.

I know you’re pissed at me for leaving without explaining. I had a good reason, but none of that is enough to make you understand that it was the right thing to do. I have a life back home, and I can’t keep running away from it.

I’ll never regret meeting you, and sharing my time with you. I’ll never forget what it felt like to hear you sing for the first time, and every time after that. You’re so beautiful and
so damn talented. Big things are going to happen for you. I hope you know that.

I’ve paid for the room for the rest of the week, and left you money for any expenses you may encounter to get where you’re going. Please don’t be angry with me too
long. I didn’t leave because of you.

I know you won’t call me right now, but I’m enclosing
my number in hopes that we will see each other again. 

One day I’m going to hear that voice of yours on the radio, and it’s going to remind me of the way you felt when you were in my arms.

Don’t take your talents for granted. You have nothing to worry about with the gift you hold.

Noah Mitchell

I folded the paper back up as I wept. Not even my ex-boyfriend had ever affected me like this.  I don’t know whether I felt more betrayed or abandoned. He’d promised to go with me, to stand by my side at my meeting, and instead he’d snuck out in the middle of the night, so he didn’t have to tell me in person.

He was a coward, and if he thought for one single second I was going to call him, he was very mistaken.

Two hours later I picked myself up off the bed and showered. I knew my eyes were puffy, and that I wouldn’t look good, even if I caked makeup all over my face. My heart was broken, because I’d opened it up to a complete stranger. Honestly, I don’t know what I expected from him. He owed me nothing.

It wasn’t like he’d left me a bill for everything he’d purchased for me. No, Noah had not only treated me to those three days, but he’d left with me enough to get by. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I’d find a way to repay him, no matter how long it took me.

I’d never hailed a cab myself. While flailing my arms in the air, looking ridiculous, a handsome man in a business suit approached me. “Allow me.” He whistled and waved one time. A cab pulled up and he held the door open for me.

“Thank you,” I said with a smile.

“It was my pleasure.” Even with his quick grin I got this creepy vibe from him, as if he just wanted to watch me bend over and climb in the cab. It was probably a good thing that the driver took off even before I could spat out an address.

Traffic was horrendous, forcing our drive to last a half hour instead of ten minutes. I was positive that I could have walked to the location faster than the ride took. After paying my fare, I climbed out and stared at the tall building. The business information was listed in the foyer and I took an elevator up to the level they were located on. Before walking inside I had to take a couple of breaths. I probably should have practiced while in the shower, but I was too distracted to stay focused.

A young blonde, looking to be my age sat at a large desk when I first walked inside. “Welcome. Do you have an appointment?”

I told her my name and was led into a huge conference room that overlooked the city. I suppose I should have sat down, but nerves were making it difficult to do anything that required thought.

The couple from the previous night came in, causing me to sit quickly. “Shalan. So glad you could meet with us today.” Tony and Shelly both shook my hand as he greeted me.

Once we were done, I smiled and folded my hands together on the table. “Thanks for having me.”

“Where’s your partner?”

Even though I knew the question was coming, I couldn’t have prepared how it affected me. I clenched my jaws together like Noah always did and answered with as much composure as I could conjure up. “He decided that he wasn’t interested. He’s got family drama back in Kentucky and knew he wouldn’t be able to commit to something.”

The secretary from before opened the door and let an older man inside. He shook hands with the couple and reached over to do the same to me. “My name is Howard Schwartz. I’ve heard so much about you in the last twenty-four hours that I decided to come across town and meet you myself.”

I smiled, unable to say anything else.

“Shalan, I’m sure you already know why you’re here. Mr. Schwartz happens to be one of our partners. When we find new talent, we always make sure he agrees with us before any ink is exchanged.” The wife, Shelly, explained.

“Okay. What would you like me to do? Do I need to submit a demo or something?” I hadn’t prepared myself for this meeting in any way. It also sucked that I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt when they were all three clearly in business attire.

The old man folded his hands together and smiled. I was pretty sure he had false teeth, because his lower jaw kept adjusting, as if he were holding something in his mouth. “Just stand up and sing something.”

“Anything?”

“Anything is fine,” he agreed.

I looked at the three of them before standing up. I kept my hands folded in front of me and closed my eyes, knowing that if I messed this up I’d be on the first bus home, to face possible jail time.

I was going to perform the song I’d written for my mother, but instead decided to sing the one that I’d made up on the car ride over. It seemed fitting after the day I’d had, and the way I was missing Noah. I also knew that I could sing it with emotion, and with meaning. It would pack a punch.

I started humming to get a good melody going to go off of. I’d never done a song like this before, not that I doubted my ability. With my eyes still closed, I pat on my leg to keep my rhythm and just let go.

“Our eyes met in vain,

and I knew nothing would ever be the same.

You took my breath away that night you asked me to stay.

It was lust then, just like it’s lust now.

Give me one last try, give me one more goodbye.

Let me show you. Let me know you.

I’ll make you feel it. I’ll make you mean it.

That’s the power of sex

It’s the reason we’re so wrecked.”

I opened my eyes and looked at the three people staring back at me. The old man got up from his chair and whispered in the woman’s ear. She nodded and they all three started clapping.

“You’re even better than they explained. Did you write that?”

“Sort of. I made it up on the car ride here.”

“Can you do it with an edge to it? I’d like to hear your range.”

I tapped on my thigh and sang it again, this time with a more raspy edge. I sang the last bit with power, making sure he could hear how high and low I could get.

“Impressive.” He motioned for me to sit back down. “Okay, sweetheart, this is what I’m prepared to offer you, just based on that.” He slid over a contract and I almost felt like I was going to pass out. “Now, this is just a temporary agreement stating that you can’t sign with anyone else while we are drawing up the final paperwork. That just means that we will represent you solely.”

He flipped the page and pointed to another document. “I’m not sure where you’re from, but this is typically the schedule you will have for the first year. As you can see, we’ll start you out on tour with another musician that we rep. This will allow you to work with our voice coaches, get familiar with the business, and also be making cash while we’re preparing you for the recording studio.” He pointed to a list of steps. “As you can see here it isn’t just walking into a business, singing a couple of songs and being on the radio. We work with several companies that provide us with prewritten music. I can tell that you are capable of writing your own material. For right now I’m going to ask that you stick with what we have until you can familiarize yourself with the business. Once we’ve got a couple singles under your belt, we can talk about those songs.”

I smiled to acknowledge that I was following him.

“It’s going to take about a week for the final paperwork to get drawn up. Take that time to gather the items you will need from your home to bring here. We own a few apartments that we provide for our musicians to live out of while they are starting out. You’ll have your own space, as long as you follow the rules. These apartments are for our new artists during their probationary period the first six months. You’ll have daily voice classes, a personal trainer, and also a dietician. All of these are required as stated on the contract. Tour weeks are normally five to seven days. During that time you’ll be on the road. Are you able to do that?”

I nodded. “I have nothing to go home to.” It was pathetic and not meant to make them feel sorry for me.

“That’s very unfortunate, but I can tell you from experience that you’ve just gained yourself a very large family, my dear.”

“I will work hard. I promise. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to
do.”

He nodded. “If you sign these papers we can go ahead and do the background check, and have you sent off for the physical. We need the people we represent to be healthy and not in any kind of trouble.”

I held my smile, knowing that if there were charges against me, all of this would have been for nothing. “I understand.”

“This is a long process and you’re going to have to be willing to work for it.”

“I will take whatever I can get. I’ll start at the very bottom.” I was rambling and they knew it. I must have sounded like every other desperate musician that walked in their door.

I suppose I should have paid for a lawyer, or someone to read over the contract, but I knew no one with that kind of background that I could trust. Besides, having nothing to start with meant I had nothing to lose.

I signed on the dotted line, on the line that was going to change my life forever.

Riding back to the hotel in the cab to get my things was empowering. My dreams were coming true and I had one person to thank. My only problem was finding all of the words that I wanted to say to him and bringing myself to actually do it.

All I knew was that, at some point, I was going to find a way to see him again.