Second Dive (Kings of the Water #3) - Jasmin Miller Page 0,28

your clothes. Let me know if you need me to pay for anything or want me to clean them or whatever.”

He sends me a murderous look.

We’re both a total mess, and Noah and I stare at each other for a prolonged moment. It’s awkward. It’s strange, yet familiar. Overwhelming. Comforting. How is that even possible?

Have I thought about what it would be like to see him again after so long? To talk to him as my friend? To confide in him? To fill in the many gaps of our time apart? Of course, I have. Plenty of times.

But the whole time, I was so focused on figuring out the words that I needed to apologize. That was my top priority and made me anxious enough. I didn’t think much beyond that point.

“You know you don’t have to pay for anything or wash things for me. Don’t insult me.”

“I wasn’t trying to.”

With his hand squeezing his neck, he looks around the kitchen, probably inspecting the mess. “Shit. Let me help clean up.”

Since I feel steady enough, I take a step forward and lift my hand, almost reaching out to him again before I think better of it. “No.”

We both stiffen when I pretty much yell at him.

I cringe. “Sorry. I meant no, thank you. I’ll take care of it.”

“Are you sure? It’s pretty bad.”

Crap, he isn’t wrong. It’s more than just bad.

The green goo is everywhere. On every available surface, every appliance, plus the floor and ceiling. Nothing has been spared by my green smoothie that I thought could be my helper today in smoothing things over with Noah. Pun totally not intended.

And look where that has gotten me.

I release a pent-up breath and press my lips together. “Yeah, I’ve got it.”

“I see.” He nods before bending down to untie his sneakers.

Of course, they’re filthy too.

“Why are you taking off your shoes?”

He doesn’t look at me. “So I don’t carry the mess to the front door?”

Of course, he has to be thoughtful now.

What a jerk.

“Well, I better get going, then, I suppose.” His words are stiff, and how can I blame him?

This morning has turned into a total clusterfuck.

With his shoes in his hands, he stares at me, and I take that as my sign. After quickly wiping off my feet, I lead the way to the front door and open it. Right before stepping back as far as I can to make as much room as possible. If I could, I’d dissolve into the wall.

He walks off without another word, and I shut the door behind him the second he’s out.

Is that rude? Maybe.

But right now, there can’t be enough space between us.

Nothing is safe where Noah is concerned.

“You can’t expect me to just walk out of here and ignore the fact that you have a scar on your wrist from cutting yourself.”

He’s wrong.

That’s exactly what I need him to do. To walk out of here forgetting what he just saw.

Twelve

Noah

“Dude, where the hell have you been? I was ready to kick in your door soon.” Hunter rushes past me and stops several feet away.

My breathing is so labored, I can barely hear anything over the sound of blood rushing through my ears. Maybe I overdid it just a little bit with my gym session today.

But it’s been my only outlet all week. Working out until I'm so exhausted I can barely stand straight anymore. Until I’m so exhausted my brain can’t do anything but shut down. To drown out all the unwelcome thoughts while I do my best to ignore everyone and everything in my life.

Especially thoughts about a certain someone and her scar.

“Chloe said the hospital lady informed her that you’d called in sick this last week.” Hunter lifts his hands in question. “You don’t look sick to me.”

I raise my eyebrows because I have no energy left for more than that. Or rather, I need every last ounce of it to flip this monstrous tire one more time to finish my set.

Gearing up, I take several deep breaths as I retake my wide stance, tighten my core, and grab the underside of the thick rubber to lift it. My body fights the weight of the tire with the small amount of strength it has left while also being reluctant to not let the crushing weight win. My hands slip once, but I steady my grip and make that tire my bitch.

This is where I’m in control.

Just me and my body. My physical work takes over my mental