Chapter Fifteen | Cold Ties

                                    

                                          
ALAINA'S POV
                          
I sit on the couch as I nervously bite on my bottom lip. I wrap my arm around my knees as I stare at the empty coffee table. Around me is just silence as I wait for Noah to come back downstairs. Neither he nor Jaxon has come downstairs since Liam told them to go upstairs so that he and I could talk. 

                          
It's been about twenty minutes since our talk has ended. And I've been waiting for Noah to take me home ever since Liam left the house, not telling me where he was going. Gabriella hasn't come back and I'm pretty sure she's literally doing her homework right now. 

                          
The talk wasn't that long, just me asking the questions that have been flying around in my head for the past forty-eight hours and him giving me annoyingly vague answers. But, the answers I did get out of him were very nerve-wracking. 

                          
My head snaps towards the stairs when I hear loud footsteps coming down the upstairs hallway. Noah runs a hand through his now wet hair, and even at a moment like this, he has me blushing. He really is annoying, isn't he? 

                          
His eyes flicker over to me when he sees me curled up on the couch and his brows furrow. "Guessing the conversation didn't go as planned?" He asks as he walks into the kitchen. I don't answer him, only continuing to remain in silence as I pick at the skin around my nails. 

                          
When he realizes I didn't say anything, he walks back into view and raises a brow at me. I look up at him to find his eyes already staring deep into mine. "I'll take that as a yes?" 

                          
"Can you take me home please?" I ignore his questions as I stare at him with red cheeks. His brows draw together as he stares at me in undoubtful confusion. 

                          
He nods slowly before gesturing towards the stairs. "Your bag's upstairs in the guest room. Gabby brought it up last night for you. Go get dressed and I'll take you home." He demands and I feel my heartbeat quicken. 

                          
And by the surprised look on his face, he must have heard it too. 

                          
Feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, I quickly jump off the couch and make my way upstairs. I close the door behind me as my chest falls and rises quickly. After forcing myself to calm down, I look around the room for my bag, finding it on the small chest at the end of the bed. 

                          
My eyes widen as I go through my bag, silently wishing bad things upon Gabriella for what she packed me. I pull out a thin, black t-shirt and jean shorts. I feel my jaw drop as I stare at the revealing outfit before tossing them down onto the unmade bed. 

                          
"When did she pack this?" I mutter to myself as my brows furrow. 

                          
Groaning to myself, I quickly change into the outfit and shove my dirty clothes back into my bag. I don't even bother looking in the mirror because I already know I look like a mess, so I just pull my hair into a messy bun. 

                          
After throwing my bag over my shoulder, I quietly walk downstairs to find Noah sitting at the kitchen table, staring down at his phone intently. His head snaps up instantly when he hears me coming down the stairs. His eyes meet mine before the slowly rake down my body. I feel my eyes widen as my cheeks heat up again and I quickly force my eyes away from him. 

                          
He finally clears his throat and stands up. "Ready to go?" He mumbles and I nod quickly without looking at him. 

                          
I follow him out the back door and watch as he walks over to the door of the garage. I momentarily remember that Noah drives a freaking motorcycle as he walks into the garage and the large, metal door begins rolling upwards. 

                          
My eyes widen when they land on the large, dark blue jeep sitting inside the garage. I watch in silence as the jeep slowly rolls out of the garage, and comes to a stop right next to me. Noah rolls down the window and raises his brow at me as I stare at him in shock.