Wildflower Hearts

10. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

E lias reached out for Lyla. His search came up empty, the cool sheets drifting under his fingertips. He swung his legs off the bed, stretching before he grabbed a pair of worn out jeans from the floor. He found Mark and Debra in the living room. The television was on, not that it mattered. It was apparent they weren’t paying any attention to it.

Yawning, he scratched his stomach. “You guys seen Lyla?” He heard the back door of the house shut and turned to see her entering and brushing snow off her coat. “Hey, I woke up, and you were gone. You had me worried.”

She flashed him an uneasy smile. She slid her jacket off and entered the foyer to hang it on the coat rack. “Sorry, it looked nice outside, so I went for a walk.”

“Nice, my ass,” Mark yelled from the living room. “Girl, you probably froze your titties off.” There was a loud slapping sound, and he grunted. “Damn it, that hurt.”

Elias shook his head in amusement. “Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?”

“Not right now, but closer to lunchtime, I might be.”

He reached out to pull her close and frowned when she went stiff against him. “You are sure that you’re okay?”

Nodding, she flashed him another small smile. “You mentioned food. If you and Mark are hungry, I’m sure I can make you some sandwiches with chips.”He followed her into the kitchen. “Yeah, that sounds good. You forgot the rock star upstairs.”

“Oh, right, I didn’t mean to forget him,” Lyla muttered. She concentrated on gathering food from the pantry. “I’ll get started.”

Elias stretched again. “I’m going to go jump in the shower. I’ll see if he’s up. Maybe I can get his ass downstairs in one non-cranky piece.”

“Okay.”

He slipped out of the kitchen, and the room went silent while she retrieved plates from the cabinet. Debra appeared and retrieved ingredients she requested from the fridge. The sound of the hockey game floated into the kitchen, and she smiled at hearing Mark cuss as the other team scored. The sound of something hitting the television echoed into the room. Debra moved to stand beside her, opening the bread bag, but Lyla was aware that the woman was concentrating on more than just the bag.

“You’ve done a lot for Noah.”

Accepting the slice of bread Debra handed her, she gripped the knife and dipped it into the jar of mustard on the counter. “Like I keep saying, it was my job.”

“He thinks highly of you, you know.”

“Who? Elias?”

Debra didn’t extend the next piece of bread right away. “No.” She thrust the slice of bread toward her. “This conversation is about you and Noah.”

She slathered the both pieces with mustard. “There is no me and Noah.”

“I see the way he looks at you. Last night, it was plain as day. You should have seen his face, the way he looked at you when you helped him from the couch. Wait,” she tapped at her chin, “you did see that.”

Lyla laid down the knife and turned to gaze at her. She exhaled at the look the woman was giving her, not one of hostility but one of sympathy. “Debra, please don’t tell Elias. Noah’s -”

“He’s in love with you.”

She leaned against the counter with a sigh. “I don’t know how this happened. I haven’t done anything to my knowledge that would make him feel that way.”

“Feel what way?” Mark leaned against the kitchen doorframe. He glanced between them. “What are you talking about?”

“The King of crankiness, Baby. Lyla’s upset because Noah has been rude to her lately.”

“He’s reacting to the medication,” Lyla fidgeted, “and I’m sure having your nurse follow you home and constantly hover is enough to make anyone irritated.”

“I reckon.” He sniffed at the air. “I don’t smell no ham cooking. I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry.”

“Only for you, Sweetie.”

With a laugh, Debra charged at him, jumping with a squeal, and he caught her, her legs going around his waist. Lyla kept her head down, busying herself with the sandwiches as the two disappeared. She heard them running up the stairs.

“Hey! Watch it, injured man coming through!”

She stiffened at hearing Elias’s voice, followed by the occasional grunts, heavy footsteps, and a shower of sarcastic insults. She lowered the knife and focused on replacing the cap on the mustard.

“You done with those sandwiches?”

She turned slowly, her eyes catching sight of Elias smiling in the doorway. Noah’s tall form lingered behind him. She weakly shot a smile back, her eyes catching Noah’s. He said nothing. After a moment, she cleared her throat and gestured at the counter. “I wasn’t sure what else besides mustard you might want on the bread.”

Noah shoved harmlessly past Elias with a limp, and she watched under her eyelashes. He dug through his coat hanging on the back of the chair and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Her mouth dropped open as she watched him stick one in his mouth. “What do you think you’re doing?” She shot her eyes at Elias. “You’re going to stand there and just let him start smoking again?”

“He’s a grown man, Tinkerbell. I can’t tell him what to do.”

Sighing, she slapped her hands on her hips and glared at Noah, her nervous anxiety replaced by disappointment. “You’ve gone two months without one!”

“You’re not my mother.”

Elias glared at him. “Dude.”

“Sorry.”

She didn’t fail to notice he only shot his brother an apologetic look. “Elias may not want to stand up to you about this, but I do.” She ripped the cigarette out of his mouth and snapped it in half. “It’s bad for your health, and with your medication, I don’t think it’s entirely such a good idea.”

“Don’t do that again,” Noah growled.

“What are you gonna do, Mr. Big Shot?”

He stepped closer to her, his eyes flashing hot with sudden anger. “Don’t fucking do that again.”

“Guys, whoa.” Elias stepped in between them, pushing their shoulders gently. “What the hell has gotten into you two?”

Grunting, Noah threw the cigarettes, and the pack bounced harmlessly against the wall to fall onto the floor. The kitchen went silent as he limped into the dining room.

“I’m sorry, Elias.” She looked at him nervously. “I get rather uptight about smoking. My father smokes cigars all the time, and he thought blowing the smoke in my face as a kid was funny.”

He reached out to touch her face with his hand. “You two had me worried for a second. Thought you had some private war going on I didn’t know about.”

She bit the inside of her mouth and smothered her scream. “I don’t think he likes me.”

“Nonsense. You’re like the little sister he never had, one that hovers around a lot with a bucket of pills.”

“I don’t think that’s it.”

“Well, then what is it?”

She scrambled her brain for a quick answer. “It’s more like I’m the wicked stepsister.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He grabbed the plate of sandwiches and the bag of chips on the counter. “Trust me, you guys spend a little alone time together, and I promise you won’t want to stop playing dolls with him. It’ll do him good. He needs more friends.”

She bit the inside of her mouth again just because.

Mark and Debra managed to untangle themselves long enough to return to the table. As they sat down, Billy swung stopped by the house to see Noah. Lyla sat nervously in her seat. He was currently sitting next to Mark and Debra. Elias had insisted she sit across from them between him and Noah. It was amazing to see them together, laughing and talking, while they passed the bowls and plates of food. She had insisted on making more than just sandwiches when Billy had shown up, adding soup and random steamed vegetables she found in their pantry. On days like this, she wished she could eat up her guilt or make it disappear by cooking more than humanly needed.

She took the sandwich plate from Elias, picked one to place on her plate, and handed it to Noah. He took it without looking at her, but the feeling of his fingers moving down hers when he accepted the plate made her eyes dart to his face. He didn’t look up, taking a sandwich, and he passed the plate to Billy.

“Babe, you okay?”

Her head swung sharper than necessary toward Elias. “Yes, sorry. I got caught up thinking about something.”

“I hope it’s not about work. You have a full week off from that place.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “I hope they’re okay while I’m gone. That place can get hectic,” she muttered, taking a vegetable bowl from him. She dipped out green beans and passed the bowl to Noah without looking, jerking her hand away quickly as she felt him grip the side. She picked up her fork and stabbed a green bean without remorse. Someone cleared their throat, and she looked up to find Mark watching her. He took a sip from his glass. Immediately, she looked down and placed the bean into her mouth. She shifted in her seat, feeling her leg brush Noah’s cast. She quickly forgot her newly sworn vow of silence. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to…”

“I’m fine. Pass me the corn.”

“Since when did you start eating corn?” Mark frowned. “You hate corn.”

“Probably around the same time you started dating crazy chicks.” Elias wiped his mouth, barely moving his head in time to duck the balled-up napkin from Debra. He extended the bowl to Lyla. “There you go, make Noah happy.”

The bowl slipped from her fingers and crashed onto the table. Lyla shoved her chair away from the table. Elias and Debra rose too, each patting at the small mess.

“I’m sorry. My fingers slipped.” She wiped the table, lifting the bowl of corn. “Here, Noah, sorry.” She shoved it at him.

“It’s no big deal,” Elias shrugged. “Sit down. I’ll get some more napkins.”

He escaped into the kitchen, and she retook her seat. She looked up at hearing Mark’s soft chuckle. He was watching her again, a small smile on his face, and his eyes darted between her and Noah. Slowly, he lifted his glass to his mouth.

Lyla turned her attention to her plate, which seemed far more intriguing than anything she had ever seen in her life.

“Let’s go.”

“I ain’t playing basketball,” Mark argued, “and Noah can’t play.”

“He can be the cheerleader.”

“You guys go ahead.” Noah’s voice rumbled from his sprawled out position on the couch. “I need to take some medication and nap.”

Debra snapped the dish rag on the counter and marched into the living room. Lyla continued to wash the dishes in the sink and listened to the woman join in loudly to the conversation.

“Mark, I remember us having a conversation about shopping. You promised me!”

“Baby, I…”

“No! You’re taking me to the mall, and that’s final.”

Slumped in the recliner, Elias chuckled. “Aw, Debbie Downer wants to charge something else on Mark’s card. I’m shocked. I’m sorry, Sweetheart, but his credit cards are all maxed out thanks to you.”

“Shut up. I don’t remember anyone ever asking your opinion on anything!”

Lyla shook her head and placed the final dish on the drying rack. She dried her hands with a towel and turned to the doorway to find Elias standing there.

“Hey.”

She smiled and tossed the rag on the counter. “Are you guys going out to play basketball?”

“Nah,” he rolled his eyes. “Cruella de Vil has Mark on a tight leash, so I’m going to go with Billy to see his kids. Wanna go?”

“Someone needs to look after your brother.”

“I’m sure he’ll be-”

“You did say you wanted me to get to know him better, didn’t you? No better time than this.”

“You’re right.” He placed a quick kiss on her forehead. “We’ll be back shortly.”

“I’ll be here.”

It was quiet in the house except for the sound of the television playing in the living room. Lyla tapped her fingers on the kitchen table and glanced at the clock. Everyone had only been gone for twenty minutes, and she hadn’t heard a sound from Noah. It was getting close to time for his medication, and she knew for a fact it was upstairs. She entered the living room to find him lying on the couch, remote in his hand. “It’s time to take your medicine.”

He didn’t shift his attention away from the television. “Okay, go get it.”

“I don’t think that’s how you ask someone nicely to do you a favor.”

He shrugged, still not looking at her. “Please get my medication for me before I fucking die. Thanks.”

“Okay, that’s enough.” She marched around the couch, bending to tear the remote from his hand. She hit the off button and watched in satisfaction when the screen went black. She tossed the remote onto the coffee table. “It’s time to end the pity party. You’re acting worse than some children at the hospital.”

“Give me back the remote.”

“Why? So, you can rot your brain more with that crap? There’s nothing good on anyway.”

“I said, give it back, Lyla.”

“Or what? You’ll attack me with witty sarcasm?”

Noah was on his feet faster than she thought possible. She was fully aware then that the table was the only thing separating them. “Maybe I’ll kiss that loud mouth of yours and shut you up for good.”

Shocked, she froze at hearing the seriousness of his voice. He slowly edged around the table, keeping his eyes on hers.

“Stop right there,” she pointed at him. She debated between staying and bolting for the door. “This has gone too far.”

“What has exactly? I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”

Her hand shook, and she lowered it. “I’m dating your brother, and you’re not acting like yourself. The medication is…”

“We don’t have to do anything we haven’t already.”

“Last night was a mistake,” she sputtered, backing up. “I let my concern for you cross a line I shouldn’t. You were dazed, heavily medicated, and had just come out of sleep. You didn’t know what you were doing.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it.”

“No, it’s not.” She squeaked as he took several steps toward her, and she felt the solid wall come in contact with her backside. “Noah, please…”

“Please, what?” He trapped her there, his left arm rising to cut off her exit, and the corner of the wall boxed her in from the left. He remained inches away, gazing at her with dark, playful eyes. “What is it, Lyla?”

“Don’t.” She felt the whisper slip from her lips. “Don’t do this.”

He reached out to bring his hand up, so his fingers could play with the silky strands of hair that hung around her shoulders. “I heard your voice, and I knew you were waiting for me when I opened my eyes. Elias and Mark don’t understand our connection, but we have it. You know it.” His fingers released her hair, his hand traveling to the side of her face to let his fingers brush her neck. “I know you feel it every time we’re in the room together. Everyone sees it, but you refuse to admit it because of Elias.”

“Elias and I…”

His lips twisted in annoyance. “Tell me, after two months of being with him, have you slept with him? Have you done anything but heavy petting?” Chuckling, he trailed a finger along her jaw. “He kisses you more on the face than anywhere on your body. Admit it.”

“I can’t hurt him,” she whispered. “I won’t.”

“Then end it with him before you do. Elias’s strong; he’ll get over it and move on to the next girl. He always does. Trust me, he’s not in love with you.”

“Why are you saying these things? He’s your brother.”

“This doesn’t change the fact that I love him.” His gaze lowered, and he shifted his attention past her face, his fingers brushing against the top of her low-neck blouse. “It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she felt him snap loose the top button with a flick of his thumb. She pressed her hands against the wall, afraid any minute she’d slip, the sound of his breathing and the warmth radiating off him making her head spin.

“It doesn’t change how you feel about me.”

“I don’t-”

“You do.” Swiftly, he covered her mouth with his own, drawing them close to where he flattened her comfortably against the wall. Her hands clutched at his black hoodie, and he deepened the kiss. He tilted her head to gain more access to her mouth, tongue sliding against hers, and moaned against her mouth. She gasped as he bit her lower lip. He pressed his hips into hers, releasing her to shove his hands under her shirt, and his hands cupped her breasts through the lacy texture of her bra.

Breathing hard, Noah tore his mouth free from hers. He stared down at her, lust swirling in his dark gaze. “Let’s go upstairs to my room.”

“Noah, we-”

“Quit fighting me on this.”

“No.” The rejection tore from her lips, and she shoved him, hands shaking while she straightened her clothing. She was mortified at the tears already streaming down her face. “I need to get out of here.”

“And go where?”

“I don’t know but I need to get away from you.” She started for the door, but he grabbed her arm, swinging her back to face him.

“You’re not walking away from me.”

“Let go of me, Noah!”

“What the fuck is going on here?”

She twisted her arm free, nearly stumbling into the wall, her wide eyes locking onto Mark from where he stood in the doorway.