“He would’ve told you if he’d lost his job,” Noah said.
“Maybe not. That job means a lot to him.”
Noah suspected it meant even more to them, because it confirmed Baxter’s success and reflected well on how they’d raised him—to excel, to achieve, to be somebody. “I wish I could say something that would...bring you comfort,” he hedged. “I’m not sure exactly what was going on in his mind. But I know your son is everything you say he is—a wonderful human being.”
It hadn’t surprised anyone in the group that Callie had confided in Baxter when she contracted nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. He’d be the most likely to handle such catastrophic news with the right amount of empathy and support.
“He’ll be okay,” his father said. “Don’t you think?”
The uncertainty in Samuel’s eyes terrified Noah. He wasn’t convinced Baxter would recover because the problem that had caused this still loomed large. Did Bax even want to wake up?
“Of course he will,” he said.
Noah’s phone rang.
Hearing that, Samuel sighed. “I’ll see you back in the waiting room.”
Noah answered with a nod.
“Is everything okay?”
It was Addy. Just the sound of her voice was like a buoy. “We’re still waiting to find out.”
“You haven’t heard anything?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m sorry, Noah. I can’t believe this happened.”
“I can’t, either.”
“Is there anything I can do to make it easier?”
He managed a smile, even though no one was around to see it. “This call helps.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt, but...I’ve been worried.”
He rubbed his temples with his free hand. He felt as if he was about to burst, that he would burst if he didn’t tell someone what was going through his mind. “Addy?”
“Yes?”
He stepped outside, into the cold, where there was no danger of being overheard. “Baxter tried to kiss me last week—and I mean...like a lover.”
There was a long silence.
“No comment?” he said.
“I’m searching for the right one.”
“You don’t seem particularly surprised.”
“I’m not. I saw how he reacted to your distress during half time at the football game.”
He didn’t want to remember that humiliating moment, but this piqued his interest. “What do you mean?”
“He was so upset for you, so worried. He knew you’d hate being up there in front of everyone, and...I’m not sure how to say this without upsetting you even more, but...it reminded me of how someone’s girlfriend might behave, not their best buddy.”
Apparently, she’d picked up on what so many people had missed, or discounted in an effort to give Baxter the benefit of the doubt. “I love him—just not in that way. It could never be that way.”
“I know.”
“So what do I do? I feel like maybe I’m to blame for this.”
“How did you react when he tried to kiss you?”
“I was shocked but...I didn’t hit him.” He told her about their conversation the next morning, and how Baxter had said he needed space.
“You’re not to blame, Noah. He knows you. He knew you wouldn’t respond to his kiss. If I had to guess, I’d say that was more of an act of desperation, of wanting to finally be who he is instead of the person he’s created for public consumption. This has more to do with his family, and his life here in Whiskey Creek, beyond you. It’s all of it.”
“So how do I help him?” Noah asked.
“You continue to be his friend no matter what.”
Noah glanced back at the hospital. He hoped he’d have the chance.
* * *
Adelaide thought Noah might call once he learned how Baxter was faring, so when her phone rang an hour after they’d talked, she snapped it up without even looking at caller ID.
“Hello?”
“God, that sounded breathy.”
Clyde. Addy hadn’t heard from her ex in weeks. She couldn’t imagine why he’d be calling her now. “My mother’s asleep down the hall. I’m trying not to wake her.”
“Your mother’s around? What, is she in the middle of another divorce?”
“That hasn’t been completely determined.” Adelaide hoped not. She didn’t relish the idea of having her mother live with her and Gran. It wasn’t like she’d be able to leave Whiskey Creek, even if that happened. Helen couldn’t be relied on to stay, or to do anything useful while she was here. She’d be more of a burden on Gran than anything else....
“So what’s going on?” she asked. “Is everything okay?”
“With me? I didn’t think you cared anymore.”
She flinched. “Clyde, let’s not start in on the past.”
“Fine. We’ll talk about the restaurant, then. It hasn’t been easy finding a chef who can do what you did, but...we’re getting by.”
Why was he calling? “I’m glad to hear it, but it’s late and—”
“I realized it might not be the best time to call. I almost didn’t, but...then I thought, ‘What the hell, maybe she’ll want to know.’”
“What?”
“That boy you used to have a crush on? Noah something?”
She didn’t bother reminding him of Noah’s last name. In fact, she regretted ever mentioning him. “Yes?”
“He called the restaurant, looking for me.”
Her heart began to pound. “He did?”
“According to a note I received from Becka.”
She remembered Becka, a hostess at the restaurant. Addy missed her and yet not enough to want to go back. She was happier here in Whiskey Creek. Despite the memories, despite the secrets, despite everything, this was home.
Noah played a big role in that, but she didn’t want to acknowledge his importance. What we have won’t last.
“What did he want?” she asked, but she could guess. Eve had told her at Black Gold Coffee that Noah was interested in finding out where she’d worked before and who she’d been with. He thought that might solve the mystery of who dropped her into the mine. He’d even asked her for her ex’s name.
“That’s what I’d like to know. Wasn’t it his twin brother who raped you?”