There was a knock on his bedroom door. “Come in,” Noah said.
Brick walked in, looking like he had been beaten with a bag of….well, bricks. “Hey,” Brick said.
“Why do you look so terrible?” Noah didn’t even try to sugarcoat it. His brother looked rough.
His brother sat down on his bed next to him, “I don’t think it is going to last between Amber and I.”
Noah’s heart started to fall all over the place. “Wait… what? Why?” If this was a year ago, Noah would be breaking out the balloons, but Amber was going to deliver the child within the next month or so. Things were a little different. “What about the baby?”
“Obviously, I’m going to take care of the baby. I just don’t see a future with her. I know you don’t like her, and I know mom doesn’t either. It’s just I’d rather your opinion than hers,” Brick explained.
This was really the first time ever that his brother had ever come to him for advice. “Well, no… I don’t like her. I also don’t like her family. My future niece or nephew is going to grow up with a warped set of values in that household.” Noah knew damn well that if Amber’s parents had their way, he probably would never be able to see his future niece or nephew. It was just a reality that the Peters family had all been avoiding given the situation’s overall shock value.
Brick nodded, “I think she has been seeing someone else away at school. I should be in school. There I said it. I’m busting my ass for a child that again I want to be there for, but I can’t even trust Amber anymore.”
“Honestly, when did you? Let’s be honest, you thought she was a hot piece of ass, and you went for her,” Noah just bluntly stated.
“Where on earth did that come from?” Brick started laughing.
Noah honestly had no idea, “Look, don’t stay with her because of the child. Just please don’t be a deadbeat.”
His brother sighed, “If I have to take her to court, I will. I’m not saying that we are breaking up. I’d like to give it one more chance.”
This meant that there was at least another six months of pleasantries with Amber if things didn’t work out. Brick was stubborn. It only took this long for him to realize the girl was not a good person.
“I need your advice now,” Noah said.
“Does this have anything to do with the fact that every piece of clothing you own is currently on the floor?” His brother looked around, a bit confused.
It wasn’t all out. He didn’t really consider underwear or socks. Though now that he was thinking about it, he probably should. The wrong pair of socks could really piss someone off. “I just really want to fit into Timothy’s life,” said Noah.
“Noah, you are going to Connecticut - that’s his old life,” Brick pointed out.
He didn’t get it. “Well, it is going to be his life again after graduation,” said Noah.
“You still have some time before that becomes a reality. You need to just be yourself with him,” Brick explained to his younger brother.
“I’ll try…” Noah threw his head into a pillow, stressed out.
CHAPTER TWELVE
TIMOTHY
The plane ride started positively. That was until Noah handed him a giant wad of papers and told him he could start reading. It was honestly the most adorable thing he could have done. Timothy’s parents had chosen seats in a different section entirely, so they had a tiny bit of privacy. He still didn’t get very close with Noah out of fear someone could be watching. When Timothy started to read the story, he had to admit it wasn’t terrible. It definitely needed some help, though. There was a lot to go with it before he could give a final judgment. Noah continued to ask him questions the entire flight, to the point where Timothy finally pretended to take a nap, which turned into a real one.
On their ride to Timothy’s grandmother’s house, Noah had been silent. Everyone had been silent, but Noah’s silence concerned him. It was obvious that he was scared out of his mind over this new experience. It was the most cliché thing that he could possibly think, but they weren’t in Kansas anymore. While Timothy knew damn well that Noah had never really been comfortable there, it was a comfort zone compared to this new world.
He had to imagine that Noah was rethinking a lot of things in his head. Some of which probably involved himself. He didn’t think that there was anything negative going on. He just didn’t know what to think.
As they arrived at his grandma’s, it was a large jolt of memories. His own childhood home was only a few blocks away. Noah had stated he wanted to see that as well. Since they still owned the property, there was a fifty/fifty chance they would actually be able to go inside it. The person who was renting it chose to buy themselves out of their lease. He just wasn’t sure if his dad would let him get the keys. It was clear that his father was uncomfortable for a different set of reasons.
After a million hugs and a good hour of discussing all their new realities, Timothy took Noah to one of the guest rooms. This one happened to be in the attic, which meant that they would have complete privacy.
“She seems nice. Your grandmother, I mean,” Noah said. He was clearly still in his head.
“Yes, which means you clearly have nothing to worry about, so stop thinking whatever it is you are thinking!” Timothy screamed at him in a whisper voice.
Noah sunk down on the bed. He then looked around… “Um, there is only one bed up here… did you bring a sleeping bag?”
It finally sunk in. This was the first time the two boys would be spending the night together. What was even weirder was the fact that they would potentially be sharing a queen-sized bed. Timothy couldn’t imagine that anyone would question it. After all, no one knew that the two boys were dating. “I could sleep on the ground if it made you feel more comfortable,” Timothy said. He looked at Noah, whose smile sunk at that suggestion. “Or we could share a bed…”
“I have to admit that I prefer that concept to the first suggestion,” Noah explained.
Timothy rolled his eyes. He felt a vibration in his pocket and took out his phone. “Phillip’s on his way to pick us up. We are going to meet Collin and Tara up at my old school,” Timothy explained.
“I get to meet your friends!” Noah said with excitement and reluctance in the same breath.
“Yeah, you do,” Timothy smiled. He looked at his watch, “We just have to be quiet as we walk downstairs. Grandmother is watching her stories right now. She is obsessed over that one with the redhead that’s always marrying her cousin.”
Noah looked confused, “Redhead, who always marries her cousin?”