Chapter 163

Hannah

Just as Noah and Zoe turned, I slipped back behind the corner and fled. My heart pounded as I scurried out of sight, eyes darting for an escape. Their footsteps approached rapidly. Panicked, I spotted a nearby water fountain and began to drink. A few moments later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Straightening, I wiped my mouth and turned to see Noah, one hand on his hip. Zoe was thankfully absent.

“What are you doing?” he asked gruffly.

I gestured to the fountain and shot him a withering look, hoping my face wasn't too flushed from nearly being caught eavesdropping. “What does it look like?”

His green eyes searched my face, but I remained impassive. Finding nothing, his shoulders slumped. “Okay.”

I quirked an eyebrow. Part of me wanted to ask about his conversation with Zoe, but I didn't want to reveal my lie. To test him, I asked, “Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere.”

For a moment, his mouth opened and closed. I wondered if he'd tell the truth—that he'd been talking to Zoe privately. Perhaps the conversation was innocuous, though their closeness and his posture suggested otherwise.

But of course, he wouldn't. When had we ever told each other the truth about…anything?

“I was in the bathroom,” he said simply.

I almost scoffed. “You've been gone the entire luncheon. Are you sick?”

“No. I’ve been around.”

My lips parted to accuse him of lying, of being with Zoe the whole time—doing whatever they did privately. But it didn't matter; he'd failed my test.

Deciding it wasn't worth arguing, I gestured to the bustling luncheon. “We should make the rounds before we leave.”

“Together?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Noah. Together.”

We turned and began circulating, offering praise to contestants and their families, thanking the staff who made the day possible. My tongue burned to snap at Noah, to tell him I knew he and Zoe were up to something. I wanted to know what they'd discussed in the hallway, why Zoe had looked so panicked when she realized they were being watched.

But I couldn't. It wasn't worth it; it was just another bitter reminder that soon we'd be divorced, and I'd be much happier. Much happier.

“Noah. Hannah. There you are!”

Noah and I turned to see Drake approaching. The luncheon was thinning; contestants and families were leaving, staff cleaning up.

I offered Drake a smile, then grimaced at Zoe behind him.

“Drake,” I said, trying to keep my tone even, “are you leaving?”

“Sort of.” He glanced between Noah and me, sensing the tension. “But I have other plans, and wondered if you'd like to come.”

“Plans?” Noah asked. “What sort of plans?”

Drake grinned. “There’s a fight at the fight club tonight. I was going, and hoped you two would join.”

Before Noah could refuse—which I knew he would—I blurted, “Yes! I haven't seen a fight in ages.” I felt Noah bristle, but I didn't care. I didn't want to go home, and some fun would be nice. Maybe a little blood would quell my fury.

Drake beamed. “Perfect! It starts at eight. And you, Noah…?”

“Fine,” Noah grumbled, glancing at me, “I’ll come, too.”

Zoe stood beside Drake, her eyes flashing as she looked at me.

Noah pulled up to the curb. “I’m only doing this because I don’t trust Drake alone with you,” he growled, putting the car in park. “You know I hate these fights.”

I laughed, touching up my lipgloss. I'd changed into jeans, boots, and a tight t-shirt. “You’re such a bore.”

Noah frowned, his eyes roaming my body. Even now, he shot me a look and licked his lips.

As we headed to the fight club, I couldn't help but swing my hips. My heels clicked, my hair cascading loosely.

Before we reached the doors, Noah stopped me. “Hannah.”

“What?”

“Here.” Scowling, he slipped off his jacket and offered it to me.

I frowned. “What’s this for?”

“To cover yourself.”

“Why?”

Noah glared, then lowered his voice. “Your shirt’s low-cut, your jeans are tight. This is the type of place where women like you get ogled by every—”

“Women like me?” I echoed, touching his forearm. “Why, Noah, what are you implying?”

His scowl deepened. “Don’t make me say it.”

“Say it,” I insisted.

He pursed his lips, revealing his clenched jaw. Finally, he said the words I hoped to hear. “You look…hot,” he whispered. “Other men will stare.”

My lips curled into a smirk. “Good. Let them.”

I thrust the jacket back and strode off. Perfect. He begrudgingly showed our IDs, and we went inside. If Noah was having a rendezvous with Zoe, I'd make him suffer.

“Noah! Hannah! Over here!” Drake waved from near the ring. Zoe stood beside him, clutching a beer, a terse smile on her face.

Without waiting for Noah, I grinned and jogged to join them.