CHAPTER TWELVE

Noah

Two and a Half Weeks Later

It's crazy to think, after all these years, that I'm here.

In New York City.

As I stand at our apartment suite window, my hand on the glass, staring out over Times Square, my heart pounds ferociously in my chest. Every part of me wishes my mother were here beside me, looking out this window at the chaos, the traffic, and absolute wonder I am witnessing.

I hear Rhyan, Sadie, and Maverick moving about the suite, and I ignore them while continuing to gaze down at the streets of New York below.

I never thought I would make it here.

To be honest, this is all bittersweet.

Rhyan giggles when she steps beside me, clear happiness flowing through her as she slides her arm around my waist. "Can you believe it? We're here! Just the four of us. No parents. No president to tell us what to do. We have four days of complete freedom."

I turn to her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders, and pull her to me. "It's going to be great."

"But you wish your mom were here."

Glancing back out at Times Square, I nod. "Yeah… it's difficult being here without her."

She turns me to face her, taking both my hands in hers. "Hey, this trip is as much about celebrating you and your mom as it is about me and my birthday. You feel however you need to feel. There is no right or wrong here. "

A slow smile crosses my face. "You're too fucking good for me."

She pulls back, smirking. "I kinda like the bad-boy thing you have going for you. So if you're bad for me, I'm okay with that."

I pull her closer and press my lips to her head as Sadie races to the window and leans in, practically pressing her forehead against the glass. "Holy shit, Mav, you gotta come check out this view."

Rhyan and I both chuckle at Sadie's enthusiasm.

Maverick steps up behind Sadie, wrapping his arms around her waist behind her, and peers over her shoulder. "Damn, Noah. You did good picking this place."

I exhale, holding onto Rhyan tighter. "I wanted to make sure Rhy stayed somewhere really fucking special for her birthday."

"This must have cost you a fortune, not to mention the flights?" Sadie asks, turning to face Maverick and me.

Maverick and I decided to split the cost between us as a present for Rhyan. The girls aren't chipping in a thing for this trip. Honestly, it's nearly wiped out my savings, but it's worth it just to see the look on Rhyan's face when she walked through the doors. Plus, Alpha helped me pick this apartment, so I think that helped keep the cost down, even if it was still super expensive.

"We're not talking about money this weekend. We're just gonna have a great fucking time, right, Noah?" Maverick answers.

"Exactly! So, what's first on the agenda?" I ask Rhyan.

She detaches herself from me, then moves to her carry-on bag and pulls out a folder she has been working on for the last two and a half weeks. She places it on the kitchen table and folds it open to the first page. "So flights are done. Checked into the suite. Next on the list is going to Coney Island for a hot dog."

A slow smile crosses my lips while I stare at her. I always knew Rhyan was unbelievably kind and such a gentle soul, but right now, she's showing how remarkably generous she is. We've only just arrived, and the first thing she wants to do is something for my mom and me.

"Rhy, don't you want to settle in? Maybe go and do something you want to do first? This trip is for your birthday," I suggest.

She bounces on her toes. "This is for me, Noah. We get to cross something off your bucket list. Making you happy makes me happy while also going to Coney Island and having fun. This is a win-win."

I turn to Maverick, and he shrugs. "I hear there's a Wonder Wheel at Coney Island. Sadie and I should have a spin on that. It's kind of our thing, isn't it, cupcake?"

Sadie's face turns bright red. "We do have a history of riding them. We should keep up the tradition, seeing as we're gonna be there."

A slow grin forms on my face, observing the glint in Maverick's eyes. I completely understand what he means by they had a spin the last time they were on one. The last time was in Vegas on the High Roller, so I can only imagine what they have planned.

"It's settled then. Let's make our way to Coney Island for the afternoon. Did you guys rent some bikes?" Rhyan asks.

I glance at Maverick. "Not bikes, no, but we did rent some transport for the next couple of days. It should be waiting down in the lot for us."

Sadie chuckles. "What did you guys do?"

"C'mon, let's go."

Sadie reaches out for Rhyan. She grabs her bag, and they race ahead to the door.

Maverick steps in beside me, a smirk on his face. "Rhyan is going to go crazy when she sees the car you rented for her."

"I can't wait to drive the fucking thing."

Maverick smirks. "As long as I get to at some point over the weekend, I'll be a happy man."

I slap his back. "We can take turns, brother."

Maverick chuckles. "Oh, there was never any doubt about that, Prospect," he states, reminding me of my place.

Letting out a laugh, we make our way down the elevator and to the parking lot. The girls are laughing and chatting while Maverick and I head straight for the car, which we know is ours. The Riptide Metallic Blue 2023 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible sits perfectly, waiting for us to take her for a spin.

"Which car is ours?" Rhyan asks.

Maverick and I head for the rust bucket parked next to the convertible.

"This one over here," I tease, heading toward the beaten-down Toyota Corolla.

Maverick smirks, following my lead as the two girls don't even bat an eyelid and walk behind like they expected us to rent a piece of shit to drive around in. I reach the key safe attached to the pole between the two cars and punch in the code the rental company provided. Pulling out the keys while the girls circle the Corolla, waiting to get in, I chuckle, hitting the button to unlock the car. When the convertible beeps behind us, Rhyan and Sadie snap their heads around to look at the bright blue car, their eyes widening in shock.

"No… way!" Rhyan gasps.

She steps up to my side as I open the passenger side door. "Your carriage awaits, m'lady."

"Fuck off! Like literally, fuck the hell off, right now." She giggles.

"Is this legit?" Sadie asks before Maverick folds the passenger seat down, then leads her into the back seats.

I flip the seat back up and gesture for Rhyan to hop in while Maverick chuckles. "It is very much legit."

Rhyan giggles like a schoolgirl as I close the door, then walk to the driver's side to hop in. Rhyan keeps her eyes on me, and the smile she gives me lights up her face in complete awe when I start the car. The first thing I do is send the top down.

Rhyan bursts out laughing. Her hands fly into the air as I rev the engine. "This is going to be the best birthday weekend in the history of birthday weekends."

"That's the plan, baby," I reply.

Her eyes widen.

Yeah, it's the first time I've called her baby.

It felt like the right time.

When Rhyan originally talked about going away for the weekend, I thought this might be a good opportunity to step things up a notch. But that little chat with her father about rings and pregnancies made me hesitant to quicken the pace. However, the way Rhyan looks at me right now, I doubt she will want to keep things the same.

"We gonna start moving? Or we gonna sit here revving the engine forever, Noah?" Maverick grunts out.

"Rhy, you wanna put Coney Island into the GPS for me?"

She nods, moving forward, and starts programming the GPS. It loads the map, and I put the convertible into drive. "Here we go!" I call out, then take off so fucking fast the back tires skid out from under me, even taking me by surprise.

Quickly, I gain control of the car while Rhyan screams out in excitement, her hands in the air, her hair instantly whipping back with the wind as we start this weekend adventure.

For the entire drive to Coney Island, the four of us are laughing and singing along to shitty music on the radio. It's so damn nice to be carefree and enjoying some downtime. To see Rhyan letting herself unwind, well, that is the best part of all this. Even if the traffic is an absolute nightmare.

As I pull the convertible into a parking space, I hit the control to close the top. The four of us hop out and make our way onto the boardwalk, the smell of the Atlantic Ocean hitting my senses while the sounds of the seagulls and waves flow through me. An overwhelming sense of sadness engulfs me as I reach out for Rhyan's hand, needing some support.

She looks at me as we walk past the Brooklyn Beach Shop and whispers, "You okay?"

"Wish Mom was here to see this."

Suddenly, Rhyan points dramatically. "Hey, we found it!" And then she starts yanking me to the left.

I don't even have time to figure out what she's talking about before she pulls me toward one of the vendors. The smell of fried food wafts through the air while Maverick and Sadie stand with us. Rhyan hands Sadie her cell, reaches into her bag, and pulls out a cardboard cutout of my mom's face. A picture of her when she was younger before she went to prison. She is smiling—it's a great photo— and it's stuck to a popsicle stick.

I can't help but let out a small laugh when I stare at Rhyan. "You were serious about taking pictures with my mom?"

Rhyan smirks. " Absolutely! We're not coming all this way for her to miss out."

My heart pounds so hard that I am having trouble catching my breath. "How did you even get that picture of her?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Had a little help from Loki."

"Of course you did."

Rhyan reaches out, grabs my arm, and pulls me beside a sign. "Do you see where we are, Noah?"

I glance behind us at Nathan's Famous. The hot dog place my mom always wanted to visit.

I take a second to let this sink in.

I am actually here.

Doing what my mother always wanted for us.

Sadie and Maverick stand back, bright smiles on their faces, while Rhyan and I stand in front of the sign, my arm around Rhyan as she holds the picture of Mom between us so it looks like Mom is standing behind us in the middle. I smile so fucking wide when Sadie brings the cell up. "Say… Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs!"

I burst out laughing when Rhyan yells out the phrase and Sadie snaps a few pictures. "Okay, got 'em!" Sadie calls out, and I can't help myself. I turn to Rhyan, wrap my arms around her body, pull her to me, and slam my lips to hers. Her eyes widen, but she quickly succumbs to my kiss as her tongue moves with mine. My body lights up, embracing every emotion I've felt since this trip began. It's been building, and even though it's filled with some sadness, Rhyan has made this so incredible that I need to show her how much I adore her and appreciate what she's doing for me.

Regretfully, I slow the kiss, carefully pulling back, our eyes meeting. "Thank you," I whisper.

Her hand cups the side of my face. "The day is not over yet. We haven't even eaten a hot dog."

I snort out a laugh, leaning in and placing another featherlight kiss on her lips. "Let's rectify that right now, shall we?"

She pulls back. "Absolutely. Maverick, Sadie, you wanna dog?" Rhyan asks as we both turn to face them.

Sadie hands the cell back to Rhyan with a bright smile. "The Wonder Wheel is just up there a little further. We might go check that out and meet you back here in say…" Sadie checks her watch. "Thirty?"

My eyes shift to Maverick, and he glances at me. "You gonna keep yourselves out of trouble if we head off for a bit?"

I tilt my head to the hot dog stand. "We're gonna have something to eat. We'll be here when you're done."

"I have my cell if you need me," Maverick instructs, then he grabs Sadie, and they rush off.

I know exactly what they're going to do on that ride .

Chuckling to myself, I spin back to Rhyan, and the fact we still haven't had sex doesn't slide past me.

It's not that I haven't wanted to.

Fuck, do I want to.

But I also want it to be perfect.

Rhyan isn't the type of woman you fuck—it needs to be exceptional.

Does that make me a pussy? Yeah, probably.

But I don't want anything to fuck this up between us.

This woman is special.

If it means I have to wait to make this ideal between us—I will do just that.

The thought of her father in the back of my head all the damn time doesn't help.

Rhyan clears her throat and then turns back toward Nathan's. "So… hot dog?"

"Fuck, yes!" I tell her.

We make our way over and order three chili cheese dogs. I pay, and we head for a seat, making ourselves comfortable. I'm about to take my first bite when Rhyan pulls up her cell phone. "Stop!" she yells.

"Jesus, woman. You could make a man choke by doing that."

She giggles, then slides the picture of my mom across the table and the other hot dog next to me on the table. "Hot dogs on the table, now hold the picture of your mom behind you, like she's peering over your shoulder."

I exhale but nod because even though everyone around us is looking at me like I'm a freak, this is for mom. I know she can't be with us right now, but in some weird way, she is. Picking up her picture, I hold it with my right hand behind my back, over my left shoulder, and smile wide.

Rhyan snaps happily on her cell. "This is the best, Noah. Your mom is gonna love this."

Chuckling, I shake my head as Rhyan directs the photo shoot. "Now take a bite of your hot dog. I wanna capture the moment you taste it for the first time for your mom."

I tilt my head. "Really, Rhy?"

"I don't want her to feel like she missed out on anything."

This woman truly is something else.

"Okay. You ready?" I tell her, and she beams in excitement.

"Yes, go!" she says, bringing the cell back up to capture the moment.

I bring the chili cheese dog to my mouth and take a bite. Some of the gooey mess instantly drips down my chin. I let out a laugh while trying to eat the surprisingly delicious meal. Rhyan slides me a napkin, and I wipe my face as I overindulge, the taste of chili and cheese igniting in my mouth. Now I understand why Mom wanted to try it so badly.

"Damn, I wish Mom could be here," I mumble with a mouth full of hot dog.

Rhyan turns the cell to show me the shots she took. The hot dog is just leaving my mouth, the sauce dripping down my chin with me laughing.

The shot is great.

And it looks like I'm having a really good time.

"Mom's gonna love that. Thanks, Rhy. Thank you for helping me make Mom's dream come true. I would never have done this if it weren't for you."

She stands, walking around the other side of the table, and slides in beside me. "There's so many things you have helped me with, Noah. I'm a better person when I'm around you. This… coming on this trip to help you make a dream a reality is the least I could help you with. I'm so glad I can be here to share these moments with you."

I've never felt for anyone the way I feel about Rhyan. I know we're both fucking young, but she is the best person I have ever met. Letting out a long breath, I reach across the table for her hot dog and slide it in front of her. "You think we can take a pic of us, the hot dogs and Mom?"

Rhyan giggles, wiggling her brows. "Hell yes, or at least we're gonna get chili and cheese sauce on us trying."

She picks up her cell, places it on the table, and sets the timer as we grab the hot dogs and the picture of Mom getting into position. Smiling wide, I notice a dragonfly flutter over and buzz around Rhyan's head when I move the third hot dog toward the picture of Mom as if she's about to eat it. Rhyan laughs at me, part of her hot dog falling onto her shirt while I take a huge bite and the cell takes the picture.

Rhyan giggles, the dragonfly playfully buzzing around her. She takes no notice of the insect as I place Mom's hot dog and her picture on the table.

Rhyan wipes down her shirt. "Oh, gosh, what a mess!" she says, with the brightest smile. But then, without question, she grabs her hot dog and takes a bite. "Let's look at the picture," she adds, her mouth full.

I laugh. This woman is stunning, even when talking with a mouth full of food and chili and cheese all down her front. She's the most beautiful woman on this boardwalk. Rhyan brings up the cell so I can see the image on the screen. I can't help but chuckle. We're both so animated and happy and seeing the hot dog right in front of Mom's face is perfect.

A wave of tranquility runs through me, and I sit back, flicking from one picture to the next of Mom and the experience she will never get to have herself but that she has been a part of anyway.

I am so glad I've been able to do this for her.

When I turn to look at Rhyan, she's devouring her hot dog with impressive enthusiasm. The way her mouth wraps around the large bun forces my mind to places it really should not go. Swallowing hard, I try to control my cock from hardening in my jeans by shifting on the seat before I ask, "Hey, Rhy?"

Her eyes shift to me as she takes another huge bite, almost fucking deep-throating the damn dog.

"Mm…" she mumbles.

"I'm glad you talked me into this. We've only been in New York a couple of hours, and you've already made this trip so fucking memorable for me. I want to make sure your birthday tomorrow is special for you too."

She swallows gracefully. "Honestly, Noah, I don't expect anything—"

"I know you don't," I interrupt. "But can you please let me spoil you? Sure, today can be about me and my mom, but tomorrow… tomorrow is all about you . No arguments."

She nudges me with her shoulder. "I mean… if you insist." She snorts out a laugh, giggling at her quip.

"I do insist. You only turn twenty-one once, and I want to make sure you have a fucking great time."

Rhyan shrugs. "Then a fucking great time shall be had." She leans in, pressing her lips gently to mine. She tastes of salty cheese, but I absolutely love it and kiss her back.

Movement on the other side of the table gains our attention, and we pull apart as Sadie and Maverick slide onto the bench seat opposite us. Sadie's face is flushed, her hair a little messier than when they left.

"Hey guys," she chimes.

Maverick smirks, picking up the spare hot dog. "You gonna eat this?" he asks, taking it before I can answer him. "I've worked up an appetite."

Chuckling, I side-eye Rhyan, and she shrugs. "It was for the photo shoot, so go for it."

Maverick's already scarfed it down as Sadie sits, basking in the afterglow.

This is only the start of our weekend, but so far, from what I have seen, this trip is going to be un-fucking-forgettable.

And I can't wait to spend alone time with Rhyan.

Because that's what we need.

Time for just us.

And tonight, we will finally get that.