Shore Thing #4
Noah Hathaway
The saying 'livin' the dream' is usually said with sarcasm, but I truly am living my dream in Coral Pointe Inlet with my four best friends. Still, as I watch three of them fall in love, my heart aches a little with longing. It doesn't help when Hunter, a man I spent an incredible weekend with, comes back to Coral Pointe--not alone, I might add. Regardless, I find myself drifting toward the man. His life has shifted directions, so why am I still hoping his internal compass will lead him to me?
Hunter Reed
Work hard, play harder. I've lived by that motto for years--until now. My life has changed drastically since the last time I was in Coral Pointe. Thankfully, one thing has stayed exactly the same: Noah Hathaway, the kind, beautiful man whose heart beats for the people he loves. Navigating through this new reality isn't easy, but Noah, with his big heart, is determined to make sure I don't drown. I've never been a man looking for forever, but damned if I don't find myself wanting Noah to throw me that life preserver.
This title can be read as a standalone. If you'd like to truly dive into the shenanigans between these five best friends, it's suggested the books be read in order from the start of the series.
Chapter One
Noah
I sat in my living room, trying to hold in a laugh as my friends stared at me in disbelief. Quite honestly, I was trying to understand the words that had just come out of my mouth, but now that they were out there, there was no way in hell I was yanking them back. I wasn’t one to hide my feelings from my friends, especially four in particular, but what was the point in admitting I may have spoken too soon?
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Aiden asked, looking at his boyfriend Cole—one of my best friends—like he’d already decided the answer.
“Why wouldn’t it be? You said you have shipments coming in today and you’ll be slammed at SandBar later, Cole and Levi have a bachelorette party checking in, which means Burke will be slammed too, Ford’s got a few classes… I’m the only one with not much going on at work. Hardy can handle the one tour we have booked today.” My eyes didn’t deviate away from Aiden as I tried to prove I could handle this. “Y’all are being ridiculous. Hunter and I had a few days of no-strings fun. Emphasis on no-strings.”
“He could call for an Uber,” Cole said because apparently he had the same reservations Aiden did.
“And pay an arm and a leg?” Jesus, why was I fighting this so hard? I could’ve agreed with them, let Hunter and whoever he was bringing with him get an Uber, have an easy day at work, and go home early. “There’s no reason to. Plus, it’ll take longer.” So much for an easy day.
Aiden looked at Cole one more time, brows drawn together in concern. When he turned back to me, he schooled his features, as if I still couldn’t see his apprehension. “Okay. I’ll send him a text and let him know you’ll pick him up.”
“Them up, you mean.” Hunter had said he wasn’t coming alone. Maybe the more I said it out loud, the less awkward it would be at the airport. Truth was, I’d had a hard time not thinking about Hunter after the weekend we’d had. He’d come down to Coral Pointe to visit Aiden in the spring. I hadn’t planned on the instant attraction I’d have for the guy, but I couldn’t resist a distinguished man. Salt and pepper dusted his raven hair at the temples and on his close-cut beard. He was a couple of inches shorter than me, but I was used to being the tallest one in the crowd.
“Right,” Aiden said, his eyes flicking to Cole one more time as he wiped his hands on his thighs. “Not gonna lie. That bit of news surprised me. Hunter’s not one for relationships.” He winced, meeting my eyes again. “Sorry.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. It’s fine, Aiden.” I stood up and grabbed my empty glass off the coffee table. “Don’t you two have work to do? I mean, that is why I’m forced to do this, right?” I watched Aiden’s eyes grow wide and I sighed. “I’m kidding. Jesus. I can’t with you two.” I placed my glass in the sink then met them at the door. “I just have to find my chauffeur outfit and make a sign.” I swiped my hand through the air and said, “Hunter Reed, your platonic ride awaits.”
Cole snorted and grabbed Aiden’s hand, stepping outside. “I dare you.”
“Goodbye,” I singsonged, slowly closing the door while waving to them as they walked up the driveway to the street. As soon as I was alone, I leaned back against the door and exhaled. “It’s gonna be fine, Noah. You’re looking for Mr. Right and Hunter has Mr. Wrong written all over him.”
Well, maybe not all over him. There were definitely parts of Hunter that were oh so right, but those weren’t the things that made for a lasting relationship. I let out a humorless laugh. I was about to pick him and his secret guest up at the airport, and I was questioning his ability to commit? Even if Aiden seemed surprised with this turn of events, it didn’t change the fact that there was someone in Hunter’s life.
My friends meant well, I knew they did, but it was the pity in their eyes I couldn’t stand. When I’d moved here with the guys a couple of years ago, I sure as hell hadn’t envisioned me standing alongside Burke as the two single ones in the group, while our three best friends found love. Had I envisioned Burke single? Uh, yeah. My stubborn friend avoided relationships like some people avoided the dentist—even if he couldn’t admit there was a certain fisherman who’d hooked his attention. He fought that tooth and nail, too.
I didn’t fight the possibility of love; I welcomed it. Maybe that was my problem, but I never understood the idea that you’d find what you were looking for once you stopped looking for it. What was wrong with having a little optimism?
There was a part of me, though—a part I didn’t want to acknowledge—that wondered who had finally snagged Hunter’s attention enough for Hunter to bring them along. And, okay, there might have been a part of me that wondered why I hadn’t been the one to make Hunter wake up and realize there was more to life than fucking around. Bottom line, though, he’d been honest with me at the time. I didn’t know if I’d even be having these thoughts now if it wasn’t for the fact that apparently Hunter’s stance on relationships had changed.
I banged my head against the door and exhaled. It was too late to change my mind now, especially after Aiden and Cole had tried to talk me out of it, and I’d convinced them it was no big deal. This was getting me nowhere. I took another deep breath then pushed off the door and headed down the hall to my bedroom. Just because Hunter wasn’t coming alone, didn’t mean I shouldn’t look like a fucking tasty snack when picking him up. What if the man of my dreams was at the airport at exactly the same time? I walked over to my closet and looked at my options. Choosing a white, short-sleeved button-down with a coral tank top underneath was a no brainer. Nothing brought out my sunkissed skin more than a crisp white shirt and island colors.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I rolled my eyes when I saw the name on the screen. Answering the call, I sighed. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Levi?”
“You’re getting him from the airport?”
I put him on speaker, setting the phone down on a shelf so I could put on the outfit I’d picked out. “Well, hello to you, too.”
“Sorry.” Levi laughed softly into the speaker. “Hi, Noah.” He paused and then, “You’re getting him from the airport?”
Laughing, I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see the look of exasperation on my face. “That was much better. Thanks. And, yes, I’m picking them up. Like I told Cole and Aiden, it’s not a big deal.” The more I said it, the more it would be true, right?
“Noah…” Levi’s voice, as always, was ripe with concern. Out of the five of us, he was the one most likely to point out all the ways something could go wrong. When Levi, Cole, Ford, Burke, and I had started Shore Thing Management, we all entered into it knowing our own personal strengths. Levi could interject logic into most situations, while Cole was able to diffuse issues before they got too big—including when overthinking got the best of Levi. It made them perfect to run the Coral Pointe Inn as part of our business.
“Levi, I love you and I appreciate your concern, but I really have to go. I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Fine, but—”
“I’m hanging up now,” I said in my sweetest voice, softening the blow when I ended the call quickly. Mother hens. That was how they were acting, but that was my strength, dammit. I was the one they came to when they needed a shoulder to cry on. Or, in Burke’s case, an ear to bitch to.
I glanced at the time on my phone, cursing when I realized I needed to leave now if I didn’t want to be late. Quickly, I checked myself in the mirror one more time, grabbing my keys before walking out the door.
Traffic wasn’t too bad, but I found myself getting more and more antsy the closer I got to the arrival gates. Aiden had texted, letting me know Hunter was expecting me. He’d also asked me to park in the lot. Apparently, Hunter hadn’t traveled light and thought that would be easier. It made sense, since the guy had rented a house in Coral Pointe for a few months.
After parking, I made my way inside and toward baggage claim, grabbing a luggage cart along the way. Checking the screen for Hunter’s flight, I found which number carousel he’d be at, ignoring the flutter in my stomach. He’s not alone, Noah.
The airport was busy this time of year with families traveling for summer vacation. I weaved through the crowd, stopping near the one Hunter’s flight was assigned.
I may have only spent three days with the guy, but I was pretty sure I’d recognize him whether I saw him from the front or back. I scanned the crowd, looking for a man with wide, strong shoulders, a fine ass, and extra baggage of the human variety. I snorted, laughing at my own joke, when my eyes landed on a guy who fit the image I had in my head. His back was to me, but his hair, height, and stance looked a hell of a lot like Hunter’s. Standing to his side was a petite woman, watching the luggage circle the carousel. Of course, there were a lot of people waiting. Just because she was standing a little too close to him, didn’t mean—
The woman reached for a suitcase, yanking it off the belt. She placed it down in front of the man, looking up at him with an enormous smile. My heart dropped to my feet and my pulse raced. Hunter didn’t seem like the type of guy to make a much smaller woman do the heavy lifting, but hey, this was the twenty-first century. Who was I to judge? It struck me then that I’d completely forgotten Hunter was bisexual. The whole time, I’d been preparing myself to meet another man, but clearly, Hunter had jumped feet first into coupledom with a woman.
She grabbed three more bags off the belt, then looked behind her. Her eyes focused on my lame sign—which I’d only put his name on. I suddenly felt ridiculous for even having it. He’d recognize me, wouldn’t he? Fuck, what if he doesn’t recognize me? I’d be mortified, considering I was confident I was staring at Hunter, even though I hadn’t seen his face yet.
That was until the man turned around and all the air left my lungs in a rush of confusion and an unhealthy dose of mortification. I wasn’t stupid. I’d prepared myself for the possibility that I’d still be attracted to him. I’d even prepared myself for the possibility that I would be jealous of whomever he’d brought with him.
What I hadn’t expected was the shame that punched me in the gut so hard I felt sick.
I rolled my shoulders back, took a deep breath and released it, then steeled my expression. I wouldn’t make a scene in the middle of the airport. I had more class than that, even if the man I was closing in on apparently had none.
When Hunter’s eyes met mine, I saw the moment he’d figured out he’d fucked up. His gaze dropped down nervously then back up at me. Yeah, that’s right, buddy. You better be scared.
“Noah,” Hunter said. “I know how this looks.”
“Let’s not go there, okay?” My eyes flicked to the nervous woman by Hunter’s side, my heart breaking for the obvious heartache she was about to feel the second she learned what Hunter had done. “Hi, I’m Noah.” I side-glanced at the man, feeling a rush of nausea again as I held my hand out to her in greeting.
“Lidia,” she said, her expression suddenly uneasy. She looked back and forth between Hunter and me, like she was trying to figure us out. Trust me. You don’t want to do that.
“Noah…” Hunter said again. “I’m—”
“A father, apparently. Good for you.” I forced a smile, unable to keep from staring at the baby Hunter was holding backward against his chest, one arm around the baby’s belly while the other hooked under his legs. Not exactly the human baggage I’d been expecting. His baby-fine light hair was the same color as the woman’s. He wore a tiny Mickey Mouse shirt and khaki shorts, with a bib that said World’s Cutest Little Dude. I had to agree. The little guy was pretty darn cute.
That’s not the point, Noah.
As if he felt my inner turmoil, the baby started fussing. Immediately, Hunter looked panicked. Lidia dragged a car seat half her size off the conveyor belt, and I jumped to help her. Obviously, I knew now why Hunter wasn’t. You’d think she’d hold their baby while he did all this. My respect for the man was plummeting fast.
“Thank you,” Lidia said, brushing her long hair back from her face. The woman kept looking between Hunter and me, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
“No problem. Why don’t I get all this on the cart, then we can be on our way,” I replied, keeping the anger out of my voice that she didn’t deserve. No, that was reserved for Cheater McCheatingson standing next to me.
“Noah…” Hunter said again, sounding as exasperated as I felt. He changed the baby’s position and turned him around, holding him with one arm.
I ignored the man and started piling bags onto the cart—oh, and the car seat. Let’s not forget that. He had a car seat…because he had a baby…who was definitely born before I’d slept with the guy.
“I’m just going to use the Ladies Room before we leave,” Lidia said in a rush and scampered off.
I grabbed another bag, stopping only when Hunter placed his hand over mine. I shot him a dirty look and he immediately let go.
“Noah, would you just listen to me? It’s not what you—”
“Think? It’s not what I think? Is that what you’re going to say? Because it sure as hell looks like you have a wife and a baby. A baby who is clearly at least six months old. Which means when you and I”—I motioned between the two of us—“did…what we did…” I pressed a trembling hand against my queasy stomach. “Oh my god. I’m the other man. I’m gonna be sick.” Pacing, I was assaulted with a horrible churning in the pit of my stomach and the taste of bile rising up in my throat. “How did this happen? I loathe cheating, Hunter. I mean, I loathe it, and you made me the other person. Oh my god.”
“Noah! I did not have a baby when we slept together!”
I swore everyone within ten feet of us just froze along with me. Hunter’s deep timbre had definitely carried. My face burned as I looked around at all the gawkers.
“Shit—I mean, shoot!” Hunter scrubbed a hand over his face, and for the first time, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and his muscles bunching with tension. He took a step closer to me with the baby between us. “I didn’t even know I had a child until a month ago.”
“Lidia didn’t tell you until a month ago?”
He scrunched up his face in confusion before his gorg—I mean, eyes widened. “You thought…? Of course, you thought that because that’s exactly what it looks like.” At that moment, the timid woman came back. It was obvious she wanted to be anywhere but here. “Noah, this is Lidia. She works for a company called Helping Hands Travel.” Still completely confused, I waited for him to elaborate. Hunter blew out a breath. The baby started fussing again and the big man began a slow bouncing/swaying motion. I wasn’t even sure if he knew he was doing it, but the baby began to relax again, deciding the button on Hunter’s shirt was much more interesting. “Someone recommended the company to me. I hired her to help me fly with Logan. I don’t know what I’m doing on a normal day with him, never mind bringing a baby on a plane.”
“So she’s not…?”
Lidia rapidly shook her head. “Logan’s mom? Oh my god, no. Not that he isn’t a cutie, but after all that…?” She waved her hand, motioning to us as she softly laughed. “I’m good.”
“I’m still confused. If she isn’t the baby’s mom and you didn’t know you had a baby when we”—my eyes flicked to the petite woman then back at Hunter—“you know…then where’s his mom?”
Hunter looked down at the little boy’s head, sadness pulling his brows together, then looked back up at me. “She’s dead.”
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I have been an artist from a very young age. From drawing cartoon characters and evolving into portraits, making jewelry, photography, and now writing. I have an amazing support system in my family and friends and couldn’t be more grateful.
I live in central New Jersey, love summers at the Jersey Shore, rock music, wine, sexy men, and laughing a lot with my amazing friends and family. Sunday dinners at my parents’ house are crazy, hysterical and you can count on a movie quote…or ten…being thrown out. Insults between siblings is how we show our love for each other!
When I’m not creating, you can find me reading books from my favorite authors. I’m a hopeless romantic, starving for passionate characters and always craving that happy ending, whether in reading or in writing my own books.
Navigating Noah #4
