Chapter 6: Tracking me down

Riley Pov

Before I can answer, he’s out of the Jeep, rounding the front. My door opens and he reaches in, unbuckles me, and hauls me out like I weigh nothing.

“Noah—”

He backs me against the warm hood, his hands caging me in. The metal is still hot from the engine.

He rests his forehead against mine. “Never again, Riley don’t get in cars with him. You don’t let him touch you. You don’t even look at him.”

I should fight. I should scream. Instead I nod, small and broken.

He opens the passenger door again. “Get inside, I'm going out.”

I took my purse and ran inside, my heart hammering against my chest. I don’t stop until I’m in my room, door shut, back pressed against it. I strip out of the cropped sweater and jeans, kick them into the corner like they’re contaminated, and storm into the bathroom. The shower is scalding. I stand under it until my skin is pink and the mirror is completely fogged, trying to wash the night off me.

When I finally step out, I'm already in my oversized T-shirt and shorts, but I stop dead in my tracks when I see Noah in my room.

He’s sitting on the edge of my bed, elbows on his knees, playing on his phone. The tattoos that I’ve only seen a little,now are on full display. He has black ink crawling over his shoulders, chest and ribs. A bird flying across his collarbone.

He doesn’t even look phased to see me.

“What are you doing in my room Noah?" I huffed. I am so fed up with his antics, ever since I came to this house,he has always been on my business. I've always wanted a sibling but now I know it isn't always great having a step brother, I'd rather be by myself like I used to.

He raised his head and motioned to my phone. “I was passing by when I heard your phone buzzing,so I decided to come in to tell you to shut your annoying phone but turns out you were having your beauty shower".

My mouth hangs open, the audacity of this guy. “So? That doesn't give you permission to invade my privacy. What is wrong with you?"

For a second he just looks at me,his blue eyes piercing through mine like he wants to figure out what am thinking,then he shrugs “I thought I was doing you a favor"

“Get out Noah! I'm done arguing with you."

He stands up and starts walking towards me slowly and I backs myself until I reach the wall,he places his hands on the wall cornering me. “I was expecting a simple thank you from you but you're a really ungrateful princess. Should I go tell your mom about what you have been up to tonight?"

My heart skipped a beat, I don't want my mom to think that I'm busy parting out and not studying, so instead of deflating his huge ego that doesn't match his penis, I shook my head.

“I don't think it's your business telling my mom about what I'm doing.”

He smirked" oh! It's my business princess. I'm your brother, have you forgotten about that?”

" Noah—”

My phone ringing interrupted me, and Noah decided to leave my room but not before

winking at me.

Disgusting!

I take my phone and see it's Lila calling me.

“Hi Lila—"

“Girl! First of all,you left the party in a hurry and now you don't reply to our messages! Are you okay?" Lila shouted over the phone.

I remove my phone away from my ear for a moment because of her loud voice then place it back.

“I'm okay Lila, thank you for checking on me."

Lila sighed “Okay,so are you coming tomorrow?"

I raised my brows confused, going where?

“Um–what are you saying? What are you talking about?"

“Didn't you see the messages? Ethan sent you a message. We're inviting you to come study with us tomorrow at Ethan's apartment. So are you coming?”

That explains everything. Noah deleted Ethan's message when he was in here. Who does he think he is? Going through my phone like that? That is too much.

"Hello–hello? Riley are you there?”

" Yes! I will come over tomorrow. Thank you Lila, I've to go deal with something,I will call you back”

" Okay then. See you tomorrow" Lila cheered over the phone then hung up.

Now I have to deal with an excuse a brother. I march down the hallway before I can talk myself out of it. When I reach his room, the door is closed, but there’s a light coming underneath.

I push it open without knocking and come face to face with him. He’s laying shirtless on his bed, still playing with his phone.

He sat up straight and looked at me bored “What do you want Riley? I'm busy now"

“You deleted it,” I say, my voice shaking with fury.

He doesn’t even blink. “Deleted what?”

“ You deleted Ethan’s message. The one about study group. Don’t lie to me.”

he shrugs. “I was holding your phone while you were in the shower then a message came in and I didn’t like what I read.”

“You had no right—”

“I have every right.” His voice is quiet. “You live in my house. You’re my—” He stops himself, clenching his jaw.

“I’m your what, Noah?” I step closer, balling my fists “Your stepsister? Your problem? Or your property?”

He stands up slowly, towering over me. “Pick one. I don't mind any of that”

I step back a little trying to create enough space between us . “You…you–you’re unbelievable.”

I look up at Noah, his eyes flick to the screen, then back to me. Something dark flashes across his face and gone as fast as it came.

“I will go,” I say.

“No,” he says, just as calm. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Watch me.”

I turn to leave, his hand shoots out, fingers closing around my wrist firmly enough that I stop.

“I’m free tomorrow afternoon,” he hisses “I’ll tutor you here. So you don’t need to go anywhere.”

I yank my arm free. “You don’t have to decide my schedule because of your jealousy.”

His eyes narrow. “I’m not jealous.”

“Then why did you delete the message?”

He doesn’t answer, just stares at me like he’s trying to figure out how to make me disappear without touching me.

I step closer so that I have to crane my neck to hold his gaze. “ I know my mom begged you to tutor me, it's fine. But I’m still going to Ethan’s. And you will not try stop me.”

For a second I think he’s going to snap and slap me from the way his jaw ticks, his hand flexes at his side like he wants to grab me again. But instead he steps back, his facade masking his feelings.

“Do whatever you want, Riley,” he says. “Just don’t come crying to me when he tries something you’re not ready for.”

He turns away, dismissing me.

I storm out, slamming his door so hard the frame shakes the wall. When I get back to my room, I text Lila before I can second-guess myself and bail my friends again. They have been nothing but helpful and sweet to me, especially Ethan.

I’m in. I will come at 3 and bring snacks.

I toss the phone on my bed and collapse face-first into the pillows and scream so loud trying to erase the anger that I have inside.

The next morning I woke up earlier than anyone in order to avoid everyone, specifically Noah. I skip breakfast and slip out before Mom can ask questions, and spend the day on campus hiding in the library until it’s time to meet Lila and Ethan.

When the group time arrive I’m walking across the campus when my phone buzzes and see unknown number

Change of plans.Tutoring starts at 4.

Be home.

I stare at the screen, rage boiling in my chest. I type back before I can stop myself.

Me: I’m busy.

The reply came instant.

4:15 then.

Don’t make me come get you again.

I turn my phone off, because I don't want to deal with him now. I don't know why; I have met a lot of people, a lot of guys but none of them gets on my nerves like Noah does.

Ethan’s apartment is a third-floor walk above a coffee shop. Lila lets me in with a squeal and hugs me tightly.

“Took you long enough!” she says, dragging me inside.

Ethan is on the couch, with a statistics book open on his lap. His hair is messy like he’s been running his hands through it.

He looks up and smiles genuine, nothing like the storm I left at home.

“Hey,” he says. “Glad you made it.”

We begin to study,in the middle of the session we laugh, tease each other while we wait for pizza delivery. For three hours I felt happier than normal.

A few minutes later,there’s a knock on the door. The person knocking doesn't know anything about the patience, because he keeps pounding on the door like a madman.

Lila frowns. “Pizza guy already came, that was so fast.”

Ethan gets up to answer it, when he opens it, it is Noah who stands in the doorway, filling the frame with his massive body, black hoodie pulled up, hands in his pockets. His eyes scan the room and land on me.

Ethan blinks. “Uh… can we help you?”

Noah doesn’t even glance at him and continues to glare at me. “Riley. Let’s go.”

Lila’s mouth drops open. “Do you seriously track her phone or something?”

Noah’s gaze doesn’t leave me. “She knows why I’m here.”

I stand slowly, my heart hammering. “I turned my phone off.”

“I can see that.” His voice is calm which means it's about to go down. “Get your stuff.”

Ethan steps forward to square him, I don't know if it is him being brave or stupid. “Dude, she’s studying. She’ll leave when she’s ready.”

Noah finally looks at him. Just a flick of eyes, but Ethan takes an actual step back, probably from fear because Noah isn't small like the majority of guys I know,he is huge.

I grab my bag before this gets worse. “It’s fine. I have to go.”

Lila grabs my arm. “Riley, you don’t have to—”

“I do,” I say quietly. “I will call you"

I walk past Noah and he follows without a word. The second the door closes behind us, he speaks.

“Next time you decide to turn your phone off to avoid me, just remember that I will tear this campus apart until I find you. Understand?”