Runaway Pt. 02

He pulled me towards him, letting my tears stain the plaid green shirt he was wearing. His arms held me tightly, his face and lips pressed against my hair as he let me heal in his arms.

When I had regained control of myself, he let me go, gently using the sleeve of his shirt to wipe my cheeks.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me," I said quietly.

"Will always forgive you." He brushed his fingers lightly through my hair. "You wanna sit in this train station all day?"

"Not really."

"Good, me neither. Come with me."

"Where?"

"You trust me?"

"Should I?"

He laughed. "Good answer. Come with me anyway."

**

I stopped in my tracks when Noah led me to a car in the parking lot.

"It's Tom's," he said when he saw I wasn't moving. "Swear to God, he lent it to me."

"You said you hate driving in Toronto."

"I do. We aren't going far though."

He wasn't joking about that. Noah pulled into the parking lot of our destination just a few minutes later, though he managed to curse at two other cars during the short drive. Once we were parked, he reached into the backseat and grabbed a bag I hadn't noticed when I got into the car.

"C'mon. Let's go for a walk."

The juxtaposition of the tall, gleaming buildings in Toronto with the wide, blue expanse of water that bordered the park he led me into was jarring and surreal. Ferries glided back and forth from an island across the water, and the air smelled of freshness and rain and grass as sunlight glinted off drops still drying on the paved sidewalks.

The park was busy, though I was sure that was to be expected for a Sunday in the city when the rain stopped. I followed Noah through the park to a wooden boardwalk, then walked along it until we reached a relatively isolated spot. Every bench and picnic table seemed to be claimed, so Noah withdrew a blanket from the bag and spread it on the grass, then sat down.

My heart fluttered hopefully, but it was still tender from the past day's problems.

"What is this?" I asked, still standing a few feet away from the blanket.

Noah raised an eyebrow at me. "Believe it's called a picnic."

"Why?"

"Guess that's just what people call it when they eat outside."

I tried not to laugh. "No, I mean, why are you doing this?"

Noah looked up, his dark eyes studying me. He looked vulnerable, nervousness written across his tensed forehead.

"Wanted to do something special for you."

The hopeful flutter in my chest grew more insistent. Maybe it really was all going to be all right. I bit my lip as I smiled, not knowing what to say.

Noah's nerves seemed to dissipate as I smiled.

"You gonna leave me sitting here like a fool? Come sit. Dunno what Jenny packed for us but it'll be good."

My stomach rumbled at the mention of food. I hadn't realized how hungry I was, but since my stomach had stopped clenching in embarrassment, I guessed it was starting to notice that I had skipped breakfast.

"Is this a date?" I asked after we scarfed down the lunch Jenny had prepared.

"Well, uh... yeah."

I picked at a napkin thoughtfully. Did having coffee with Roger at the Timmy's count as a date? It's not like he had put much thought into it, aside from texting me to ask if I wanted to meet for coffee. He hadn't made me feel like Noah did, making my heart flutter and unable to keep from smiling.

I decided coffee with Roger didn't count as a date. Noah knew he had my first kiss, my first orgasm, and my first time away from home already. What was one more?

"That makes this my first date," I said softly.

"Didn't know that. Hope it's okay for a first date." Noah's voice was steady, but I could sense the trepidation behind it.

"It couldn't be more perfect. Thank you."

I touched his hand softly and he twisted his wrist, catching my fingers through his. He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles lightly.

We spent most of the afternoon in the park talking about little things, easy topics that didn't delve too strongly into the deep, dark secrets we already knew about each other. Appropriate topics for a first date, ones that helped us learn more about each other, things we had skipped over in the intensity and rapidity of our strange relationship.

His favourite colour was green. He had a dog named Rex growing up. He had once worked at an amusement park, but quit after a drunk girl had puked on his shoes. When he was a kid, he wanted to be a cowboy, and then a firefighter, and then an electrician. They had offered some trades programs while he was in prison, but he couldn't get into the electrician one so he did carpentry instead, which helped him meet Tom after he got out.

We sat on that blanket for hours, watching the ferries sail back and forth, watching people enjoy their day, and petting the occasional dog that came running up to us for pats. When we grew tired of sitting on the ground, Noah packed up the blanket and we walked along the boardwalk, strolling unhurriedly along the water in the late afternoon sun.

When we reached the furthest end of the park, we stopped, looking out at the water. Noah leaned one elbow on the wooden rail, his body turned towards me.

"We didn't talk about what I said we'd talk about."

The tension in my body returned with a vengeance. I tore my eyes away from him, staring hard at the water beneath us. It lapped against the rocks below tumultuously.

"You change your mind?"

"N-No, but—"

"If you have, it's okay."

I shook my head.

"No, I still, um, want that." I could feel the residual embarrassment of my actions beginning to twist in my stomach. "I just thought maybe you wouldn't after, you know. After last night."

"Doesn't do much good for me to forgive you if you won't forgive yourself," he said. "Dunno if that's in the Bible or anything, but seems like you're punishing yourself over this more than you need to, Miss Lacey."

It was something I hadn't considered, and something that struck a chord in my heart. As I thought over his words, Noah brought his hand to my chin and gently tilted my face up to look at him.

"Need you to tell me, point blank, that this is what you want. Need to hear it. Not gonna be able to live with myself if I do something, then find out you didn't want this after all."

"I do," I whispered. "I want this. I want you, Noah."

He kissed me then, his hand cradling my cheek as he ducked his head to meet mine. I kissed him back, feeling like my heart was flying, like my feet were lifting off the ground. We stayed that way for a moment, then a few more, and didn't part until a gaggle of teenagers hollered and cat-called from the other side of the boardwalk.

As we were walking back through the park, Noah's hand holding mine tightly, his phone rang.

"Just a sec."

He let go of me and took a few steps away, talking quietly so I couldn't hear him. I took the opportunity to look out at the water, trying to avoid eavesdropping on whatever it was Noah was doing.

He strolled back up just as the call was finishing.

"Thanks. I owe you," he said into the phone, and hung up.

"Everything okay?"

His grin was surprisingly gleeful, a warm and genuine smile that lit up his entire face.

"Everything's great. C'mon, I'm getting hungry again. Let's get dinner."

**

I thought Noah had meant we would be going back to Tom and Jenny's for dinner, but I was wrong.

He parked the car in a lot just off Yonge Street and told me to bring my backpack with me, just in case. We started walking to a nearby cafe. Along the way, I pointed at a building with delight.

"That's the Hockey Hall of Fame!"

Noah checked the time on his phone. "Closes pretty soon, but we can check it out if you want."

"No, I just thought it was cool to see the building."

Noah grinned. "C'mon. Dinner can wait."

"Really, it's fine. No point in paying admission if we'll just have to leave."

"Best time to go, as long as you don't mind we won't see the whole thing."

I let him talk me into it. I wasn't the biggest hockey fan in the world, but we were Canadian. Canadians are born loving hockey. I felt less bad about it when Noah was able to get tickets for half the price considering the time. He refused to let me at least buy my own.

"Dinner is on me, then."

"Not a chance."

"Noah..."

He shook his head. "It's covered. I got this."

The building itself was a shrine to Canadian legend. The original Stanley Cup was regarded as the holiest of relics, and worshipers of all ages paid their respects as they walked by in hushed tones. In the Great Hall, I was awed by the portraits and the stories that wound through the walls.

My eyes were wide, my voice hushed as I excitedly pointed out an original game-worn jersey of Mario Lemieux's.

"He was my brother's favourite player," I said quietly. "Daddy nearly cried when he raised a Penguins fan, but Sean couldn't be swayed."

Noah listened patiently and tried to share my excitement, but at the end of the day, the Hall of Fame is a museum. Surrounded by a cathedral of hockey legacies and treasures beyond my wildest dreams, the thing that mattered most was that Noah was there to share it with me.

I estimated we got to see about a third of the museum before it closed, which was fine by me. I could still say I had been to the Hall of Fame, and I had a picture with the original Stanley Cup to prove it. I was certain that Sean would be ravenously jealous, although after a moment, realized he'd probably been there already. After leaving, we continued on to our original destination, which was more of a cozy restaurant than a cafe, just a few blocks away from the Hall of Fame.

It wasn't a fancy place, and the prices weren't completely insane, but it was more expensive than anything we had eaten on the trip.

"I'm still pretty full from lunch," I said, pretending to muse over the menu. "Maybe I'll just have some soup."

"Order a full meal or I'll order it for you," Noah said from behind his menu.

I lowered mine to glare at him, only to see his eyes sparkling at me mischievously from above the menu.

"I don't—"

"Lacey, it's covered." He lowered the menu and looked serious. "Don't worry about how."

I didn't raise my eyebrows or even say anything, but Noah grimaced.

"I mean, it's covered, like with money. That was obtained legally."

"I didn't—"

"Yeah, you did, but that's okay."

"Noah, I absolutely didn't think that."

I didn't know if he believed me, but it was the truth. In any case, I ordered a full meal, though I turned down the glass of wine the waiter suggested with it.

Instead of teasing me, Noah waited patiently as I bowed my head to silently say grace. When I looked back up, he shifted.

"Never really said grace before," he said. "Don't know what to do."

"You just thank God for the food," I said.

"That's it?"

I nodded and he looked down at his plate. Shrugging, he closed his eyes.

"Thanks for the food, God. Amen."

It was perfectly sweet, and I couldn't help smiling.

The rest of dinner was as easy and comfortable as the afternoon had been. We lingered at the table longer than we were probably welcome, but neither of us seemed to care. Once the waiter had stopped coming by to fill our water glasses, Noah paid the bill and we left.

The sun had gone down while we ate, but the street was as bright as the middle of the day. It wasn't nearly as busy, however, and I was starting to get a bit nervous when Noah pointed at a building across the street.

"Mind if we stop in there? That's where Tanya works."

The building in question was a hotel that looked out of place compared to the skyscrapers around it. Quaint might have been one word. Historic would be another. I wondered if Noah had booked a room there and was planning on surprising me, but wrote it off as soon as we entered the building. We looked as out of place as we had in the sleeper carriage on the train, and I hoped Noah knew me well enough to know that I didn't need something like this.

I was happy wherever he was.

Tanya was working the front desk and waved brightly as soon as she spotted Noah. I followed him up to the desk, though I was taking in the sleek lobby around me.

"Nice to see you again, Lacey," she said kindly.

"Thank you, you too."

"Just wanted to pop in and say hi," said Noah.

"Good timing. You have some handyman experience, right?"

Noah glanced at me. "I'm kind of on a date right now."

Tanya turned to me. "Any chance I can borrow Noah for just five minutes? Our usual night guy is on his break and there's just the smallest little problem in one of the rooms. Won't take any time at all."

"Yeah, no problem," I said.

Noah smiled tightly and I hoped I hadn't said something wrong.

"Thank you so much! Come on, I'll show you which room." Tanya started towards the elevators. "You too, Lacey, you can come with us."

"Oh, okay."

Noah and I trailed behind Tanya as she led us to a room on the fourth floor. Once we got there, she handed Noah a keycard.

"You'll see what I mean. Just bring the key back when you're done."

With that, she was practically sprinting back down the hallway to the elevator. I watched her, bewildered, as she caught the elevator just before it closed. She waved brightly again as the doors shut behind her.

"Well, that was weird," I said.

Noah didn't say anything, just put the keycard in the door and pushed it open.

"Should I wait out here?" I asked.

He laughed and shook his head, holding the door open for me.

"Nah. Come in."

The room was small and dimly lit, a soft golden glow emitting from a lamp in the corner. There were flickering candles lining a wooden dresser and roses in vases on each of the nightstands. Petals were strewn lightly across the hardwood floor and bed, not so many as to be a nuisance, but enough to set the cozy, romantic scene that lay before me.

The door closed softly behind me.

"Shit, she really went all out," muttered Noah.

I couldn't speak as I stared at the room. It was like something from a daydream, the kind of fairytale setting that only existed in the hormone-addled fantasies of giggling girls at sleepovers. I should have been swooning, flattered, ready to be swept off my feet and onto the bed.

Yet the only thing I could think of was Noah's face when I insisted that I buy him breakfast; the way he'd looked so ashamed when we got off the bus near Tom and Jenny's house; the fact that he'd spent money on train tickets to places he didn't need to go, just to make sure I was safe.

I didn't deserve Noah. I didn't deserve what he was sacrificing for me.

"Lacey?"

I didn't know if he had said something prior to that, or if he had noticed the stricken expression on my face.

"Hmm?"

His dark eyes were clouded with worry. "If you changed your mind, that's okay. Not a—"

"This is too much." My voice was barely above a whisper.

"It's okay, don't feel like you have to—"

"No, I mean this is too much. I don't... you didn't have to. This is just, it's... I'm not ungrateful, but how..."

"You don't need to worry about that."

"Why are you doing this for me?"

"You're special." He shrugged, looking down at the ground. "You deserve a special first time."

"B-But it's—"

"Will it make you feel better if I tell you how?"

I fell silent, but nodded. Noah took my hand.

"I asked Tom this morning if I could borrow his car to look for you. Told him what happened between us."

I cringed and Noah shook his head.

"He's a good man, Lacey. Was more worried about you than anything. Told him the whole... well, most of the story. 'Bout wanting to... to make it special for you. Jenny jumped in, wanted to give me some money to take you out. I said no. Don't want charity."

He laughed suddenly, shaking his head. "Fuckin' Tom must've been scheming all along and jumped on the opportunity, told me he's got a job coming up in the fall that he could use a hand with. So I gotta come back in September for a couple weeks to earn back the salary advance he just gave me. Asshole'll probably try to pay me again then, too."

"But this is still... I would have been happy with you anywhere."

"Clean sheets or not, I wasn't gonna be doing this on Duncan's bed," he said firmly. "Shannon mentioned last night that Tanya might be able to swing a deal on a room—"

"Wait, last night?"

"Ah, yeah, I kinda asked to see if anyone had somewhere private we could... I didn't explain everything, just, you know... Anyway, this morning Tanya said she'd see if there were any spare rooms tonight. She's the night manager, can pull this kind of shit. Called earlier and said she had a room, told me to consider it an early Christmas gift and she'd uh, you know... romance it up a little."

He looked around the room again. "You said you'd be happy with me anywhere, and I know that's true because you can't tell a fuckin' lie to save your life." Noah took my hand in his. "I wanted this for you. You deserve more than I can do, but I needed it to be at least a little better than Duncan's nasty-ass mattress."

A choked laugh surprised me.

"I haven't... I need to shower."

Noah smiled and touched my cheek lightly with his other hand.

"There's no rush. Go, shower. Relax. You're in control, Lacey. You say what happens and when."

**