Home > Pushing You Away (Noah & Katie duet #1)(2)

Pushing You Away (Noah & Katie duet #1)(2)
Author: Kennedy Fox

“I’m calling 911,” the bartender says. “Someone better call his wife.”

The next hour is a blur.

Gabe’s pulse is weak, and he doesn’t regain consciousness. When the paramedics arrive, they take him to the hospital in the next town over. I can’t bear to call Katie and tell her myself, so I call Gemma and ask her to drive Katie to the hospital while I follow the ambulance in my truck.

Katie’s hysterical when the doctor tells her they’ve put him in a medically induced coma so his brain can heal. It’s swelling, and there’s a chance he could have brain damage.

Five days go by, and my worst nightmare happens. Gabe’s considered brain-dead due to the blunt force trauma he suffered when he fell and hit his head. My body goes from being in shock to utterly numb as I take in everything that’s happened. Katie’s a mess, his parents won’t even look at me, and my sister tries to console me, but I know she’s torn between being there for me and comforting her best friend. I don’t fault her, though, because I’m to blame for this. I should’ve stayed home that night and minded my own damn business.

The morning of his funeral, I contemplate not going, but Katie begs me to attend. My dad tells me I would regret it later if I didn’t, so I put on my only black suit and attend the wake and service. I can hardly speak to Katie, but the fact she talks to me is mind-blowing. I’m waiting for her to wake up and hate me.

She clings to me for comfort, but I don’t deserve her forgiveness, so I don’t ask for it. Seeing Gabe in that maple box with gold embellishments makes me feel sick. It’s an out-of-body experience, like none of this is real. How can this be happening? I wish I could wake up from this nightmare.

Gemma told Katie my side of the story—about the blonde and how a fight broke out—even though she never asked for an explanation. Honestly, I think she’s still in shock.

I want to explain everything to her but don’t even know where to start. I had no intention of hurting him that night and only had her best interest in mind. She deserved better, and her husband should’ve been home with her that night.

As I watch them lower my cousin’s casket into the ground, three police officers walk up and interrupt.

“Apologies for intruding, but we’re looking for Noah Reid.”

Everyone turns to me, and I nod at the officers. They took my statement at the hospital the night of the fight along with everyone else who was there. I’m not sure what was said, but I told them the truth—he pushed and punched me, so I hit him back.

“I’m Noah,” I speak up.

The three of them circle me, then one guy grabs my arms.

“We have a warrant for your arrest for the murder of Gabe Reid.” He cuffs my wrists, and the audible gasps echo around me. As he reads my Miranda rights, I look at my dad and Gemma. Then I find Katie and watch her face drop. I’ll never forget the look of pure shock, sadness, and fear on her face. I’m in disbelief and horrified that I caused this.

“Noah, stay quiet. I’ll meet you down there with our lawyer,” my dad tells me. I keep my head down as they walk me to the cruiser and put me in the back. Though I’m mortified, I look out the window anyway and meet Katie’s eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I mouth to her. She’s been crying all afternoon, but a new set of tears falls down her cheeks as she stares at me.

When I get to the station, I quickly learn about the witnesses’ statements used against me. Gabe's side chick completely exaggerated reality, but without Gabe to confirm, it’s my word against hers. The fact our fight resulted in his death means they can charge me for this.

I’m placed in the county jail until my court date. The lawyer encourages me to take a plea deal because if my case goes to a jury, the prosecutor will push for a harsher charge. When my day to stand in front of the judge arrives, I plead guilty and accept the sentence for a class B felony. My family and Katie sit behind me as the judge reads my charges.

Twelve years for involuntary manslaughter.

My dad and Gemma are distraught, and Katie gives me the saddest, most pitiful expression I’ve ever seen. I don’t know what she’s thinking because we haven’t spoken since the funeral two weeks ago, but I see the disappointment and pain written all over her face.

Everything in my life changes in the blink of an eye.

She knows I’m the reason her husband is dead.

The reason her unborn son will grow up without his father and why she’ll have to raise him alone.

How do I apologize for that? Nothing I say could ever be enough or change things. Instead of helping, I hurt her, and I’ll never be able to forgive myself for what I’ve done.

 

 

Chapter One

 

 

KATIE

 

 

PRESENT DAY

 

 

I look around the two-story house I bought almost a year ago, knowing that one day it’ll be the perfect home for my son, Owen, and me. It needed a total remodel, so I've slowly been fixing it up on my days off at the bank. Sometimes, I’ll come in the evenings with Owen, but lately, between making dinner, helping with his homework, and getting him into bed by eight thirty, I haven’t had any extra time.

Even so, it’s been one-hundred-percent worth it. I’ve invested everything I own into this place and won't stop until it’s move-in ready. After tearing down some walls, I hired an electrician to fix the wiring before I insulated and hung drywall. Since I learned from watching YouTube tutorials and made a few mistakes along the way, it took months to get that much done. I’m hoping to do as much as I can on my own and am proud to do it.

Between being a single mom and working full-time, I have limited hours to dedicate to this project, but I’m determined. The flooring has been replaced in a couple of rooms, and I’ve been buying wood, paint, and other materials as I’ve saved up the money.

“Knock, knock,” Gemma sing-songs as she lets herself in the front door.

“In the master,” I call out. This room is almost finished and only needs new windows installed.

I smile when I see my best friend holding two cups of coffee. I grab one and take a small sip. “My hero.”

“How’s it goin’?” she asks, looking around. She hasn’t been here in a while, but she’s been busy lately, so I understand.

“Not too bad. Come check out the paint and carpet.”

I’ve decided to leave hardwood in the hallway and tile in the bathroom suite, so the carpet was only needed in this room.

Gemma stands in the doorway. “It looks so good. I can’t wait to see the house when it’s complete.”

I snort. “You and me both.”

We walk into the kitchen, where I chat about my plans.

“Are you sure you don’t want some help? This seems like such a big project for one person,” she says after I describe how I want to restore the cabinets.

“Nah, you and Tyler are busy with the new gym. I’ll be fine. I’ve got Google and YouTube to help save the day. I’ll figure it out.”

Gemma chuckles. “Well, just holler if you change your mind.”

“Do you wanna grab a drink tonight after I’m done here? Owen’s having a sleepover with Gabe’s parents.”

Hot Books
» House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1)
» A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
» From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1)
» A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime
» Deviant King (Royal Elite #1)
» Den of Vipers
» House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)
» The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #
» Sweet Temptation
» The Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1)
» Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels #6)
» Wreck & Ruin
» Steel Princess (Royal Elite #2)
» Twisted Hate (Twisted #3)
» The Play (Briar U Book 3)