Free The Quarterback's Baby: A Secret Baby Sports Romance by Stephanie Brother Page A

able to deal with them all .  One could only hope.

 
     
     
    Chapter Twenty Two
     
    The drive to the airport filled my head with so many thoughts .  I spoke to Mia to confirm that I was going to the wedding. I knew that I needed some reassurances from her. I asked if Noah was going to be there and she laughed and said, “Of course, he’s my brother. ” That was part of what I had hoped she would say.
    “And your mom? ”
    Mia was quiet for a while, but then she said, “I’ll explain when you get here. But Mom’s not coming.”
    That surprised me; I had asked about Michelle mainly for Dad’s sake, but I never expected her to say that she wasn’t coming. I didn’t know what to make of that.
    I had become an Internet football stalker. After the first few games, Noah either lost or didn’t play. Then he was back on form. He started to get his head back into the game.I watched him speak like an obsessed teenager seeing their favorite player on the field .  His lips curled and, even though he was a few months wiser, he was still as good looking as he was in high school, even though it was only after a year since he left .  He ha d the same stern voice and boyish charm about him .  His hair had gotten darker, but his eyes were still green .  I got goose pimples just thinking about him.
      “Ava, you coming? ” shouted out Dad as Grandpa parked the car at the departure exit .  I couldn’t believe I was really doing this; butterflies started attacking my belly . 
    Dad opened the car door with a sympathetic look as I slowly got out of the car .  He held on to my arm and said, “You can do this .  You are a lot stronger than you think. ”
    That was all I needed .  Some words of encouragement to know that I could do this and to concentrate on the real reason we were going to Jersey: for the wedding, not to be reunited with Noah .  I had to get him out of my mind, as the nerves were taking over my body, heart, and soul.

 
     
     
      Chapter Twenty Three
     
    All thoughts about Noah started going round and round in my mind .  I started taking deep breaths as I made my way into the Plaza .  Get Noah out of your head, Ava .  It was easier said than done .  I kept wondering what was going through his min d- did he still think about me? It had been months since he’d tried to get in touch .  The temptation to reply to his emails was greater every day since he had been quiet.
    The wedding, you are here for the wedding…
      I was thankful that practicality made it easier for us, with the reception and wedding being held in the same venue .  We had three hours to check into our rooms before the wedding started, and all I could think about was accidentally bumping into Noah before the ceremony.
      I caught my reflection in the lobby mirror and carefully moved my bangs from my eyes .  I quickly turned around as I smelled his musk .  He was standing so close to me an d  I could hardly breathe . 
    “Noah! ” I screeched .  He was there with me after all these years .  He didn’t hesitate in wrapping his arms around me .  I felt a tear escape my eye as I grabbed on to him for dear life . 
      I didn’t even notice if Dad was still in the lobby .  The gold chandeliers and tiled floor felt invisible, as there was only one thing that I could see right now .  The love of my life, standing in front of me, like he had last year.
      “I’ve missed you so much . ” he whispered in my ear .  I pushed him away and looked into his eyes and saw that he was crying too .  I couldn’t believe it .  I had been selfish all this time .  I had thought that it was best that we kept our distanc e , bu t the answer was right in front of me .  The only person I had benefited was me, and no one else.
      “Come. ” He grabbed my hand and didn’t wait for permission as he dragged me to the elevator .  I wanted to ask him where we were going, but it was obvious he just wanted us to be alone .  I scanned