Run, Girl (If You Can)

The game went on for several rounds until Aaron, who had never been all that great at cards, hit fifteen points.

"That's it, I give up," he said while throwing his hands up in defeat. "If anyone needs me I'll be wallowing in my defeat in the other room."

Laughter bubbled around the table and Keeley ended up bowing out too, joining her husband on the couch in the living room. After those two left, the group switched over to a specialty card game meant for four players.

Noah liked this game but he wasn't able to play it much at home since there weren't enough people now that Logan was away at college. They played about five games of it before Nathan copped out too.

"I need to hit the sack. I have a long day tomorrow," he yawned. "Night guys."

"Night," they all chorused back.

The three remaining people at the table all looked at each other before looking at the clock. It was a little after 9:30. They wordlessly debated whether or not to play another game simply through their facial expressions.

Violet might be his best friend but Noah had spent nearly as much time with Kaleb over the years so he knew him pretty well. It was how they were able to have their near-telepathic conversation.

Kaleb eventually stood up from the table and excused himself. "I'm gonna go watch some football. You two do whatever it is you do when you're alone."

Violet stuck her tongue out at her brother's back in retaliation for his teasing. Her brothers had been giving them a hard time about their friendship for years, going so far as to refer to Noah as her doting husband, and she still hadn't caught on.

Her brothers were right. He did act like a doting husband because he wanted to BE a doting husband. Hers.

At this point Noah wondered if he would even get the chance or if he would be her friend on the sidelines for the rest of his life. He needed to say something before Jeremy took her away from him forever.

"Hey Vi, are you seeing Jeremy again tomorrow or can we hang out again?" he found himself asking, dreading her answer.

An apologetic expression crossed her face. "I'm sorry Noah, he asked me to dinner earlier and I had to say no because we had plans. He's already asked for tomorrow."

"What about the day after that?"

"…he wants to get together every night this week."

Great. Jeremy was definitely making his move. But he hadn't thought of what to do yet! What was he supposed to say?

Noah hadn't been so afraid of being left behind since Violet first went to college. Her other boyfriends in the past had tolerated his presence in her life because they were too busy to pay her mind all the time. But it almost seemed like this guy was purposely blocking her from hanging out with anyone else.

Or…him specifically? He had gotten the feeling Jeremy thought poorly of him from their first meeting. And he already knew he didn't like his dad.

Was he seriously that petty? Trying to separate someone from their most important friend because of a grudge with someone else was pretty low. Was Jeremy really that bad of a person or was Noah overreacting because he was jealous that someone else was taking up Violet's time?

He had always treasured his time with her, ever since he was very young. He used to beg his parents to take him to play with her and throw tantrums when they wouldn't. Not his finest moments, but he was really little. It was all he knew how to do at the time.

Noah had learned how to keep his disappointment and frustration hidden over the years. He had played the good, calm friend card too well. Now Violet didn't have a clue how he actually felt.

"Do you really like him that much?" he blurted.

She turned slightly pink and looked down at her hands. "I don't know. Maybe. It's still a little soon to be sure, isn't it?"

His heart lurched at her words and posture. She was definitely embarrassed. She wouldn't be embarrassed if she didn't like him at all, simply annoyed like how she was when her brothers teased her about him.

"You're not going  to forget me, are you?" Noah mumbled.

Violet looked at him like he was stupid and reached her hand out to grasp his on top of the table. The simple action made his heart flip over in his chest even though they had done things like this a million times.

"How could I ever do that? No matter what, you'll always be my best friend."

Noah wasn't able to hold back his worries despite her reassurances. If she truly fell in love someday, that person would be her best friend. Not him.

His parents were each other's best friends. So were hers. It was the kind of relationship she had been exposed to most. Of course she would only marry someone she could have a best friend kind of relationship with.

If he never confessed to her…or if she rejected him…Noah would be replaced.

He shook his head sadly. "Not necessarily."

"You're family, Noah," Violet said firmly. "That won't change."

And that was exactly what he was worried about. His heart felt like it had been forced through a blender at her words. No, it wouldn't change. If he said something now he would only lose her sooner.

Even thinking about telling her the truth had been stupid. She didn't see him that way. She never would. If he wanted to remain in her life at all he had to stay in his assigned role as surrogate brother.

Noah stood and let go of her hand. He needed to leave before he gave himself away.

"It's getting late. Do you have any time to spare for me this weekend or have you already been booked?"

"I'm wide open on Sunday. I'm all yours," Violet promised.

All his. He internally scoffed. If only that were true.

Barely managing to fake a smile, Noah turned to go. It was going to be a very long, lonely week without her. He better reach out to his other friends right now so he would have something to do other than wonder how her dates with that jerk Jeremy were going.

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