The Stallions

As Noah made his exit, the two brothers started to bicker, their muffled voices echoing in the distance. He couldn’t help but smile. When the duo had been younger, he would always have to intervene and mediate their disagreements. Despite their respective ages, some things never changed.

Some minutes later Noah felt like a new man. Showered and refreshed he moved back to his family room. The kitchen table was set for three, and Nick was filling oversized mason jars with ice and lemonade.

“Hey, do you remember Catherine Moore from high school?” Noah asked, interrupting the conversation the two men were having. “She was a cheerleader.”

Both men paused, eyeing Noah then each other.

“She was the head cheerleader,” Nathaniel said. “And she was dating some college frat boy, wasn’t she?”

“She was a snob!” Nicholas interjected. “Her folks had money. Big money, and she wouldn’t look in our direction if I remember correctly.”

“You were a freshman. No one looked in your direction,” Noah wisecracked.

Nathaniel laughed. “Didn’t you have a crush on her? One of those hiding in the bushes, stalkerlike crushes?”

Noah rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t that bad.”

“Oh, yes, it was. She was popular and pretty and you had absolutely no game.”

“He still doesn’t,” Nicholas said with a deep laugh.

Noah reached for the platter of cornbread, not bothering to respond.

“So, why are you asking about Catherine Moore?” Nicholas questioned, filling his own plate with string beans.

Noah shrugged. “No reason. I just ran into her today at my interview. She owns the company.”

“That’s right!” Nathaniel exclaimed. “How’d that go?”

“They offered me the job with a nice six-figure salary.”

“Congratulations!” both brothers chimed in unison.

“Still not sure I’m going to take it, though.”

“Why not?” Nicholas questioned.

Noah paused. The day after high school graduation he’d enlisted in the US Army. There had been no money saved for him for college and he was determined to get a degree. Back then he saw the military as a means to an end. He’d given Uncle Sam twelve years then had earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Joining the Salt Lake City police department had been a natural progression and since then he’d risen nicely through the ranks. He was now the lead detective in the criminal investigations unit and despite the gravity of some of his cases, he liked what he did. He wasn’t sure he was ready to let it go.

He didn’t bother to answer his brother’s question, deciding to change the subject instead. “So, when are you two going to tell me why you’re here and not in Los Angeles?”

Nicholas sighed. “It’s really nothing.”

“No, it’s something,” Nathaniel said. He turned his gaze toward Noah. “Nicholas took a bad hit in the game the other week and he bruised his back again. He also damaged his knee.”

“The one he fractured before?”

Nathaniel nodded. “At this point he needs to think about his future. As his orthopedic specialist it’s my recommendation that he retire.”

Nicholas pounded a fist against the table. “I’m not retiring and I would appreciate it if you two didn’t talk about me like I wasn’t in the room.”

“If you continue to play football, you risk doing some major damage that you’re not going to be able to come back from. Another hit like last week and you may never walk again. That’s your reality and I don’t think you understand that,” Nathaniel snapped.

Nicholas shrugged.

Nathaniel threw up his hands in frustration. “You need to talk to him,” he said, turning his attention back to their older brother. “I can’t get through to him.”

Noah took a bite of his chicken and said nothing as his two younger siblings continued to squabble back and forth. He was almost finished with his meal when he finally offered a comment, quoting their late mother.

He shifted his gaze to look Nicholas in his eyes. “Live the ride,” Noah said. “It’s your life, and I can’t tell you how to live it, but I can tell you to live it to the fullest. You only get to do this once. But with that said, you do need to consider your doctor’s warning. Know the risks and heaven forbid if something happens, be willing to accept the consequences.”

He turned to look at Nathaniel, who was shaking his head in disagreement. “Hey, you’ve told him everything he needs to know to make his decision. There’s nothing else you can do except support him in whatever that is.”

Nathaniel blew a heavy breath of air past his full lips. He shook his head.

Nicholas nodded then turned his attention to the television. A few minutes later he nodded his head at his brother. “So, you still want them season passes?”

Nathaniel met the look Nicholas was giving him. He hesitated only briefly before answering. “Hell, yeah!”

Noah smiled as a blanket of silence dropped over the trio. Across the big-screen television, New England was using Oakland to wipe the football field.

* * *

Hours later, Noah lay awake, his body sprawled atop his king-size mattress. Both his brothers had retired to guest rooms in his spacious home.

He was grateful for the bond they all shared. His family meant everything to him. Things had been slightly off when their baby sister, Natalie, had gone off to Europe, distancing herself from them, but all was well again. Natalie was back to being the prickly pain in his side that he adored.

He blew a heavy sigh, rolling onto his side as thoughts of Catherine Moore flashed through his mind. She was a beautiful woman, curvaceous with an incredible caramel-toned complexion. She also had a sharp wit and astute business acumen. He imagined some men were intimidated by her polished persona but there was no denying that her vivacious personality commanded attention the moment she entered a room. Noah had often imagined himself partnered with a woman like that. Building his career with the police department had put any inkling of a romantic relationship on the back burner. But Noah had always wanted his future to include a wife and children.

He suddenly wondered if a woman like Catherine ever thought about children. He reasoned that building a corporate empire had probably stalled any thoughts she might have had about a family. Something he remembered about her reminded him she might not be the kind of woman who wanted nannies and babysitters raising her children.

It had been one of those senior year parties, and everyone had gathered at Lindsey Gardens for a wiener roast and bonfire. One of the players from the basketball team had been stuck with his two younger siblings tagging along, and Catherine had stepped in to lend a helping hand. He’d eyed her most of that night, enamored with her gentle handling of the little boy and girl. It suddenly surprised him that he remembered that moment and he couldn’t help but wonder why. Sleep came upon him suddenly as he fell into a deep slumber. His rest was sweet as thoughts of Catherine continued to trip through his dreams.

* * *

It was well after midnight, and Catherine was determined to be finished with the contract and financial documents that had held her attention since the day had started. She was preparing for a meeting with her executive team, planning to announce her intentions to take her company public. It was a decision that had been years in the making. Since the acquisition of her first luxury aircraft, Catherine debated whether or not to remain a private entity. With the shift in political climate and the state of the economy, she had known the day might come when the expansion of her business might mean offering the public stock in her company. Currently, the business was doing exceptionally well, Fly High an industry leader on top of their game. Her decision to go public was based more on being prepared for the future and not needing an infusion of cash to do what she wanted to do.

With the last document signed, she poured herself a glass of wine. As she took the first sip she remembered that it had been a minute since she’d last eaten. Her yogurt and granola breakfast had been her last meal. She finished off her glass of merlot before rising from her cushioned seat and moving to the kitchen pantry and then the refrigerator. With a box of table water crackers and a block of pepper jack cheese in hand she returned to her seat and poured herself a second glass of wine.

Her Manhattan penthouse was quiet. Nothing stirred. The only sounds echoing around the space were her heavy breathing and a ripple of paper as she flipped through one document after another.

Being alone had never bothered Catherine. She had always enjoyed solitude, no one else’s noise intruding on her quiet. Alone had never been synonymous with lonely. She swallowed the last bit of her snack and followed it with another swig of the wine.

Business had always come first and being alone had been the consequence of that. She could barely recall her last official date let alone any relationship she’d been involved in. A coy smile suddenly pulled at her thin lips. She stared down to the lined paper she’d been jotting notes on. In three separate spots she’d written down Noah Stallion’s name. She’d been intrigued seeing him again. He was no longer the scrawny kid she barely remembered. The man had presence, his stance strong and magnanimous. He was the sweetest eye candy, intelligent and good-looking. In their very brief encounter he had grabbed her attention and held it. Noah Stallion was the kind of man women longed for in their lives. Catherine was no exception.

She had breathed a sigh of relief when her friend Crystal had assured her no one in their circle of friends had dated the man.

“He didn’t date anyone at Bountiful,” Crystal had proclaimed. “Not one soul.”

“I know he had to have dated someone in high school,” Catherine had persisted.

“Nope. He worked part-time after school. He had brothers and sisters to help take care of. From what I remember about him he didn’t have time to date. Hey, do you remember...”

Catherine had gotten lost in the reflections as the two women caught up on old times. Crystal’s last question had brought her back to reality.

“So, do you plan to hire him or seduce him? Because I don’t think you can do both.”

With a deep sigh, she rose from her seat and headed to her bedroom. As she disrobed, slipping into a red silk nightie, she couldn’t help but think about her life and the many difficult choices she’d made. Crystal was right. She couldn’t do both. She couldn’t become romantically involved with any employee of Fly High. She had signed Noah’s formal offer of employment just hours earlier. With luck, Catherine thought, maybe he wouldn’t take the job.

Chapter 3

Naomi Stallion laughed as Noah stood in front of the mirror trying on neckties. He was trying to determine which one would best complement the dark suit he was planning to wear to his high school reunion.

Noah narrowed his gaze as he turned to stare at her. “What’s so funny?” he questioned.

“You are. Why are you wearing a suit? This is not another interview.”

“No, it isn’t, but I do want to dress to impress.”

“Impress who?”

He shot her another look. “Why are you here?”

She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “What? I can’t visit anymore?”

Noah rolled his eyes, tossing yet another tie aside. “Have you talked to Natalie?”

His sister nodded. “She and Tinjin are getting ready for fashion week. He’s introducing his new clothing line. She wants us all to fly to Paris to be there to support him.”

“I’d like to go but if I take this new job it might not be doable for me.”

“So what’s stopping you from making a decision?”

“I like what I do and I’m good at it. I’m not sure I want to give that up.”

Naomi nodded her understanding. “Did you talk to Nathaniel?”

“Yeah.”

“He told you about Nicholas?”

“They were both here. They flew out this morning.”

“Did you tell him that he needs to stop playing?”

“No, I didn’t. I told him he needed to do whatever is in his heart.”

“I’m sure that pissed Nathaniel off.”

“Maybe, but it’s not his decision to make.”

A moment of silence swept between him and Naomi.

Naomi let out a soft sigh then changed the subject. “Are you ready for me to style you so that you can actually make it to the reunion? Because at the rate you’re going you might make it to one five years from now.”

Noah grinned. “I’m not doing well, am I?”

“You’re making a hot mess of things is what you’re doing.”

Naomi rose from her seat on the bed and moved into his walk-in closet. Minutes later she exited with a pair of Diesel steel-gray denim jeans, a black-and-gray-striped knit sweater and his black leather blazer.

“This says you’re accomplished but not boasting. It’s casual, comfortably stylish and gives you just enough of a bad boy flair to get some attention. Pair it with your black Timberlands.”

Noah nodded. “How do you do that?”

“You usually do it yourself when you’re not overthinking,” she said as she began to rehang the neckties he’d tossed onto the bed. “So are you going to tell me why you’re so squirrely about going to your reunion?”

He shrugged, trying unsuccessfully to maintain a neutral expression on his face.

Naomi laughed. “Enough said. For your sake I just hope she’s worth it!”

Noah shook his head. “Get out of my room, please, I need to get dressed.”

Naomi was still laughing as she moved toward the door. “I know her friend Crystal. Do you want me to put in a good word for you?”

“Excuse me?”

“With Catherine. Do you want me to put in a good word for you? The twins said you were asking about her.”

Taking two good strides toward the entrance, Noah pushed his sister out and closed the door in her face. He could hear her laughing all the way back to the family room.

He shook his head. Of all his siblings, he was closest to Naomi. The twins were two years younger than he was but always had a unique bond that naturally came with sharing the womb with someone. He’d been six, almost seven when their baby sister, Natalie, had been born, and even then Noah was already filling that paternal role that none of them had ever had. It had been different with Naomi, her maternal instincts putting them on equal footing. He’d been protective but hadn’t needed to shelter her. Naomi was fierce, having an indomitable spirit like no other. And from the moment she’d drawn breath Naomi had been able to read him like no one else. She sometimes knew what he was thinking before he could even form the thought in his own mind. That sixth sense of hers could sometimes drive him crazy.

Minutes later he stood in front of his full-length mirror, staring at his reflection. Once again Naomi had gotten it right. Moving out of the room he found his sister in his family room with her feet up on the coffee table and a large bowl of popcorn in her lap. An episode of some reality show was playing on his big screen. He stood watching for a brief moment as two young women spat insults at each other.

“Why do you watch this trash?” he questioned as he shifted his gaze back to his sister.

“Mindless television helps me unwind.”

“Well, you got the mindless part right,” he said, shaking his head as the two women on the screen began throwing punches.

“That’s some rapper’s girlfriend and his other girlfriend. Neither one knows he has a wife,” Naomi said as she tossed a handful of kernels into her mouth.

Noah rolled his eyes. “Are you staying here tonight or are you going back to Norris Jean’s house?” he said, referring to their late mother’s home. The twelve-hundred-square-foot manufactured home had been empty since her passing. Although it had almost been a full year, he and his family were taking their time to decide what they wanted to do with the property.

Naomi shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet. I finished cleaning out the spare bedroom earlier. I need to start working on her bedroom but I might wait until Natalie comes back so we can do it together. Do you mind if I stay here?”

Noah shook his head. “You know better than that. You know you’re welcome here anytime.”

“I had to ask. I didn’t know if you were planning on bringing someone home from the reunion or not. You might have wanted to get your freak on in private.”

Noah laughed as he grabbed his keys and wallet and headed for the door. “Good night, Naomi.”

“Have fun, Noah. And you look good, by the way.”

* * *

An oversized banner welcomed the Bountiful High School class back for their high school reunion. Pulling his SUV into a parking spot near the gymnasium door Noah sat watching as his former classmates streamed inside.

He recognized Brighton Laramie and August Thames, both former members of the football team who were both currently on probation. One had done time for a drug infraction, the other for domestic violence against his wife. Noah wasn’t much interested in catching up with either.

Leslie Prentiss, the girl who’d graduated valedictorian, strolled hand in hand with a man he didn’t recognize, but he fathomed the stranger was probably her husband. Everyone entering the building looked happy to be there and excited at the prospect of reconnecting with old friends.

As he was about to step out of his car, an oversized limo pulled up to the curb. Everyone around paused to watch the limo driver move around the front of the car to open the passenger side door. Noah smiled as he recognized the members of Bountiful’s former cheerleading team: Brittney, Margie, Patricia, Valerie and the Three Cs—Crystal, Camille, and Catherine.

The years had been good to them, figures still tight, faces still pretty. Patricia’s added weight gave her curves like she’d never had before, and Camille’s very pregnant belly garnered much attention. The sight of them brought back a flood of memories, and Noah smiled.

The cheerleaders had teased and tormented him in high school. He’d been painfully shy around girls, and they’d found amusement in making him squirm. Even then he’d known that no one meant him any malice or harm but their frequent antics had made for many awkward moments. He watched as they all moved inside the building before stepping out of his car and following them inside.

The high school’s gymnasium had been decorated for the occasion, reminding him of the one or two school dances he’d actually attended. Black and red crepe paper streamers and miniature white lights floated along the ceiling. There were large round tables covered in white tablecloths and large, red pillar candles and carnation arrangements sat as centerpieces. A nice crowd had already gathered, many laughing, smiling faces around the room.

Bridget Wilson sat at the reception table in the entrance collecting contact information and handing out name tags with people’s high school images. The senior portraits were a reminder of a very different time in all of their lives.

Bridget waved excitedly in his direction. The two frequently crossed paths in their lines of work. Bridget was with the district attorney’s office and often referred him to young men and boys who seemed wanting and willing to work their way out of the judicial system. Noah had mentored many of them successfully, their futures now more about college and success than the trappings of prison initially promised for their bad choices. The two had dated briefly but nothing had come of it, Bridget was now married to another attorney.

“Hey, Bridget. How are you?”

“I’m great, Noah. I’m so glad you came.”

Noah nodded. “Naomi made me. She swore I’d regret it years from now if I didn’t.”

“Your sister is a wise woman.”

“Where’s Don?”

“That husband of mine refused to come. You know how anti-social he is.”

Noah smiled and shrugged as she rose from her seat to tie a red band around his wrist.

“This gives you two drinks,” she said, moving back to the other side of the table. “Is your email address still the same?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then you’re good to go. Have yourself a good time.”

Noah gave her a slight wave as he moved inside. The music was loud, a DJ playing all the hits from back in the day. Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You” vibrated through the air, a few of the women dancing in front of the stage. As Noah headed for a seat at an empty table, he was stopped in his tracks.

Tyrone Bellamy, Christopher McDowell and Sean Parrish greeted him with brash handshakes and gregarious hugs.

“Noah Stallion!”

“Yo, dude! Is that you?”

“Noah!”

“It’s good to see you guys,” Noah chimed. “So what have y’all been up to?”

“I’m still working at my dad’s hardware store,” Sean said.

“I’m teaching here at the high school and coaching the boy’s baseball team,” Tyrone said.

Christopher nodded. “I left Salt Lake City. I’m in New York now working on Wall Street. What about you?”

“I’m working with the local police department,” Noah answered.

“Any kids?” Christopher asked.

He shook his head. “No. No wife, no kids. You?”

“I’ve got two.”

“I’ve got one on the way,” Tyrone said, a wide grin across his face.

“Well, I’ve got six kids.” Sean laughed.

“Six?” they all said in unison and turned to stare at the man.

He nodded. “Six kids, four baby mamas and three failed marriages, so no more wives or kids for me ever again.”

Noah laughed as they all nodded their understanding.

A loud scream echoed from behind them. As Noah turned, a petite woman with a blonde bob and bright blue eyes flung herself against him. The trio he’d been chatting with waved goodbye and headed for the bar, leaving him to fend for himself.

“Noah Stallion! I’d know you anywhere!” she said excitedly. “How are you?”

“Marilyn Hodges. I’m good. How are you?”

“It’s Marilyn Beeker now. I married Charlie Beeker.”

“Charlie, who almost burned down the science lab senior year, Charlie?”

“That’s the one.” She giggled. “And he’s still a pyro. He burned down my screened porch last year.” She laughed as if there were something actually funny about that.

But Noah laughed with her. “Well, it’s good to see you,” he said as he thought back to Mr. Milner’s math class when she’d regularly cheat off his paper and he let her.

From the corner of his eye he spied Catherine sitting in conversation with two men. He recognized them but couldn’t put a name to either face. He turned to stare blatantly. Marilyn seemed to read his mind.

“You remember Catherine Moore, don’t you? She’s CEO of some big business. I hear she’s engaged to be married to some European art dealer. And that’s Bo Wells and Mark Spencer. Bo’s a photographer now, and I don’t know what Mark is doing.”

Noah nodded. “So she’s engaged?”

“Yeah, but I told her marriage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” she said with a deep chortle. “Not at all!”

Noah smiled as she gave him a quick hug and skipped off to catch up with someone else. He moved toward the bar, walking away with a bottle of chilled beer. Moving off to a corner, he sat alone, still watching everyone around him. Occasionally, a familiar face would stop to chat, catching him up on what they’d done with their lives since graduation. Many had married and had kids. A few were living very exotic lives, and then there had been the select few who still had no clue what they wanted to do with their lives. After a while the stories all began to sound alike.

Noah had come to the reunion hoping to see Catherine and maybe talk with her more. Hearing she was planning to be someone’s wife had burst his bubble, and he was suddenly feeling deflated. He tipped the bottle of brew to his mouth and took a big sip.

He glanced down at his watch. It had been a good time and although it was still fairly early, he saw no reason to stay any longer. Moving back to his feet, he headed into the men’s room before making his exit. Inside, two more acquaintances were telling the same lie, both trying to make what little they’d accomplished seem like so much more. Washing his hands with soap and water, Noah wished both men well.