Coda duet series book 2, p.1
Coda (Duet Series Book 2), page 1
Book Two
BY: JENNIFER HARTMANN
This story is for my Aria fans and supporters.
I never planned a sequel, but I'm certain it was always meant to be.
1 Chapter One
Noah Hayes hated New York City. It was vapid and uninspiring. Noah didn’t feel like he was either of those things, and yet, here he was. He was one of them, whether he liked it or not. He clutched the newest iPhone in his hand as he rummaged through the pockets of his overpriced jeans for the keys to his Corvette.
God. Sometimes it made him laugh. Sometimes it made him teeter on the verge of a mental breakdown.
He propped his sunglasses over his eyes as the sun singed the tops of the skyline buildings. He was in a hurry, as usual. Rushing was simply a way of life in this city. Noah’s recording session had run late, and Beth was waiting for him to relieve her of her parental duties so she could get to a showing. Sam had a baseball game and Caden had karate. Dinner would likely be McDonald’s Happy Meals as they raced home to squeeze in homework, baths, and bedtime stories.
Noah glanced at the time on his phone as he picked up his pace. “Shit,” he muttered. He was late. As he turned into the parking garage, his name echoed into the sea of sports cars and luxury SUVs. Noah paused and slipped his sunglasses back onto his head.
“Noah Hayes?”
Sometimes he really hated the sound of his own name. Noah tried to hide his sour expression as he faced the pair of teenagers who had cornered him.
“We love you, Noah! Can we get your autograph?”
The brunette snapped her bubble gum, while the blonde held out a gel-tip pen, along with her forearm.
Noah forced his scowl into a smile. The muscles in his jaw twitched in rebellion. “Sure.”
“I’m Sara,” said the brunette.
“I’m Chelsea,” said the blonde.
Noah faltered. His hand froze mid-reach for the pen. The sound of her name filtering in and out of his ear drums made his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth.
The blonde jabbed the pen into his hand and continued to wave her arm in front of his face. “I don’t have any paper with me. You can sign right here.”
Noah blinked at the young girl in a crop top and high-waist leggings. “Yeah. Okay.” He managed to scribble his signature onto the arms of the two girls and indulged them in a photograph. “Thanks for listening to my music.”
Thanks for making me ridiculously late, his brain silently corrected.
“Thanks! Toodles!”
The sound of bubble-gum popping and sticky sneakers could be heard as they skipped down the sidewalk. Noah sighed. He tossed his car keys into the air and caught them with his opposite hand. He fidgeted in place for another moment, scratching the back of his neck. His mouth still felt stale and parched.
It had been three years since he’d heard that name.
Noah’s phone buzzed inside his pocket and he scrambled to fetch it. It was Beth.
“You on the way yet?”
Shit. Late.
Noah typed out a hurried reply and jogged the rest of the way to his car. He knew Beth had to be frazzled, though she’d never show it. Beth didn’t get angry. She didn’t get flustered or stressed out. It was one of the many things Noah admired about his wife. It was one of the many things that made her an exceptional mother to their three boys.
Beth had earned her real estate license one year ago. She’d quickly made a name for herself with her poise, knowledge, and friendly demeanor. Her colleagues respected her, and her client base was growing. Noah was beyond proud. She’d had her eye on the Prager estate for weeks when a call finally came through for a showing. It was a two-million-dollar property with a six-figure commission.
They didn’t need the money. Noah Hayes was an acclaimed solo musician. He was an international star. No, it wasn’t about the money. Beth was a self-sufficient woman who prided herself on her personal successes and financial contributions. She’d been a single mother right out of the gate – she clung to her independence. Noah loved watching her shine.
He hopped into his car and dialed her number as he sped out of the parking garage. Her soft voice sounded through his Bluetooth.
“Hey,” she said.
Noah could hear the smile in her voice. “I’m so sorry I’m running late. My session ran over.”
“It’s okay, Noah. I get it.”
She always got it. “Hey… let’s take a trip soon. Just the two of us. I’ve been thinking about it.”
Beth was silent for a moment. “Are you sure? You have your tour coming up in the UK. And who would watch the boys?”
“We can sort out the details. We always do,” Noah insisted. “Our schedules have been crazy lately. I feel like we only see each other in passing.”
It was the truth. In between Noah’s song writing, practices, promotional events, and Beth’s real estate commitments, they’d been living as strangers for the past few months. Throw three boys into the mix, all with different needs, and Noah was desperate for some one-on-one time with his wife.
“Well…” Beth hesitated through the speaker. “If you really think we can pull it off, I’d love to.”
Noah grinned as he weaved through the city’s heavy traffic. “Yeah? Well, shit. Let’s start planning tonight. I was thinking Bali or Aruba.”
“Oh, Noah, that sounds wonderful.” She paused again. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” Noah grabbed his cigarettes off the passenger seat and searched for a lighter as he sped through a yellow light. “I’ll be home soon.”
Noah made good time as he careened into the driveway, thanks to equal parts road rage and a V8 engine. Three happy faces greeted him at the door.
“Daddy!” Jeremiah was quick to plow through his two brothers and smash his nose against the screen. “Daddy’s home!”
Sam unlocked the door and held it open as Noah breezed up the walkway. “Hey, Dad. I’m going to be late for baseball.”
“Nah.” Noah scooped Jeremiah into his arms and gave Caden’s hair a firm tousle. “You know how I drive. We’ll have time to spare.”
“If we survive,” Sam said with a laugh.
“Noah?”
Beth made her way down the staircase in a black pantsuit, her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. Her face lit up when she spotted him in the entryway.
“Go sell a damn house,” he smiled, meeting her halfway across the living room and kissing her forehead.
Her eyes twinkled with adoration as she stood momentarily entranced. “R – Right. The house. Gotta go.” Beth snatched her purse off a wall hook and flung it over her shoulder. She popped her earrings in as Jeremiah tugged at her pant leg. “You’re sure you’re okay with the activities? I know it’s a lot.”
“I’m basically Super Dad,” Noah replied. “You know this.”
He held up his arms to showcase his muscles in the most dramatic way. Caden jumped on him and hung from his upper arm like a monkey.
Beth giggled under her breath and smoothed out the fabric of her pantsuit. “All right, then. I should be home before you. Want me to whip up some dinner?”
Noah shook his head as he tossed the six-year-old over his shoulder. Caden screeched in frantic delight, pummeling his tiny fists into Noah’s back. “I’ll pick something up on the way home. You should relax. Enjoy an hour or two without four obnoxious boys demanding things.” He winked and leaned in for another kiss.
“Are you even real?” Beth joked as she pulled away. She slipped on her pointed heels and gave Noah a final glance. Her chocolate eyes were still sparkling. “I can’t wait to talk tonight.”
Noah discreetly smacked her butt as she walked by. “It’s a date,” he said.
“Be good for your father,” Beth ordered the three boys as she headed to the front door. Her eyes lingered on Noah. “He may look tough, but you know he’s just a big softie on the inside.”
Noah gave her a teasing glare. “You’ll pay for that outright lie.”
“Looking forward to it,” she said with a smirk. “See you all tonight. Good luck at your game, Sam.”
“Bye!” Caden yelled, jumping up and down.
“Mommy!” Jeremiah crumbled into a fit of tears as Beth disappeared out the door.
Noah jumped into Dad Mode and picked his son back up. “Get your shoes on, kiddos. Time to go.”
Sam grabbed his catcher’s mitt and backpack, while simultaneously fending off punches in the arm from Caden. Jeremiah continued to wail in Noah’s arms, his hands reaching desperately for the door.
Noah took a deep breath and reminded himself of the Super Dad title he had bestowed upon himself. Thirty seconds later, he had managed to pile all three boys into the SUV, and they were on their way to Sam’s baseball game. He dropped Caden off at karate on the way. His arm hung out the window, a cigarette dangling in between his fingertips. Noah always chain-smoked under pressure. When the ‘Baby Shark’ song began playing on repeat in the backseat, Noah sucked the sweet nicotine into his lungs with ardent voracity.
“Soccer!” Jeremiah pointed an eager finger at the playing field as they pulled into the parking lot. He clapped his hands with anticipation, bouncing in his seat. “Sammy play!”
“It’s baseball, buddy,” Noah said through his cigarette. He ground it out on the cement and helped the boys out of the car.
“Bye, Dad!” Sam called out, running towards his coach.
“Break a leg, Sammy,” Noah replied.
Jeremiah looked up at his father, his eyes wide with concern. His little fingers wrapped around Noah’s index finger. “Sammy don’t want a boo-boo.”
Noah chuckled and carried Jeremiah up to the stands. He nodded his head in greeting to the parents as he passed. Noah was used to the curious stares and starstruck gawking. Beth was normally the parent in charge of extracurricular activities, so Noah’s presence always came with plenty of whispers and scrutiny. He climbed to the top row of benches and took a seat next to a couple who lived on their street – Darla and Ken Nivens. Their son, Milo, rode the school bus with Sam, and the two boys had become good friends.
“Howdy,” Ken said, holding his hand out to Noah as he approached.
Noah attempted to keep his grip on the squirming three-year-old, who was in the process of making an impressive escape. He shifted the child’s weight into his other arm and returned the handshake. “Hey, Ken. Don’t mind my unruly accessory.” Noah nodded his head to the raven-haired woman with impeccably drawn-on eyebrows. She was pressed up against Ken with her blood red talons digging into his thigh. “Darla,” he acknowledged.
“We’ve all been there, Noah,” she said sweetly. “I can’t say I miss that phase.”
Noah had a hard time picturing Darla Nivens with any maternal instincts. While the couple had always been kind to their family, they oozed old money and entitlement. Noah took a seat beside Ken as Jeremiah slithered from his grasp and began running back and forth through the bleachers. The benches shook from the weight of his Mickey Mouse sandals stampeding by them. Noah ran his hand over his face, exhaustion and mild embarrassment settling in. He tried to hide behind his sunglasses and stoic visage.
Noah engaged in minor chit-chat with the Nivens as they discussed charity functions, their upcoming neighborhood barbecue, and the PTO board. Noah would rather throw himself face first into a barbed wire fence than hear about why Lori McGibbons was removed from the bake sale, but Noah played the part of a dutiful father with school spirit.
“You just can’t trust a woman who uses wheat flour in her vegan apple muffins,” Darla said with a haughty chuckle. “Beth understands. She is such a gem, Noah.”
Noah pretended to listen with his trademark ‘nod and smile’ routine. The mention of Beth’s name had him digging out his phone to see if she’d sent him any updates on the showing.
“I’m here. Just waiting on the client. I love you!”
Noah smiled as he responded. “Love you, too. Bali awaits.”
The three wiggling dots showed that Beth was typing. Noah waited for her reply, certain she was typing out her reasons why Aruba would be a better choice, but the three dots disappeared. After another minute passed, Noah slipped his phone back into his pocket just as Jeremiah heaved himself onto Noah’s lap. Noah’s breath hitched in his throat at the sudden blow. He cursed his body for not being used to the continuous abuse by now. He didn’t recall Sam being such a monster – then again, Noah was in his thirties now, and he was no spring chicken. He glanced at his phone again and noticed that it was almost time to run out and pick up Caden from karate. “All right, buddy. Let’s go get big brother.”
“No! I staying here.” Jeremiah stomped his little foot against the metal bleachers and crossed his arms in defiance. “I watch Sammy play soccer.”
Noah pressed his lips together, preparing for a scene. “Sorry, bud. We need to pick up Caden. We’ll come right back.”
“No!”
Noah looked around for the nearest hole to crawl into. “Jeremiah…” He reached for his son, but Jeremiah was too quick. He bolted in the other direction, garnering glances from the other parents. “Shit.”
“Why don’t you leave him here with us?” Darla offered.
Her features barely moved through her countless plastic surgeries, but Noah was almost certain she was smiling fondly at him. “That’s not necessary, but I appreciate the offer,” Noah replied. “I’ll only be gone twenty minutes.”
Jeremiah made his way back to the group and hopped up onto the bench next to Darla. “Hi! I’m Amiah!” he chirped.
Noah grinned as he plucked his car keys from his front pocket. “We’re still working on his name,” he explained. Noah turned his attention to Jeremiah, who was wildly swinging his legs back and forth. “Okay, kiddo, let’s go. You can have ice cream after dinner if you’re a good boy.”
“Yay!” Jeremiah jumped down and grabbed Noah by the hand, dragging him to the parking lot.
It was a ten-minute drive to the karate studio. Caden ran into his arms with giddy glee when he spotted him.
"Hey, Dad!"
Noah gave Caden a firm pat on the back. “Hey, bud. Ready to go?”
Caden nodded and waved goodbye to his teacher. Another ten minutes passed, and they were back at the baseball game. Noah looked into the backseat and noticed both boys were sound asleep. He leaned back, reveling in the rare moment of silence. He debated waking the boys and continuing his unremarkable conversation with the Nivens. The thought hurt him on a physical level, so Noah decided to take advantage of his unexpected free time and get some writing in. Sean was eager to get a new song out by summer, and Noah had been feeling uninspired. Sean, his business and PR manager, had followed him over from Freeze Frame to his solo career and had become a good friend throughout his journey.
Noah pulled a notepad out of his glove compartment and scribbled down a few lines that had been floating through his mind. He tapped his hand against his knee and hummed under his breath. The sound of the ball game could be heard outside his window, and Noah peered out every now and then to watch Sam. A sense of pride washed over him as Sam high-fived one of his teammates.
Sam had grown so much over the past ten years. Ten years. It was surreal to even think about. Noah had been a father for a decade. And he hadn’t royally botched it up either. Sam was a good kid who loved his brothers and maintained good grades in school. He enjoyed video games, sports, and drawing. He had a large group of friends and was well-liked amongst his peers. Noah had done a damn good job. Luckily, he had Beth to help him along the way.
Noah instinctively pulled out his phone to check his messages. Still nothing. He was hopeful the showing was going well and there may be an offer on the table.
After an hour had gone by and Noah felt relaxed and recharged, he decided to wake up the boys and watch the end of Sam’s game. They traipsed back up the bleachers and sat down to watch the final minutes. It was a big win for Sam’s team. Caden cheered from the stands, waving his fist in the air. Noah clapped and whistled. Jeremiah sobbed hysterically because his goldfish crackers had spilled onto the ground.
Noah sighed. “That’s our cue,” he muttered.
Darla Nivens squeezed his shoulder as Sam and Milo joined them on the bleachers. “It was great catching up, Noah. Let’s do a dinner party sometime.”
“A dinner party sounds…” Noah searched for an appropriate adjective. Nauseating? Painful? Terrible? “Excellent,” he concluded. “Text Beth about it. She’s in charge of me.”
Ken slapped Noah on the back with a hearty roar of laughter. “You got that right,” he said. “Thank God for the female species. Sometimes I wonder if I’d put my pants on the right way without my wife.”
Noah forced a smile in agreement. “Enjoy your evening,” he said as he gathered his three sons. “Let’s head home, boys. Who wants McDonald’s?”
***
Noah pulled into the driveway and a sinking feeling rumbled in the pit of his stomach. The house looked dark and Beth’s car was nowhere to be seen.
“I want the Minion toy!” Caden bellowed from the backseat.
“Mine!” Jeremiah shouted back.
“Dad, Jeremiah won’t trade with me!”
Noah turned off the engine and sat in perplexed silence. He checked his phone and saw that his last two messages to Beth had not been read. Noah thought maybe her phone had died – she was awful about charging it. Beth was content living in a technology-free world. She only used her phone for work and to keep in contact with Noah.
