Page 8

T he bass vibrates through me, and I sway my hips to the steady beat of “Passionfruit” by Drake that’s blasting through the speakers.

I swig the last of my beer and place it on the counter, ready to cut myself off. It's been a long day of drinking, and I don’t want to feel like shit for the pool party tomorrow. Glancing at Bell, she raises her shot glass and swigs it back. Clearly, she’s more advanced at partying than I am.

Although I haven’t seen Nate since we first got here, I'm finally relaxing and not trying to spot him in the crowded room.

Bellamy leans into me. “I need another drink! Follow me.” She grabs my hand, and we weave ourselves through the crowd. Once we’re back in the kitchen, I crack open a Diet Coke as Bell pours herself another mixed drink.

“I still can't believe Darbs overdid it today,” I say, chuckling.

“For real, her and Lottie. Out of us all, I thought it would be you who had to bow out early,” she teases back with a hip check.

“No way, I'm great at pacing myself,” I say as a hiccup escapes, causing us both to break out in full laughter.

I raise my silver can to her red solo, and we cheers. “Love you,” I say with a smile. At the same time, Bell’s eyes go wide.

Arms wrap around my waist, lips reaching the shell of my ear. “Here you are, gorgeous,” Carter says, a slight slur to his tone.

Even though the girls and I only got here about an hour ago, I presume the team has been celebrating their win since they left the stadium.

I spin in his arms and give him a light peck on the cheek. Shifting his mouth so his lips are on mine, he kisses me deeper. We kiss for a few moments, and his hand cups the back of my neck. He’s a great kisser; it’s actually one of the things I like best about him. I just wish there was still a spark between us when his lips were on mine. The one that began to take off at the end of last semester, but unfortunately, I feel as if the flame has been doused in water. As his hands reach for my ass, that my cut-offs give him easy access too, I pull back.

He’s never made such attempts to kiss or be all over each other publicly. I wonder if it’s the liquor I'm smelling that’s fueling such boldness, or it’s the fact that Nate is here too.

It's awkward being in this position with him. Bellamy and some of his friends are all around us, witnessing Carter trying to paw at me, and I'm not having it.

“Alright, settle down, killer,” I say as I try to create some distance between us.

“Aw, come on, babe. I’ve missed you,” he says, attempting to pull me close once more.

“Carter, stop,” I say, a little firmer this time. Hopefully, he’ll pick up how uncomfortable he’s making me feel.

His hands fly up in defense. “Geez, sorry. Was just trying to get a little love from my girl.”

There he goes again, dropping the “my girl” thing.

“Now is not the time. Besides, you’re clearly drunk.”

His eyes flare with anger at my words.

“Not the time… What the hell, B? It’s never the right time, is it? Ever since fucking Outlaw got here, you’ve barely even touched me. Is that why? Is he the reason?”

“If you’d like to talk like an adult, we can have this conversation at another time… Now is not it,” I grind out through clenched teeth.

“Oh yes, of course, must always be on your terms…” He rolls his eyes.

Placing my hands on my hips, I’m over this. “I suggest you go grab some water and sober up before you say something you’ll regret.”

“Whatever, why don’t you go find Nate and tell him all about how I'm the asshole now.It’s exactly what he’s waiting for anyway.”

I shake my head. “Can you just fucking stop? This has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with your behavior right now. So cut the shit and walk away.” Well, mostly nothing to do with him…

He grabs another beer out of the bin and storms off without another word.

With a huff, I spin back to Bellamy, who unfortunately had to witness that shitshow. I roll my eyes as I sip the Diet Coke in my cup. “Ugh, drunk Carter is so not it,” Bell says with a wince as she throws back another drink.

“You’re telling me,” I scoff.

I'm beyond pissed now. I don’t even want to be here.

Bell eyes me for a minute before putting her arm around me. “You good?”

The expression firmly plastered on my face is answer enough. “I think I'm going to head home.”

She lets out a sigh of disappointment.

“I'm sorry, babe, but there’s no way I'm recovering from this mood. Not here, at least.”

“Alright, I'll walk you back,” Bell says. “Let me just tell the guys I'm leaving.”

“You don’t have to?—”

She cuts me off. “I will not let you walk home by yourself after a day full of drinking.”

“Please, stay. Honestly, it’s okay. You’re having fun, no need to leave.”

She levels me with a stare before turning away from me.

Bellamy disappears out the back door to where some of the guys are as I stay in place, still stewing from that interaction with Carter. When she returns a few minutes later, Nate trails behind her.

I try my best not to drool at how good he looks. And after the game he played today, too, I swear he catches me staring.

Well, at least he didn’t witness what just went down with Carter and me. But instead of joining the party, he continues to follow Bell to where I’m standing.

At just his nearness, my body tenses like it’s preparing for his touch. Like it hasn’t been without him for years now.

But I school my features, cross my arms over my chest, and brace for what happens next.

Nate

The back door opens, and like every other time tonight, I glance from where I’m sitting beside Cash to see if it's Berkley.

Instead, it's Bellamy who appears to be upset.

“What’s wrong, Bella?” Cash asks, immediately standing up.

Bella, huh?

She waves him off. “I’m good.” Rolling her eyes, she huffs, “I should have just told y’all to ban Carter from the house. Now he’s ruined our night, so I’m going to walk Berk home.”

That has me out of my chair. “What did he do?”

“Chill, stalker boy. She’s fine. They just got into an argument. Probably over you.”

Over me?

“Stalker?” Cash asks with a pinched brow.

“Your friend likes to leave little letters on my friend’s doorstep. AKA my doorstep,” she chides.

I wish I knew what Berkley truly thought of my letters…

She keeps talking to Cash. “I just wanted to tell y’all bye. You’re picking me up in the morning, right?”

“Like always,” he responds, his eyes lingering on hers.

“Okay, come at eight instead of nine, so we can be back for the pool party.”

“I’ll be there,” Cash mumbles, all while my mind is coming up with an idea that has my feet following the fiery redhead.

“Hold up. If you want to stay, I can walk her home.”

When she pauses, I think she’s considering it, but she opens our back door. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she says over her shoulder, continuing into the house.

“Let’s go, lady,” Bellamy says to my beautifully pissed-off girl.

“Bellamy wants to stay. I’ll walk you home,” I rush out.

Berkley looks a little stunned by my sudden appearance, her eyes widening.

“I did not say that,” Bellamy growls at me, crossing her arms.

“I don’t need either of you to walk me… It’s only a couple minutes away, and Darby is there. So, she’ll call the hounds if I don’t show up.” She takes a few steps, and her body sways from the alcohol she’s likely been drinking all day.

“Not funny,” I say, grabbing her arm as she tries to head for the door.

“Nate, there you are.” Berkley and I both turn to see a blonde I dodged earlier when I first got to the party. “I wondered where you went. Want to be my partner in beer pong?”

“He was actually just about to walk me home.” Berkley slips her hand into mine, and fuck, it still fits so perfectly.

There she is. Claim me, baby. I’m yours.

Thank you, random girl… You just helped me out more than you know.

I catch the way Bellamy raises her eyebrows at Berkley as the other girl walks away.

“Let’s get you home, BB,” I say, gently pulling her toward the door, not wanting to lose the chance to be alone with her.

As soon as the door shuts, she rips her hand from mine. “I see blondes are still your type.”

“You jealous, baby?”

“No! And don’t call me that,” she shouts and scares the shit out of me when she almost falls down the front stairs. I grab her arm just in time, steadying her.

“Okay, drunkie, keep telling yourself that.” I link my arm into hers, and she doesn’t fight me as we start walking to her place.

We move in silence for the first couple of minutes. So many things are on the tip of my tongue, but there’s too much alcohol involved tonight to breach anything I’d want to.

There is one pressing question that doesn’t require sobriety, though. “What happened with Graves tonight?”

Narrowing her eyes, she gives me nothing. “None of your damn business.”

“You’re right,” I say, holding up my free hand, signaling I’ll back off the topic.

Berkley shakes her head, and after another minute of silence, she surprises me. “Being this close to you is so confusing… Your damn letters are even more confusing.”

I don’t respond immediately, trying to articulate what I want to say, but she continues before I do. “Did you really write that letter two years ago?”

I nod, closing my eyes at the memory. I was such an emotional mess back then.

“I know none of it makes any sense, but I didn’t just leave that day and move on. My world spun around you—every game, every accomplishment, every day, every minute had been about you since we met. I thought I was doing the right thing back then, but it never felt right.” I stop my steps, turning her, so our bodies are almost touching, and it takes everything in me not to pull her into me. Tipping her chin up, I dip my head down so my eyes bore into hers. “ I haven’t felt right since that day. And now I’m here, having to face the feelings that never went away, and I’m confused, too, BB.”

Her eyes fill with emotion, and she looks at my lips before she lets out a sigh and steps back.

“I don’t even know what to say, Nate. I’ve probably had too much to drink for this conversation.”

“I know. We don’t have to talk about it.” Releasing a breath, I link my arm back into hers and walk up the steps to her apartment.

“You did really good today.” She gives me my first genuine smile tonight. “I’m still pissed at you, but I loved watching you play again.”

I smirk, reveling in that admission. “I was showing off for you.”

“Psshh, and every other girl there.” She rolls her eyes.

“Nah.”

We stop in front of her door, and I find myself wishing the walk was farther.

I think of something to keep her talking. “I heard you saw my dad. He was so happy to see you.”

“It was really good to see him too. I think the bartender had a crush on him. She couldn’t stop talking about how handsome and young he looked.” She giggles at the memory.

“I’ll have to tell him that. He could probably use the ego boost right about now.”

My statement makes her ponder something by the way her eyebrows furrow, and I wonder if she knows.

“I was kinda surprised your mom wasn’t with him. I just assumed she wasn’t at The Wolfpack on Friday, but I noticed she wasn’t in the stands earlier either.”

And if I have anything to do with it, she won’t be at any this season. The thought of her coming makes me so angry; I know it would ruin a game day for me.

“All those fights they used to have turned out to have some validity, and my dad finally asked for a divorce.”

Gasping, she covers her mouth. “Oh Nate, I had no idea.” So, she definitely doesn’t know .

“How is Willow? I feel so bad I’ve only talked to her briefly…” she pauses before admitting, “It was just too hard.”

“Trust me, I get it. And she’s doing okay. She’s living with Dad full time, and ever since she turned eighteen, she’s been taking her anger out on Mom under the tattoo gun. She officially has more ink than me.”

That earns another look of surprise. “Wow, really?”

I nod.

“Speaking of ink…” She gently runs her finger along the outer part of my forearm over a tentacle, and goosebumps scatter all over from her touch.

Did she see all of it? I don’t think she did.

“I like the octopus. It made me think of that field trip we went on.”

“Oh yeah…the one that you let me finger you on the bus during the ride back to school.”

Berkley blushes, smacking my arm. “Nathan!” She stumbles into her front door, and I’m reminded of the alcohol running through her system. I want to ask her so badly why she doesn’t go home, but I know now isn’t the right time. Plus, we are two days away from her most dreaded day of the year.

I put my hands up, shrugging. “It's a good memory. Why do you think I got it on my right arm?” Fuck, my dick is hardening, just remembering how wet and eager she always was for me.

Berkley levels me with a stare. “Stop it,” she says weakly, and I don’t miss the way her pupils dilate, hopefully recalling the memory as well.

Her so-called current boyfriend was in the seat in front of us with another teammate, and she had to bury her face in my neck to drown out her moans as she came.

“Are you coming to the pool party tomorrow, or is your post-game-day tradition still to lay around and eat cereal all day?”

“Not even Cinnamon Toast Crunch could keep me from seeing you in a bikini… It’s been too damn long.”

A little smirk she tries to hide pulls at her glossy lips, and she playfully rolls her eyes. “You are in for a treat…”

Her door opens, surprising us both, and a sleepy Darby stands in the darkness. “Bellamy called because you weren't answering. She wanted to make sure your stalker hadn’t kidnapped you.”

We both chuckle at Bellamy’s choice of words.

“Nah. I may be obsessed, but I’d never take her against her will.”

Berkley gives her roommate a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. I’ll be right in, Darbs.”

She turns back to me, a look in her eyes I can’t quite place. “Thanks for walking me home. See you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be the one staring,” I wink.

“Good. Bellamy bought me a new swimsuit…just to torture you,” she says simply, patting me on the chest and walking inside.

My belly dips, and I bite my lip, imagining the perfect kind of torment I’m in for tomorrow.