Okay, I guess whatever they’re all working on together is on a need-to-know basis. And I’m not someone who fits into that category. I get it. I’m a first-year. I don’t expect any kind of preferential treatment because I’m Nathan’s girlfriend.
“You don’t have to tell me what it is,” I say aloud. “But know I’m here if you do need to talk about anything. I just want to be there for you as much as you are for me,” I tell him.
Nathan is quiet as he pulls to a stop out front of my mum’s house. Turning the ignition off, he twists in his seat to face me. One of his palms cups my cheek. “You are fucking amazing, Bentley Johnson, and I love you,” he says.
“I love you too.” I smile before crashing my lips to his. “Come on. Eat quick, because I already can’t wait for you to take me home and fuck me into a coma,” I tell him.
“Fuck, Bentley, you can’t say shit like that to me. How am I meant to meet your mother with a boner?” He groans as a hand reaches down to adjust his pants.
“You always have a boner,” I deadpan. It amazes me how he’s always so ready.
“Not always, only when I’m around you, or thinking about you, or thinking about thinking about you. So, basically, you’re right… pretty much always.”
I open the door and climb out of the car. Nathan scowls at me as he makes his way around the other side but doesn’t say anything. I know he likes opening the door for me, but being an independent woman and all that, I can open my own doors. I join my hands with his and walk up to the front of the house. I pause, suddenly nervous all over again, before grabbing the knob, opening the door, and leading Nathan through the foyer.
“We’re here,” I call out.
“Dining room,” my mum replies as she appears in the hallway and gestures us forward.
“Hi, Mum. This is Nathan. Nathan, my mum, Shirley.” I wave a hand between them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Johnson.” Nathan holds out a palm to my mum.
She ignores it, embracing him while bypassing the handshake. “Likewise, come here.”
I watch as Nathan awkwardly returns the hug before pulling away. His hand finds mine. He entangles our fingers together again before offering me a reassuring squeeze.
“You’re just in time, Bentley. You can help your sister set the table,” Mum says.
“I’ll help you,” Nathan offers, gripping my palm even tighter. At first, I thought the gesture was for my benefit; now I’m thinking it’s more for his.
Is the ever-cool Nathan Miller nervous?
I tilt my head up and peer over at him. Yep, he’s nervous. It’s a look I’ve not seen on him before. And, for some reason, hisnerves put my own at ease. “Come on, I’ll get you a drink first.” I pull him towards the dining room, where there’s a small wet bar.
Jules is setting plates down on the table when we enter. “Hey.” She glances up and smiles.
“Hey, how are you?” I ask her, as I walk straight to the bar and pour a glass of whiskey before passing it to Nathan.
He looks around the room, then quickly downs it in one go. “Thanks,” he says as he hands the glass back to me.
Jules and I both laugh. “You do know you’re like a gazillion years old. You don’t have to sneak alcohol,” my sister tells him with a grin.
“A gazillion?” Nathan parrots with a raised brow.
“You’re not that old. But she’s right. You don’t need to sneak a drink. Want another?” I offer.
“No, thank you.” Nathan is rigid. He’s standing close to me, but I’ve never seen him so stiff.
“Relax. You’re okay,” I tell him.
“I am relaxed.” He smiles but it falls short.
“Come, sit down. I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life.” Jules points to a chair where she’s already placed a table setting. “I have so many stories for you.So many,” she repeats, placing extra emphasis on the last two words.
“No, you do not!” I hiss at her. “Muuuum!” I call out at the top of my lungs. “Control your feral child!”
Nathan looks at me. He’s fighting the smile tugging at his lips. His brows are raised, his eyes wide. Leaning in, he whispers in my ear, “You have nothing to worry about. Me, on the other hand, I’m fucking hard as a rock. Did you really have to wear that dress?” he whispers.