Page 64 of Matched

“Nate talks about you a lot, you know,” Jonas murmured when he shuffled past me, measuring shots of vodka from the optics. A wide smile stretched across my face, and something inside me warmed, thinking of the fact that he’d actually spoken about me to his best friend.

Four hours later, I was on my break and finally able to check my phone again. The student union had ended up being so busy that I hadn’t even had a chance to stop and catch my breath, let alone use my phone. Bypassing the messages from Elliot, I hit the notification that told me I had a new message from Nate.

Nate:

Thanks for the good luck message. We won! 2-1! Not sure when you’ll get to see this because I know work will be busy but I’ll speak to you before we go to sleep

I quickly tapped out a reply.

Me:

CONGRATULATIONS! I knew you’d do it! On my break now. It’s been too busy to even check my phone. If you’re already asleep by the time my shift finishes don’t worry. We can make up for it by celebrating after you get back tomorrow. Whenever you’re free. I don’t have any work

After I’d waited for a couple of minutes with no response, not even a read notification, I switched to Elliot’s messages, catching up with his commentary on everything that had happened in extra time. Levi had scored the winning goal, and from the sound of it, they were now all out celebrating in a pub near their hotel.

I wished I were there. I wished I were with Nate. One thing was for sure. I wasn’t going to miss the cup final for anything.

Jonas nudged me, jerking his head to the right. “Can you serve the customer at the end of the bar?”

My brows rose. “That’s Mia’s end. Or are we swapping?”

“Just do it. Quick.” He nudged me again, and I moved. We were too busy to stand around.

“What can I get—” The words died in my throat as I took in the person standing across from me, resting his elbows on the bar counter, with tired eyes and a huge smile. “Nate? What— How— What are you doing here?”

His smile widened. “I wanted to celebrate my win.”

“B—but you. Your team. You just left?”

“Yeah. I left as soon as we were finished in the changing rooms. Got in my car and drove straight home, then I came here.”

I wanted to kiss himso badly. Fuck it, you only lived once. Moving to the corner of the bar, I ducked under the flap and beckoned him into the dark corner of the room with me, sliding my mouth across his in a kiss that was far too quick.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I murmured when we parted.

“How could I celebrate my win without you, Charlie B?” He reached out and squeezed my hand. “What time do you finish your shift? I heard from Ander that your house might be empty, with all your housemates in Cardiff.”

“I’ve got another hour to go. Are you okay with waiting around, or are you too tired? If you wanna nap or anything, I can give you my keys, and you can go and wait in my room.”

His eyes went all soft, and it gave me butterflies. “Thanks, but I’m okay. Get back to work. I’ll be over here waiting.”

“Okay.” After giving him another quick kiss, I ducked back under the bar flap and then poured a pint of Coke with plenty of ice. Sliding it across the bar to Nate, I mouthed,On the house, and he shot me a grateful look. Smiling to myself, I watched him down it as I served a group of guys from the hockey team.

My final hour passed quickly with Nate there, and before I knew it, I was stepping out into the fresh air with Jonas and Nate in tow. I felt for the staff who were working the final hours and had to deal with the aftermath.

Jonas leaned back against the wall with a sigh. “That was a killer shift. I never do more than four hours in one go.”

“Me too. I’m dead on my feet.” Glancing over at Nate, I amended my statement. “Not totally dead. I have some energy reserves left.”

“Energy reserves.” Nate snorted, and Jonas laughed.

“Want me to go to Jada’s tonight so you two can do whatever it is you do? No, I don’t want details.”

Nate gave his housemate the middle finger. “Hey, dickhead. None of that. Charlie’s housemates are all in Cardiff, so you don’t have to exile yourself.”

“I see.” Jonas paused for a minute. “Mate. You drove back here straight after the match. A match where you played, what was it, half an hour of extra time? It must’ve taken you a while to drive back.”

“It took about three and a half hours, I think. Maybe a bit more.” Nate shrugged as if it were no big deal, and it hit me all over again. He’d played two hours of football, which in itself was exhausting, and then he’d driven approximately a hundred and fifty miles so he could seeme, instead of celebrating with the rest of his team.

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