Page 26 of The Story of Us
Nate rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, that was intense. I couldn’t sit there with everyone watching me any longer, but I didn’t want you to have to face it on your own.”
Eloise opened her wedges and chose the biggest one before offering the box to Nate, who shook his head. “You didn’t like all the attention? Charlie always made it seem like you did.”
Some of the stories her brother had told her were …surprising. Lots of women, lots of parties and lots of attention. Sometimes, from multiple women in the same night. Possibly even at the same time. They’d always felt like a warning. A reminder she was nothing like the women Nate had been with in the past. She’d only embarrass herself if she tried and her romantic track record was already abysmal.
Eloise stuffed the wedge into her mouth, chastising herself for the totally unreasonable wave of jealousy rolling through her body. What single, red-blooded male wouldn’t have made the most of being one of the NFL’s most talked about rookies? Nate had simply behaved the way anyone would have.
Besides, it was years ago.
And he wasn’t hers.
Her pace slowed as they turned right onto Peach Street.
“I took it too far that first season,” Nate said. “I don’t even recognise the person I was back then. It’s embarrassing that it’s what everyone associates with me.”
“Pretty sure people remember your Super Bowl-winning catch more.”
The darkness was playing tricks on her. Nate wasn’t blushing, was he?
“I hope so. But still, I’m not that guy anymore.”
A flag of familiarity unfurled in Eloise’s mind. Nate had said that to her before. Several times, in fact. Did it mean something that he wanted to make sure she knew he’d changed? That maybe he might want something more than friendship? She swallowed, scrambling to think of a way to redirect the conversation while she figured out what to do with that information. “You really don’t miss it? The thrill of the game? Doing what you loved?”
“I don’t miss feeling like I didn’t have a proper home. Seeing my family. Being a part of a community that knows me just as Nate. Wilbur and Lulu’s son. Brother number three. The guy who used to play football who now writes books. Someone people genuinely care about. It wasn’t always like that when I was playing professionally, and lots of that is because of how I acted, but even if I’d been a saint, people still would’ve tried to take advantage.”
Lavender peeked through the posts of a white picket fence, its sweet scent trying to lift the dour mood Nate was painting with his words.
“I’m not saying it wasn’t great. Because it was. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities and experiences it gave me, but it wasn’t real or sustainable. Not for me, at least. It was always only going to be a few chapters of my story, but sometimes it’s like I’ll never move past that. Or get people to realise I’m different now. Do you ever feel like people only see what they want to see? Not what’s right in front of them?”
Eloise twisted towards Nate, fighting the urge to grab his hand. What she said next was going to be important. For him and for her. For them. She could do this. Be brave. Take the first step … again. Sober this time, too. “I see you, Nate. I see how much of yourself you give everyone through your charity work and even your books. They’re the perfect escape when people need a break from the real world. Do you remember what you told me when I was deciding if I should apply for my master’s?” Eloise asked, her voice hushed as if this conversation was secret and precious. Like her feelings for him were.
She moved forward, their bodies so close they were almost touching. The spicy, woodsy smell of his aftershave tickled her nose. Eloise tipped her face towards his, revelling in the way the moonlight highlighted his cheekbones and soft eyes.
Nate lifted a brow, signalling for her to continue and her heart thumped in her chest, pumping harder when his gaze shifted to her lips.
“Never be afraid to bet on yourself.” Eloise pressed closer to the heat rolling off his body. He was always so warm. Her hands settled on his chest, the steady thrum of his heart under her fingertips. “You’re Nate James. You don’t have to be anything other than who you are right now. And this version of you is my favourite because it’s real.”
Nate’s eyes softened. “Yeah?”
Eloise’s breath caught when one of his hands cradled the back of her neck, the other her chin. Her eyes fluttered closed.
The kiss started with a featherlight brush of his lips against hers that was so soft she wasn’t sure if she imagined it. Then the gentle pressure grew, his lips pressing down harder, more insistently and she reached for him.More. More. More.Nate’s hand twisted in her hair, and he urged her forward until their foreheads were pressed together, their breath mingling. When he opened his mouth against hers, she didn’t hesitate to let him deepen the kiss.
Holy shit. Nate James was kissing the hell out of her.
And she’d follow him anywhere.
No wonder drunk Eloise had taken matters into her own hands the other night. If it was anything like this, she’d needed to work out all her leftover energy. Desire flowed through her body so quickly that it made her lightheaded.
Nate’s shirt bunched under her fingertips, his muscles hard and firm. She pressed her hips forward, curling into his body. Andoh my God,something else was firming up.
Eloise gasped, breaking the connection between their bodies, and they pulled away from each other panting. Nate’s thumb traced her bottom lip.
Numbly, she smoothed out the wrinkles she’d left in his shirt.Say something. Anything.“Thank you.”
Not that!
“Not for the kiss. For walking me home. I mean, notnotfor the kiss. Obviously, thank you for that. It was great.” The last word was barely a puff of air as Eloise blinked, embarrassment crawling all over her skin, chasing away the dreamy aftermath of the best kiss she’d ever had. Where was a portal to another world when she needed it?
