Page 25 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“No way.” Kasey puffs out a laugh. “Someof us have grown up and moved on,” she says. “So, I’ll see you and Nat at the dock?”
“Hmph.” I should get going soon too, but I keep delaying the inevitable. Meanwhile, Kasey collects the towels and her beach bag, then she breezes out the door.
“You cooked, Mom.” I pick up my plate. “I’ll do the dishes.”
“See what I mean? You reallyarea dream, Brady.”
“Don’t be too sure,” I say. “I might disappoint you yet.”
ChapterEleven
NATALIE
If someone had told me I’d end up in Brady Graham’s truck three times in twenty-four hours, I might’ve pretended to break both my legs and claimed I couldn’t come to the wedding. But then I wouldn’t have made it to LA to spend time with Sloane, the only person on the planet perkier than I am. And I wouldn’t have met my future supervisor, Aaron Winchester. Or my potential landlord, Wyatt. And if I hadn’t flown to California, I wouldn’t have a rental agreement in my bag or a fresh start on the horizon. I just wish the beach-adjacent apartment and new nursing position didn’t feel so far away.
I’m probably just tired. Plus my bathing suit is wedged where I can’t get sunburned. Not to mention the person responsible for my terrible sleep is staring out the window, jaw clenched,nottalking to me. But that’s probably a good thing. I’m better off keeping conversations with Brady to a minimum. After what he said yesterday about Abieville, it’s clear this town is his forever home, but it never felt like that for me.
I wouldn’tlet itbe that.
Our family moved here when Beau and I were kids, after my mom inherited her childhood home. Within days, Beau easily made friends. He and Brady became inseparable. Meanwhile, I faked smiles andactedhappy. I was good at playing the role of a friendly girl. But even with Shannon and Paige, I always felt like an outsider, pushing my way into their inner circle. So I promised myself I’d leave town as soon as I could. Once I graduated, I kept that promise. And I can’t let Brady’s love for Abieville make me question my choices now.
I just wish we weren’t sitting so close to one another that I can smell his deliciousness without trying. He’s wearing board shorts today, the nicer kind with pockets, and his Henley matches his eyes. Every time he moves the steering wheel, his muscles flex. I focus on my beach bag and hope I don’t drool.
At least the drive will be quick.
I can already see the lake through gaps in the pines. To distract myself, I try counting the trees, like I could even keep track of the number. We’re almost to the bridge when the engine starts sputtering. Sputter. Sputter. Die.
“No, no, no.” Brady groans as we coast to a stop on the side of the road. We’re two miles from the docks and out of gas. So close and yet so far. “Kasey’s gonna kill me.” He grips the wheel, his knuckles turning white. “And Beau will never let me live this down.”
“It happens,” I say softly. That’s what he said when he rescued me from this exact situation six months ago. Blowing out a long breath, he slides his phone from his pocket to call my brother.
“Hey, man. You won’t believe this, but I just ran out of gas. We were almost to the lake, and… Yeah. Nat’s with me.”
He pauses, listening to Beau. That’s when I realize Brady probably only ran out of gas because he spent all day yesterday driving me around. And then today, Beau asked him to pick me up again. When would he have had time to fill up?
“I’ve got a spare can at my place,” he says. “I’ll run there and back, but I’m guessing we’ll be about a half hour late.” He swallows and his Adam’s apple travels the length of his throat. “Okay… yeah. Sure. If that’s what you want. I’ll tell her.”
I can only hear one side of the conversation, but when Brady ends the call, his frown is so deep, it could be the Grand Canyon. “What’s wrong? I ask.
“Beau’s sending Drake Hawkins to get you.”
* * *
I’m standing in the dirt on the side of the road when a red sports car roars up and parks behind Brady’s truck. It’s got Pennsylvania plates, so it must be a rental. No one in Abieville drives a car like that. I head to the passenger side with my beach bag, but Drake unfolds himself from the driver’s seat and comes around the front instead.
“Greetings, Natalie!” He dips into a gentlemanly bow, then pushes a wedge of jet-black hair off his forehead.
“Hey, Drake.” I smile at him. “Thanks so much for coming to get me.”
“My pleasure. But my friends call me Hawk.” A toothy grin lights up his face. “You’re looking awfully lovely today.”
“Ha!” I hitch my shoulders. “For a second I thought you were going to say I lookawful.”
“In that dress?” His brow lifts. “Never.” He raises a hand to his forehead, glancing around like he’s looking for someone else. “Brady didn’t stay with you? I thought he might want a ride as well.”
“No, he said waiting for you would just hold the two of us up.” At least that’s what Brady claimed. The alternative is that he wanted to get away from me as soon as possible. But I get it. The last time we were in an out-of-gas situation, it was my car, and he drove me home. Then I kissed him. Then he kissed me back. But these are things we don’t talk about.
Hawk opens the passenger door for me, and I settle into the front, the beach bag at my feet. The car is a two-seater, which isn’t very practical, but it sure does make a statement. After climbing in on the other side, Hawk fires up the engine and pulls onto the bridge.
