Page 118 of Steeling Her
“Speaking of . . .” I feel his leg tense beside me when I mention his sister, like he forgot about the entire situation with us. “Nothing bad, I promise.” I shoot my hands up playfully in defense. “We talked today. About everything, and it was nice. Yeah, it’s still a little awkward for her, and I get it, but she was kinda alright with us? She told me you both talked?” I watch him nod because his mouth is full of food.
Once he swallows, he says, “Yeah, on Christmas Day. My mom made us talk it out . . . We both saw it from everyone’s point of view. She said that it’ll be uncomfortable at first but she’ll get there in the end, and same with me. Her and TJ being together is weird but I’ll become used to it after a while . . . if they last. OW!” I smack his arm for saying that.
“They really like each other, Nick.” I point at him to not say anything negative about them.
“I know they like each other. Fuck, I know they love each other, and that shits weird, but I’m just saying that as a precaution if they do decide to end it. I’m not saying they will, so you can put your hand back down and give me a kiss for hitting me.” The cheeky smile makes my heart do flips while he leans into my body.
“Only because you’re making the effort to be okay with them.” I poke his dimple that’s showing on his left side.
“No, because you want to kiss me,” he speaks lowly to me, leaning in and brushing his nose off mine. I boop his with mine playfully.
“True, but mainly because of all the effort you’re going through with me, your sister, your best friend, and tonight.” I place my hand on his cheek.
“Come here and reward me then,” he says seductively me. I feel a quiver from my legs when he said that, a feeling I’ve never had before. A certain want for him.
Chill, Carter, now is not the time. You told him you’re not ready just yet. Give it some time,I chastise myself.
I shake myself off and lean in to capture those tantalizing lips once more. These lips have teased me long enough for the night. This guy is doing something to my insides. He’s so romantic, and I never would’ve thought he’d be the type. Everything that I’ve heard about him has gone in the trash. He’s going against all the rumors I’ve heard and not believed.
After the dinner, we cuddle up to each other after Nick sails us back to the docks, but we still remain on board. We rest on each other, and I try warm myself up once again. The wind had more of a bite to it when we came back in than when we went out.
Now we’re locked up in each other under the blanket, just listening to the water lapping around us. My head is on his chest and his large arms are hugging my small body.
“So . . . what did you think?” he asks with a bit of nervousness in his tone. I lift my head up to meet his wary stare. He really is a little antsy about what I thought. The look he’s giving me looks like I kicked a puppy. I can’t even joke with him and tell him it was terrible because I’d feel guilty.
“It was amazing. Honestly, I never thought you’d put in this much effort with me, Nick. I really enjoyed being with you tonight, I will always remember this night as one of the best I’ve had,” I tell him truthfully and watch the grin that was nonexistent appear on to his golden face with every word I speak.
“That’s all I needed to hear.” Kissing me softly, I melt into him and cup my hands around his jaw. I stroke the light stubble dotted around. “You mind if I get a quick picture with you?” he asks once he pulls away from me. I sheepishly nod at him, silently wondering why he wants one with me. A hand slips into his pocket to get his phone and he sets us up for a picture. Pulling me under his arm, we both smile at the camera together, like that night he came over to apologize to me. Then he turns his head and kisses me on the lips again. I don’t know if he’s taking any photos of us, but he takes another one of us just staring at each other and smiling.
He’s finally finished after a few more pictures.
“What are you going to do with them?” I ask out of curiosity.
“I’m keeping them in my phone. They’re not going up on Instagram or anything, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. We don’t need to broadcast this everywhere. I just want to keep these private between you and me, you know?” I nod at how sweet he’s being. I kiss him once more and smile at him.
“I couldn’t agree more.” I tell him.
Chapter Twenty-Six
A Big Mushy, Cuddly, Giant Teddy Bear
Nick
My cheeks are starting to hurt. My smile hasn’t faded since our first date. I haven’t seen her since last night. I need to get up early and train with the team today. I’ve been less focused on football since coming back and more focused on her. I’m pretty sure people are starting to notice it too.
I practically spring myself out of the bed and get my gear packed up for today. A knock on my door tells me the guys are waiting for me so we can all go. Coach hates it when you’re late. He makes you stay an extra hour and do a ton of drills. Sit-ups, suicides, push-ups, etc. He pushes you until you can’t breathe anymore. I learned my lesson as a freshman.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and walk out my door into the hallway. TJ is waiting for me by the door with Reggie. TJ and I had a rocky start early this year, but it is mellowing out now that I know he’s not fucking around with my sister. If he does, he’s a dead man. He knows this too.
“You ready?” Reggie asks. I signal that I’m right behind him as he walks out. TJ and I follow him. All of us climb into TJ’s car as we buckle ourselves in. I look out the window and see everything that reminds me of Carter.
And I mean everything.
The fence, the trees, the grass, the toys on the lawn; I have no idea why they remind me of her, but they do. Especially the toys.
“Well?” Reggie squeezes my shoulder, taking me back to the present. I crane my neck around to face him in the back seat.
“Well, what?” I joke. I know they both want to know about the date last night. I couldn’t sleep a whole lot because of it. I was texting her half of the night, then we both said fuck it and I called her. I needed to hear her voice again. She later fell asleep on the phone with me.God, I wish I was there with her.
