Page 34 of Steeling Her
“Um, I’m from New York. Well, I was born here but raised in New York. I was born in the summer and my family would come down here most summers so . . . yeah . . .” I swirl my straw around in my cup, allowing the ice to hit the sides. “You’re from here right?” He nods and leans back.
“Yeah, born and raised here. All of my family are here, both my mom and dads. My dad’s brother owns this place and he’s married to my aunt Rita there. They have Gage and Taylor; Gage is a year older than I am so we’re close, and Taylor is the same age as you and Haley. They’re really close, practically sisters . . . What’s New York like?”
“Have you ever been there?” I ask him and he shakes his head no, “I’ve always wanted to though. Maybe when I’ve finished college and start playing pro . . . hopefully.” I bite my cheek as I remember the last guy who said that to me. He told me that with full knowledge of who my family were. Nick, I don’t think he knows or else he would’ve mentioned it by now.
“You should go! It’s a great place, especially the city. There is tons of things to do there! It’s a little different from here though. If you ever go, I can show you around?” I offer him and he bites down on his lower lip, sending me a swoon worthy smile.
“I’d like that.” He drops his voice lower into a very sexy and husky voice. I feel my heart beating rapidly from just those three small words.
“So, is it your goal to go pro in the NFL?” Curiosity got the better of me. I had to ask. I want to know what he might be like once he knows.
“Yeah, it’s been my goal since I was ten. I’ve always wanted to play for the Chargers. They’re my team since day one.” I smile as that got me thinking about my brothers playing for the team. It was their dream to play for that team too. Now that they’re on the team, they couldn’t be any happier.
“Will you go back to New York once you’re finished college here?” he asks me, keeping the conversation going. I like talking to him. It’s easy with him. I can relax, be myself, and not get judged for it.
“I don’t know where I want to go? I can’t decide between LA and New York.”
“Go to LA and we can hang out there once I play for the Chargers,” he jokes with me. Rita comes out to hand us our food. All I could see is nothing but plates filled with food, and I send Nick a deadpan look to say are you kidding me? Making him smile, he bites into his bacon staring at me.
“Seriously though, go to LA and we can be friends; I won’t know anyone out there . . .” He drenched his pancakes in maple syrup and I wait for him to finish before I take it from him.
“I don’t think you’ll find it difficult to make any out there . . .”
“What does that mean?” He sounds slightly offended by what I said. But it’s true. One look at him and all the girls will flock to him in no time.
“Nothing.”
“No, no, come on. Tell me.” He slightly raises his voice to say he’s curious about my answer. I don’t know why he would even bother, he knows the answer. He’s hot. Every girl he comes into contact with knows it. That’s why they flirt like crazy with him. The girls love him and the guys think he’s a god for it.
“Isn’t it obvious?” I laugh nervously at him. His eyebrow quirks up at me and I roll my eyes at him, laughing once again. He’s really making me say, it isn’t he.
“Say it . . . I really don’t know what you’re talking about.” He sips on his drink, staring at me and not moving his eyes away from me. I don’t know how to get out of this.
“Girls . . .”
“What about them?”
“Nick . . . Come on, you’re smart, put it together yourself.”
“Oh, I have. I just wanted to hear you say it.” He smirks over at me and I widen my eyes.Is he kidding me?My reaction sends him into a laughing frenzy. “So you think because I look like this, I’ll have girls around me all the time in LA?” I nod and he leans back in the seat. “That’s quite shallow of you . . . and them. What about my amazing personality?” he teases me again and I giggle back at him. “I have an amazing personality. My mom says so!” He pouts over the table of food. He’s so cute.
“Look, I could say the same about you, but with guys—” Now it’s my turn to laugh at him. I completely lose control of myself and cover my face, laughing into my hands while I hear nothing except for me in the diner. Once I’m done, I stare over at his questioning face.
Nick says, “I don’t get what you’re laughing about? It’s true.” I lean my head against the back of the chair and stare up at the ceiling, releasing a small giggle every now and then, thinking about what he said. “Carter”—his voice makes me look back down to him—“you’re . . . well, you’re—”
“Ugly?” I smile over at him, lightening the whole situation between him and I that happened last week. He shakes his head with a smile.
“At least you’ve got a sense of humor about it. But no, you’re not ugly, Carter. Like I said before, you’re the complete opposite of it.” I play with my fork, wanting to ask what he thinks of me.
Before it even registered with me, I spoke up, “And what is the opposite of ugly?” It barely came out. We watch each other as I wait for his answer. Will I finally know what he thinks of me? Seeing his smile slowly fade from his face, being replaced by a serious look.
“Gorgeous,” he whispers out. It makes my breath leave my lungs without permission. My stomach erupts with uncaged butterflies. Did I hear that right?
“Are y’all done with these plates?” Rita comes back to us but Nick doesn’t look away from me. He nods to Rita, still looking at me, and leans back for her to get the plates. I break the staring competition with him and thank his aunt. When she clears our table, we sit in silence. I honestly don’t know what to say anymore.
“Why did you want to study to be a physical therapist?” he finally asks. I’m grateful he did because it turned awkward between us.
I shrug my shoulders. “My aunt is one. I wanted to try it out so I did some summer placements with her to see if I wanted to do it. Turns out I did want to do it, so I decided in high school that’s what I was going to be. I want to help people, what about you?” I ask him. I now know he’s studying it, but I want to know why? I’m finding out more interesting things about him.
