Page 41 of A Touch of Heaven

I don’t know where they went; I don’t care. I just got a text saying they were heading out for a couple of days, and, to be honest, I was thankful for it. This vacation hasn’t been the easiest so far.

“Hey, man. You in there?”

I look up and see a couple of my friends from my old high school football team laughing at me.

“Yeah, I’m here. Sorry, I got distracted for a second.”

I take a swig of my beer and relax back into the seat.

“Let me guess, Brooke? Tell us you finally fucking told her, man.” Hunter flicks his fry at me.

I give him a short, sharp nod, throwing the fry back. Hunter and Jake had been friends with me since we were kids. They know all about how I feel, and this was the first time I had seen them since we split into different colleges.

“Yeah, I told her. She’s working out how she feels about me.” I take another swig of my beer.

“Bro, that doesn’t sound good. If she didn’t immediately jump into your arms, she doesn’t feel the same. Maybe it’s time you move on?”

I glare at Hunter. His words annoy me. It’s not like I haven’t fucking tried. “It’s not like that. She was kissing me last night, not vice versa; it’s just different. We’ve been friends forever. She needs to figure out if there is more to it than that.”

I don’t know if I’m trying to convince them or myself.

My eyes flick around the bar, and I see my girl with Harper in the corner. They’re both giggling away. I can’t believe I didn’t realize they were here. I watch her smiling and laughing, and I feel my heart squeeze. This is the happiest I’ve seen her in days, and I wonder if that’s because of me. Jake’s eyes follow mine and spot the girl that makes my heart race and my dick swell.

“Talk of the devil. Why don’t you invite her over?”

I take out my phone, smiling, and text her, telling her to look up, and she does. Her gaze meets mine, and she smiles…she smiles for me. There’s no better feeling in the world than that.

She whispers something to Harper and looks around before they pick up their stuff and join us. Harper slides into the booth next to the boys and Brooke slides in next to me. My arm quickly goes around her waist as I pull her closer. “Hey beautiful,” I lean down, briefly touching my lips against hers. Her eyes sparkle as I pull back.

“Mmm, is that really all the welcome I get?” She giggles cheekily.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

BROOKE

The moment his lips grace mine, I want more. His kisses are becoming addictive, and I challenge him to give me more. He chuckles briefly before moving his hand from my waist to my neck and kissing me deeply. My hand finds his shirt as I slide my hand up. Our tongues meet each other in a dance as I feel his other hand on my thigh. He breaks away from me too early for my liking, and I pout at him before realizing that Harper was making gagging noises and laughing at us both.

“God damn it, Harper, you’re becoming the biggest cock block.”

He groans, and I laugh at him, punching him playfully.

“Hey, guys.” I turn to his friends, settling in his arms, smiling at them as Nate’s arms find my waist again, settling his hand around it and pulling me closer to him. His warm, spicy scent overwhelming me.

We spend the next few hours catching up. The drinks flow freely between us all. Nate’s hands have been wandering my body the entire time we sit here. He pulls my thigh over him as I lean into him. His fingertips swirl against the skin of my inner thigh, sending shivers up my spine.

My phone buzzes, and I see Chase’s name on my phone, sending me a text message. I don’t open it, instead putting my phone face down on the table. I look up at Nate, and he’s laughing along with his friends. His easy-going nature soothes my soul.

This is comfortable right here. It always has been between us. I wonder if I can see us together after the summer ends.

Is this my life now?

Comfortable in his arms.

It could be.

But something in me longs for more. I don’t want to be comfortable. If I wanted that, I could stay in Asheville for the rest of my life. I want to be challenged; I want excitement and thrills. I want to live my life never knowing what’s coming but enjoying every second of it. I wonder if I can have that with Nate.

I know Nate will go pro. He’s too good not too. I know teams have already approached him about his plans after college. One day, he will be playing football in front of millions of people, but can I be the good little girlfriend in the stands cheering his name?

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