Placing his palm out for my hand, Brady asks, "Ready?"
Not even a little bit.
"Sure. Just let me text Cooper to tell him I'm leaving."
It's odd to be walking home from a party. I don't think we've ever lived in a town that was small enough to walk anywhere besides the mailbox and back before now. The houses are spaced far enough apart that there is plenty of privacy, but there is this cozy feel here that I think I could love. I have this overwhelming sensation that this is precisely where I'm supposed to be, and I'm suddenly grateful that Dad got this job.
Brady and I are walking along a dark sidewalk. The dull streetlamps are lighting our way. It feels strangely intimate.
“So, tell me about yourself, Little Sinclair.”
“Only if you stop calling me that, QB.”
“Done. What’s your favorite ice cream?”
“What?”
“Ice cream,” Brady speaks slowly like I didn’t understand him. “Mine’s vanilla with rainbow jimmies.”
“Mint chocolate chip. This can’t be one-sided, QB. I want a question for every one you get.” Brady nods his acceptance. “Favorite thing to do, and you can’t say football.”
“Hmm. That’s a good one. I like to ski. You?”
“I’ve never skied before. We’ve gone to Vale a few times, but my mom and I usually just went to the spa while my dad and brothers did the skiing. It was her version of bonding.”
“We’ll have to all go skiing this winter. We can day trip to the Poconos. I’ll get you out on the slopes. Favorite smell?”
“A warm chocolate chip cookie. Just out of the oven. They smell so good. You?”
Brady groans. “You’re making me hungry, woman.”
“Hey, you didn’t answer. Favorite smell?”
“Oh, that’s easy, the smell of the ocean when we cross the bridge, driving down to the shore. It’s… I don’t know, I love that smell.”
“That’s a good one. Chloe asked me to go to the beach with her next week. Then Murphy and Sebastian decided it’s a party. So maybe I will get to smell that soon. Hey, what's the story with your sister and Sebastian?”
“No story. Chloe and Bash have known each other since he moved to town
in fifth grade.” He must belatedly understand my question because he laughs a second later. “Nope. That's not happening. Chloe doesn't swing that way. She's more likely to be into you than him.”
“Really? I wonder if I'm her type.” I smile up at him, and the look he is giving me is priceless. “I’m kidding. I’m kidding. Your sister is beautiful. As soon as I saw her walking toward me at the party, I knew instantly we were going to be friends, which is strange because I don't make friends easily. She's great. I wasn't sure if I wanted to come tonight, but I am so glad that I did.”
Coming to a stop, Brady angles his head down at me and grabs my hand. “Why didn't you want to come tonight?”
“Cooper and I had dinner with our dad. I told him I wanted to take a break from ballet, and he called me a quitter and told me how disappointed he was in me. It was a brutal dinner.”
“Sounds bad. I'm glad you came, though, and that your night got better.” He is still holding my hand as I bring my eyes up to his.
“That's very sweet of you, QB.”
“Damn, you look beautiful when you smile, Natalie.” Brady’s fingers find mine as he twirls me around in a circle, my dress spinning out around my legs, while we stand under a huge, old oak tree on the edge of this quiet street. The cicadas are causing a constant, dull thrum in the background, and the fireflies are lighting up the night’s sky.
It's beautiful and romantic. I think I'm about to get kissed.
8
Brady
As much as I don’t want to admit it, I’m drawn to Natalie Sinclair. I can’t explain it, but there is a pull I don’t think I want to fight. She’s sweet and funny, sassy and sarcastic, and fucking beautiful. My fingers reach for hers, and I spin her around like the ballerina she is.
Her pale blue dress is the same shade as her eyes. It’s strapless and ties in a knot at her chest with a small open hole under the knot. Cooper would fucking kill me if he knew how much time I spent tonight thinking about how easy it would be to untie that knot. Untie her like she was my favorite birthday present. She may have been showing less skin than most of the girls at the party, but she was sexier than all of them.
Nat spent the night laughing and talking with my sister, and for an unexplainable reason, that made me happy. I can’t figure out why she feels right when the idea of a girlfriend feels like a complication I don’t need.
She stops spinning in front of me. Her hair is soft and framing her gorgeous face. Flushed cheeks and a beautiful smile are lighting up her eyes...
At that moment, something settles in me, knowing that I put that smile on her face. I want to be the man that earns that smile every day. I run my hands up her arms, feeling the goosebumps I’m leaving in my tracks, and Natalie shivers. Resting my hands under the hair at the back of her head, I’m about to kiss Natalie Sinclair. Until I see fucking headlights coming our way.
“Brady?” Nat’s looking up at me now. She’s doesn’t know it yet but will realize any second that Cooper’s Rubicon is approaching us.
Cooper pulls up next to us and lowers the windows. I’ve already moved my hands, so he hasn’t jumped out of the car and started throwing the punches he would have thrown if he caught me kissing his sister. “Hey, Nattie. I’m sorry. Hop in, guys. I’ll drop Brady off then drive us home.”
“I’m good, man. I’ll walk.”
I open the door for Natalie, watching her get settled before closing it behind her. Nat leans on the open window. “Thanks for walking me home, Brady.”
“Yeah, man, thanks for walking her home. Sorry I was otherwise occupied.”
“Eww! Man Whore! I do not even want to KNOW how exactly you were occupied! Just take me home. I’m exhausted.”
“I can’t help I, the ladies can’t get enough. See you later, QB.”
I call back, “Don’t be a douche, Sinclair.” Then hear Nat making fake gagging noises as she rolls the window up.
I watch them drive away and wonder what the fuck I was thinking. I was so close to kissing this girl. She’s the good girl you introduce to your mom, not the girl you let suck your dick and then toss aside. She is fucking incredible, but am I going to break my own rule and potentially fuck up my final season playing for the Kroydon Knights and possibly the friendship I’ve got going with her brother on and off the field?
I don’t know if I can throw away what I feel like I have worked my whole life toward for a girl that I’ve just met. I’ve signed my letter of intent, but my offer and scholarship can still be rescinded. So why can’t I stop thinking about her lips on mine. Natalie Sinclair might be worth the risk.
Walking into my house a few minutes later, I kick my flip flops under the bench in the mudroom and lock the door behind me. There is a lone light on in the kitchen, and I can see my sister sitting on one of the barstools at the counter. Chloe has a cold piece of pizza in front of her mouth and a glass of iced tea next to her.
She’s changed into a grey pair of Kroydon Prep sweats and fuzzy socks, like it’s the middle of winter. Tilting her head to the side, my sister squints her eyes like she is thinking hard about something. “Well, damn, Brady. I was hoping it would take you longer to get home.”
“Why would you want me to take longer? What are you up to?” I lean down and take a bite out of her pizza before she can, then settle myself on the stool next to her.
“Fucker! You might as well take the slice now. Gross.” She grumbles as she hands me the pizza and walks back over to the refrigerator. She gets herself another slice and pushes the pizza box across the counter to me. “I was hoping you’d take longer getting home because I was hoping you and Natalie would take a long way.” She waggles her eyebrows at me exaggeratedly, and I groan.
“Lay off. That’s not h
appening.”
“Well, why not? She is one of the first cool chicks to come to town in ages. She’s pretty, has a brain, and she seemed like a genuinely sweet girl. Not to mention, she obviously knows football and understands what it takes to play at your level. If I thought I had a chance, I’d go for it, but I’m pretty sure you’re more her type. So, tell me, why can’t it happen?
“I know you were watching her. You checked on us all night, and I saw the look on your face whenever other guys stopped to talk to us. You looked pissed when Darby sat down with her. Do you know he took her number and asked if she wanted to catch a movie? This one might not actually throw herself at your feet. You might have to put a little effort in here.”
Knowing he has her number and I don’t causes a punch to the gut I wasn’t prepared for.
“I was not watching Natalie all night. I was looking out for my little sister. Gotta keep you safe.”
Chloe rolls her eyes at me. She has a black belt in Judo and started studying Muay Thai last year. My sister could probably kick my ass with her eyes closed. But there is no way that I will tell my sister she’s right, and that I couldn’t keep my eyes off Natalie tonight.
That would be giving her too much ammunition, and I am not in the mood to deal with it now.
“What the fuck ever, Brady. Don’t be a pussy. Go for the girl before someone else does. You’re a good guy. Cooper will get over it. You already signed your letter of intent, so you don’t have to stress out about college, and you’re the best player on the team, so enjoy your last season with your own personal cheerleader in the stands. Stop overanalyzing this the way that I know you are doing right now. Get out of your head for once.”
“Well, when you put it that way, how could I not listen? Why don’t I just let you tell me how to live my life while you’re at it, Chloe?”
“Be careful what you wish for. Your life seems pretty boring right now. Try actually living it a little. Have some fun. That’s what I would tell you to do if I was in charge of how you live your life. You’re eighteen. Enjoy your senior year, stop wearing the weight of the world on your shoulder pads, big brother. That is my wisdom for the night, Brady. Take it how you want. I’m going to bed.”
Take it how I want. I’m the God damn quarterback. It is my job to be responsible for an entire team. If we win or lose, it’s on my shoulders.
I got called into Coach’s office today after our last practice and told to gain control of my team.
Everyone wants to win.
Get them all on the same page, Ryan.
It’s your team. Lead it.
9
Natalie
A week later, Chloe and I are lounging in two beach chairs. Our toes in the cool ocean water, and our faces turned toward the warm sun. The water is a muddy, angry blue, with choppy white peaks. It looks like a storm’s coming in, but so far, it’s been beautiful. Not as hot as last week, but still a balmy 80 degrees.
We’ve spent the day laughing, reading, and watching two incredibly hot lifeguards in cliché red shorts, do everything from pull-ups and laps in the ocean, to running the beach. We couldn’t have asked for better eye candy.
I also found out my new BFF is just as interested in guys as she is girls, but when I asked her if Brady was wrong, and something actually was going on with her and Bash, she laughed her ass off. Apparently, it’s hard to date any of the guys from school because she’s known them all since they used to eat dirt.
When I think of Labor Day weekend at the Jersey shore, I think of the old MTV show. I do not think of a tiny little town, full of houses that take up entire blocks. Chloe’s parent’s beach house is massive. It’s also on the part of the island that is only one block wide. From one side of the enormous wrap around porch, you have a beautiful view of the bay, and all of the gleaming boats docked on private docks. You walk down six wooden steps from the opposite side of the house, and your toes hit the soft sand, taking you down a hidden path that gives you direct beach access. The location couldn’t possibly be better.
We drove the hour and a half here last night with the top down on Chloe’s cherry red Fiat convertible while we sang Taylor Swift at the top of our lungs. As we crossed the bridge onto the island, I recognized the smell Brady mentioned last week. I don’t know that it could be one of my favorite smells, but I could see how it would be something you could grow to love.
We had the house to ourselves last night. We gave each other manis and pedis, ate an entire bucket of popcorn, one bag of Twizzlers, and a carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Then, we binged watched The Great British Bake off while FaceTiming with Luca and his boyfriend Dan. It was a perfect night.
I’ve barely seen Cooper or the guys since last weekend. Our schedules never seemed to mesh up. The coach decided they needed a second week of two a days, so they’ve been miserable.
Checking my phone, I notice that I have a few missed texts.
Coop: Just left the house - on our way to the beach. You girls need anything?
Darby: Heard the team talking. Think we are coming to party with you at the beach tonight. You gonna be there?
Luca: Hey Bitch. Just checking in. Wanted to make sure you’re not in a sugar coma.
I text Coop back first.
Nattie: Nope. We’re good. Tell the guys Mrs. Ryan had the house stocked with food for us. See you soon.
After Cooper, I text Darby.
Nattie: Hey. How was the game? Chloe and I are already here.
Darby: Game was good. We won. I had a couple good plays.
Darby: I’ll try to get down there this weekend then.
I save Luca for last.
Nattie: Nope. No sugar coma. Just enjoying the view on the beach.
Luca: You better mean the view of the hot guys and not the ocean. Pics, please.
I send him a pic of the lifeguard in the boat.
Nattie: Sent.
Luca: Yum! Let loose. Have fun, Buttercup. Let a lifeguard bang you against his chair. Better yet, do the quarterback. He sounds like a hottie too. I need a pic of him. Don’t make me ask Chloe. She can replace you as my BFF.
Nattie: RELAX Drama Queen. Nobody is getting banged this weekend.
Luca: Speak for yourself. *Gif of the Queen of England looking annoyed*
Nattie: Well… Brady is coming down tonight. I think Darby might be too.
Luca: A menage?
Nattie: Oh, Please. You know me better.
Luca: Have fun figuring it out. Gotta Go. Break’s over. Talk again soon.
Chloe places her white framed, oversized sunglasses on her head, pushing back her hair and nails me with a glare. “What are you laughing at over there? Who are you texting?”
“Just Luca. He wanted to know if we were in a sugar coma after last night and if I was planning on getting banged by a lifeguard or getting ready for a menage. His overactive imagination is in full force today.”
Chloe howls with laughter, like this is the funniest thing she’s heard. “Shut it, you. No one is getting banged by a lifeguard this weekend unless you go for it, and I can’t manage one guy, let alone two.”
“I’m not doing either of the lifeguards. You, on the other hand, could give a girl and a guy a try if two guys are intimidating.”
“Let me master one on one before we make it more complicated, please.
“There are other options, you know. My brother will be here, tonight..”
“Yup. It sounds like half the team might be coming too, from the text Darby just sent.”
“Oh, really. Will Darby be coming for you tonight?”
“Oh, come on.”
“What. You are interested in him, aren’t you? You’ve been texting him all week.”
“Yeah. We’ve been texting.”
She leans in closer to me. “And…?”
“And, nothing.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound good for Darby, but it definitely means there’s still a chance for the quarterback to score.” She sits back in her
seat, pleased with herself.
“No one will be scoring this weekend.”
Chloe lifts the arms of her chair, moving it into a fully reclined position and lays back. “Well… maybe you won’t be.”
She rolls onto to her stomach, puts her head down and I’m left alone with that thought. If Darby hooked up with someone else this weekend, would I be upset? I don’t know if I would be. If Brady hooked up with another girl… I get irrationally annoyed just thinking about that. “Shit.”
Chloe turns her head to face me. “Didn’t like the thought of that, now did ya?”
Nope. Not at all.
10
Brady
We won our scrimmage this morning. The entire team was finally in sync. Coach was happy, the team was psyched, and now we are all home and grabbing our stuff to head to the beach. It’s a good day.
Grabbing my phone, I pull up Chloe’s Instagram to see what she and Natalie are doing now. They posted a few pictures last night of them painting their toes. Today there are a few pics of them at the beach. In one, Nat is sitting in a beach chair with her glasses pulled down, and her eyes are looking up at Chloe. Her hair looks windblown. Her cheeks are tinged pink from the sun. She’s smiling at the camera, and she looks fucking beautiful.
Walking down the stairs, I see my mom sitting at her antique writing desk.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Nothing is up, my darling. Aren’t you supposed to be at the beach house with Chloe? You know I hate her there alone.” My mother is still under the impression that Chloe can’t take care of herself when, in reality, the two of us have been taking care of ourselves most of our lives.
“Yeah, Murphy is picking me up in a few minutes. What are you and Dad doing this weekend?”
My mother stands gracefully, shoulders back, head held high, old money breeding allowing nothing less. Not a hair out of place, she’s wearing a red dress with matching heels and pearl earrings that have been passed down in her family for over a century. This is how my mother dresses seven days a week, no matter what she is doing. She may dress up more than this depending on her function, but I cannot remember her ever dressing down.
All In (The Kings of Kroydon Hills Book 1) Page 5