“Last night should never have happened, and I won’t let it ever happen again. I will keep you safe.” He stands up next to me. “Now, I think it’s time for you to cool off.”
His words are a balm to my soul.
I want to be his.
I feel bad for the mini tantrum I just threw, for about five seconds. Then I’m six feet off the ground, with my ass in the air as Brady throws me over his shoulder and runs into the ocean with me screaming the whole way.
19
Brady
It has been one of those days that I know I will look back on years from now and remember. We played beach volleyball for half the day. Threw the football around then surfed until the sun started to dip behind the warm, orange-hued horizon.
It’s just Cooper and me out here now. The two of us sitting on our boards in the ocean as we watch the hazy sun start to go down past the end of the sea. He keeps teasing me that these waves suck compared to California, but we make do with what we’ve got.
Bash was with us earlier, but he and Murphy went back to the house with the girls a while ago.
We’re going to head in soon.
They’ll be starting the bonfires a few hours after the sun sets.
This has always been my favorite time of the day on my board. My dad taught Chloe and me to surf as little kids. Before he got too busy to have fun and was still willing to spend his time with us enjoying life instead of always focusing on furthering the Ryan empire.
I think it’s time for me to start enjoying life too.
I’m lost in my thoughts, staring off into the distance, when I hear Cooper.
“You ready to head in, man?”
Now or never. “I wanted to talk to you about something first.”
Cooper looks momentarily worried. “About last night? Cause I gotta tell you, man. Natalie asked me earlier to let it go. She wants to move on. I don’t know how I’m gonna look at the piece of shit for the rest of the year, but I’m not good at telling my sister no.”
“I hear ya. I wanted to talk about something else, though.”
“Hit me. What’s up?”
“I was hoping to talk to you about this last night before everything went down. I want to take Natalie out. On a date. I think there’s something there between us, and I want to see where it goes. I know she’s your sister, and you don’t want her to get hurt, man, but I’m not going to hurt her. I’m gonna fucking worship her.”
“Shut the fuck up, bro. If you promise never to tell me you are going to worship my sister again, I won’t beat the piss out of you for even thinking about all the ways you want to worship her. And try not to touch her in front of me.”
I sit there waiting for more, but that’s it.
He seems like he’s done.
“Seriously? That’s it? I thought you were going to rip that lifeguard’s arm off and beat him to death with it when he tried to touch her ass yesterday.”
“What you didn’t see when that happened was the look on your face. You also didn’t see it last night when you took care of her before you even considered yourself. You could have ended your season with that hit last night, QB. You know that, right? Of course, you fucking know that. The consequences could have been fucking epic if you broke your hand while breaking his face, and you didn’t hesitate to protect my sister. There aren’t a whole lot of people I trust.
“People are usually trying to use me to get to my dad. You, Bash, and Murph aren’t like that. Don’t fucking hurt her. Don’t fuck her over. And don’t ever fucking talk about her in the locker room, and we are good man.”
“I won’t. Pretty sure I’d do anything to make her smile and would get you to help me bury the body of anybody that tried to hurt her.”
“Good. Keep it that way. Let’s head in. I’m starving, and Murphy said he was grilling steaks tonight.”
After dinner, while Bash and Murphy are getting ready for the bonfires, I plan my next move.
A few of us are sitting at the outdoor table when Chloe asks Nat if she wants to head down too. Chloe is supposed to be meeting Sabrina then heading to the beach.
“If it’s okay with you, Chloe, I think I’m going to pass on the bonfire tonight. I really would rather just stay in.,”
“Oh, Nattie. I’m sorry. I didn’t even think. I’ll text Sabrina and tell her to meet us here, and we can have a girl’s night in.”
“No. Please don’t do that. Go. Have fun. I’m going to sit on the front deck. I just want to watch the bay and read. I swear. I’m good. That’s all I feel like doing.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure. Tell Sabrina we have to get together soon, though.”
Leaning back in my chair on the porch, I’ve been quietly watching everyone have their conversations. Taking everything in and not committing to anything one way or the other.
I knew I wanted to be wherever Nat was tonight. I had a feeling that would be here. She got uncomfortable today when some of the guys from the team played volleyball with us on the beach. I didn’t think that she would want to be around half the school at this bonfire.
After Chloe left, Natalie went back inside to get her book.
I see Cooper when he’s ready to leave for Tiffany’s house. He stops and crosses his arms over his chest. “You were quiet at dinner earlier. You coming to the bonfire?”
Shaking my head, I stand and lean on the arm of the couch. “Nope. I’m staying in tonight.”
“Remember what I said, Brady.”
Reaching out, I grab his shoulder. “I won’t forget, man.”
With that exchange out of the way, Cooper heads down the steps to go pick up Tiffany.
I head into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and see Murphy. “We are heading out, QB. You sure you don’t want to come with? There will be local girls, man.”
Bash comes into the room and slaps Murphy on the back. “He’s good, man. Let’s go.”
“Thanks, brother. You know where the key is if you crawl back in tomorrow morning, right? Don’t forget we have to leave early to make it back before the football game.”
“We’re good, QB. Stop worrying about us. Have fun tonight.”
Finally, I thought they’d never all leave.
I walk down the hall to the other end of the house. This is the only way to access the deck that overlooks the bay. I can see Nat through the glass French doors. She is wearing worn jeans with holes in the knees and a tiny light pink t-shirt with black writing. I can’t quite make out what it says until I open the door. Startling her, Nat turns quickly.
I can see it now. Her shirt says, It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer!
“Are you an artist, Nat?”
“Jesus, Brady! You scared me!” She has her hand on her chest, and I’d feel bad for scaring her if it wasn’t for how stunned I am right now. She is fucking gorgeous. Her hair is framing her face, and she has the prettiest pink on her cheeks, matching the pink of her shirt. Diamond studs sparkle from her ears, and her face is free of makeup. She is the epitome of natural beauty.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Nat sits back down on the white Adirondack chair with her feet tucked up underneath her.
I sit next to her feet on the footstool. “Ready for your first Philadelphia Kings game tomorrow? Fair warning, the fans can be brutal. I hope your dad has some tough skin.”
Cocking her head to the side, she surveys me. “Why are you here, Brady? I told Cooper that I didn’t need a babysitter. I’m fine. Go. Have fun. I swear, I’m okay.”
“What if I’m here because I’d rather be here with you than at the bonfire with them?”
“I’d say you’re crazy. I’m boring. I really would be happy sitting out here, with this view and a book.”
“Oh, yeah. What kind of book are you reading, Sweetheart?”
Her face flushes before she answers me. “It’s a romance.”
“What kind of romance?”
�
�It’s about these three brothers and the girl that comes into their lives.”
“Like… comes into all their lives? How? With all of them?”
“Eww. Don’t be gross!”
“Come on. You didn’t think I was going to go there?”
“Shut up.”
“Do something with me tonight.”
“Like what? I don’t want to go to the bonfire.”
“Wanna go get ice cream?”
“Come on, Brady. Go to the bonfire. Have some drinks with your team. And your friends. I don’t want you to feel like you have to stay here. You don’t. I’m fine.”
Standing up, I extend my hand. “Natalie, I know you’re fine. You say you are, so I believe you. But I want to spend my time with you. Please come with me to get ice cream. They have really good mint chocolate chip. Don’t make me look like a creeper going all by myself. Come on. We can walk to the pier out by the bay afterward. It puts this view to shame.”
“I highly doubt anything puts this view to shame.”
She’s wrong. The view I have of her right here and now puts every other view to shame.
“Come on.” This time Nat takes my hand and lets me pull her up.
It doesn’t take long to get to the mom-and-pop ice cream shop that has been here for seventy-five years, according to the plaque on the wall.
Chloe and I have been coming here every summer since we were little kids. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Meader, are the kindest people. They have to be in their mid-seventies by now but still work every summer. Mostly walking around interacting with the customers. Their grandkids usually work the counter these days.
We have to wait in line for a few minutes before we get to enter. Outside, we’re behind a family of four. The dad is holding a little boy who looks like he’s maybe two. Nat starts playing peek-a-boo with him, and he won’t stop smiling at her.
Yeah. She’s got that effect on me too, kid.
When we finally make our way inside, white metal tables and chairs with heart-shaped metal backs and bright red cushions are scattered throughout the room. The floors are black and white checkers, and there is a long counter where you can sit to get a sundae, milkshake, or old-fashioned root beer float. Nat is looking over the menu written on the chalkboard above the counter. It boasts only homemade ice cream or old-fashioned Italian water ice.
When they call us up to the front, Mrs. Meader is standing behind the register. “Brady Ryan! It’s so good to see you, honey. And who is this beautiful creature you have with you? Did you finally find yourself a girl?” She winks at Nat, who smiles back at her like they are sharing some great inside joke.
“You know, Brady here has come here every summer for most of his life. He used to ask to sample all of the different flavors we had until one summer when he was maybe ten years old, he tried a vanilla cone with sprinkles. Do you know that is all he’s ever gotten since? I asked him once if he wanted to try a different flavor.”
Mrs. Meader turns to me, asking, “Do you remember what you said?”
Glancing from Nat to Mrs. Meader, I answer, “Didn’t want to try anything else because I already had the perfect ice cream.”
Mrs. Meader and Nat laugh. “See, he’s loyal to a fault when he finds something he likes. Which also means I know his order already. What can I get for you, dear?”
While they get Nat her mint chocolate chip in a pretzel cone and my three scoops of vanilla in a sugar cone with rainbow sprinkles, she turns to me, still laughing. “You think she could have laid it on any thicker?”
“Nope. And, I didn’t even pay her. The moral of the story—stick with me, and I promise not to lick anyone else.”
“You’re terrible.”
“Yeah, that was pretty bad.”
We take the ice cream to go and walk down to the bay to sit and watch the boats go by. The sunset a while ago and the stars are beginning to dot an inky sky. We don’t talk much, just sit and eat our ice cream.
I’m staring at the bay and the stars, anything that will keep me from watching Nat lick her ice cream cone. It’s actually torturing me because I might be a good guy, but I’m a filthy man, and I can’t help but think about everything else she can do with that delicious tongue.
Once she’s done, I take our trash and throw it out before we walk back to the house.
“Thanks for this tonight, Brady. If you tell Cooper, I will deny it, but I appreciate you hanging out with me. I don’t think I really wanted to be alone.”
“My lips are sealed, Nat.” I link my fingers through hers and walk back to my house with a silly smile on my face.
“Come upstairs with me.”
Her eyes look shocked, and I realize what that sounded like. “My parents' room has a private deck. It has a great view of the beach. It’s the perfect place to watch the fireworks. The porch downstairs has a ceiling, so it messes with the view. This deck is at the top of the house, and you can see everything.”
“Okay, then. Show me the way, QB.”
“Always, Sweetheart.”
We pass the bedrooms on the second floor and take a private flight of stairs to my parent’s master suite on the third floor. My mother has a two-person lounge chair on this balcony. We sit down next to each other, leaning back, waiting for the show to start.
I will not touch this girl is a mantra playing over and over in my head. It would work too if she didn’t situate herself right next to me. I lift my arm, and she snuggles in like she was always meant to be there, and that’s the thing, I think she was.
Nat lets out a light sigh, and her whole body relaxes against me.
We watch the fireworks exactly like that.
My fingers are playing with her long, blonde hair but not straying further.
The smell of orange blossoms is invading my senses in the sweetest possible way.
We stay like this long after the fireworks end.
Eventually, her arms get tucked up, in-between us, and I can tell she’s falling asleep. I want to go inside and grab a blanket so we can just stay here, but I don’t want to wake her up, and I don’t need Cooper to find us like this, hours after I talked to him.
I lean down and kiss the crown of her head. “Sweetheart, you’ve got to wake up. I don’t know if anyone will be looking for us when they get home, and we have to get out of here early tomorrow. I think we better go back inside.”
Her eyes are soft and sleepy as she reaches up with her hand and runs her fingers through my hair. “I had a perfect night tonight, Brady. Thank you. For everything.” She stretches up and lightly kisses my cheek.
It takes the will power of a saint for me not to kiss her. Attempting to be the good guy, I stand up and extend my hand. She slides her palm into mine, and I pull her to her feet and walk her down to her bedroom door. “Good night, Natalie.”
“Night, Brady.” Nat closes the door behind her with a click, and I lean against the wall, trying to get my dick under control.
It was a damn near perfect night.
20
Natalie
The next morning comes too quickly. I slept better than I had in a long time, but I still don’t want to get out of bed. There is no time for chit chat as we all pack everything back up and get into the cars to caravan back to the city. It’s my dad’s season opener, and he gave us tickets for the owner’s box.
We spent the day with the same group of friends we had been with all weekend, not tired of each other yet. Everyone laughing and talking as if we hadn’t just shared a house for two days.
Until the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, we all thought that the Kings were winning this game. Our starting quarterback got sacked with two minutes left to go and had to be wheeled off the field. According to the guys, it’s never good when someone isn’t allowed to walk off. We lost the game two minutes later. The final score was 15-14.
My dad texted to let us know that he would see us at home later that night, so Cooper and I headed home.
Labor Day weekend
.
Last official day of the summer.
I spend the next morning doing laundry and organizing my room. I’m a planner, so my tan, Burberry messenger bag is packed with notebooks, black pens, pencils, and an array of multicolored highlighters. My MacBook is charging and ready for Tuesday.
Pulling the plastic dry cleaning bags off my brand-new uniforms, I hang one set on the back of the walk-in closet and the others with the rest of my clothes. Tomorrow, I’m opting for a starched white, button-down blouse, navy blue jacket, and navy blue and gold pleated skirt with white knee socks. We can choose between this and the white shirt with a navy blue V-neck sweater over it, instead of the jacket. My brand-new clunky brown, lace-up uniform shoes are sitting on the floor, waiting to be worn. I don’t mind our uniforms over all, but these shoes are hideous.
Tropical storm Peter is hitting the coast hard and leaves us with heavy rains and wind all day. No thunder and lightning like we had at the beach, but hard rain, that leaves it cold and dreary outside. The kind of day where you have to have all the lights in the house on in the middle of the afternoon because it gets so dark.
Dad spends most of Monday in his office. Cooper and I lay on the couches all afternoon watching an Avengers marathon and ordering Uber Eats. I’m relaxing in my comfiest leggings and fluffiest socks, and Coop is in a pair of old Notre Dame sweats and a matching blue t-shirt. This is our version of bumming it.
It is exactly the day I needed. I feel organized and ready for the first day of school, and my mind is focused on the real Captain America, not the hot football player that reminds me of Captain America.
My very own version makes sure to check-in, though.
QB: Hey, what are you doing?
Nattie: Admiring Captain America.
QB: Yeah? I think I could take him.
All In (The Kings of Kroydon Hills Book 1) Page 11