Chloe winds a kitchen towel up before snapping it against my ass to get my attention. “So, Nat, what exactly are your intentions toward my brother?”
I throw the washcloth in my hand at her head. “Oh, come on. You were the one who told me to go for it.”
“I don’t know, Nat, it’s looking pretty serious pretty quickly. Especially after what I walked in on last night.”
Annabelle has walked into the room, carrying dirty paper plates. She dumps them in the trash can, then leans on the counter. “Ohh. What did you walk in on? Throw a girl a bone. I haven’t been out on a single date since I moved home, and your man is hot. A little young, but hot.” She quickly covers her mouth with a stricken look on her face. “Oh, God. Please tell me he is eighteen…”
“He’s eighteen. No need to get grossed out. What these two did last night was legal. Possibly in the category of exhibitionists but legal.”
“Shut it, Chloe.” I hip check her as I close the fridge door. “She may have walked in on us having some fun.”
“Uhm, yeah, it looked like you’d already had fun once and were about to have more fun. His head was under your dress, and I’m pretty sure you had underwear in your hands. Did I mention that this was all outside?”
“That’s not the only place his head was,” I singsong at my best friend, and enjoy grossing her out way more than I should.
She fake gags as she walks away.
I notice that Annabelle has turned away from us and is quietly staring out into the back yard. Then I see a tear fall down her cheek.
Moving to stand next to her, I ask, “Hey, are you okay?”
Wiping at her face, she clears her throat. “Yeah. I just haven’t seen Tommy smile like that in a long time. You’ve got a great group of friends out there. Look at how good they are with him. A kid they barely know. I just… I appreciate this, Natalie.”
“You know what, Annabelle… so do I.”
Chloe comes back into the room with a now cold piece of pizza, and we watch these guys of ours. Not officially men, but so much more than boys. Everyone is smiling. Brady is tossing Tommy the ball, and Cooper is trying to block Murphy, who’s only acting like he’s going to rush Tommy. Everyone cheers when Tommy carries the ball into the makeshift endzone.
I wish I could bottle up today and keep it with me forever. Days this perfect never last.
38
Natalie
The next few weeks fly by, and I feel like I am cocooned in my happy little bubble. Other than the nasty looks and random comments Aria likes to throw my way, she and Darby have left us alone, and Brady and I have had the chance we wanted to just enjoy the newness of us.
We’ve all settled into a routine, and I now understand what I’ve been missing.
My own tribe.
I’ve been accepted and embraced in this new version of a family that was formed long before I came to Kroydon Hills, and it’s an incredible feeling. I rarely walk in from dance to an empty house, the guys are always there. Sometimes eating, sometimes studying, sometimes watching tape. I gained a boyfriend this year but also two more brothers.
Chloe and I are closer than ever, and I’ve gotten the chance to get to know Sabrina, too. Her schedule is harder to work around, but she pops in when she can during the week. Girls’ nights are now a common thing. Sometimes with two of us, sometimes with three.
We’re all gathered at our lockers before class Monday morning, discussing the week, when the warning bell rings. Everyone disperses, and Brady leans down and kisses me.
When he pulls back, I look up and see Aria in the corner of the hall looking more pissed off than usual. I hate knowing that my inner bitch enjoys seeing someone else annoyed, but I’m not hiding from her. I’m okay with her being miserable.
Of course, Brady is entirely oblivious to any of this, so I just smile and hold his hand as I watch her face go red, and imagine steam coming out of her ears before her whole head explodes like a cartoon character.
Serves her right.
Sebastian is texting someone when we sit down at the table. “Hey, man. What’s going on? Missed you yesterday. How was family dinner?”
Bash looks up, smiling at me before he answers Brady. “It was complicated. But isn’t everything when it comes to my family?” Sebastian has a love-hate relationship with his family. I wish my family was closer, I think Bash wishes he could put more distance between his.
Tiffany dramatically drops down at our table.
“Good morning, all.” Tiff seems full of energy, like it isn’t too early on Monday morning.
“Hey, Tiff. How was your weekend? I thought we would have seen you at our house yesterday.” Brady and Bash aren’t paying any attention to the two of us now.
“Cooper and I got in an argument. We’re taking a break.”
Completely shocked by this declaration, I choke on the water I’m sipping. “I’m sorry, what?”
“We got in a fight Saturday night. Talk to your brother. It’s his story. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you. Has something else happened with you and Aria? She bitched about you this weekend. More than usual. She made it obvious that you are public enemy number one.”
My mind is still reeling from the news that Cooper and Tiffany broke up, and he never said anything. But Tiffany has more surprises this morning. “Yeah, she doesn’t like me very much.”
“No, kidding. She freaking hates you. She had her sights set on Brady all last year. When she got back from her summer abroad, she thought that she would finally be the one to get Brady Ryan into a relationship. I’m pretty sure she’s told the whole school you stole that from her. Not that anyone believes it. I just wanted to get your side of it.”
“There really is no side. I haven’t spoken to her in weeks. I just ignore her, and she hates me.”
“That’s what happens when you snag one of the Kings of Kroydon Hills. You’re new, pretty, the daughter of a pro football coach, and you have the most popular boys in the school at your house all of the time. Girls get jealous. I can’t seriously be telling you anything new.”
“No, nothing new there. I’m just way too busy to play therapist to an overly entitled brat. Things are falling into place for me here. I’m finally starting to love my life the way that I want to.” Glancing at Brady, I smile and lean into Tiff. “Brady is amazing, and Aria’s right, he’s worth the fight, but so many things are finally starting to click. Brady is a piece of that, but so is dance and this new art class I’m taking. I’ve just started applying to colleges. I refuse to give her the attention she wants because she’s throwing a temper tantrum.”
Tiff leans away from me as if she’s surprised by the strength in my voice. “Well, damn. Who are you, and what have you done with Natalie Sinclair? I kinda feel like I’m seeing my baby grow up.”
Shaking my head, I throw my highlighter at her. “You are such a smart ass!”
That class is the first class in a very long week. There are papers assigned, projects given, and a few pop quizzes spread throughout the week. By the end of the day, Wednesday, Brady, Bash, and I are standing at my locker, discussing an assigned chemistry project. We are planning on working together tonight at my house. Tiff didn’t want to join us. Murphy and Cooper walk up to get the guys moving for practice. Cooper is handing me the keys to the Jeep, and none of us are paying attention when Aria walks by.
“Awe isn’t that cute. Are you spreading your legs for all of them, Natalie?” The venom drips from her lips.
Cooper spins on her as she continues to walk away. “What the fuck is your problem, you stupid whore?”
Brady is almost eerily quiet when he answers her, staring daggers into her back as she raises her hand and gives him the finger. “Just because you will spread your legs for anything with a dick, doesn’t mean everyone does, Aria. Do yourself a favor and crawl back into your fucking hole.” He grabs my hand and starts pulling me toward the doors in the opposite direction of where Aria has stopped at her locker.
&nb
sp; We are half a hallway away when I hear, “Aww. Make sure to protect the poor little bitch while you can, Brady.”
Slamming his locker shut, I hear Cooper roar, “Threaten my sister again, and you won’t like what happens.”
When we get outside, I yank my hand free of his. “What the hell, QB! You didn’t even give me a chance to defend myself.” I’m trying not to cause a scene in the parking lot, but I am pissed.
“Nat, I’m sorry.”
Cooper comes storming through the doors, with Bash and Murphy hot on his heels.
“Listen, guys, that was a nasty girl dealing with jealousy issues mixed with anger issues, and I’m sure some other shit going on. You all freaking out on her in school is exactly what girls like that feed off of. Attention. Don’t feed into it.”
Coop moves toward me, not backing down. “Sorry, Nattie, but I’m not going to let anyone speak to you that way.”
“Jesus, could you all listen to me for a moment. I might suck at dealing with shitty guys. I own that. But, dealing with jealous girls is a whole other thing. Come on, Coop. We’ve been in the public eye our whole life. Do you really think I can’t handle Aria Marino? Give me some credit. I’ve got what she wants. I’ve got Brady, and I’ve got all of you in my corner willing to defend me. That has to be killing her. Ignore. Her. It will hurt her worse than anything you could possibly say.”
Brady still looks furious.
Grabbing his hand, I lean up and quickly kiss his lips. “Go to practice, QB. Go hit someone. Work out this aggression and take Larry, Moe, and Curly with you.”
Brady grabs my face with both hands and kisses me hard and deep. “Nattie…”
Of course, Cooper is having none of it. “Get off my fucking sister, or it will be me expressing my aggression against you at practice, asshole. Love you, man. But I don’t need to fucking see it every day.”
Murphy and Bash snicker in the background, but Brady just adjusts us so that his back is to my brother and continues to kiss me as I hear Bash telling Cooper to leave us alone.
I break the kiss. “Torturing my brother is almost as much fun as kissing you, QB. Now get your cute butt to football practice before I climb you like a tree in the parking lot.”
“God, I like the sound of that, Nat.” He squeezes my ass before quickly kissing me one more time. “I’ll see you tonight. Are you walking to dance?”
I nod. I like walking to dance. It only takes me fifteen minutes, and it’s a beautiful walk. I like living in a small town. I may never go back to city living again.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind. Want me to pick you up after you’re done with the mini-ballerinas?”
“Sure.” Leaning up, I kiss him one more time, then start to back away. “I’ll see you tonight, handsome. Be nice to my brother at practice.”
Starting to back away, I remember one more thing. “Hey, QB.”
“Yeah, Sweetheart?”
“Have your phone with you in the locker room.” My smile is so big right now it hurts.
Brady is looking at me so confused. “What are you talking about, Nat?”
“There may be something funny that you want to get a pic of. Maybe even a video. Just trust me. You better hurry up.” God, I wish I could be there to see this firsthand.
Brady has stopped walking away now and is now coming toward me. “What did you do, Nattie?”
I quickly kiss his cheek one more time. “Bye, QB. See you tonight.”
39
Brady
After another shitty fucking practice, I’m pulling behind the building that houses Hart and Soul Dance. I’ve had enough today and just want to see my girl. The only highlight of this shitty day was when Murphy went to grab his tape out of his gym bag, and a fluorescent green glitter bomb exploded.
Glitter, the same color as Tinker Bell herself, coated everything in a three-foot vicinity.
Everything inside of Murph’s bag.
Everything inside of his locker that was unfortunately open when the glitter went airborne. It went inside his helmet and all over his pads. I’ve never seen so much glitter in my life, and Chloe was obsessed with that shit a few years ago. That’s how I know he is never getting rid of it all.
You could hear Murphy cursing from a mile away. He’s going to be wiping glitter out of his locker for the rest of the season.
Everything after the glitter pretty much went downhill. Practice sucked. Coach was pissed because we were all at each other’s throats. Not sure if it’s a fucking full moon or something, but I felt more like a peacekeeper than a quarterback today.
Cooper was still pissed about the shit Aria said and was a fucking beast on the field.
If it could go wrong, it did go wrong.
Now, getting out of the Rover, I see Annabelle hurrying out of the back door next to the Dumpster, carrying two boxes, and two bags.
“Hey, Annabelle. Is everything okay? You need a hand?”
“Thank you so much, Brady.” She hands me the boxes and hits the button on her key fob that unlocks her doors and opens her trunk. “I just got a call from Tommy’s principle. He got into an argument at school and is having a bit of a meltdown. He’s usually there for another hour on Wednesdays for a Minecraft club, but I have to pick him up.
“Anyway, Nat’s inside. She only has ten more minutes of this class, and then she’s done. Thanks again for taking Tommy to the Kings game with you guys last weekend. You guys are the greatest, and it meant so much to him. He hasn’t stopped talking about it. I can’t believe that Nat’s dad showed him the locker room. I’m pretty sure his mind exploded.”
“That’s awesome, Annabelle. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
She nods and gets into her car. Annabelle’s little brother is awesome, and the two feel like part of our ragtag family. Tommy has become a little brother to all of us and has a way of getting exactly what he wants from us, too.
Smiling, I walk around the corner to the front door and hear the chimes as I enter. Tonight, the waiting area is packed with moms and a few dads, watching their little dancers through the glass.
And there’s my girl.
Her beautiful blonde hair is piled high in a tight bun, she has on pale pink tights, and that pink sheer wrap skirt around her waist over her pink leotard. This time she has a white fuzzy sweater covering her arms, that ties underneath her chest. She is showing the little girls what they are supposed to be doing and has the most contagious smile on her face.
Leaning against the wall, I only have eyes for my girl when an older guy stands next to me.
“One of them yours?” he asks.
A slow smile spreads across my face. “Yeah. The teacher. She’s mine.” And God damn, I like the sound of that.
The dad chuckles. “Oh. My daughter loves her.”
“Yeah, she’s kinda hard not to love.”
A few minutes later, the door opens, and twelve little dancers all make their way out at once. Excited voices greet their parents and small hands grab their parents’ hands.
Natalie is standing at the door, thanking everyone for coming and reminding the little girls to practice over the weekend. When the last parent walks out of the door, Nat turns the lock, flips the open sign to closed, and then leans her back against the door.
“Hi, QB. How was practice?”
“Fucking awful. How were the minis?”
“Minis?”
“Yeah, minis. They all look like little mini versions of you and Annabelle. It’s cute.”
“Huh. I like that. The Minis were sweet but hyperactive. I had no idea how hard teaching them would be. Trying to get them to pay attention is impossible. I may not know what I want to study in college, but I can cross teaching off my list.” She smiles, and every last ounce of stress from the day melts away.
All of a sudden, an image pops into my mind. I can see it clear as day. It’s Natalie, a little older, dressed exactly like she is now. She’s holding the hand of an actual mini version of herself.
A tiny little ballerina, with blonde hair and baby blue eyes that own my heart, and they are both smiling at me.
Shaking the image out of my head, I wonder what the fuck is wrong with me.
I’m supposed to be thinking about next weekend, not ten years from now. But damn, that pretty picture made my heart speed up and grab on.
Natalie starts moving around the studio, shutting down the music and shutting off the lights, with me following her like a lost puppy.
When she makes it back to the front desk, she hops up to sit on top of it. Then grabs my hands and pulls until I’m standing between her legs. “So, QB. Did anything interesting happen in the locker room today?” If Nat is trying to be sly, she is doing a terrible job of it.
My hands move to rest on her hips. “You can cross the CIA and FBI off your list, too. Are you trying to be sneaky, Natalie? Let me think. What on Earth could have happened in the locker room today?”
She moves her hands to my shoulders then lets out a huff. “Oh, come on. Just tell me. Was it funny? Did it work?”
“It was fucking hilarious. Murph’s going to be scrubbing away green glitter for weeks. It went everywhere. Guarantee he’s going to still have green glitter on him for the game Saturday.”
“Crap. I didn’t think about that.”
“Oh, you better be prepared for the blowback, Sweetheart. Murphy likes to win, and you just scored the first point.” She blows her hair out of her face and crosses her arms. “Swear to God, Nat, you make it so easy to compare you to a pixie.”
Stepping in closer, I grab her face with both hands and claim her mouth. My tongue explores before I nip my way down her neck.
Laughing at me, Nat bats my hands away. “Brady,” she murmurs, “it may not seem like it, but I have on three layers of clothing, and I am so not getting out of them in here. Let me set the alarm, and we can go home.”
All In (The Kings of Kroydon Hills Book 1) Page 19