Fumbled Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel)

by Meagan Brandy

  I see him nod in my peripheral. “He sure was. His coach told him he was a Ferrari with nitrous - inconceivable and priceless.”

  I bust up laughing, a breaking feeling hitting my chest at the same time, because those words are to a T. “Arthur Miller, running back. First round draft pick.”

  Ian nods. “Arthur Miller. He was on his way to his coach’s, or former coach turned owner’s, funeral the day I saw him.”

  I nod, my eyes searching for imperfections in the wood grains on the porch ceiling.

  “He doesn’t realize, does he?”

  “I’m no liar, Mr. Monroe.” I purposely go with his last name. “If he ever asked, I’d tell him, but it’s completely unnecessary and insignificant. I don’t like people knowing about my life because it’s my business. I’ve shared things with him I haven’t shared with anyone – not that that’s your business - but some things aren’t factors in who I am, and that’s one of them.” I shrug. “So, I now own half of a professional football team. So, my grandfather has two Super Bowl rings and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Who cares that my parents owned and operated the number one sports photography company in the country. While those things are awesome, they’re mine.”

  He’s quiet for a minute or two, before he turns to me.

  I meet his stare head on.

  “You’re right, Lolli.” His eyes soften as he nods, but it’s quickly replaced with a huge grin. “I like you,” he says, making all the tension roll off me and a laugh escape.

  “Five minutes, Dad, and you’re already hitting on my girl?” Nate walks up with a bag of what I’m assuming are my wet clothes in his hand.

  Ian relaxes against the wood, laying his arm across the back of the swing. “Your girl, huh?” He bumps my shoulder and I roll my eyes.

  “He keeps saying that,” I grumble, making both the heaven-sent, handsome, freaks of nature laugh.

  “You are my girl.” Nate grins.

  “No, I’m not. I’m my own girl.” I jump up, frowning. “Take my ass home.”

  Ian, who is laughing his ass off, yells out, “Night, Lolli. Come back soon.”

  I don’t bother turning around, but wave over my head and walk down to the last step, freezing there when I realize I have no shoes on and there’s a huge puddle at the bottom.

  Nate notices and jogs over to me with an electric smile, thrusting his arms out.

  “You really want me to jump into your arms with your dad watching?”

  He nods, his grin growing, and I can’t help but laugh.

  I place my hands on his shoulders and he gently lifts me off the ground, my legs wrapping around him for support. I bury my face in his neck so his dad doesn’t see the jolt of lust that has instantly taken over me. My body better get a grip and quick, because this shit’s ridiculous.

  When I’m set gently into the seat, a soft kiss placed to my forehead, I have the strangest, most unwelcome, foolish thought. A girl could get used to this.

  A few hours later, after tons of snacks and nonsense, Nate starts to rub at his eyes.

  “Alright.” He throws down his cards and drops onto his back against the carpet. “You win. I quit.” He throws an arm over his face.

  I uncross my legs and sit back onto my knees. “How convenient of you to concede when I’m seconds away from ‘Uno’.”

  “Any other girl would let me win.” Angling his head toward me, he offers me a bemused smile.

  I laugh, popping a Skittle in my mouth. “That’s because they have an ulterior motive.”

  He grabs my hand and pulls me on top of him.

  Laughing harder, I peer down at him as he absentmindedly runs his fingers through the tips of my hair.

  “And you don’t?” he stares at me.

  “All I want,” I lick my lips and watch his eyes dilate, “is to win.” I smile and start to pull back, but he’s quicker, and rolls us until my back is against the carpet and he’s hovering over me.

  He plays with my hair some more, while looking into my eyes. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

  “None of your business.” I grin, placing my hands on each side of his ribs.

  “You’re still meeting us at Wicker for lunch, right?”

  Right, lunch. Parker and Mia mentioned it.

  I nod.

  He smiles, his hand sliding across my cheek to tuck my hair behind my ear as he tends to do, only this time, he holds steady. The gentle caress of his fingers behind my ear has me leaning into his embrace.

  His eyes raid mine as he flattens his palm against my cheek.

  There’s something in them. Something flowing through him, radiating off him, that he’s trying to show me or wants me to catch, that I can’t quite reach. His deep brown eyes hold a promise that I can’t figure out, and I don’t dare ask.

  And when he lowers his head to kiss me, gentle and slow, a crack between my breasts has me gasping, followed by a tightness in my ribs I don’t quite understand.

  He pulls back, kissing my forehead gently, before jumping to his feet. I take his extended hand and allow him to pull me off the floor.

  “I’ll pick you up at noon.”

  I nod.

  He walks out the front door. “Goodnight, Kalani.”

  As soon as I hear him pull out of the drive, I throw on some sweats and my running shoes, and walk outside, not bothering to grab a sweater, my phone, or lock the house. Sure, it’s past midnight, but what do I care?

  My brain is on overdrive and I need to shut shit down.

  I run until the only thing on my mind is the pain in my calves and feet.

  Until my limbs are physically incapable of carrying me any further.

  Until I’m numb.

  “You’re seriously dragging ass today, Lolli. And you could have at least brushed your damn hair.” Mia links arms with me, and drags me alongside her.

  “I did brush my hair, and my teeth, for that matter. This,” I point to the tangled ball on top of my head, yawning, “is a strategically placed knot. It’s called a messy bun for a reason.”

  “And the sunglasses that cover half your face,” she deadpans. “What are those, a fashion statement?” I can hear her eyeroll.

  “Nailed it, you did.”

  She huffs.

  “What’s up, girls?” The boys all greet us as we reach the table.

  I give a half-ass wave while Mia smiles.

  “Sorry we’re late.” Mia literally pushes me into a chair.

  “Bitch,” I mumble, dropping my head onto my folded arms on the table.

  “Rough night, Lolli?” Austin laughs.

  I lift my finger and flip him off.

  “Uh, yeah.” Mia snaps. “I went to her house to sleep off my buzz last night and this bitch,” Mia explains, “didn’t walk through the door until, what?”

  Assuming she’s looking at me, I lift a shoulder in a shrug. “Three-thirty-ish, give or take.”

  My head is in my arms, so I can’t be sure, but while the other boys laugh, one chair scratches the floor and heavy footsteps carry someone away. My guess is it’s Nate.

  I texted him when I hit snooze for the first time today, telling him I’d meet everyone here. My plan was to ditch, but of course, Mia figured as much and dragged my ass out anyway.

  “Uh-oh,” Austin teases. “I’m gonna take a guess here, Lolli, and say you weren’t with Nate last night?”

  I throw myself back in the chair and lean lazily, knowing what’s coming. We’ve all fought about it a few times in the last couple weeks. “I went running.”

  “What?!” Parker yells.

  “Lolli!” Mia screams.

  And I’m done.

  Now it’s my chair scraping across the floor.

  “Check it out,” I begin, my black long-sleeve hanging over my pointed hand. “I’m a big fucking girl.” I glare at each of them, then remember my glasses are covering my eyes. Rolling my eyes at myself, I continue, “I don’t want to hear shit from you guys. In case you haven’t already guess
ed, I don’t give a shit. I do what I want, when I want. Period.”

  Mia’s eyes soften and Parker gets up to walk around the table but I put my hand out, stopping him. “I get it. It’s hard on my body, it’s not safe to run alone at night, blah, blah, blah. But maybe you guys should stop and think that maybe it would be worse if I didn’t.”

  “You always go running after you’ve spent time with Nate.” Mia’s voice turns accusatory.

  “And?” I ask, not bothering to deny it, but pissed she’d blast my dirty laundry in front of everyone. “Sometimes I gotta shut it down.”

  “Why?” A strong, yet vulnerable voice says from behind me, and my body tenses slightly.

  I turn to Nate and shrug. “Because...”

  Fuck.

  I shrug again.

  He shakes his head back and forth, not allowing my answer.

  “Fine, you want to know why?” My head pulls back slightly, while my eyebrows jump out from under my shades. “It’s because this,” I motion between the two of us, “is supposed to be careless, and easy, and fun…and sometimes it’s... not.” I look away, even though he can’t see my eyes.

  I know he gets my underlying message.

  Sometimes it’s more.

  “And that’s a bad thing?” he questions, his voice calm and even.

  “Yes!” Exasperated, I lift my hand, bringing it down against my leg. “You’re supposed to be the fun guy, just looking to pass the time, but that’s not who you’re being at all.” I stomp my foot like a child. “You’re my paramour.”

  “Problem with that, Lolli,” Austin pipes in. “He ain’t married.”

  I prop my hands on my hips and cut him a pissy glance over my shoulder. “Yeah, well. He isn’t mine, either.”

  Nate steps into my space, forcing my eyes back to his. “Maybe I want to be.”

  “Want to be what?”

  “Yours.” He tips his chin.

  I gasp and stumble back a step, but he catches me. I hear an “oh shit”, a “no fucking way”, and a laugh from the three stooges behind me, but my gaze is locked on Nate’s chest and refusing to look up at him.

  Clearly, he senses it because he bends at the knees and sweeps me into his arms, before carrying me outside.

  Neither of us say anything as he puts me in his truck, orders pizza, and drives to pick it up. We don’t speak when he gets out to pay, nor on the way to my house. Not when I open the door and we shuffle in, nor when we sit and eat. Not even when I stand and grab his hand, leading him into my room.

  I take off my glasses and sandals while Nate empties his pockets and kicks off his shoes. I pull the covers back as he turns on the music, then we climb into my bed.

  He tucks me into the crook of his arm and I lay my head on his chest and we watch Bad News Bears.

  When the movie’s over, Nate kisses my head, and goes home.

  I kind of hate he knows what to do and when to do it.

  Then again, I kind of don’t.

  The school is buzzing. Everyone, even those who’ve probably never even seen a football, teachers included, have Championship fever, and are decked out in their school spirit gear.

  Three years in a row, Nate has helped carry this team to the state Championships and came out on top - that’s golden.

  I’m stuffing my English book into my locker when it’s suddenly slammed shut, almost hitting my hand in the process. Whipping around, I come face to face with a smirking Olivia.

  “You better back up a couple inches or I’m gonna help you.”

  She lets out a sadistic laugh, but complies, turning to lean her shoulder against the locker to the left of mine.

  “You finally gave it up, huh?” She raises an eyebrow.

  “Why are you asking a question you clearly know the answer to?”

  “Confirmation.” Her head jerks, eyes narrowing.

  “Sure, Liv. You want to know?” I cut her a quick glance, reopening my locker. “Yeah, we fucked.” Several times now.

  She surprises me with her response. “It’s about fucking time.”

  When I laugh, she stands to her full height.

  “I didn’t realize you were waiting for it.”

  “Of course I was.” She crosses her arms like a prissy bitch. “You’re off the radar now.”

  Ahh…okay. I get it now.

  “Right.” I close my locker and lean against it, holding my Chem book against my chest. “The one hit wonder rule. I almost forgot.” I smirk at her.

  The way she keeps adjusting her arms and glancing away, it’s clear she’s not sure how to read me.

  “You still plan on entertaining him?” she spits out.

  I grin. “Now, how could I do that if my lucky number’s already come up?”

  She grins this time. “Didn’t you know, Lolli?” She says my name with a venomous tone. “He only fucks once.” She flops her blonde hair behind her. “I’ve pleased him several times in other ways. Most of them while sitting in that pretty little truck of his.” She looks so smug.

  “Awe,” I coo and her head jerks back. “A hummer in the Hummer, Olivia?” I laugh, nodding my head in fake approval. “Very original.”

  “Listen, bitch-” she starts, but I cut her off.

  “No.” I lower my book. “You listen, bitch. I don’t normally waste my time on chicks like you,” I scrunch my nose. “You know, the ones desperate and self-absorbed, looking to latch onto something bigger and better, out of fear of being left behind or forgotten after your reign here in high school is over.” I nod. “But I’m sick of your shit.” I step into her space.

  Again, she surprises me and holds her ground.

  “I’ll do whatever, whoever, whenever, where-the-fuck-ever I want, and no threat or warning, or anything else, from you or anyone, is going to stop me.” I give her a little shove for good measure. “So back the fuck off!”

  The cunt laughs.

  Right then, my body tightens and relaxes at the same time.

  My eyes dart over Liv’s shoulder, finding his immediately. Nate is walking down the hall - headed straight for me.

  Her back is to him, so she doesn’t know he’s coming - doesn’t sense him the way I can. I try to keep my eyes on her so I don’t give it away, but they refuse to listen, and keep shifting to him as she rambles on about some kind of nonsense I couldn’t give two shits about.

  I swear, he must define the term ‘beauty sleep’ because every day this guy gets more and more pretty to look at.

  He winks at me and heat spreads up my neck so I quickly focus back on Liv.

  Thank God I added the scarf this morning.

  “Don’t worry, Lolli. Now that Nate’s done with you,” she looks me up and down, pursing her lips, “I won’t be wasting any more time on you.”

  I simply nod, attempting to hide my grin as Nate steps up next to us.

  “Lookin’ out for me, Liv?” he asks in a playful manner, but I see the mischief in his eyes.

  She shifts, placing her slimy hand on his left bicep, and my eyes are frozen to where her skin is touching his.

  “Always, Nate.”

  Bitch.

  I catch her smirk before my eyes drop again.

  Why is she still touching him?

  “Thank you,” he says in a low, computed tone and I think she might faint. “Class is about to start,” he continues, not taking his eyes off hers.

  “Yeah,” she breathes, tilting her head and that skeezy hand starts to slide down his arm, making its way toward his hand.

  His eyes still on her, he holds his hand out for me. In one swift movement, he pulls me in front of him, wraps his massive arms around me, and drops his chin to my shoulder.

  Liv’s brows jump as her eyes widen.

  “Better get a move on, Olivia. Don’t want to ruin your perfect record or anything,” he tells her coldly.

  She stares at his arm around my waist. When her eyes finally come back to mine, she glares and stomps off.

  Nate laughs, spins me i
n his arms and slides his hands into my back pockets. “That was fun.”

  I laugh too, glancing at Liv’s retreating figure. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a shrine of you on her wall.”

  He nods, not at all listening to me, his eyes zeroing in on my mouth as he licks across his bottom lip, from one corner of his mouth to the other. My traitorous body shudders in his arms, from a damn look, making him chuckle lightly.

  I pull away from him to head to Chem. “Class, Handsome.”

  When I hear him laugh, I lift my finger over my head and I flip him off. His laughter only grows.

  It’s deep and rich, and my hand flies to my chest bone, attempting to soothe the sudden pang. I try massaging it with my fingertips, but the pressure-like feeling doesn’t dissipate.

  My skin starts to heat as I continue forward, Nate hot on my heels.

  I glance at him over my shoulder, earning a wink and a genuine smile. No teasing. No added sex appeal. Just a simple, easy smile directed right at me - hitting hard.

  Facing forward, my brows pull in and my steps falter. Before I can stop it, I trip over my boot. Right as I prepare myself for the hit, a solid arm wraps around my middle and pulls me in tight. The impact of my back hitting his chest causes my head to fall back slightly, leaving my neck semi-exposed.

  Nate dips his head, caressing my skin with his soft words. “You didn’t think I’d let you fall, did you?” he whispers.

  I peer up at him and my cheeks starts to heat as moisture forms above my brows.

  He holds my gaze for a moment before stepping back and squeezing by me to enter the classroom. As he passes, his lips skim my temple. It’s a small, probably unnoticeable, move. Simple, stupid, and maybe even by accident, but I feel it in my toes. A tingling, heated sensation spreads through me, warming more than just my core.

  My body roots itself in place.

  What the hell is happening to me?

  He turns back to me, his tousled hair perfect, those dark eyes open and bright, happy. “You coming?” He smiles. The gentle one that turns his features soft and tender, and I’m officially about to freak.

  “I, uh, I think I need some air.” I go to turn, but his voice wraps around me, holding me, before my feet move.