I met Priestley and Nate’s gorgeous ex-girlfriend Mira at a sorority party a few weeks ago (yeah, a fucking sorority party!). I’d expected them to be dicks, but they actually talked to me like I could be a student here. Not the way I expected. Mira didn’t even seem that shocked that her ex has a boyfriend now. Like Nate said, she was really fucking nice. She even asked me about my electrician course like I was taking it at the same fancy Ivy League school as these guys. These people live in a different world to the one I’m used to, and that’s a good thing. I would rather be a visitor in this world than drag Nate into one where he gets hurt. Even if it takes me a while to figure out how things work here. I’ll do it—for him.
Nate sits between his parents and my family, giving my hand a squeeze. His wrist only healed recently, and his cast has been off less than a week. You can still see the skin color difference on that part of his arm. I fucking hate that he got hurt because of me. And I don’t want it to affectthe rest of his life. No matter how many times he assures me his wrist is gonna heal by next season, I’ll never stop beating myself up over it.
Ben and Priestley are playing the double’s point together, and even for a novice like myself, I can see they’re hot shit.
I lean over and whisper in Nate’s ear. “Hey, how come you never told me how good Ben is?”
He shrugs. “Maybe I worried you’d run off withhim.”
“Yeah, right. Because it’s your tennis prowess I fell for.” I give his leg a squeeze.
After Priestley and Ben take the first set, Stacie leans over and asks if the match is over now. “No, not yet, if they win this set it will be.”
Ma grins at me.
“What?”
“Look at you, learning tennis and stuff.”
“Psht, whatever.”
They take the second set easily and celebrate their win with the team. We all jump up to celebrate. In the heat of the moment, Nate grabs me and kisses me. When we sit down, Stacie pinches me in the hip and I slap her hand away. “Save that violence for the ice, bruiser.”
When Ben goes out to play his singles match, my heart is in my throat the entire time.
It must be Nate’s nervous energy—rubbing off on me. I barely know Ben, but from the way Nate talks about him—and the fact he helped me out when I’m a total stranger—he’s a good guy, and he deserves the win.
When Ben wins the first set, we all jump up to celebrate again. My gaze wanders over to where Nate’s ma and stepdad are sitting. They’ve stood up too and Bryce gives me a little nod while his ma waves to mine but doesn’t look atme. I get it, Nate’s mom is still mad at me. I’d be mad at me too if I were her.
Ben wins his match and the rest of the team go out onto the court and get a win, advancing them into the next round.
I hang back and let Nate celebrate with his teammates when they all come off the court. Ben comes over to say hi and introduce himself to Stacie and Ma. Stacie kind of blushes when he talks to her and I have to resist the urge to step between them. Even if Ben hadn’t told me he’s gay and I hadn’t witnessed Nate trying to be his wingman—adorable idiot—he’s not a creep. Nate wouldn’t be friends with a creep.
Nate gives Ben a sweaty hug. I’m half expecting Stacie to sayEww gross,until I remember she plays sports too. She’s probably used to sweaty athletes, hanging around in the girls locker room after hockey games. Anyone who thinks girls can’t be as gross as guys has obviously never lived with one.
“Hey,” Nate says when he’s finished celebrating with his friends. “I’d love you guys to come to dinner with me and my parents, get to know each other. I mean, I know you know my mom, but.…” He trails off, rubbing the back of his neck.
“We’d love to, Nate,” Ma says.
His shoulders sag with relief. “Great.”
I tug him away and ask if he’s sure his ma wantsmeto come to dinner.
“Yes. She knows how important you are to me.”
I think about telling him that his ma was going out of her way to ignore me all through the match, but I don’t want to stress him out so I just smile and nod instead.
When we meet Nate’s parents outsidethe court, Nate’s ma gives mine a hug and Bryce shakes her hand and introduces himself to Stacie as Nate’s dad.
Stacie looks at Bryce like she’s confused. I have to restrain myself from clamping my hand over her mouth to stop her from saying something stupid like—Didn’t your dad go to get milk and never come back?But I guess I don’t give her enough credit, because she just shakes his hand politely and keeps her mouth shut.
Bryce takes us to some nice restaurant where they serve steak and lobster. It’s not so fancy that we look under-dressed or feel uncomfortable, but discreetly fancy. Like the food is amazing and there are no kids running around getting snot on everything.
Everyone is talking and enjoying themselves, but I can see Nate’s ma eying me every now and then. She’s quiet, and when her salad comes, she just picks at it before excusing herself to use the bathroom.
I excuse myself too and wait for her outside the restrooms. I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not, but I know I need to clear the air. I can’t have my boyfriend’s ma hating me forever.
When she comes out of the bathroom, I step in beside her and try to push down every instinct telling me to run.
