I open my eyes and a small smile tugs at my lips.I know what he is doing.He isn't ignoring what I revealed, but he is bringing it back to him, back to a question he ignored earlier.He is making this easier on me.This sensitive, attentive, quiet version of Nate is one I'm not sure what to do with.The cocky player, I can put in a box at the back of the closet with a label that saysdo not touch...but this Nate...
He gives me a small smile back, "They want to stop by when they can.They feel bad about what happened today, the disturbance at the farm.I need to talk to my family about going back to help get caught up."
"They can come by tomorrow if that will make them feel better."
Something shifts in Nate's expression, and my core clenches, which causes me to wince.
Nate squeezes my leg and asks, "What canIdo to make you feel better?"
My mind spins, and lots of ways this man can make me feel better run wild.But I know I need to tread carefully with him.I won't lie and say I am not attracted to him, curious about him.But I also don't want to end up with someone like my mom, who is constantly chasing something.Whoever I end up with needs to want me for me, be happy with this life, because I know this is the life I want to live.
Nate looks like he is going to say something, but then the sound of tires on gravel reaches us.A door slams, and a flustered Adam bursts through the screen door.He sucks in a breath, staring at me, "Jesus, T."
My eyes trail to Nate, because I can feel his body has stiffened.Adam doesn't notice him or just doesn't care.He drops to his knees beside me, his hands hovering like he doesn't know where he can touch me."Babycakes, what the hell...You look broken."
I want to laugh at this ridiculous man, but the tension radiating off of Nate is palpable.
Then Chase enters carrying bags, "Thanks for the help, asshole."
He drops everything by the island and turns to take in the situation.His eyebrows raise slightly with a grin that tells me he is entertained by the sight in front of him.
He moves into the living room, "Hey, Nate."
Nate grunts, and Adam's head turns in his direction.He narrows his eyes, and I don't need him tearing into Nate right now.
Nate must sense the shift because he stands, placing his mug on the table, "I should go.I just wanted to see that you were ok."
He has that lost look on his face again, "How about you give me your number so I can make sure I am presentable when you bring the guys over."
I look at Adam, who looks like he is almost vibrating."Can you hand Nate my phone?"
He doesn'tmove, "Adam.My phone, please, it's behind you on my table."
Adam still doesn't move; his eyes are fixed on Nate. Chase scoffs and grabs my phone off the table, handing it to Nate.I give my best elbow to Adam, but he just grabs my arm and holds it tight.
I smile at Nate, not liking how this is ending."Give me your number, and I will let you know when it is a good time to bring the circus."
He doesn't smile, but he does enter his number into my phone and then hands it back to Chase.Nate looks at me one more time, he raps his knuckles on the door frame, and then he's gone.Chase hands me my phone.And he and Adam get to fussing around me.I am wrapped in ice compression wraps, propped up with pillows and dotted on.I appreciate them, I adore them as friends.I appreciate that I have a community around me now that I only dreamed about growing up.But my mind is stuck on the look on Nate's face when he walked out my door.
Chapter 15 - Nate
I knew it was a dick move, but as soon as I left Tessa's last night, I called Kenzie, letting her know that Tessa was looking rough and could use someone she was comfortable with to stay with her for the night.
I close my eyes and let the early morning air fill my lungs, replaying the text exchange with Kenzie when she got to Tessa's last night.Still unsure how I feel about it.
Kenzie:You are a shady AF man child
Me:It worked, though
Kenzie:You need to leave me out of whatever this is.I like her.
Me: More than me?
Kenzie:She might be my favourite person.
Me:gasp...does mom know?
Kenzie:I am serious, Nate.If you are trying to go after something with Tessa, she doesn't play games.And is she even your type?
