“Hey man, are you okay?” I see Nate from the corner of my eye as confusion swirls in my head. Maybe she didn’t make it to the game after all. Even still though, there’s usually always a text waiting for me. I quickly try to gather all of my things, completely ignoring Nate’s question again. My mind is just focused on calling Abby and I can’t do that standing in a locker room with her brother.
“Anderson!” Nate shouts, causing more than one of the other guys to also turn their head. Nate stalks towards me, an annoyed look on his face. I can’t blame him, I’ve been a dick for the last ten minutes. He catches up to me as I’m walking out and finally I stop when he reaches me.
“Is something going on? A problem you want to share?”
Letting out a deep breath I shake my head.“No, man. Sorry. My head’s in a weird space today. Just need to get home.”
I start to walk again and feel Nate’s presence keeping up with each of my strides.
“Listen, if it’s something you want to talk about…” He trails off as I watch him look down at his phone.
“Mia texting you?” I growl out, a little more sarcastic than I’d like and then hear a laugh bellow from Nate’s body.
“Oh, is that what this is about then?” His comment stops me in my tracks. We’ve just reached the exit and we’re standing in front of the doors that lead outside.
“What does that mean?” My eyes narrow at him.
“Your attitude. It’s about some girl, isn’t it?” I can feel my patience growing thinner and thinner. It’s not justsome girl.
As we stand there in a stare off, I’m about to speak when I see Chase rounding the corner with his phone pressed to his ear. I close my mouth the moment we make eye contact and it’s obvious that Nate notices my change in demeanor.
“Later, guys!” Chase says as he passes us in the hall, still in conversation with whoever is on the other line.
“No. Anderson. No. Fucking. Way.” Nate’s words cause me to let out a deep breath and run a hand through my sweaty hair. I’m tired of standing here and I just wanted to get to my truck and call Abby, but Nate’s delayed my whole process. I don’t have it in me to deny it to him, not anymore.
“Have you lost your mind? Do you have a death wish? Fucking his sister, Ford?” Nate jerks his head back and shakes it,
“It’s not like that!” I shout, anger coursing through me.
“Oh, no? What is it then? A relationship? Bullshit.” His voice is low, but still bears some sarcasm.
I move past him to walk out the doors and barrel my way to my truck. Of course, Nate is parked right next to me.
“I don’t buy it. I’ve never seen you in an actual relationship, never heard you express the want for one either. Just call it what it is. She’s hot and you’re a guy.” I shove Nate’s body against the truck with just enough force to let out some frustration. He doesn’t have all the facts yet so I just need to say what’s on my mind.
“Don’t fucking belittle her like that.” I’m standing inches away from him before backing up and pacing beside the truck.
I toss my bag in the passenger's seat and return my attention back to Nate, who is now just staring at me waiting on answers. Gripping the back of my neck I let out a sigh. I’m done hiding how I feel about Abby from people.
“C’mon, if there’s something you need to get off your chest you know you can talk to me about it. What’s going on, man?” Nate’s tone has now turned from cocky to concerned.
“At first, yeah, maybe it was just because she’s gorgeous, but it’s not like that anymore… it hasn’t been for a while.”
Nodding his head, Nate looks at me. “How long?” He crosses his arms over his chest.
Do I even know at this point? The first night we met, I should've just hung up my bachelor card then, because looking back, everything changed the moment I saw her.
“I don’t know, man… a few months. We started it off as just a friends with benefits deal, something she suggested. Obviously, Chase doesn’t know… but within the last couple months, it started to feel like more and now I just… I can’t stop thinking about her, I’m completely out of my mind for her.”
Standing across from me, Nate reaches his arm out and slaps my shoulder.
“So you love her?” His face softens and a smile takes over.
I don’t even need a second to think about it.
“Yeah.” I nod my head and see Nate do the same as he walks over to his truck.
“You’ve gotta tell him,” he shouts before getting in and driving off.
