Master Debater

18. Nate

The scent of grilling meat filled the air, and I popped open my second beer and took a generous swig. I switched the cool bottle to my left hand so I could use the end of the spatula push the bratwursts around the sizzling hamburger patties. Mostly so I had something to keep myself busy.

The guys and I tried to meet up one or two weekends a month—well, now it was the guys and their significant others. They’d done their best to coerce me into coupledom so I wouldn’t be the third wheel. Or fifth or whatever-the-fuck. I’d told them they were worse than my mom and doubled down on bachelorhood.

But when they’d asked if I’d had any more run-ins with the neighbor I’d “used as an excuse” for being late to our last gathering, I should’ve known better than to tell the truth. They’d undoubtedly volunteered for this fine Sunday night’s hosting dudes so that A) I’d be on time and B) they could scope out my sexy neighbor.

If I’d known Willa would meet them one day, I never would’ve mentioned her box of toys spilling out onto the sidewalk. It’d slipped out after one too many whiskeys, but they were sworn to secrecy. Still, I had no idea they’d be this annoyingly curious, and the fact that we’d spent time together upped the ante significantly. On both sides, honestly.

Whenever there was movement below, Jameson, Kat, or Ben would rush to the edge of the rooftop patio and scope it out.

“You guys are being ridiculous,” I said as I flipped the burgers. “It would’ve been rude not to invite her, considering I’m throwing a barbecue at the house where we both live. Plus, I knew everyone would drive me crazy with questions about her. This way, you can all satisfy your curiosity.” Grease splattered in a semi-circle as I gestured at the guys I’d been friends with since our parents enrolled us in a fancy-pants private school. “Don’t ruin my awesome no-strings arrangement with incessant questions and allusions of relationship grandeur.”

In addition to the reasons I was rattling off to my friends, I also needed to pay Willa back for the other night. The woman obviously needed a reminder I was still the one in control, and I could hardly wait to give her a lengthy demonstration.

Jameson bent over the cooler, rattling the ice around and fishing out another beer. Then he lifted the bottle of Sam Adams and studied it as if the label might’ve changed in the last fifteen minutes. “It’s cute, seeing you get all huffy and protective over someone. Usually, you don’t give a shit what we say to your…” He raised his voice and inclined his head in Ben’s direction. “Hmm. How shall we refer to his past women. Previous entanglements?”

“Short-lived,” Ben added with a chortle, and Christiano joined in on the laughing at my expense, as if he’d been part of the gang for years. Which I’d totally be onboard for if, again, I wasn’t the punchline here.

“I was going to say fling,” Kat added as she wrapped her arm around Jameson’s waist. “But it’s a bit redundant with Ben’s choice.” She tapped a finger to her lip. “How about dalliances?”

“How about you all shut the fuck up?”

Jameson raised an eyebrow, and since I didn’t want him to get his panties in a twist, I gritted out a smile. “Except you, Kat. Evidently, trying to cover my buddy’s ass, along with his company, means you can say whatever you want for the rest of our lives. Which will be much shorter if any of yous embarrasses me.” Hopefully slipping into my thickest Boston accent also accentuated the earnest threat.

Kat swiped a hand through the air. “That’s water under the bridge. I was never mad at you; just Jameson.” She patted his chest. “But I’ve mostly forgiven him.”

He dipped her and kissed her, and I couldn’t make out the precise words, but there was some sexual bartering or threatening going on. Then more kissing and giggling, and their cheesiness reminded me it was time to slap cheese on top of the patties.

While I was at it, I added another glug of wine to Kat’s half-empty glass, so that when she came up for air, she’d have plenty to drink. It was nice to have my buddy’s girlfriend for an excuse to bring up a bottle of red, since they’d razz me if they thought I’d brought it special for Willa. It was called being a good host.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I drew it faster than a gunslinger at a showdown. Maybe they won’t notice, I thought as I read Willa’s text letting me know that she was on her way.

Me:Door’s open, so just come on up.

“Damn. I don’t even think he answers messages about verdicts that come in that quickly,” Jameson said, choosing now to be upright and paying attention.

“Fine. I want to see her. So, sue me.” I set aside the spatula and double checked I’d turned all the knobs on the grill to off. Then I lifted the plate of steaming meat. “Actually, I’d advise against anyone doing that, as I’d wipe the floor with you in court.”

As much as what I’d admitted about wanting to see her was true, trepidation crept along my spine. I set down the plate on the patio table, next to the buns, chips, and condiments. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the opening of the door, and I rushed toward it so my friends wouldn’t beat me there. For someone who craved control, this situation was already getting away from me.

But then Willa stepped onto the patio, the sunshine highlighting every glorious curve, and all my apprehension melted away. She had on a flowy white top that showed off her shoulders, ripped jeans that were cuffed at the bottom, and strappy red heels that matched her headband and lipstick. As long as I got my hands on the voluptuous goddess flashing me a smile, who the fuck cared what my friends said.

I closed the distance between us in a couple of strides and slammed my mouth over hers, unable to wait another second. She wrapped her hands around my biceps, clinging to me as I swept my tongue against hers in an ecstatic hello. Naturally, my friends hooped and hollered and, keeping one arm around Willa’s waist, I swung out the other and lifted the bird in their general direction.

“What was that for?” Willa asked when I broke the kiss.

“My friends are determined to humiliate me, and I wanted to remind you why you want to be with me—sleep with me.” What the fuck, mouth?At least Willa’s well aware of our arrangement, even if my mouth needs to get it together.

“Wow, someone thinks mighty highly of their kisses.”

I slid my hand in her back pocket, copping a feel as I moved my mouth next to her ear. “Do I need to slip my fingers in your panties and prove you’re already damp and thinking about the next time I fuck you?”

Her fingernails dug into my skin, radiating five spots of delicious pain. “I, uh, don’t think that’ll be necessary. Until later tonight, that is.” Her secretive smile gave me a barrage of dirty ideas. “Let’s just say you’ve made your point.”

I couldn’t help giving her another quick kiss on the lips before placing my hand on the small of her back and guiding her over to the table to meet my friends.

“That’s Jameson and his girlfriend, Kat. Ben and his boyfriend, Cristiano.” They lifted their beers or bobbed their heads as I indicated them. “Everyone, this is Willa Trainor.”

“His next door neighbor,” she said with a wave, and then she wrinkled her cute nose and fiddled with her large hoop earring. “Rhyming was, uh, unintentional. But it’s nice to meet you all.”

“That was quite the friendly greeting for a neighbor,” Ben teased. “Is that Nate’s typical hello these days? Because I feel like I missed out.” He stood halfway up, lips excessively puckered, like that’d get him anywhere besides in hot water with me and his boyfriend.

“Have you ever been to Savor?” I asked Willa, blazing right over the top of my buddy’s theatrics. “Ben owns and runs the place.”

“That’s amazing. I haven’t ever eaten there, but I have heard of it. The last time I lived in Boston, I could hardly afford ramen noodles.” A hint of nervousness pervaded her laugh, and she leaned into my side. I took that to mean she could use extra support and tucked her closer, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. And honestly, it sort of was.

A type of comfort that hadn’t been in our previous interactions was settling over us as we grew familiar, not just with each other’s bodies and sexual preferences, but also our idiosyncrasies.

“So, where are you from?” Ben asked. “And where do you work? Tell us more about yourself, Willa.”

“Slow down, dude. You think that you should examine the witness since I did the cooking?”

Ben looked to Christiano, his expression an open question itself, and his boyfriend kissed his cheek. “It’s okay, my love. You are going a bit rapid fire with the questions, though. Let her sit down first.”

The corners of Ben’s mouth tightened, and I’d have to thank Christiano later. Here I thought Jameson would be the thorn in my side tonight and he was kicked back and enjoying the show. “I was just making conversation. I haven’t even gotten to the busting Nate’s balls portion of the evening. I did the same thing to Jameson when he brought Kat to Savor, so I figure it’s only fair.”

At Ben’s implication Willa and I were headed to the sort of serious territory Jameson and Kat occupied, panic coated my lungs. They were too heavy to take in air, so I focused on pulling out Willa’s chair instead. This was a bad idea.

But the idea of her leaving or not being at my side only stole what was left of my oxygen.

I settled into the seat next to her and placed my hand on her knee. She automatically stacked her hand on top of mine as she answered Ben’s questions, and the tightness in my chest eased. She cast the conversation wider, drawing everyone into it as we passed around the food, and I reminded myself this arrangement was a respite for the both of us.

As we ate, drank, and laughed, that was exactly what it felt like too.

It wasn’t until we moved to sit around the firepit and toast s’mores that the evening hit another snag.

“Why would Rylee do that?” Jameson asked. “I’m sure she knows you’re planning on taking down your uncles. Does she really want to be there when you push them off the pedestal they built by walking over people?”

Willa had been talking to Kat but returned to the tail-end of our conversation right in time to hear that. Confusion crinkled her brow as she glanced from Jameson to me. “Wait, what? You have a sister? And you’re planning on taking down your uncles? I feel like I missed something.”

Was I imagining it, or did she sound a bit disappointed about that last one?

“I knew you were cut-throat in business, but…” She dropped her gaze and fiddled with the frayed edges of one of the holes in her jeans. “Sorry. I barged right into your conversation, and it’s totally not my business.”

I grabbed hold of her hand, intertwining our fingers and moving it from her thigh to mine so she’d look at me. It worked, so now I just had to figure out how to explain. Part of me wished she hadn’t heard, while another part of me couldn’t wait to unburden myself. “Rylee’s several years younger than I am, and it was almost like we were raised by different parents. She was the baby girl my dad didn’t think he’d ever have, and she had him wrapped around her little finger. Now that he’s gone, she thinks I should fulfill that role…”

After a quick sorting of information so I could pick what was necessary, what required editing, and how to shorten the entire story, I said, “Rylee’s always enjoyed living the high life a bit too much, but since losing our father, her goals seem to entail becoming my most frequent client. I get that Ry’s mourning, but it’s been three years. She’s going to have to grow up and take responsibility for her actions sometime.”

“I had no idea,” Willa said, her words soft. “I’m sorry, Nathan. That’s a lot to carry. It’s got to be hard on you, since you lost your dad too.”

What else was there to do but shrug. As Rylee had pointed out, it certainly hadn’t helped that our uncles were so quick to stab him, my family, and me, in the back. “As for my uncles, they were our family not by blood, but because together, Gil, Bobby, and my dad built their law firm from the ground up. The contract said I’d have a position in the company and become one of their shareholders once I passed the bar—owning shares in their law firm requires one be a lawyer.”

My gaze had drifted to the flames, my thoughts as destructive and fiery. I glanced up to find Willa listening intently, the flickering reflection of the flames softer and more inviting as it played across her pretty features.

“I was taking the exam the very next month, but Dad’s passing caused a gap. Using that loophole, they bought out my dad’s shares, removed his name from the firm, and told me they no longer had a position for me. It meant those shares my father intended to pass on to me so I could take care of the family if anything happened to him were all gone, just like that.” I snapped my fingers to punctuate the statement.

“How is that even legal?”

“Fine print, bullshit, and betrayal.” Out of the corner of my eye, I peeked at Jameson, who, for all his teasing, sat back and removed himself from the conversation. He was definitely listening, but I could only tell by the clench of his jaw that reminded me he’d been as upset as I’d been.

“It’s not like we’re financially bereft by a long shot. We had to sell off some of my dad’s possessions, and it stung to lose items that represented our time together. But it was just stuff. I could’ve dealt with my resentment and the loss of a secure job at a top firm if they hadn’t removed his name—his legacy. They’d come to the funeral and pretended to mourn with us, while behind the scenes, they were taking away our sense of security.”

“What assholes.”

“My sentiments exactly.” Between bites of our melty s’mores, I filled her in on my threat to take them down and caught her up on everything with Rylee’s case. We chatted with the entire group as the sun set and the embers died down, and then my friends began their goodbyes.

While standing on the tiny lawn of the duplex, Jameson clapped me on the back. “Later, Nathan.”

I shot him a warning glare he didn’t heed because he never did. “I wouldn’t dare tell you what to do…”

“Says the prick who’s about to try.”

“All I’m saying is that when it comes to reaching your business goals, you don’t have to choose that or a relationship. If it comes down to picking and choosing, just remember that business is fickle and changes on a dime.”

“Like love isn’t?”

“Love, huh?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t act like you’re not alluding to it. Things are going well. She’s amazing and beautiful, and the sex…” I let loose a low whistle.

“In other words, she hardly needs her box of toys anymore.”

Like an old lady at church, I shushed the shit out of him. “I swear, dude. When I told you that, I didn’t know it’d turn into…” Damn, he kept trying to paint me into a corner. “She’ll probably die of embarrassment, and while I won’t use the word you want me to, I do care about her, so I will avenge her. Keep that in mind.”

“Yeah, yeah. Quaking in my shoes. All I’m saying is that being with the right person is far more satisfying than any deal.”

Ben leaned backward, into our conversation bubble, and whispered, “He’s not wrong, Nate.”

Great. Now they were ganging up on me. Their claim was far from a surprise, and why I dragged my feet over letting them meet Willa. Jameson had no memory of what it was like not to share everything with someone, or to want to keep parts of your life in neat little boxes, and Ben was well on his way.

Still, as they climbed into their cars and Willa came over to snuggle up next to me as we said goodbye, I could admit I was far from ready to say goodbye. Even if the only person I’d admit that to was myself.