25. 25 Nathan
25: Nathan
“ Y ou’re burning the water,” I say as I peer into the pan bubbling on Bennett’s stove.
“You can’t burn water, genius.”
Evan arches an eyebrow. “I beg to differ. Look at that.” He gestures to the water now pouring over the side of the metal, and I roll my eyes and nudge Bennett aside so I can take over.
This man lives off ready meals and takeouts. Granted, he chooses the healthy options, but it would help if he knew how to boil pasta without setting his apartment on fire.
Leo gnaws on his toy block while sitting on his dad’s lap. “See? You’ve driven my kid to eat plastic.”
Bennett grumbles while we chuckle, and a knock from the door catches our attention.
“Who’s that?”
“I invited Cam over.” Bennet rushes to let him in.
My eyes round as I stare down at the cubed chicken frying.
Cam’s a nice guy. He’s a great member of the team, but he doesn’t know that his sister had her lips wrapped around my cock in the men’s locker room almost a week ago. He specifically told me to stay away from her, and I’m doing the complete opposite.
I’ve never hung out with him besides in a professional setting, so I’m not sure what I’m supposed to talk to him about.
“Great win last week, boys,” Cameron congratulates us as he strides in. He’s a confident man who can command a room, but he’s not cocky or smug, which is refreshing.
“Thanks, man.”
Leo releases a small gasp of excitement once he spots Cam. He sometimes sits in on Evan’s physio sessions, and Cam sneaks Leo candy and plays his favourite soul-crushing toddler music while he abuses his father’s muscles. I know it chips away at Evan’s mental stability a little more each time.
While the guys converse, I focus on fixing Bennett’s food disaster. I add to the conversation now and then, but for the most part, I remain quiet.
I don’t feel guilty about what happened with Mae—not one bit. But it feels strange standing face to face with her brother when he has no idea all I want to do is rip her clothes off until she’s in nothing but her lacey underwear and sink so deep into her that she won’t forget me when she leaves.
The thought of not having Mae here makes me feel physically sick.
But I know it’s reality.
I’m staying here where I belong. And she’ll be moving on with her life after the season. I don’t know where she’ll be going, but another state sounds likely, and with busy schedules, it’ll be unlikely that we’ll be able to see each other.
Not that we’d be able to anyway. If Peter were to find out about Mae and me and put the pieces together, I’d be thrown off the team.
I clench my fists.
Fuck, I hate this.
Evan’s phone buzzes, and he squints at it before grunting. “Seriously? Does this guy ever give it a rest?”
“What?”
“Riley’s spoken to Essence Sport and commented about us as a team again.”
I pinch the skin between my eyebrows. “What’s he said now?”
“The usual crap,” Bennett says, reading off Evan's phone. “We’re a group of unruly swine who only care about the title, and it doesn’t matter how we get it. We’ll throw anyone and everyone under the bus to win.”
“Unruly swine,” I chuckle. “Well, that’s a new one.”
Cam’s face scrunches up. “Riley’s a weirdo. I stopped off at the bar to see Mae during her shift earlier, and she told me that he’s been showing up and trying to talk to her.”
Everybody goes silent, and I feel my heart thud. “What?”
He seems taken aback by the gravel in my voice. “Yeah, he’s been in a few times. He says he’s here on business, but I swear next time I see him, I’m gonna warn him to leave Mae alone. She’s working herself into the dirt and doesn't want to be bothered, even if he is just trying to be friendly. He can find another bar to hang out at.”
Aggravation surges through me. All I want to do is storm down to The Salty Dog, grip Riley by the back of his neck, and throw him into a saltwater river. If he loves The Salty Dog so much, he can become one.
Lucky for him, there are no saltwater rivers in Montana.
I have no idea what his game is, but he clearly has nothing better to do than torment my team, and harassing Mae is something I will absolutely not tolerate.
As we eat, my brain can’t focus on anything other than Riley being in proximity to Mae right now, chatting to her over the bar even after she’s told him to leave her alone multiple times.
His stupid cheesy smile—all gleaming teeth and dimples.
I don’t get angry often. I usually keep my emotions in check, but this is fucking killing me.
After swiftly texting Poppy to inform her that I have to get out of something and need her to call me, claiming there’s an emergency, I wait for her call. Tapping my foot against the stool I’m sitting on is grating, but the noise serves as a distraction from my whirring thoughts.
My phone buzzes, and I snatch it up, listening intently to Poppy’s lie about a pipe bursting in her apartment. The others can hear, and I immediately jump up and tell her I’m coming over.
It’s one of the things I love most about my sister. She’ll ask questions later, but when someone is in need of help, she’ll do it. There and then.
I ruffle Leo’s hair before rushing to the front door, Bennett close behind me. He eyes me up suspiciously, his deep brown eyes flickering. “Say hi to Mae for me.”
“What are you talking about?”
He releases a scoff as if it’s obvious. “Maybe you should work with an acting coach or something in your free time. Your facial expressions give a lot away, Slater.”
I curse.
“Cam definitely didn’t notice. It’s fine.” He smiles. “I only gathered because Poppy’s not at home tonight. She’s at Sophia’s house with Madison.”
“Look, Bennett, you need to keep it to—” I falter. “Wait, how do you know where Poppy is tonight?”
My best friend shrugs, his face blank. He gazes at me for a few beats, and I can practically see the cogs in his head turning. “I talk to her now and then. She’s your sister, so we’re practically family, right?”
A sceptical hum escapes my mouth.
“My lips are sealed, Nathan. No need to panic.” He pretends to lock up his lips and throws the imaginary key behind his shoulder as I hike my eyebrows up to my hairline.
“Okay, thanks. I need to go.”
My friend rests his hand across his heart, allowing his eyes to turn doe-like as he fake pouts. “You’re such a knight in shining armour, Nathan. Go and save the girl and kick Riley Donovan’s butt. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
I roll my eyes as I slip out the door.
The bar stinks of cigarette smoke and liquor, and I crinkle up my nose in dislike, but I immediately forget about it when my eyes land on a hard-working Mae. Her hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, the front layers hanging by the side of her flushed face.
She’s wearing an apron that accentuates her waist, her perfect ass causing my dick to stiffen in my pants.
But I’m not here for that. I want to hear all about Riley’s provoking.
“I’ll get ten Mai Tai’s.”
“We don’t sell—” Mae double-takes and laughs, wiping the top of the bar with a rag. “What are you doing here?”
“Didn’t recognise my voice, princess?” I tut. “We’ll have to work on that.”
She scowls at me.
“When does your shift end?”
Amber rounds the corner with a tray full of empty glasses. It seems she heard my question as she sneaks a glance at her watch and says, “We aren’t busy tonight, Mae. You can head home a few hours early if you want.”
Mae’s face drops, though. I understand she needs the money, so I reach into my pocket and take out some cash, pushing it into her palm. “There, that should cover more than your wage for the rest of your shift. Come on. We’ve got… an emergency team meeting.” My voice is hushed, but I accentuate the final part as Amber throws a glance our way.
“Nathan, I’m not taking your money. I’m staying.”
Amber disappears down into the basement, so I lean in close. “You can either walk out with me, or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you outside. I’m not above it, so which one would you prefer?”
“Try me.”
“Alright.” I click my tongue and move closer to the small wooden doors that separate the customers from the staff, causing Mae to hold up her hands to stop me.
“Okay, fine. Don’t get your panties in a twist. I’m coming.” Her eyes twinkle with slight amusement.
I know she’s secretly enjoying this.
With a small—fake—sigh, Mae follows my lead, grabbing her bag and saying goodbye to Amber and a few regulars before exiting the bar. “Right, what was so important that you had to pull me away from work?” She’s still holding my money, and even though she tries to hand it back to me, I stuff it into her bag and open my car door for her.
“You looked like you needed a break.” I start the car and head towards the animal shelter, where Mae feels most comfortable. “That, and I wanted to make sure Riley wasn’t in there bothering you.”
Mae’s teeth click shut. “You heard about that.”
“I did.”
“You can’t be annoyed that I didn’t tell you, Nathan.”
I shake my head, glancing at her. “Why do you immediately assume I’m mad at you, princess? I’m not.” I know why—her mother has always made her feel like she’s to blame for everything.
Mae scrubs a hand down her face. “Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologise. I just want to make sure you’re safe. Riley has it out for the Missarali Storks right now, and I don’t want him taking his anger out on you.”
“I know, I know. It sounds like he’s fishing for information, but I think he understands he’s not getting anything out of me. He never stays for longer than one drink.”
“As long as he’s never said or done anything to make you uncomfortable.” Agitation rockets through me at the thought of him flirting with her. Eyeing her up while she bends down to grab a glass from the bottom shelf, her top riding up slightly, showing off her smooth, tanned skin.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” Mae says, face is determined.
“I like a woman who treats shitty men just as shitty.”
“It’s one of my many talents.”
“And what are your other talents?” I cock an eyebrow as we pull up outside the shelter.
Mae’s teeth pierce her bottom lip. “Making football players come in under ten minutes.”
I hum. “I better be the only one who made you realise you possess that gift.”
“And if you weren’t?” she asks as we head towards the doors.
I shake my head, glaring at her teasingly. “Then they’d leave the field with more than a few broken bones.”
“Careful, Nate,” she chirps. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you’re jealous.”
“Oh, I am. Very much so.” I hold the door open for her, patting her ass. “Now come on, there’s a dog named after a vegetable that’s been missing you.”