Chapter 4
Maddie Grace
The lights from the nearby path cast a warm glow over him as he runs a manic hand through his thick, waved hair. His eyes are wild as he begins to pace back and forth.
“Nate—”
He pauses. “Yeah?”
“Please.”
When he doesn’t move, I whisper, “Please,” once more, pleading with my eyes.
His nostrils flare, chest rising as he takes two steps forward, surrounding me with his body. His voice is rough as he crouches down to look me in the eye. “You sure, Mads?”
“So sure,” I sigh.
One arm slips around my lower back, pulling me in close while the other cradles the nape of my neck, his fingers threading gently through my hair.
He doesn’t hesitate any longer, pressing his lips to mine. Our kiss is soft and tender in a way that causes my eyes to flutter closed without thought.
Time slows, our kiss is unhurried, allowing me to memorize every second.
It’s everything I’ve always imagined my first kiss would be and so much more.
The overwhelming feeling of this moment is only heightened as he continues, deepening our connection ever so slightly as he presses his body forward, enough to send my heart racing.
His lips are pillowy, impossibly soft, molding perfectly to mine, like they were made to fit there.
Too soon, he raises his mouth from mine and connects our foreheads.
He looks down at me with a small smile playing on his lips. “You good?”
I nod.
“Nervous?”
I swallow hard, feeling my face flush, willing myself to say something witty and playful, but all I can manage is the truth. “A bit.”
Nervous that I’m too inexperienced. Scared of embarrassing myself when I know a boy like Nate has probably kissed plenty of girls before me.
As if he’s heard my thoughts, he lets out a slight growl. “You are perfect. The kiss, Mads, was fucking incredible. Everything about this moment, about this day, is perfect.”
For a second, I forget to breathe. But when his lips descend on mine again, I’m not worried anymore because I finally realize why Nate feels so special.
It’s because he’s the one breathing life into me.
Without thinking, I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, clinging to him like I never want to let him go.
He traces the fullness of my bottom lip before opening slightly and sweeping his tongue through my parted mouth.
We tangle in a wild dance of fire, and my insides flip with excitement as our kiss turns frantic.
It’s different than before, now neither of us is holding back, acting only on pure instinct and feelings.
A soft moan that I realize is mine echoes quietly between us. I am shocked at my eager response. Which only causes Nate to lose it, pressing his body harder against mine.
Is that?
Oh god, he’s hard…and I’m not talking about his abs.
Ahh.
The thought of it should make me run. Instead, I have this innate need to touch more of him.
Unsure at first, my hands finally find their way to his T-shirt, gripping the fabric like an anchor. His chest heaves under my touch, and when he pulls back just enough to look at me, I see something in his expression that makes my stomach flutter.
“Not so bad, right?” he murmurs, his thumb tracing a light circle over the apple of my cheek.
I let out a breathy laugh, still dazed. “I don’t know yet. I think I need to try again to be sure.”
He lets out a loud guttural laugh, which is the biggest mistake he could have made.
“Davenport.” Mason’s furious voice echoes through the quiet night, breaking up our perfect moment.
“Fuck,” Nate grumbles. “There’s food in your fridge. I’m glad I stocked it earlier. I feel terrible that we missed dinner.”
This man, I tell you. “Nate…thank you for everything.”
“Get your ass out here, you have some explaining to do. I fucking warned you.” Mason’s voice is getting closer.
I shoo Nate away. “Just go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He stills, leaning over to kiss my cheek. “And every day after.”
Two Weeks Later
“Hey.”
I glance up from the book, mildly irritated by the interruption. My pottery teacher gave it to me this morning, and I haven’t put it down since.
“Hello,” I answer wearily.
A tall blonde stands over me, hip cocked to the side, radiating attitude with nothing but posture.
“We need one more player for beach volleyball.”
“Okay?” I frown, unsure where this is going, until it clicks. “Oh. You want me to play?”
“Duh.” She snaps her gum, looking at me like I just asked the dumbest question on the planet.
Charming. Is everyone at camp this catty?
“I—”
“Can you or not?”
I lean to the side, peering around her to the waiting group of girls, all staring. My nerves spike instantly, a bead of sweat trailing down my spine.
I can do this, I tell myself.
Still, I glance around for backup in the form of Nate, Mase, Leo. Anyone.
There’s no one.
I take a breath. I don’t need a support system to play volleyball. I can handle this. “Fine. But I’m an outside hitter.”
“We already—”
“If you want me to play, that’s my position.” If I’m going to do this, I’m doing it my way. And it just so happens I’m decent at volleyball.
The school coach has asked me to join the team more than once, and I’ve turned him down every time. I may be athletic, but I’ll let Mase keep the star athlete award in our family.
Thirty minutes later, we’ve won the first two sets, and the other team is crazy mad. Apparently, one of their school’s all-stars is on the other team, and we obliterated them.
I can dust off my shoulders a little, knowing I contributed big time.
“You’re welcome,” I call boldly, gaining a bit of confidence, when no one says a word to me after helping them kill it.
“Yeah, baby!” I turn to see Nate and Leo jumping up and down in excitement.
“Careful, you’ll choke.” I pull out Nate’s cherry lollipop and steal it for myself. “I didn’t even notice you guys watching.”
“We snuck in toward the end of the second match,” Nate grins, pulling me into a hug. “You’re a killer, Mads. Seriously impressive.”
I shrug, a little embarrassed by the attention.
“You know those girls?” Leo asks.
I shake my head. I don’t, and I never want to know them. They didn’t get any nicer, even when I led them to victory.
“Really?” Nate frowns. “You played with strangers.”
“It was no big deal.” Even if my nerves were at an all-time high.
He throws an arm over my shoulder. “Uh, yeah, it is a big deal. I never see you step out of your comfort zone like that. I’m proud of you.”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes, but inside, I’m glowing. “Now feed me. I worked up an appetite.”
What I should be doing is thanking both him and Leo. They’re constantly encouraging me, making me believe I can do more than I think I can.
“Whatever you wish.” Nate kisses my cheek, then turns, crouching slightly. “Hop on.”
“What?” I giggle. “You are not piggybacking me into the cafeteria in front of everyone.”
He points up the hill, then looks down at my white sneakers. “It’s all muddy up there, from the rain earlier. Let me carry you. And let them stare. Who cares what anyone thinks but you and me?”
“Okay.” He’s right. Who cares?
I climb onto his back, and he carries me uphill like it’s nothing. Leo falls into step beside us, deep in conversation with Nate, though I barely register what they’re saying.
My head rests on Nate’s shoulder, watching the beauty of Lake Horizon pass us by.
The water sparkles, the trees sway lazily in the breeze.
Something in me is shifting.
Today was just one small step, but the confidence I’m gaining? I’ll carry it with me back to Georgia, where I’ll be alone for the first time when Mase leaves for college.
Nate always teases that I’m Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—shy and timid around strangers but bold and brassy with people I trust. Always joking that it’s a shame the world doesn’t get to see the full extent of my snark.
Nate pats my behind. “We’re here, Mads.”
“Sorry, lost in a daydream.”
He smiles and reaches for my hand, lacing our fingers firmly, and it’s the first thing Mase clocks when we walk toward our usual table.
He doesn’t say a word, but his eyes zero in on our hands, jaw clenching, arms folded tightly across his chest.
“Knock it off, Mason.” I glare right back.
His attention snaps toward Nate, but I reach over the table and poke him hard in his bicep. “Say one word, and I’m telling Mama that you stole the liquor bottle over Christmas break.”
Leo chuckles, sliding onto the bench beside Mase, huddling close, pushing him a little with his shoulder, only egging him on more.
“Fuck off, all of you,” Mase mutters, standing abruptly, and walks out, marching right past to the buffet.
“You should talk to him,” I murmur to Nate, eyes pleading.
Mase might be a pain, but I know this anger is because of us. One of his best friends is dating his little sister. It was never going to sit easy.
Nate leans in, pressing a kiss to my dimple. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is. Thank you.” He stands, my hand still in his. “Wait. You’re going now?”
He runs his fingers through my hair. “No time like the present.”
As he heads toward Mase, I call after him, “He’s really cranky when he’s hungry!”
Nate glances back and winks, full of that signature confidence, then disappears around the corner.
Whatever. I warned him.
It’s his funeral.
Nate
I spot Mason halfway down to the beach by the time I make it out of the cafeteria. If he’s skipping lunch, I know he’s in a bad way.
“Yo, Mase. Slow down.” That causes him to move faster, and that scowl of his could clear a room, but I’m not most people. “Mason,” I call, louder this time. “You’re really starting to piss me off.”
That stops him. “Me? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Can we please talk already? It’s been two weeks.”
He huffs, loud, but finally walks over to one of the benches that line the beach trail and drops down with a heavy thud. I take that as my invitation and sit across from him.
“Fine,” he mutters. “What do you want to say?”
I exhale slowly, trying not to sound defensive. “You’re really that mad I’m with Maddie?”