Chapter 7 #2
She looks at me with a soft, knowing grin when she pulls back. “I knew that my Nate would fall for you from the day I met you.”
My head drops, and I smile to myself.
“I met my Javier even younger than you, and I’m still madly in love.”
“Moooom. Don’t embarrass her.” Camila turns to me. “These are our brothers, Sebastian and Harrison, he’s the oldest.”
I glance up, and my mouth gapes.
Holy cow, these guys are something else.
Tall, mature, and very handsome.
I finally understand what people mean when they describe a man as brooding. I always thought it was something you’d read in a book, but now that I’ve seen it with my eyes. I get it.
Harrison steps forward first. He’s taller than Nate, but not as tall as Sebastian. He has lighter hair, and his features are sharp, but I know by his eyes alone that this is Nate’s biological brother.
“Nice to meet you, Maddie Grace.” He shakes my hand. “My brother hasn’t shut up about you.”
Nate grins, slinging an arm around my shoulder. “It’s all true.”
Harrison smiles at his brother before side-hugging him.
Sebastian, on the other hand, stays quiet, his expression unreadable. His eyes are dark, rimmed with beautiful, long, thick black lashes, and he has dark, styled hair.
He eventually says hello, then reaches over and yanks one of Camila’s braids out of nowhere.
“Ouch, Seb. What the hell was that for?” The way her shoulders hunch, I feel she already knows why.
“Harrison is not the older brother. We’re the same age,” Sebastian grumbles.
Harrison shoves Sebastian. “Don’t pull her hair, dickhead, and five days is five days. We’ve been fighting about this for as long as I’ve known you. Get over it already.”
“Enough bickering.” Rosa raises her voice. “Let’s get going. Your father is signing you out of camp, and then we’re heading to the restaurant.”
Rosa takes my hand. “Come, Maddie Grace. You can sit with Camila and me.”
I glance over my shoulder at Nate, hoping once again he might save me. Instead, he grins, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
I, on the other hand, feel like I just got adopted into the chaos.
And I don’t think I hate it.
Nate
“So, Maddie, you’re planning to major in architecture too?” Camila asks, wholly intrigued as she leans in, eager to learn more about my girl.
After today, I owe my sister big time.
Once Maddie warms up to someone, the quiet, reserved girl people first meet disappears, replaced by the vibrant, opinionated force I fucking adore. But my family can be overwhelming—loud, passionate, and unfiltered—so Camila’s effort to ensure Maddie feels at ease means everything.
Luckily, their connection was instant, and the conversation has been flowing effortlessly between them like they’d known each other forever.
“That’s the plan.” Maddie forces a smile, but there’s hesitation in her voice. “If I get the scholarships, that is.”
I shoot her a sharp look, already irritated.
She glances at me sheepishly, knowing exactly how much that comment grates on me.
If I knew she wouldn’t murder me for it, I’d pay for her entire tuition without a second thought.
In three weeks, when I turn eighteen, I’ll inherit everything my grandparents left me, and her education wouldn’t even put a dent in it.
I’m still working on devising a plan to guarantee her a spot at USC, and at this point, I’m not above bribery.
“Well, from what I’ve heard, not only are you brilliant, but your portfolio is incredible,” Camila says, either oblivious to my annoyance or deliberately ignoring it.
Either way, I’m grateful.
Someone needs to remind Maddie of her talent.
She insists I’m biased, but the truth is, she was born to be an architect.
It’s not just a dream, it’s her future, and I’ll make sure she never doubts that.
“Nate’s taught me a lot.” Maddie slides her hand into mine, and I instinctively tighten my grip, welcoming the distraction. I get too worked up when she undervalues herself. “And I’ve always loved school, so I’m hopeful. What about you? What’s your major?”
I brush my thumb over her knuckles, savoring the warmth of her sun-kissed skin, watching as tiny goose bumps rise in response to my touch.
“Stop staring at her like that, you creep,” Leo mutters, chuckling.
Never.
“Special education, with a focus on early childhood development,” Camila says, grinning ear to ear. “I graduate this year and plan to get my master’s immediately. Unlike you, I hate school, so if I don’t do it now, I never will.”
“You hate school, but you want to be a teacher?” Maddie laughs, as do the rest of us.
We’ve all pointed out its irony at one point or another.
“I know. But teaching kids is different from suffering through calculus. I love working with children.”
The waiter sets our desserts down, placing two dark chocolate cherry cakes in front of Maddie and me.
I ordered them for us while she was in the bathroom.
Her eyes widen in mock exasperation. “What is your obsession with cherries?”
“You’re my obsession,” I say smoothly. “Since cherries now remind you of me, it ensures I’m always on your mind.”
A slow smile spreads across her lips, dimples carving into her cheeks. “I’m always thinking of you, Nate. No reminder needed.”
The sincerity in her voice punches me straight in the chest.
Every time Maddie lets her guard down and admits what she feels, it reminds me that this isn’t one-sided.
She takes a bite of the cake, amusement dancing in her eyes as she lowers her voice. “Yum. Tastes just like you.”
“Maddie,” I groan under my breath, inconspicuously adjusting myself.
She giggles, knowing exactly what she’s doing to me. “Your family is lovely, Nate.”
Her gaze drifts over the circular table, landing on my brothers, who are mid-argument over something unimportant, most likely.
If Mom and Dad weren’t here, I wouldn’t be surprised if they whipped out a measuring tape for a full-blown dick-measuring contest.
Harrison and Seb are inseparable like Leo and me, but their never-ending competition is exhausting for everyone forced to witness it.
Still, I see what Maddie sees.
A big, chaotic, loving family that isn’t afraid to express themselves, no matter how ridiculous it gets.
And yeah, it’s pretty damn great.
“I think so, too,” I admit. “I’m glad you came today.”
She doesn’t answer because she’s turned back to Camila, already deep in conversation, leaving me momentarily forgotten.
I frown.
What the hell?
“Hey,” Harrison murmurs, tilting his head toward the hallway leading to the kitchen. “Come with me for a second.”
I hesitate, glancing between him and Maddie. I don’t want to leave her.
“It’ll be quick, Nate.”
I sigh. “Mads.” She looks up, smiling. “I’ll be right back. My brother needs to talk to me.”
“Okay,” she says easily, then turns back to Camila, paying me no mind.
I follow Harrison, throwing one last glance over my shoulder. Maddie ducks her head, giggling at something Camila says.
“What’s up?” I ask.
Harrison studies me for a beat before smirking. “You really like her, huh?”
I cross my arms. “I do.”
“You don’t have to get so defensive. I like seeing you happy. Just remember, you’re young. Your first love doesn’t have to be your last.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you serious?”
He raises his hands in surrender. “I wouldn’t be a good older brother if I didn’t say it. That’s not to say I wouldn’t be happy if she were it for you, but my job is to protect you, even from things you don’t want to hear.”
Harrison has always tried to shield me, especially from our fucked-up parents. The problem is, we’re years apart. He missed an entire chapter of my childhood.
“So, what did you want to ask me?”
For the first time, he shifts uncomfortably. Harrison is the most confident person I know.
He doesn’t get nervous.
“When you’re done with camp, I know you only have a few weeks before college, but I was wondering if you’d want to move in with Seb and me.”
I blink. “Really?”
The thought of returning to my “parents” house makes my stomach turn.
“I won’t be in the Hamptons as much this year because of work, so of course, you could stay with Rosa and Javier. But if you’d rather be in the city, I’d like you to stay with me. That way, you don’t have to deal with them anymore.”
“Hell yeah, I want to stay with you.” Without thinking, I pull him into a hug. “Thanks, bro. You have no idea how much I dread going back there.”
“Oh, trust me. I have an idea.” He pulls back, clapping my shoulder. “I wish I could’ve taken you away sooner, but since you’ll be eighteen in a few weeks, they can’t stop you. You’ll always have a place with me.”
“Seriously, Harrison. Thanks. I don’t even know why they care where I live. I spend every second possible at the Moraleses’ house. I barely see the sperm donor and incubator.”
Harrison blows out a long breath. “They get a kick out of punishing us. They know you’d be happy staying with me or the Morales—” He pauses and looks behind me. “Votre copine est derrière vous.” Your girlfriend is behind you.
I turn and find Maddie frozen in place, wide-eyed, pale as a ghost.
“I-I’m sorry,” she stammers. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but Rosa asked me to tell you we’re leaving.”
I wrap an arm around her, easing her embarrassment. “It’s okay, Maddie. We’re done here.”
I side-hug my brother’s shoulder again. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I lead Maddie toward the exit, feeling the nervous energy radiating off her.
“Mads.” I stop, cupping her cheeks. “Don’t worry.”
“I didn’t hear anything, I promise,” she says quickly, the words trembling out of her parted lips. “Well…mostly nothing.”
I chuckle, pressing a soft, fleeting kiss to her lips.
She’s going to find out about my fucked-up life eventually. It’s not all a secret, but I’d rather not stain the best summer of our lives with it just yet.
Or at least until she asks.
Mom hugs Maddie last, holding her close as if she’s already part of the family. “I hope to see you again soon, Maddie Grace.”