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Sigh.
After Nate paid for his groceries and loaded my car trunk with them, I input his address into my GPS, surprised to learn that he lives in Back Bay. I’m not sure why, but I always assumed he lived near the Guardians’ arena around Fenway. Especially because that’s where he asked me to go, the few times I picked him up for a date. But as we drive through the homey neighborhood of brownstone houses, I’m a little taken aback that Nate would choose to live in such a familial neighborhood.
Although it does explain a lot about him.
Nate might have only recently decided to try finding a partner, but something tells me it’s always been in the back of his mind.
Why else would he buy a four-story home in one of the best school districts if he wasn’t planning on having a family down the line?
As I pull up to Nate’s brownstone house, my heart suddenly flutters with nervous anticipation. With its ornate iron gates, towering columns, and a sweeping staircase leading to the front door, the grandeur of the place takes my breath away. I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement as I step out of the car, ready to embark on a night that will undoubtedly peel back one more of his complex layers.
Nate carries most of the bags up the small flight of stairs and still manages to find his keys to open the front door.
“Make yourself at home,” he says as he heads straight to his kitchen.
I step into his home and am immediately struck by its sleek, modern design. The walls are painted a crisp white, actingas a backdrop for the minimalist artwork hanging in strategic spots. The floors are polished hardwood, giving the space a welcoming vibe that is softened further by the plush rugs scattered throughout. The furniture is angular and minimalist, with clean lines and neutral colors that create a sense of tranquility. The last rays of the afternoon sunlight pour through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the carefully curated decor, making the space feel inviting yet sophisticated. I find Nate in his kitchen and immediately fall in love with the smooth and modern decor. The stainless-steel appliances, glossy countertops, and minimalist design give the space an effortlessly elegant feel.
In comforting silence, I watch Nate storing his groceries, marveling at how his home is so unlike what I had pictured in my head. I imagined a bachelor pad of some sort, cold and uninviting. But everything about Nate’s home is warm, even if a little barren.Just like him.
I watch him attentively as he puts away his groceries. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Can I stop you?” He smirks, closing his refrigerator door.
“No.” I laugh. “You told Sheila that you didn’t like kids. Is that true?”
He stops what he’s doing to think long and hard on the matter and then shakes his head.
“I like them. I just don’t know how to handle them.”
“You looked like you could handle yourself with them just fine when I watched you teach hockey to those kids the other day.”
“Maybe. I don’t know. Kids are scary.” He shrugs.
“You don’t seem the type that gets scared easily,” I insist.
“You’d be surprised.” He laughs self-deprecatingly.
“You do that a lot.” I frown.
“Do what?”
“Make fun of yourself.”
“Beats some other fucker making fun of me. Belittling me,” he explains, his deep-rooted frown mirroring my own.
“Does that happen a lot? People belittling you?”
“Let’s just say I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with assholes who like putting people down,” he explains sullenly.
“I’m sorry.”
“Again, you don’t have to apologize. You’re one of the few people in my life who haven’t disappointed me.”
I hope I never do.
“Okay, enough serious talk.” I clap to ease the tension in the room. “Let’s have some fun.”
He looks around his kitchen and then stares at the countertop in front of him.
