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Bash is right, I need to talk to Cooper.
I give up.
I give in.
Fuck I want this girl, and not just for a quick lay. I want her to be mine, and I can’t go behind my friend and teammate’s back and not expect it to fuck things up. That’s not how I want this to start.
Natalie finally manages to get the ball in the last cup, winning us the game. Spinning around, she jumps up and throws her arms around my neck, celebrating our win. I quickly squeeze her, then look over her shoulder at a less than thrilled Cooper and place her back on her feet. We walk over to the couch and sit down while the other two teams take their turn.
Murphy’s bombed, and I’m pretty sure Chloe is too.
Bash and Cooper still seem sober.
Nat has been nursing the same beer for a while now. I don’t think she likes it, but she hasn’t said anything. Getting comfortable, she tucks her knees up inside her shirt in front of her, and I can’t see her legs or shorts. I’m leaning against the corner of the couch, and she’s turned, facing me, when she pushes her bare her toes tucked under my legs.
The rain has stopped, but the storm brought the temperature down, and it’s still a little windy out. “Are you cold? I can grab a blanket.”
She tucks her feet further under my thigh. “Nope. I’m good just where I am.”
She beams up at me like she just struck gold when in reality, I’m pretty sure I am the one who just figured out my shit. I put my hand on her calves and start to rub. Her skin is so soft and smooth. The sweetest little moan leaves her lips as I dig into her calf muscles.
“So, no boyfriend back in California?”
Leaning back into the cushion further, Nat worries her bottom lip with her teeth. “Nope. I never really had time before. Dance, plus, I never really found anyone that seemed worth it. Bringing someone around my brothers and my father can be intimidating. Usually, guys are either scared of my family or are trying to use me to get close to them. Not great options. What about you? Do you have a girl that can’t wait to see you again when school starts?”
Pushing in closer to her, I rub further up her legs. “Never really did the whole serious thing. Football is the only relationship that I’ve made time for.”
“I get it. My brother Declan has always said the wrong girls were nothing but a distraction. At least that was what he said in high school. He has changed his tune since he’s been in college. Had a serious girl for his freshman and sophomore year, but since they’ve broken up, I’ve never seen him with the same girl twice.”
“I heard a rumor this week that you and Branson are talking.”
“Darby?”
“Yeah. Are you guys together?”
My question is rewarded by her deep, throaty laugh. “Umm, together? No. Have we been texting? A little.”
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I unlock it and hand it to her. “Wanna call yourself from my phone? I realized this week, I don’t have your number.”
“You were thinking about me this week?”
“Probably more than I should have been.”
I hear her phone beep as she hands me mine back.
Her hair blows in the wind, giving me another whiff of that orangey scent. I want to lick every tanned inch of her skin. I tell myself again that I have to talk to Cooper first, just as I hear the cars come down the street and the obnoxious beeping of the horns.
Fucking shit timing.
The team just showed up.
It kills me to do it, but I remove my hands from her body, lean down and whisper in her ear, “I’ll be right back.”
Natalie fucking sighs like she is disappointed.
I don’t want to walk away right now, but I do.
Walking around the porch, I see the street that was empty earlier is now full of cars. We’ve been in our own little world for the last few hours. I hadn’t realized how much time had passed. The center from our team, Landon, is at the bottom of the stairs. “We coming up, QB?” He’s a fucking giant of a man. He’s got half the team with him and a keg on one shoulder.
