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I’m lost in my thoughts, staring off into the distance, when I hear Cooper.
“You ready to head in, man?”
Now or never. “I wanted to talk to you about something first.”
Cooper looks momentarily worried. “About last night? Cause I gotta tell you, man. Natalie asked me earlier to let it go. She wants to move on. I don’t know how I’m gonna look at the piece of shit for the rest of the year, but I’m not good at telling my sister no.”
“I hear ya. I wanted to talk about something else, though.”
“Hit me. What’s up?”
“I was hoping to talk to you about this last night before everything went down. I want to take Natalie out. On a date. I think there’s something there between us, and I want to see where it goes. I know she’s your sister, and you don’t want her to get hurt, man, but I’m not going to hurt her. I’m gonna fucking worship her.”
“Shut the fuck up, bro. If you promise never to tell me you are going to worship my sister again, I won’t beat the piss out of you for even thinking about all the ways you want to worship her. And try not to touch her in front of me.”
I sit there waiting for more, but that’s it.
He seems like he’s done.
“Seriously? That’s it? I thought you were going to rip that lifeguard’s arm off and beat him to death with it when he tried to touch her ass yesterday.”
“What you didn’t see when that happened was the look on your face. You also didn’t see it last night when you took care of her before you even considered yourself. You could have ended your season with that hit last night, QB. You know that, right? Of course, you fucking know that. The consequences could have been fucking epic if you broke your hand while breaking his face, and you didn’t hesitate to protect my sister. There aren’t a whole lot of people I trust.
“People are usually trying to use me to get to my dad. You, Bash, and Murph aren’t like that. Don’t fucking hurt her. Don’t fuck her over. And don’t ever fucking talk about her in the locker room, and we are good man.”
“I won’t. Pretty sure I’d do anything to make her smile and would get you to help me bury the body of anybody that tried to hurt her.”
“Good. Keep it that way. Let’s head in. I’m starving, and Murphy said he was grilling steaks tonight.”
* * *
After dinner, while Bash and Murphy are getting ready for the bonfires, I plan my next move.
A few of us are sitting at the outdoor table when Chloe asks Nat if she wants to head down too. Chloe is supposed to be meeting Sabrina then heading to the beach.
“If it’s okay with you, Chloe, I think I’m going to pass on the bonfire tonight. I really would rather just stay in.,”
“Oh, Nattie. I’m sorry. I didn’t even think. I’ll text Sabrina and tell her to meet us here, and we can have a girl’s night in.”
“No. Please don’t do that. Go. Have fun. I’m going to sit on the front deck. I just want to watch the bay and read. I swear. I’m good. That’s all I feel like doing.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure. Tell Sabrina we have to get together soon, though.”
Leaning back in my chair on the porch, I’ve been quietly watching everyone have their conversations. Taking everything in and not committing to anything one way or the other.
I knew I wanted to be wherever Nat was tonight. I had a feeling that would be here. She got uncomfortable today when some of the guys from the team played volleyball with us on the beach. I didn’t think that she would want to be around half the school at this bonfire.
After Chloe left, Natalie went back inside to get her book.
I see Cooper when he’s ready to leave for Tiffany’s house. He stops and crosses his arms over his chest. “You were quiet at dinner earlier. You coming to the bonfire?”
Shaking my head, I stand and lean on the arm of the couch. “Nope. I’m staying in tonight.”
“Remember what I said, Brady.”
Reaching out, I grab his shoulder. “I won’t forget, man.”
