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With that exchange out of the way, Cooper heads down the steps to go pick up Tiffany.
I head into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and see Murphy. “We are heading out, QB. You sure you don’t want to come with? There will be local girls, man.”
Bash comes into the room and slaps Murphy on the back. “He’s good, man. Let’s go.”
“Thanks, brother. You know where the key is if you crawl back in tomorrow morning, right? Don’t forget we have to leave early to make it back before the football game.”
“We’re good, QB. Stop worrying about us. Have fun tonight.”
Finally, I thought they’d never all leave.
I walk down the hall to the other end of the house. This is the only way to access the deck that overlooks the bay. I can see Nat through the glass French doors. She is wearing worn jeans with holes in the knees and a tiny light pink t-shirt with black writing. I can’t quite make out what it says until I open the door. Startling her, Nat turns quickly.
I can see it now. Her shirt says,It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer!
“Are you an artist, Nat?”
“Jesus, Brady! You scared me!” She has her hand on her chest, and I’d feel bad for scaring her if it wasn’t for how stunned I am right now. She is fucking gorgeous. Her hair is framing her face, and she has the prettiest pink on her cheeks, matching the pink of her shirt. Diamond studs sparkle from her ears, and her face is free of makeup. She is the epitome of natural beauty.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Nat sits back down on the white Adirondack chair with her feet tucked up underneath her.
I sit next to her feet on the footstool. “Ready for your first Philadelphia Kings game tomorrow? Fair warning, the fans can be brutal. I hope your dad has some tough skin.”
Cocking her head to the side, she surveys me. “Why are you here, Brady? I told Cooper that I didn’t need a babysitter. I’m fine. Go. Have fun. I swear, I’m okay.”
“What if I’m here because I’d rather be here with you than at the bonfire with them?”
“I’d say you’re crazy. I’m boring. I really would be happy sitting out here, with this view and a book.”
“Oh, yeah. What kind of book are you reading, Sweetheart?”
Her face flushes before she answers me. “It’s a romance.”
“What kind of romance?”
“It’s about these three brothers and the girl that comes into their lives.”
“Like… comes into all their lives? How? With all of them?”
“Eww. Don’t be gross!”
“Come on. You didn’t think I was going to go there?”
“Shut up.”
“Do something with me tonight.”
“Like what? I don’t want to go to the bonfire.”
“Wanna go get ice cream?”
“Come on, Brady. Go to the bonfire. Have some drinks with your team. And your friends. I don’t want you to feel like you have to stay here. You don’t. I’m fine.”
Standing up, I extend my hand. “Natalie, I know you’re fine. You say you are, so I believe you. But I want to spend my time with you. Please come with me to get ice cream. They have really good mint chocolate chip. Don’t make me look like a creeper going all by myself. Come on. We can walk to the pier out by the bay afterward. It puts this view to shame.”
“I highly doubt anything puts this view to shame.”
