Ain't No Sunshine

Chapter Twelve

Cory

Ijumpupand down as Nate runs out onto the field after halftime. Ever since I decided that tonight we’d end our little physical strike, I’ve felt like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. The walls I’d erected are scattered on the floor, and now I’m ready to get back to normal. Back to the Nate and Cory we once were.

I’m watching Nate’s game with Summer and our friend Joel. It’s the first time Summer’s been to a game since the incident with her family, and to say I’m in awe of her strength would be a major understatement. She denies it, of course, but it must have taken a lot for her to come tonight and support her friends.

I watch Nate as he lines up for the next play and can’t help but think about what I’ve missed in the last few weeks. I don’t regret my decision to keep my distance. I was protecting my heart, but I still wish things could have been different. Although, in the scheme of things, it’s only a short amount of time when your plan is forever.

The crowd goes wild, me included, when Dylan runs toward the end zone. Jumping to my feet, I scream his name but find myself scanning the field for Nate at the same time. I love being here. I love seeing my man in his element. It’s time I forgot about everything going on and just enjoyed myself.

Nate’s the first to walk out of the locker room after the game. He beelines for me with purpose, his eyes locked on mine and full of heat. “It’s Saturday,” he announces before slamming his lips to mine in a bruising kiss. A kiss that lasts all of five seconds before one of his teammates knocks shoulders with him, laughing on his way out.

Nate groans at the interruption as I smirk and walk off toward the exit. We’ve got all night.

I say a quick goodbye to Summer, then head to Nate’s truck, just as desperate to get to this party as he is. Although, I’m trying not to show it.

The drive to the city is hell. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife. Nate sneaks glances at me regularly throughout the trip, as though he wants to say something, but he keeps quiet. I’m actually surprised he isn’t pulling over to jump me right here in the car. I’m even more surprised to realize that I want him to do it, but to my annoyance, he drives on.

When we arrive, my heart rate increases at the thought of finally being free. As soon as Nate parks his truck, he’s out and racing around to open my door. I smile at him in thanks as he takes my hand and helps me down. “I’m not letting go of this all night,” he growls, then moves to shut the door.

Nate’s true to his word, clasping my hand as we make our way around the room. We find Shane near the bar, and I finally meet the man face to face. He’s even better looking than I remember, with messy brown hair and stunning blue-green eyes. He’s wearing a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, drawing the attention of ninety percent of the girls nearby.

“Cory!” he yells as he engulfs me in a hug and rocks me from side to side. The motion almost causes me to drop Nate’s hand, but he holds on tight.

“In the flesh,” I say, smiling at his ability to instantly make me feel comfortable.

He releases me before giving Nate the same hug treatment, and I can’t help but laugh. Nate has a huge smile on his face, looking more relaxed than he’s been in weeks. Our time apart has definitely been hard on him. On both of us.

We chat with Shane for a bit until he’s pulled into another conversation. We’re about to head out to the beer garden when Nate’s recognized by some football fans. I should be annoyed at the interruption, but I always get a buzz seeing so many people admiring my man.

“Are you going to make the playoffs this year?” one guy asks as the other watches on intently. I can sense this isn’t going to be a brief conversation, so I excuse myself to use the bathroom. Nate reluctantly releases my hand for the first time, but I feel his eyes on me for my entire walk across the room.

A woman is cursing when I enter the ladies’ room, and my automatic instinct is to go to her aid. “Goddammit. Jesus. Fuck my life. Of course, this would—” She pauses as soon as she sees me before dropping her head into her hands. “Ugh! I’m so sorry. Please ignore me.”

Ignoring people that might need help is not really my strong suit, so I take a step closer and lean against the counter. “Are you okay?” I ask, taking in her appearance. I’d say she’s a couple of years younger than me, maybe even a senior in high school. She looks like a kick-ass rebel with her short tartan skirt and knee-high combat boots. If she wasn’t close to tears, I’d even tell her how awesomely badass she looks. But instead, I gently squeeze her arm in comfort.

She gazes at me through the mirror, like she’s trying to figure out if I actually want an answer. I raise an eyebrow in question, eliciting a smile.

“Sorry; I’m okay. I just…” she trails off but raises her hand and hair up for me to see. I wince sympathetically when I see what brought on the very creative language.

The poor girl has managed to get her hair tangled in and around not one, but two, of her beautiful gold, expensive looking bracelets.

I rush around her until I’m closer to her hair. “Please let me help. This must hurt like crazy,” I say, slowly reaching out for her hair.

Her eyes widen in shock before they narrow in suspicion. “Why are you being so nice to me?” she asks, like I’m helping her move house instead of simply untangling her hair.

I laugh at her clear disbelief as I continue to pull strand after strand free. “Why wouldn’t I be nice to you?”

“I guess because the first two girls just left me here, and I assumed you’d do the same.” What the hell? Some people…

Shaking my head, I gently continue with my task. We’re both silent for a few minutes until the girl finally speaks. “Are you here for the twenty-first or just out partying?”

“The twenty-first. You?”

“Same! How do you know Shane?” She smiles excitedly, and it meets her eyes for the first time.

I’m just about to answer when a few drunk women blast through the door, check their make-up, and then dart back out again, without even taking a breath from their conversation. Or acknowledging our existence, for that matter. They move so quickly that we both stand, frozen, until the door clicks shut behind them. After a momentary pause, our eyes meet, and we burst out laughing.