Steeling Her: Chapter 25

“So, I’ll come around to the dorm and pick you up at around seven? That cool?” Nick asks through the phone. The soft voice he once had turned into a little nervous shake when he asked the question. It’s cute, and I can tell he’s so nervous about tonight. It’s finally the day. My first date with Nick, and Nick’s first ever date with any girl, and he has met a few girls in his life.

I arrived back here yesterday. He, TJ, and Haley are coming back today. They left an hour ago and will be here in a little while, but he called me to check on me again. He did the same last night and early this morning. He’s so adorable when he does that with me. It’s like he actually worries about me “That’s fine, yeah! Is there something in particular I should wear? Like, should I be fancy or casual?” I ask, flicking though my laptop on Netflix to watch something in the meantime. It’s four hours away until we have our date. I’m so nervous right now. I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate until I’m getting ready or in his company. I have been on a handful of dates, so I have a little more experience than him; only by a little.

“It’s not really fancy, it’s not casual either; it’s a little in between.” He laughs anxiously. I know he’s rubbing the back of his neck right now. I can almost see him through the phone. I can see that withering smile on his face when he’s thinking so hard about this entire thing. This could be the worst date I’ve ever been on but I’d still be smiling because I’m with him. We’re out together in each other’s company, and that’s all I want. Just me and him with some alone time.

“Okay . . . would jeans and a simple top be okay? It’s a little chilly outside right now,” I ask him to make double sure that I’m on the right track. I don’t want to be too over or under dressed. That would be embarrassing.

“Perfect! You could literally wear anything and it would be perfect,” he compliments me and I start to blush and smile like a crazy lady on crack. I slap my hand over my face like he’s watching me in my room and grin from ear to ear. “Are you blushing right now?” he teases me and I groan.

“No,” I deny, but I very much am blushing right now. I can feel the heat on my face growing hotter with every passing second.

“I don’t believe you. Not for even a second. I know you’re blushing right now, Carter.” The truncated chuckle escaping his mouth vibrates through the phone and down to my stomach, causing it to pinch in excitement.

“Shut up!” I whine playfully at him. I try not to giggle at our little play fight because I’m so giddy today. I’m so excited and nervous about tonight, and I hope he still likes me after it. This is a make or break situation in my eyes. Either he’ll still like me or won’t. The thought that he might not like me afterwards is slowly bringing my mood down.

“Alright, I’m almost there. I’m about a half hour—forty-five minutes away. I’ll come by and pick you up, so be ready at seven and wear something comfortable,” he says to me and I listen to every single detail he’s giving me so I’m not late or don’t wear anything ridiculous.

Got it.

“Okay, cool! I’ll be ready to go by then.” I smile to myself, knowing he can’t see me right now, and I face palm myself. I’m doing such stupid stuff today. This date has my mind all over the place right now. The heart palpitations, the sweaty palms, the pacing around the living room that I’m currently doing right now. I’m on edge about it all, but nothing I do is stopping them.

We say goodbye to each other as I go back into my room and throw my phone back onto my sheets. Once it hits the covers, I scream incredulously because I still can’t believe this is actually happening right now. I, Carter Steel, am the girl—the first ever girl—that Nick Jackson has decided to take on a date. I’m the girl. Not Maya, not any other girl.

Me.

“Okay, it’s time to unpack, Carter, so you actually have something to wear tonight. I don’t think people would appreciate you walking into . . . wherever you’re going, in your birthday suit.” I grimace at that embarrassing thought. Once I calm myself down to a respectable level, I continue to unpack and place my clothes that I wasn’t energetic enough to do last night when I arrived back inside of my wardrobe and drawers like I did last semester. Danielle and Haley should be back today too. I still am not sure about Haley these days, we haven’t spoken to each other over the break, but I can’t wait to see Danielle.

An hour passes, and I hear the front door open just as I’ve put my toiletries in the bathroom. I’m silently hoping it’s Danielle, I don’t know how awkward it’s going to be between me and Haley. I know she knows that Nick is taking me out tonight, and I can only imagine how unhappy she is about it. Bracing myself for a risk and reward, I poke my head out the door and see a blonde hair dragging and kicking her bags in. I walk outside and she sees me come into view.

“You need some help?” I ask her. She puffs her rosy-red cheeks out and nods.

“Yes, please! I didn’t know the elevator’s broken, so I had to carry these up myself. The boys left me because they knew I could take it and didn’t know about the elevator. So annoying.” She rolls her eyes and I grin at how normal she’s acting right now. No tension, just like the old times. I’m not going to say anything to mess this all up right now. I’ll take baby steps with her.

I reach over and hold the door open to allow her to tread inside the dorm while I take the other suitcase she has outside and wheel it in to help her out. When I enter back into the living room, I watch her open her own door and slide the wheels of her case inside her room. I follow behind her and do the same, stopping myself and the bag once I’m inside. It’s been a while since I’ve been in here. It still smells like rose petals mixed with honey.

“Thanks!” she says over her shoulder while she kicks one of the bags and proceeds to open up the contents inside. I smile at her and push the other bag towards her so she can do the same. “Um . . . Can we talk?” those words were the only words that I’d never thought I’d ever hear her say to me for the next few months.

Staring at her like a deer in headlights, I quickly realize I haven’t said anything to her. So, I nod and watch her jump on the bed and pat the space across from her. I do as I’m told because I don’t want our precarious relationship to fall even more.

“So . . . I spoke to Nick over Christmas . . .” Haley begins, and I can feel the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach at what she’s possibly going to tell me. I’m a little unnerved by all of this right now, I don’t know where to look. “He told me about you two . . . like how you met and stuff . . . I know my brother can be stupid with girls, that’s why I got defensive with you and him when I saw you both at the house. I know what he is . . . what he was like . . .” She sighs and picks on the sleeve of her pastel-pink jumper out of discomfort. “I just didn’t want to get hurt again, because I really do like you, and I like being friends with you and Danielle. I haven’t had friends like you two ever. The only girls who talk to me only do it to get to Nick, and I thought that you did the same.”

“I promise, that’s not what I wanted to do, Haley, I swear,” I interrupt her and defend myself.

“I know that now . . . I spoke to Nick about it and he told it from your side . . . I get it. He really does like you.” I blush and look down at my hands at Haley admitting this to me. I already know he likes me, he’s told me before, but hearing it from his sister makes it real. He actually likes me.

Haley continues on with her speech, “What I’m trying to say is . . . I’m sorry I said all those things to you. I didn’t mean them, I was just so angry at the time, and I already have no filter.” I chuckle along with her, and we end up sitting silently and smiling at each other. “I forgot that you know what it feels like to suddenly be pushed aside by someone so they can get to your brother . . . or brothers in your case. I realize that you had it twice as bad as I did, and I didn’t think about that.” I nod back, appreciating that she sees it from my perspective now. I never meant for all of this to happen.

“I’m sorry you had to find it out that way. I would’ve rather told you about it, but I didn’t know what was even happening between us. It’s all so new to me. We didn’t want to hurt you. It was never my intention to hurt you, Haley. We got so caught up in each other and I couldn’t help myself.” I bite the inside of my cheek, hoping she doesn’t take it the wrong way right now.

I like her brother, she needed to know that, but not the way that it played out. It wasn’t really fair to her. I get why she snapped, I was on top of him and kissing him. It wasn’t exactly a welcoming sight for her.

But I do really like him. So, I finally tell her, “I like Nick, a lot . . . too much, actually.” I laugh. God, I sound so desperate right now, it’s sad. “I’m sure you understand what I mean.” I watch her head nod, making her blonde strands bounce.

“Look, it’s going to take time until I’m used to seeing you both together . . . but I promise I won’t make any comments. I hope we can go back to being friends though? I kind of miss you.” She tilts her head while scrunching her pretty face up making me laugh again.

“I would like that, Haley! I would like that a lot, I’ve missed you too. I miss you dolling me up so I can look decent, but I miss our talks. Even when I’m with Danielle, I miss us all sleeping in the same bed with each other.” I hug her tight and she responds with that same squeeze, letting me know that she feels the same.

“We should do it tomorrow night, but only in your bed; it’s by far the comfiest!” She throws her body back on her mattress and spreads her arms out to stretch.

“Deal! I’ll make the food too.” She grins knowing that what I’ll cook will put a smile on both her and Danielle’s faces. It always does. “But right now, I need to shower and get ready for this date tonight . . .” I panic a little when I look at the time on my phone. I have an hour and a half to get ready. Time flies by quickly between unpacking and talking to Haley.

“You do that, you’re running low on time at the moment.” She shoos me out the door and towards the bathroom. She starts the shower up and I grab my towel that’s on the back of the door and place it on the heating rack for when I step out.

It only took me roughly twenty minutes to shower, wash, and shave my body. I walk out to my room and see Danielle lying on my bed on her phone.

“That was quick!” She stands up to give me a hug and I do the same despite being all wet.

“I was in there for twenty minutes, I think?” I shrug, not really knowing how long I really spent in the shower. Normally, I’m all good to go if I think I smell fine and I’m shiny and smooth. I’m still not done, I need to get dressed and do my hair and makeup for tonight. Which I have no idea how to. I’m so bad at this stuff. I haven’t worn makeup in a long time. I shouldn’t even be a girl, I’m so crap at it.

“Sit down, I’ll do your hair and makeup.” Haley stalks back in and dives on Danielle, who bellows out an outrageous laugh into the open space. I sit on the chair in front of the mirror as she brings in her suitcase of beauty products and hair tools. I’m reminded of the night I sat just like this, when she did my makeup for when I was going to the gala for my dad; the night Nick found out who I am—who I really am.

It’s all coming back to me now. Compared to back then, where we are now is amazing. If you told me that I was going to be taken on a date by Nick, I probably would’ve fainted.

Instruction after instruction, I listen to Haley as she tells us about what’s happening to her and TJ and how much she’s loving the fact that she’s now the girl he’s dating. However, she said that he hasn’t officially asked her to be his girlfriend yet and I can tell that it’s slightly bothering her.

I can hear that sigh leave her mouth. I know she’s not sure what to do about it. I don’t envy her. Right now, it sounds like she’s in a limbo with him, but you can tell by the way he looks at her that he’s enamored by her. I mean, we all knew she was obsessed with him from the start, and it’s not just on her end. Plus, she says what she likes anyway. She’ll tell him how unsatisfied she is soon enough.

As Haley finishes up, I can feel my body start to shake a little and the nerves are really kicking in right now. My body is jittery.

***

I’m sweating right now. I’m sweating so badly that I’ve changed my shirt twice, hoping that I don’t smell.

I’m so fucking nervous, and it’s nearly time for me to go and get her. I shake my arms out along with my neck, mentally giving myself a pep talk about how I’ve prepared for this night. My entire body is heightened to any sounds or slight movement because I’m so on edge at the moment.

Checking the time for the one millionth time tonight, I know it’s time to leave or I’ll be a little late. I don’t want her to think that I’m late might because of something like talking myself out of this; I will never talk myself out of dating her, ever.

I’ve got her now, and I don’t plan on letting go anytime soon.

I slide my keys off my desk and make my way towards the door, checking if I’ve got my wallet and license. Check and check, time to go. Just as I close the door, TJ comes out and smiles at me.

“You look good, man! Good luck!” he tells me. I leave out the main entrance, not without an assuring pat from Reggie and a squeeze from Cas. She gave me some advice when taking her out; some of it is stuff I already plan on doing, and other things I never in a million years would’ve thought would be nice to do for a girl.

Cas hands me the white bouquet of roses I had bought for Carter for tonight, knowing now that they’re her favourite. Once I get into the car, I place the flowers beside me in the passenger seat and sit there staring at the wheel, gripping it with full force and making my knuckles turn white. A smile graces my face and grows with every second, and then I hear a large laugh coming from in front of me.

TJ, Reggie, and Cas are all outside watching me smile like a total fool in the car alone. I send them the finger to tell them to fuck off and leave me be with my nerves, then make my way to collect my girl. I’m excited for this date and yet so nervous. This is another reason why I didn’t want to date; first, the effort; second, the nerves. But with Carter, it’s all so worth it. All of this is not real effort for me, because it’s something I want to do for her.

I reach her building in no time and smile up at their floor. I’m watching a ton of girls walk inside to get to their rooms. I have this overwhelming feeling in my stomach, the one that won’t leave me alone. My black pants and tucked-in white dress shirt suddenly feel a little tighter right now because I’m getting too hot. I reach across for the flowers and kick the door open, only to curse at myself because I left a mark. I just got it all cleaned yesterday before driving back, mainly for this date.

I take a deep breath and start to walk towards the building confidently. Pushing my shoulders back and making my stride that little bit longer, I’m trying to trick myself into calming down.

“Nick!” I hear someone call my name, and I stop in my tracks to see who it is. I’m greeted with the sight of Maya and her minions in a tight crop top showing off her stomach. The blonde-haired girl who I don’t miss; not a single bit. The girl who made Carter miserable and unhappy for so long.

I don’t want anything to do with her, I’ve had enough of the shit she’s pulled on Carter. She’s nothing but your typical bully.

“Stay away from me, Maya.” I reprimand her and continue to my destination. She’s not stopping me from going on this date, not if I have anything to do with it. Carter is the girl I want, not her.

“Can’t we just talk for a moment, baby?” she asks seductively but I’m in no mood for this shit. She knows it, too, because she has to yank me back to her by my arm because I keep walking away from her. She’s making me late for this date—my date. “You’re looking so good, Nick . . .” She licks her lips while her eyes undress me. She looks so desperate.

“I know.” I turn back around and walk away once more with the flowers in my grasp, but she stops me again.

“Who are they for?” she asks while her finger points to the bunch of white flowers in my hold. I smile down at them, remembering the time I visited her in the hospital and she told me that they were her favorite. I looked up the nearest floral shop in the area and drove for an hour there and an hour back for the freshest, most beautiful bunch there was. It was pricey but definitely worth it.

“They’re for my date.” The look of horror on her face sends the smile already on my face even bigger. Oh, that look alone is making me relish in rubbing it even more. She’s not the girl who I’ve chosen to take out on my first date.

“Date?” The shrill cry of her voice meets the surrounding area, gaining people’s attention, and that’s my cue to leave. “Are you fucking kidding me, Nick! Her! You’re taking her on a fucking date! NO!” I spin back to face her, curious as to why she said no. It’s not even her choice. This has nothing to do with her.

“No?” I ask.

“NO! That’s mine! They’re mine too! All of this is mine! MINE! She doesn’t deserve this, any of this! Your first date was supposed to be with me, Nick! Me, not her!” She starts to cry, but I know they’re crocodile tears because there’s an audience crowding around us.

I know this is all for show. This is all just too tiring for me right now, I’m really not interested with her dramatics. I shrug and keep walking, not listening to the wails and screams coming from Maya. I continue into the building to find my date for the evening. I walk over to the elevator to see a sign saying “Out of order,” so I take the stairs, brushing past some awestruck girls in the process. No matter how many times they see me, they still react the same.

I finally reach the fourth floor and see her door in my view. I take another breath to relieve my pounding heart. I fix my hair as I start my way down to get her. I’m so excited to see her right now.

I wonder what she’s wearing?

I guess I’ll find out in a moment.

I knock on the door and pull my shoulders back to make myself look bigger. I wait for it to open and hear a few curses through the door. That doesn’t sound like her voice, I think to myself. Seeing as nobody wants to open the door for me, I knock again and start to pace around the floor outside.

I’m sweating again and it’s really bothering me right now. I need a portable air conditioner right this instant. Just as I turn my back, the door opens and I turn on my heel to face the person who finally decided to let me see her.

“Wow . . .” I gasp at the sight of her. Jesus Christ, she looks amazing. Black skinny jeans and an off-the-shoulder blue pinstripe top with a pair of heels. “Wow . . .” I repeat myself after I’m done ogling her. How’d I get so lucky?

I smile at her and she does the same back to me.

Flowers, give her the flowers, Nick.

I hold the flowers in front of her and she beams at the sight of them, quickly taking them from me. “They’re beautiful, Nick, thank you.” She inhales their sweet scent, and I watch her enjoy that little moment. “My favorite ones too,” she says coyly. Danielle takes them from her with a wink my way and says she’ll put them in a vase in Carter’s room. I watch them exchange looks and Carter goes bright red, blushing like she does when there’s any kind of attention on her.

“You ready?” She nods, waving everyone off as we leave out the door together, walking side my side down towards the commotion in the lobby. It’s peak time for people to head back to their dorms for food, then night life begins.

“You look really pretty,” I compliment her and watch her face heat up and bite down on her lip. I have to look away whenever she does that, it’s too enticing for me to not press her lips against mine. I want to bite down on her lip and make her moan. I want to hear my name leave those lips.

I want to make her want more from me, to take her breath away, and I can’t wait for that moment. That moment where we can share each other’s bodies.

“Thank you. You look really handsome.” She’s always been so shy. That’s what I like most about her; the aura of innocence she exudes, that always has me under her spell. She’s so sweet, so kind, and so caring. From the first day I met her, she’s always been like this.

“Thank you,” I reply as we step down the stairs. I take hold of her hand while she holds onto the rails with the other one. Once she’s safely down the steps, I don’t let go of her hand and neither does she with mine. In fact, her grip tightens around my fingers.

Girls are surrounding the area in groups and cliques; much like high school, but a little bigger. As soon as we make it into their view, the place goes silent. I know it’s making Carter uneasy because her grip tightens even more around my fingers. I make eye contact with a few of them. Their eyes are darting back and forth between me and her, wondering what we’re doing.

I can feel her tense more and more as we make our way towards the double doors. I let go of her hand and place my arm around her shoulders. “It’s alright, I’ve got you, little one,” I tease her with the name I’ve given her.

Those baby-blue doe eyes reach mine when she looks up from under my arm. She cuddles into my body with a small smile on her lips. I push the door open for us, and we see Maya still hanging around.

“Oh no.” Carter sighs beside me. I pull her closer to me as I glare at Maya, warning her to not come near us. She takes it and glares right back, watching Carter like a hawk ready to swoop in for the kill. I open the door for her and help her in, staying by her side once she’s in the passenger seat.

“Look at me, don’t worry about her, or anyone. Tonight’s about you and me, alright? We’re going to have a good night together. I’ve been looking forward to this since the day I asked you out,” I confess to ease her back into focusing on us and tonight. She’s tense, I can see it. Seeing everyone staring at her makes her wonder why they’re staring at her. I know it does.

“I’m looking forward to it too.” She nervously smiles back at me. I couldn’t resist leaning in for a quick and small kiss from her. It’s been too damn long since we’ve kissed.

“Then let’s get this date on the way then, shall we?” I wink at her as she giggles and nods. I close the door and make my way around to the other side. I can see the audience inside watch us as I make my way around the car. “Typical,” I mumble to myself. You can swear I’m famous with the amount of attention I get from people.

“Hey, Nick!” A few of the guys on the football team holler over at me, and I wave back to acknowledge them with a smile on my face. I want this date to go smoothly because I have never been on a date in my life. For the entire Christmas vacation, I’ve been asking my mom to help me out along with Cas. My mom wouldn’t stop hugging me when I asked her to help me out. Planning is not my thing but I wanted to make sure I did this right for her.

When I came up with the perfect idea, my mom thought it was so romantic. My dad had planned the same thing for them on one of their dates, but it was also when they were married and where I was conceived.

I’m not ready for kids yet. Holy hell, am I not ready for that just yet. And boy, did I get a warning from my mom about it.

“So, are you going to give me any hints?” she teases me as I drive down the street to our destination. It’s not too far away from the college, but it’s not a short distance either.

“Nope, it’s all a surprise for you. I’m not giving anything away, but I’ll know you’ll try to get it out of me,” I joke, keeping my eyes on the road to get us there as safe as possible. My car has been touch and go for the last while. I need to get a new one. When I’m playing football professionally, it will be my first investment. Then a house.

“Are you taking me to a restaurant?” she asks, starting off the twenty-one questions with me. I know she’s itching to find out where we’re going. She’s a girl, and girls are curious twenty-four seven.

“You could say that . . .” I leave it cryptic because in a way we are and in a way we aren’t. We’ll be eating, just not dining in a crowded room.

“You’re not giving much away, Nick, and you won’t, will you?” She laughs, twisting her body to face me while I drive nearer and nearer to our destination.

“Nope, you’re not getting anything out of me. Plus, we’re nearly there anyway. I thought there would be a lot more traffic on the road right now, but I’m beating my own time allowance. I overcompensated for tonight . . .” I chuckle back as I make a turn off the highway and down towards the place of interest for me and her.

Hopefully, everything is set up for us down here.

***

Where in the holy name of God is he taking me?

I can only see pure black and darkness, nothing else. Only the ground is lit up in front of us and what catches in the light ahead of us. That’s it.

“You’re not going to murder me, are you?” I ask him while he bellows loudly beside me, struggling to keep his hands on the wheel. I smile as I watch his eyes crinkle in the corners as he laughs. I’ve missed him so much.

“Damn! I wanted you to be surprised when I did it!” I roll my eyes and playfully slap his chest. He simmers down after a while then turns to the right and comes to a stop. He unbuckles his belt and I do the same. “I’ll help you out, the ground here is a little uneven. I’ll come around, okay?” he offers.

I swoon at how caring he is towards me. The light beams above us when he opens his door. The light turns off when he shuts it. The crunch of his footsteps makes it known to me that he’s making his way on gravel-like terrain. The door swings open, and I take his hand once again as he wraps his arm around my waist, hoisting me up and lifting me down to my feet.

“Careful in those heels. I don’t want you hurting yourself.” His breath is inches away from my face. All I can do is nod while I stare at his features. Not letting go of my hand once more, he tugs me close to him again and guides me along what feels like a pathway. My heel catches on a few stones here and there, but nothing too bad to make me fall over.

“What is this place?” I ask, amazed by this secret location. I can’t make anything out except for the outline of Nick. He’s staring right at me. I can make out the hunter-green eyes that are watching my reaction.

“You’ll soon find out.” He grins as he picks up his pace as we make our way towards the desired spot for this date. Once we continue our short walk, I feel the ground getting more even, then I’m met with the echoes of our steps on wooden planks. I look down to see if I can make out if that’s what we’re on right now. I see the gaps in the planks and the sound of water gurgling beneath us.

I raise my head because I can now see my surroundings, and what I see what makes me stop completely. There are little fairy lights dangling around the mast of a boat and down along the railings, where people usually hold on to when getting on. It’s a beautiful white boat with two floors. This can’t be for us?

“You like it?” He turns himself slightly in front of me, making sure my sight to the boat is not blocked off but enough to make me take my gaze away from the boat and to him.

“That’s for us?” I point to it, waiting for him to confirm my assumptions. When he nods, I gasp at him and flicker my eyes back and forth between him and the boat. “This is beautiful, Nick!” I gush as he pulls me over to where we’ll be on our first date. On the lake, because I know we’re not near the sea. How Nicolas Sparks of him.

“I’m glad you like it.” He grins as we step in front of the boat.

“Ahhh, Nickiii, you’re fucking early!” A guy comes out from behind one of the pillars and greets him. The guy notices me and waves over to me. Seeing that we’re holding hands, he wiggles his eyebrows at Nick, who rolls his eyes and starts laughing.

“Carter, this is my cousin Gage, Taylor’s brother, the one you met at the restaurant that time with his mom, my aunt?” I nod, remembering when we did meet them. They were so friendly and nice. This guy has dark black hair, the complete opposite of Nick, and is built like he was in the army. He has muscles for his muscles. Are all of the guys in Nick’s family built like him?

“Hi . . .” I wave back shyly to him, and he sends me a smile that resembles his mother’s. I know I’ve only met his family for a couple of hours, but I remember his mom very well. She was a very sweet woman who is very much like Nick’s mom. Bubbly and chatty, your typical doting mother.

I watch Gage wink at Nick, whose grip tightens on me when he sends him that look. “You always go for the really hot ones with the hot names, don’t you Nick?” he teases, and Nick reaches across to smack him on the head. Gage starts to laugh loudly at his cousin’s actions. “First date, bro, those nerves acting up already? You do know it’s his first ever date, right?” he asks me and I nod, smiling up at him like a kid in a candy store. I know Gage is only doing this to annoy Nick, I can see that mischievous glint in his eye.

“Gage, stop trying to throw her off me just so you can have a shot.” Nick climbs over onto the boat. Once he’s steady, he allows me to follow him, holding both my hands to safely guide me onto the crystal clean boat.

“Why not? I’m better looking than your ugly ass,” he jokes, and I laugh into my hand at how casual their relationship is. It’s a playful one where Gage likes to annoy Nick. Gage is very good looking, but I like Nick better. I find Nick more attractive, and I really enjoy his personality. We click together better.

“Yeah . . . I’m the ugly one with a date.” Nick’s sarcasm makes Gage erupt beside us in a fit of laughter, his shoulders shaking from Nick’s dig at him.

“At least you admit it. So, Carter, where do you want to go on our date?” Gage asks me, and I can’t stop laughing at his jokes just to piss Nick off. It’s winding him up so bad because I can practically see the steam leaving Nick’s ears.

“Goodbye, Gage.” Nick pushes him to the side of the boat where we got on. I wave him goodbye as he straddles himself over the boat.

“Call me if you get bored, Carter, or if he crashes this baby into something and you need some mouth to mouth or something else that he might not be able to offer. I’m your man for that.” He points his thumb proudly at himself. I watch Nick growl and push him completely off the boat to make him leave. I press my lips together as I watch their playful jokes with one another.

“She wouldn’t touch your sorry ass anyway,” Nick grumbles as soon as he turns his back.

Gage mouths “Call me anytime, babe” with a wink at the end.

“Fuck off, Gage, I know you’re asking her to call you.” Nick comes over to me, the possessive side of him coming out like I’ve never seen before. He grabs my waist and pulls my body flush with him.

Placing a chaste kiss on my lips, I immediately like the way he’s treating me like a guy would treat a girl he likes. He’s making it known to his cousin that I’m not someone he should flirt with, but I know he’s just doing it to wind Nick up. I know he’s only poking him for fun and isn’t serious about it.

“Bye, beautiful. Bye, Carter.” I chuckle into Nick’s chest while he laughs too. Gage blows him a kiss and walks away from us, but not without shouting, “You must give a good lick out if she’s staying with you, bro! I give much better ones though, Carter. Nick has my number if you want find out!” And runs away because Nick jerks forward threateningly.

“That fucking dickhead,” Nick mumbles beside me. I stroke his arms up and down to gain his focus back on the date. “I’m unfortunately related to that.” He sighs once he’s face to face with me again.

“He’s nice,” I tell him and wrap my arms around his waist. I ease my chin on his chest as I look up at him. “But I like you better.” That makes him smile. He leans down and kisses my head. The feeling of his smile on my skin makes me shut my eyes. This is absolutely my most favorite thing he does with me. I love when he kisses my forehead. I feel so safe when he does that.

“He’s still a little asshole,” he mumbles as he steps back. “An asshole that flirts with my date.” He rolls his eyes and takes my hands. “You sit here.” He guides me over to a seat where he’ll steer the boat.

I sit down, but he lifts me back up and places me on his lap. I smile over my shoulder at him while he starts up the engine. He kisses my cheek and I lean back into his chest while he steers the boat out onto what looks like a lake. If we travel further south, which we didn’t, we’d be at the ocean.

The wind blows through my hair as I shift it over to the other side, clear from Nick’s face isn’t so he doesn’t choke on my hair. Once I do that, I feel a warm set of lips meet my shoulder. I snap my head around from the gentle touch to see him kissing my shoulder. Watching a smile meet my skin, I can’t help but do the same.

Everything he does feels so good. His lips start to wander up higher along my shoulder blade, kissing every part he comes into contact with, until he gets to my neck. He begins to lightly nip on my skin. I feel a moan rise up my throat, and I try to swallow it down as much as I can. I jump up away from him and he smacks his head.

He looks at me apologetically as he rubs his head. “I’m sorry, Carter. I didn’t mean to keep going with you. I got carried away.” I stand on the boat’s deck as he stares down at his feet. I feel bad for making him feel bad.

“Hey, Nick, it’s fine.” I crouch down to get him to look at me. “I’m just not ready for that yet,” I tell him truthfully.

“I know, I didn’t mean to push it. I just couldn’t stop myself.” I feel my heart drop with the look of disappointment in his eyes. He’s so annoyed with himself, I can see it.

“I know, and it’s fine. I don’t think either of us are really ready for that . . . Well, maybe it’s just me. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I don’t want this to ruin the mood. I’m really enjoying this date, and I would like it to continue.” I reassure him, unsure if he wants to call it quits and let him go off and calm himself down. I know it’s probably been a while with him and his history tells me he had many options. So, he’s probably craving it right now. I understand. Guys have needs.

“We’re not going anywhere; this date is happening. It hasn’t ruined the mood, but could I ask you something? Please don’t take offence to it.” He lifts his head once I rise to my feet and shake my head, letting him know it’s alright to ask me things. “Would you mind if you sat there?” Nick points to the seat next to him. I smile and sit right next to him. “I’m just hard as I rock right now from the sound you made.” He starts the boat up again. I blush, knowing that I whimpered. I thought I didn’t but I guess I did.

Dammit, no wonder he kept going.

I sit on the seat, quietly watching the water drift by us. The smell of the lake and the hum of the engine from the boat fills my senses. Then we stop out on the water in the middle of nowhere and I start to look around, admiring the lights above us against the night sky.

“This is really sweet of you, Nick. Thank you. I love this boat,” I express my thoughts about it so far. I’m really enjoying myself. I will always enjoy myself when I’m with him. I’m comfortable being around him, but nobody has gone through so much trouble for a date with me.

“Come with me.” He opens his palm in front of me, asking me to take it. I slip my hand along his and clasp on to it. He pulls me up and we start to tread to the back of the boat. On the left side is a table. I slip into the booth type seat and he sits next to me. Pouring each of us a glass of water, he says, “I have to drive you back home, so I’m not drinking, but if you want, I can pour you one?” he suggests and I shake my head.

“Oh no, water is perfect. I’m not much of a drinker anyway, but thank you.” I reject the offer. I’m not one for drinking. I enjoy the odd glass here and there, but I don’t want to drink alone tonight.

“I know you’re not, but it’s there if you want just one.” He rests his arm on the back of the seat and pulls a fluffy black blanket over us both while we look up at the lights and stars together. “I have dinner pre-made for us too. When we’re done relaxing, I’ll check on it in the oven. I hope to God Gage didn’t fuck it up.” He sighs and leans his head back, closing his eyes.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine, Nick,” I reply sheepishly. It’s very cute how much effort he’s put into this night. I’m so flattered by it all.

“I just want this to be perfect,” he whispers to himself.

“It is,” I assure him because tonight has been so good so far, and we haven’t even eaten yet. Everything has been ace.

“You think so?” He boosts himself up to eye me again, trying to figure out if I’m telling the truth.

“Definitely.” I shuffle across to cozy myself up to him and angle my body towards him to peck his mouth as a clue that I really appreciate this night with him. He’s so thoughtful.

“I’m glad you do. Dating isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I suppose it’s only better when you’re with the right person . . .” He looks happy when he stares back at me. Like, he’s really happy with how tonight has gone.

“I really like just getting to know more about you and talking to you about things.” I rest my head on his shoulder while his arm curls around me, effectively pulling me closer to him. I can feel his taut muscles through his shirt, and I love the feeling of them. I feel safe in his arms.

“I know the feeling. It’s just so easy with you, Carter. And I meant it when I said I’ve never met a girl like you. You grabbed me by the horns when I first met you, and no girl has ever done that before.

“Yeah, I know I’ve gotten around but no girl has ever made me want to date until I met you. You have this innocent aura about you that pulled me in instantly. I knew I felt something more when you were reading to my sister and her friend, both of whom haven’t stopped talking about you by the way.” I chuckle as I remember the times Ellie has taken his phone to call me and ask if I could read her a story before bed. Then she would fall asleep, and I would end up talking to Nick for the rest of the night until we both fell asleep ourselves. “My sister is crazy about you, and I get it. She’s super shy, kind of like you. You didn’t brush her off when you first met her. You were kind to her and treated her like she was your own sister. I get why she was so drawn to you.”

“That’s why you’re such a sucker for me.” I poke him playfully in the chest while he lets out a rumble of laughter.

“Exactly.” He leans his muscular frame into me and kisses me again, this time with a little more desire in it. I feel his hand skim up my neck as he wraps his hand around it, cradling me into position. His tongue rims the line of my lips, asking me to open up. I do and sigh at the taste of him again. It’s been so long since we last kissed like this. I missed the way he makes me feel when we do kiss.

Those cliché butterflies in my stomach.

That zap of electricity between us.

The hunger for more.

The transfer of our feelings from one another.

The way his tongue fights passionately with mine.

Those moans from the back his throat.

The dangerously tight grip on my hips while he simultaneously pulls me closer.

I trail my hands though his hair, allowing me to feel a softness I’ve never felt before.

And every time he breaks the kiss once it gets heated, I know he’s trying so hard to control himself. Like now.

“I’ll put the dinner on and we can chill for a while, before I really can’t control my urges with you,” he chides playfully, and I bite my swollen lips from the heated kiss we just shared. Once he’s out of view, I take out my phone and see if the makeup that Haley did is still intact.

“So far so good,” I mumble to myself, successfully confirming that everything is still in its proper place. We’re all good, Carter. Because he’s gone to make the food, I take the time to try and make out where exactly we are right now. I try to find any buildings or noises that look or sound familiar, but nothing other than the water lapping and slushing around the boat can be heard.

The boat shakes rhythmically from side to side. It’s very peaceful here, wherever we are.

The smell of food takes over my senses when Nick comes back with a hand full of containers. He sets them down on the table and runs back inside to get more of what I think is food. Everything smells delicious. Then, I hear the clatter of plates and cutlery as he comes back out.

Salad, fries, bread, and pasta with red sauce and chicken. Everything looks so amazing, and I can’t wait to try it.

“You did all of this for me?” I ask, bemused by his effort. I’m so amazed at how much he’s put so much time into all of this. My God, I’m starting to wonder if I’m actually his first date or if he had some help.

“Yeah, I tried a few times to get the chicken and pasta just right this morning . . . My aunt and mom may have helped me a little on that, but everything else, I did myself . . . It’s not too much, is it?” He holds his hands out, waiting for an answer from me.

“No, no! This is perfect. I just . . . nobody has ever made this much of an effort for me before . . . Thank you. It’s very kind of you.” I smile sheepishly back at him, confessing that not many guys have made a fuss over me, not counting my dad and brothers. This is all surreal right now. I can’t believe he’s taking me out on a date on a boat and cooked dinner for me.

Could he be any more perfect?!

“You’re definitely worth all the effort I put in to. Plus, I know how to make this for myself in college now. So, it’s a win-win situation.” He plops himself down back next to me and hands me over a plate, placing some spoons and forks around us and in the dishes he made. “I told Gage to heat it up on medium and I was praying the idiot didn’t put it on high. I would’ve flipped my shit with him if he did. He’d be the type to do that accidentally. He never got the cooking skills from his mom.” He rolls his eyes and reaches across the table to start filling up my plate with a little bit of everything, taking the fact that I don’t eat a ton of food compared to him into consideration. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love my food as much as the next person, but I could never eat as much as he does. He could eat an entire cow if he had the chance. Living with two football players, you realize that they eat about two to three servings per meal.

There’s a comfortable silence between us as we eat through the delicious food he made. “This is so good, I should get you to cook more often,” I joke as I pierce my salad with my fork. Placing the leaves in my mouth and tasting the dressing, I sigh at how good it is. It’s the same one my grandma used to put on salads when we’d come down for the summer.

“Don’t tell Haley I can cook, okay? She’ll abuse the shit out of it.” He chuckles, covering his mouth in reply.

“Speaking of . . .” I feel his leg tense beside me when I mention his sister, like he forgot about the entire situation with us. “Nothing bad, I promise.” I shoot my hands up playfully in defense. “We talked today. About everything, and it was nice. Yeah, it’s still a little awkward for her, and I get it, but she was kinda alright with us? She told me you both talked?” I watch him nod because his mouth is full of food.

Once he swallows, he says, “Yeah, on Christmas Day. My mom made us talk it out . . . We both saw it from everyone’s point of view. She said that it’ll be uncomfortable at first but she’ll get there in the end, and same with me. Her and TJ being together is weird but I’ll become used to it after a while . . . if they last. OW!” I smack his arm for saying that.

“They really like each other, Nick.” I point at him to not say anything negative about them.

“I know they like each other. Fuck, I know they love each other, and that shits weird, but I’m just saying that as a precaution if they do decide to end it. I’m not saying they will, so you can put your hand back down and give me a kiss for hitting me.” The cheeky smile makes my heart do flips while he leans into my body.

“Only because you’re making the effort to be okay with them.” I poke his dimple that’s showing on his left side.

“No, because you want to kiss me,” he speaks lowly to me, leaning in and brushing his nose off mine. I boop his with mine playfully.

“True, but mainly because of all the effort you’re going through with me, your sister, your best friend, and tonight.” I place my hand on his cheek.

“Come here and reward me then,” he says seductively me. I feel a quiver from my legs when he said that, a feeling I’ve never had before. A certain want for him.

Chill, Carter, now is not the time. You told him you’re not ready just yet. Give it some time, I chastise myself.

I shake myself off and lean in to capture those tantalizing lips once more. These lips have teased me long enough for the night. This guy is doing something to my insides. He’s so romantic, and I never would’ve thought he’d be the type. Everything that I’ve heard about him has gone in the trash. He’s going against all the rumors I’ve heard and not believed.

After the dinner, we cuddle up to each other after Nick sails us back to the docks, but we still remain on board. We rest on each other, and I try warm myself up once again. The wind had more of a bite to it when we came back in than when we went out.

Now we’re locked up in each other under the blanket, just listening to the water lapping around us. My head is on his chest and his large arms are hugging my small body.

“So . . . what did you think?” he asks with a bit of nervousness in his tone. I lift my head up to meet his wary stare. He really is a little antsy about what I thought. The look he’s giving me looks like I kicked a puppy. I can’t even joke with him and tell him it was terrible because I’d feel guilty.

“It was amazing. Honestly, I never thought you’d put in this much effort with me, Nick. I really enjoyed being with you tonight, I will always remember this night as one of the best I’ve had,” I tell him truthfully and watch the grin that was nonexistent appear on to his golden face with every word I speak.

“That’s all I needed to hear.” Kissing me softly, I melt into him and cup my hands around his jaw. I stroke the light stubble dotted around. “You mind if I get a quick picture with you?” he asks once he pulls away from me. I sheepishly nod at him, silently wondering why he wants one with me. A hand slips into his pocket to get his phone and he sets us up for a picture. Pulling me under his arm, we both smile at the camera together, like that night he came over to apologize to me. Then he turns his head and kisses me on the lips again. I don’t know if he’s taking any photos of us, but he takes another one of us just staring at each other and smiling.

He’s finally finished after a few more pictures.

“What are you going to do with them?” I ask out of curiosity.

“I’m keeping them in my phone. They’re not going up on Instagram or anything, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. We don’t need to broadcast this everywhere. I just want to keep these private between you and me, you know?” I nod at how sweet he’s being. I kiss him once more and smile at him.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I tell him.