Page 126 of Steeling Her
“I miss you too, Nick,” I tell him, because it’s the truth. I haven’t seen him because he’s been training extra hard for football these days. He’s tired almost all the time nowadays and all he wants to do is fall asleep, eat, do gym work, and train.
“So, do you need me to come over tonight?” I lose it and start laughing at him. I can hear he’s chuckling too. He just wants to come over and see what girls do for slumber parties. Not happening.
“Nick, no! You guys can’t come over!” I continue to laugh at how endearing he’s being. I really miss him too, but it’s girl’s night tonight. I can see him all day tomorrow.
“Fine, I’ve got a game tomorrow. I expect to see you there! Cas’s house is hosting the party and you guys are definitely invited. And you’re coming with me!” I beam at the last part. I’ll make sure to be there with him. If he wanted me to go, I would have gone if he just asked properly’.
“What if I don’t want to?” I tease him.
“You’re coming, Steel. You don’t have a say in it,” he orders playfully.
“What if I run away and you can’t find me?” I tease again, and I hear a small chuckle leave his mouth on the other end of the line. I’m standing outside on a small deck overseeing cars zooming by behind trees that have overgrown. I hear the small hiss of the leaves when the wind flows over them and makes them move, along with my hair. I fix it while I speak and wait for a response from him.
“I will run after you, hunt you down Liam Neeson-style, and tie you to a chair at the place I’m going to take you on our date and make you smile if I have to,” he jokes making us both chortle at his tactics. “But seriously, I get that you don’t like parties. We can leave after a few hours if you want, it’s just . . . I’m co-captain, and I need to be there for the team afterwards.” I nod in understanding but remember that he can’t see me, again.
“That’s fine, Nick. I’m getting used to it. I know where I like being best at a party, so once I’m there, I’ll have no problem,” I tell him he doesn’t need to worry about me.I’ll be fine.
“And where’s that? Outside?” I grin like a fool at the way he linked it all together like he’s been paying attention to where I’m most comfortable at a booming, crowded party.
“Yes, outside. Like that time when we were all talking outside, that was fun,” I assure him. That’s the same night we kissed. Our very first kiss together.
“I remember that night so well.” His voice drops to a lower yet softer tone, and it sends a raging shiver up my spine, making me shake slightly.That was so sexy.
“Me too.” We both know what we’re thinking. That kiss—the one that led to another, and another. It was amazing. Not that I had a long list to compare it to, but it really was. I liked the way his arms wrapped around me and held me while our tongues fought. It was perfect. “So, I better get back inside before my food arrives and then it’s cold,” I tell him, but I still have the desire to stay on the phone with him.
“Alright, text me later and let me know what you guys are up to. And if we’reallowedto come over.” He laughs a little at the end, emphasizing the word “allowed,” like we’ve banned him from seeing us tonight.
I giggle in response. “Okay.” I playfully sigh like it’s a chore and he’s the parent. “Daddy,” I say jokingly. I can hear his breathing turn sharp and rapid. There is a moment of silence between us again, but this time, I am the one who’s confused.
“Jesus, never call me that again unless it’s in the bedroom, Carter. Fuck!” He holds his breath.
What did I say? I don’t get it? I only called hi—oh . . . shit.
Oh shit. Oh shit! Oh SHIT!
I get it.
Oh God, that’s so embarrassing. What is with me and my stupid mouth these days? I really need to think before I speak. Dammit.
“Bye!” I hang up without listening to his response. “Why the fuck did you say that! What the hell, Carter!” I scold myself, and I can feel my entire body go bright red like I’m in a sauna. “I just called him ‘Daddy’!” I scold myself. This is so embarrassing.
I decide after a while and some calls from Nick, which I ignore, to amble back into the restaurant and back to my seat. I place my phone down beside me. That was my first mistake, because it kept ringing and ringing and ringing.
I watch it light up with his name on it; call after call after call.
“What did he do?” Haley asks while I stare at our picture. She thinks Nick did something, but he didn’t. It’s all on me. I know it probably seems dramatic, but I’m so embarrassed right now. “That bad?” She starts to laugh and I flick my gaze up to her laughing while drinking her Diet Coke through the clear straw.
“Actually, it was me.” I cover my face with both hands feeling myself heat up again. I groan loudly in the restaurant not caring. The only thing I care about right now is the fact that I just called Nick ‘Daddy.’ I’m a walking embarrassment. “I called him . . . ‘Daddy,’ ” I confess.
Silence falls on the table, and the two of them break out into a fit of laughter— cackles, actually. I still didn’t look up. I’m glad they find it hilarious, because I don’t.
“You just called my brother . . . ‘Daddy’? Oh . . . my God! He’s going to love that!” She continues to shake with laughter as I swipe my fingers apart to look out and see them both wiping their eyes and still laughing at me. As if I’m not already embarrassed enough.
“Carter! I didn’t know you had a kinky side to you!” Danielle winks at me and I roll my eyes at her playful chide.
“Can we not right now? I’m so embarrassed.” I groan at their two smirks.
“There is nothing to be embarrassed about, seriously. Nick will be thinking about that twenty-four seven!” I don’t know what’s weirder, the fact that he’s going to be thinking about that or the fact that Haley just told me he will. “My brother is always super horny.” She’s making it worse—so much worse. Danielle picks up on that.
