Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
For the next couple of hours, I got completely sucked into the party. Every two minutes it felt like a new person was coming up to me, all saying the same things: who is he, how did you two meet, and he’s really, really fucking cute. I kept my eyes on Nathan from across the backyard, watching as something similar happened to him, too. First he spoke with Charlie and Shawn, but then a steady stream of people were coming up to hug him, give him high fives, and introduce themselves.
It was the most relaxed I’d ever seen him in a social setting. His normal wallflower attitude was nowhere to be seen. He just seemed comfortable, ready to speak his truth to anyone who felt like asking.
I knew exactly how good that felt.
How freeing it was, to finally be able to be yourself.
I’d gotten there a little over a year ago, and Nathan was just starting on that path now. When I finally made my way over to him, Marcus and Brent each had one arm wrapped around Nathan’s shoulders, and Nathan was holding his phone up, taking a short selfie video.
“Out here with my boy Nathan and we’re living it up,” Brent was saying. “How are you feeling tonight, Nathan?”
“Surrounded by two of the best players the Ferals have ever had… I’m feeling pretty fire,” Nathan said. “Is that the right way to say that?”
Marcus erupted into laughter, and Nathan was beaming, too. “Oh, that’s all on video, and that’s all going on the ‘gram,” Marcus said. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Go for it,” Nathan said.
“You are the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen,” I said, stepping in to squeeze Nathan. “Brent, I see you’ve already started giving my boyfriend a hard time.”
Brent lifted his eyebrows. “Well, I posted that on my Instagram about five seconds ago, and I already have about fifty comments asking who the ‘hot dad’ is. I think Nathan might be more famous than you in a few weeks.”
The rest of the party went by in a surreal blur. I made sure to hug everyone before they left, and got as many congratulations on my kiss as I did on my show.
When I finally closed the front door on the last person to go home, I was exhausted down to my bones. A slow wave of emotion came over me as I clicked the door shut, then walked back toward the kitchen.
After Nathan had kissed me, it had been easy to push away the hurt from my parents’ interview. But it was still there, buried inside me, like a wound that had really never gotten the chance to begin healing.
That might never heal, if I was being honest.
I found Nathan sitting on the couch, leaning back.
“You look like you’re about as exhausted as me,” I said. “How’s it feel to be famous?”
“Nothing like I thought it would. Tiring. Less scary than I thought. I only have one question.”
I crashed down onto the couch next to him. “Lay it on me.”
“Does it ever start to feel more natural?” Nathan asked. His eyes looked calmer and more serene than I’d ever seen them. One thing was true about Nathan tonight: he didn’t give a fuck. He had no more fucks to give. Seeing him without a shred of insecurity kicked ass, and I couldn’t help but smile at him.
I reached out to gently rub his arm. “It always feels a little bit ridiculous, I’m not going to lie,” I told him. “You start to get used to money. I don’t think about the price of protein powder or travel like I used to. But fame is another beast. No one really deserves it, and it can make you feel like an alien, but at the end of the day everyone is just trying to live their best life.”
Nathan nodded, but I noticed that his eyelids were already starting to look droopy, like he was struggling to stay awake. “Your couch is too comfortable,” he said.
“My bed is even better.”
“Your bed is really comfortable, too,” he said, a dreamy look coming over his tired face. “Especially when you’re in it.”
I bit my bottom lip. “I think I like you when you’re tired. It makes you say things in a really sweet way.”
“Hey. I’m always sweet.”
“No chance,” I teased him. “You’re usually just as spicy as you are sweet, and that’s just how I like it.”
“Listen, I’m certainly not going to protest going to the bedroom, but I do think you’re going to have to carry me. I feel like the next time I blink I’m going to be asleep.”
I moved quickly, standing up next to the couch and bringing my arms down. It was easy to pick Nathan up, and I hoisted him up, carrying him like Prince Charming would carry a rescued princess.