Fumbled Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel) Page 7

  He quirks a brow.

  “Not that I don’t mind the view, but why aren’t you wearing a shirt?”

  He backs away from me, eyes bright with mischief and glazed from alcohol. He shifts his hips, swinging his arms around, and sings, “All the girlies love me…”

  I bend over laughing, hard, crossing my legs to keep myself from pissin’ my pants. “Oh, my God, stop!” I laugh, pushing through the back door, out into the night. “If you start doing the Dougie right now, we are officially no longer friends.”

  He gives me puppy dog eyes, puffing his lower lip out and when I narrow my eyes at him, he pushes it out more.

  With a grin, I drop down to the grass and look up at the open sky. “Fine. That was adorable. Now quit before I bite your lip off.”

  He laughs and goes to take a seat next to me, but someone calls his name from the back door. Turning back to me, he frowns. “Shit, I better go see what’s up.” He shifts on his feet lightly. “My, uh, my dads would kill me if something happened to their precious James Dean shrine.” He laughs nervously.

  “They have good taste. James Dean was a badass. I’d have to kick your ass just the same.”

  His smile is one of pure appreciation. The fact that I didn’t blanch at his revelation not lost on him.

  He reaches for me, so I place my hand in his, allowing him to pull me up and we walk back into the house. “These boys better watch out, Lolli Bear.” He kisses my temple. “I might decide to keep you to myself,” he teases.

  “Parker, you and I would be phenomenal,” I gush and follow up with a dejected sigh. “Too bad your sexy doesn’t do it for me.”

  He laughs, releasing me. “You good?”

  “Yeah, I’m actually gonna cut out. If you see Mia around, tell her I’ll catch up with her later.”

  “Want me to find someone to take you? Or I could walk you,” he offers.

  I scrunch my face. “Nah, I’m good.”

  “Alright, but if you don’t text me in twenty minutes, I’m sending out my Calvin Cavalry,” he laughs.

  “I may not text you just to see that.”

  He pushes me lightly. “Get out of here.”

  I make my way out the door and into the cool, quiet night. I’m rounding the driveway, turning onto the sidewalk when his rough voice calls out and wraps around me, warming me in places I don’t want it to.

  I turn my head over my left shoulder to find Nate sitting with his back against a tree.

  “Hey.”

  “You leavin’ already?” he asks, his tone friendly, which makes me uneasy.

  “I am. You run out of one night stands to keep you warm on this chilly night, Handsome?” I joke, but he doesn’t smile; he just gazes at me.

  With the slight frown on his face, he looks a little disappointed, which makes no sense, so I face forward and continue walking.

  “Kalani,” he calls out.

  I mask my confusion and turn back to him.

  “I’m sorry I acted like a dick that night,” he says into his lap before lifting his dark brown gaze to me.

  His eyes are so open and earnest and…sexy.

  Yeah, no. Not happening.

  I give him a one-sided smile. “Sorry for trying to put a hole in your seat.”

  His head snaps up, his eyes wide. He looks so adorably horrified, I can’t help but laugh.

  “I’m kidding, chillax.”

  He breathes a heavy sigh-chuckle of relief.

  “So, um...” I hook my thumb over my shoulder, “I’ll see you later.” I begin walking again.

  “Kalani?”

  Damn it.

  I turn back around. “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for bailing me out that night.” The corner of his lips lift slightly as he tosses a piece of picked grass from his hand. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “Wow,” I tease, unsure how else to act. “An apology and a thank you, all in one night? I didn’t think you had it in you, Monroe.”

  “I didn’t,” he says, not missing a beat, not elaborating, but not looking away either.

  I nod my head, refusing to allow myself to try and decipher his meaning.

  Hopping up, he dusts off his jeans and I permit myself a good look.

  His hair is perfectly messy, and his black jeans fit him just right. Paired with a dark gray long-sleeve shirt, and black Palladium boots, he’s every girls wet dream.

  He’s looking at me, but I can’t read his expression.

  And then I make a bad move, out of pure curiosity.

  Or pure stupidity. I’ll decide which one later.

  “You still owe me bad TV and junk food,” I say flatly, and kind of in a rush.

  His eyebrows shoot up for a millisecond before a ridiculously seductive smirk takes its place on his lush lips. “I do.”

  “Well,” I shrug, “I don’t have cable, but I own a plethora of horribly hilarious movies, every season of Law and Order, and a shit ton of junk food.”

  “Sounds like a good time.” He’s eyeing me, no doubt an internal debate going on in that perfect head of his.

  I look at him over once more.

  Yeah, this is happening.

  I turn and start walking.

  “Wait, seriously?” he says, his voice that of an excited little boy headed to his first pro game.

  I don’t turn around. I can’t see that look on his face, because I may jump him.

  “Go home. Change. See you in twenty.”

  “Kalani?” I hear his smile.

  “Yes?” I call out, still walking away.

  “Don’t wear that Halestorm shirt.”

  I freeze mid-step. The world must be turning on its fucking axis because I swear to God, if I were looking in a mirror, I would see a hint of pink on my cheeks. A fucking blush.

  I don’t blush. Ever.

  I start walking, faster this time.

  I swear I hear him chuckle and I want to strangle myself for liking the sound of it.

  “What the fuck did I just do?” I ask myself as I make my way to my house.

  Something is wrong with me. Seriously fucking wrong.

  I let out a frustrated sigh as I hastily throw on some black leggings and an off-the-shoulder royal blue tee.

  I blow through the house and into the kitchen, pulling out all the junk food I can find, then make my way into the living room and toss it all down on the coffee table. As soon as I reach for the remote, I hear the rumble of his engine.

  A minute or two ticks by, and still no knock.

  Perplexed, I walk to the door and swing it open. I’m greeted with the smell of leather, grass, and sweetness, accompanied by an apprehensive Nate. Relief fills his features as soon as he looks at me.

  I laugh, tilting my head. “Second thoughts?”

  He shrugs. “I wasn’t sure if I should knock or not and I don’t have your number. I didn’t wanna get you in trouble or whatever.”

  I grin, pulling the door open wide. “It’s fine, just us. Come in.”

  He walks in and loiters in the entryway.

  He’s changed into a pair of red and black basketball shorts and a long-sleeved black thermal shirt that fits him perfectly, nice and tight over his pecs and arms.

  I step up next to him. “The movies are on the back wall, go ahead and pick one.” He nods and I follow him into the living room. The second he passes the threshold of the carpet, the bitch strikes.

  Nauni jumps out of fucking nowhere and attacks his ankle.

  “Shit!” he jumps, eyes round as saucers. His body shifts awkwardly to avoid stepping on her, which makes him bump into me, knocking me over the side of the couch.

  Laughing so hard I can’t breathe, I tuck and roll off the side of the couch - a sight to see, I’m sure. Tears roll down my cheeks I’m laughing so hard. When I look up at him, he’s shaking his head, hands on his hips.

  “You could have warned me,” he chuckles.

  I nod through my smile. “Yeah, I could have. But that was much more fun.�
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  “Now you have to pick what we watch,” he says, plopping down onto the couch.

  “Fine.” I hop up and pop the movie in, scooping up my cat on the way back to the couch.

  “What’s the little shit’s name?” he asks, nodding toward her.

  “This is Nauni, the she-devil.”

  Please don’t ask.

  His lips twitch.

  He’s totally going to ask.

  “Nauni, huh?”

  “Yep.” I turn my attention to the screen, preparing the movie on the PS3.

  “As in…”

  I close my eyes. “Yes. As in Kalani’s Punani.”

  He tries real hard to hold it in, I’ll give him that, but it’s a lost cause. He laughs so hard, he hunches over and grabs his ribs. “I was legit attacked by your pussy.”

  I cross my arms and legs, sitting Indian-style on the couch. “You let me know when you’re ready for me to push play.” I squish my lips to one side to try and cover my smile.

  He reaches out and grabs a peanut butter M&M. Popping it in his mouth, he throws his hands up in surrender, but can’t help himself and has to get one more in. “Can I at least pet her?” He teases, and I roll my eyes, reaching for the remote.

  Just as we settle and I press play on The Sandlot, my phone rings on the table.

  “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias streams through the air, and I laugh loudly.

  “That sneaky bastard. Hand me that, please.” I motion toward my phone, a wide smile on my face.

  With a small scowl on his face, Nate picks it up and hands it to me.

  “Why hello, Hero,” I answer the call, seeing Nate’s scowl deepen out of the corner of my eye.

  “Lolli Bear!” Parker shouts.

  “Love the new ringtone, by the way.”

  “Oh shit.” He laughs. “I forgot about that. I hit the nail on the head on that one, didn’t I?” he asks, sounding mighty proud of himself.

  I roll my eyes, amused. “What can I do for you?”

  “You didn’t call me. You promised me you would,” he says, louder than necessary. Alcohol is clearly his best friend tonight.

  “Indeed, I did, but I forgot.” I give him my pouty voice. “Forgive me?”

  “Always, beautiful.”

  I laugh a little. “Okay, Sir Calvin, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Why you trying to get me off the phone?” he asks suspiciously.

  “Because, Nosy Rosie. Handsome and I are trying to watch a mov-” My eyes shoot wide and I slap my hand over my mouth as soon as I say it.

  “Whoa, wait. WHAT?” Parker yells with a laugh.

  “Shit.” Hanging up immediately, I throw my phone on the table like a hot potato.

  I peek over at Nate and he looks pissed, just as I assumed he would.

  With a shake of my head, I drop my face into my hands as he stands from the couch. “Nate,” I speak through my fingers, “I am sorr-”

  “Don’t worry about it, Kalani. I get it,” he says, his voice holding a little bite. “Can’t have people thinking you’re hanging out with the school playboy, right?”

  My jaw drops, and I stare at him. “Is that what this is about?”

  “Is that a serious question?” he challenges, his face a mixture of anger and hurt.

  He thinks I’m hiding the fact that he’s here? And that... bothers him?

  “Look.” Now I’m getting pissed. “I told him you were here because, duh, you are, and he was buggin’. I freaked because I thought, after I opened my loud fucking mouth, that you’d be pissed I told him you were here. Preserve your reputation or what-the-fuck-ever.” I wave my hand in the air, bringing it down on a slap against my thigh.

  He shakes his head, unbelieving. “But you didn’t tell him I was here, Kalani, that’s the point. You freaked out because you knew he’d ask you who was here.” He narrows his eyes. “But nice try.”

  I give him my ‘you wanna fuckin’ bet’ face and answer my phone that has yet to stop ringing, choosing to place it on speaker this time.

  “Hello again, Hero,” I say with a nasty grin, my eyes pinned to Nate’s.

  “Nate’s there?” he instantly fires off in excited confusion.

  My smirk deepens when Nate drops his eyes to my phone, his brows pulled in. “He is,” I tell him as I sit back on the couch, extending my legs to the coffee table in front of me.

  “Liar!” Parker accuses.

  “I don’t lie. Ever.” I tell him, tuning into the movie, grabbing some caramel corn while I’m at it.

  Not a care in the world.

  Parker laughs. “I know, that’s why you’re my favorite.”

  “Ditto.”

  “Let me talk to him.”

  “Speaker.”

  He barks out a laugh. “Nate!”

  Nate places his fists on the edge of the couch, and drops his chin to his chest. “Yeah?” he answers reluctantly.

  “Oh shit, this is good.” I picture Parker rubbing his hands together. “Lolli Bear?”

  “Yes?” I answer, purposely adding a hint a sexy.

  His smile is evident in his voice. “Can I tell Jarrod?” Nate’s eyes pop up to mine, obviously wondering why he’d ask me that. “Please tell me I can go tell him you came to the party with him and went home with Nate?” I watch as Nate’s jaw ticks, realization setting in, though I’m not sure why he cares.

  “I’m a big girl, Hero. I could care less what you tell him,” I answer him honestly. “You may want to ask your QB here, though.” I shrug, for bitch factor, since he’s watching me. “Bad blood and all that, but make it quick. Scotty’s about to shit his pants when he finds out that ball was signed by the Great Bambino.”

  Before Parker can respond, Nate butts in, his fiery eyes locked on mine. “Tell him thanks for keepin’ her company,” he pauses, eyes torching me, “but I’ll take it from here.”

  I lift a single eyebrow at him, and the smirk he gives me in return...

  This is bad.

  Parker’s laugh booms through the phone, bringing my attention back to my screen.

  “Lolli Bear?”

  “Yeees?”

  “Call me to post your bail,” he howls.

  His laugh is last thing we hear before the line goes dead.

  “Well... that was fun.”

  I look up and into Nate’s eyes, and pat the spot next to me. He drops down, placing his elbows on his knees, eyes locked on the TV screen in front of us.

  “Listen,” I begin, “I know we don’t know each other from Tom, Dick, and Harry, but one thing you should know about me, Nate, is I dance to the beat of my own drum.” I shrug, even though he’s not looking at me. “Always have. I won’t lie or hide or sugarcoat things, and I sure as shit don’t care what other people think. If you’re here, it’s because I want you to be. Plain and simple.”

  He nods, blowing out a deep breath. “Right. You just, uh, threw me off for a minute, that’s all.” He chuckles, a low, husky sound. “Not something I’m used to.”

  “Yeah, well…” I trail off, because what do you say to that?

  He looks at me and grins, then we sit and watch the movie in comfortable silence.

  When the credits start rolling, I look over to see Nate has passed out. With his arms crossed at his chest, feet propped up on the coffee table, he looks thoroughly relaxed. Too relaxed and at home, in fact, so I kick him.

  “What the…” He jolts, glancing around briefly before his eyes settle on me, and he grins. “I passed out.”

  I nod. “You did. Now go home. Movie night is over.”

  Nate stares at me for a second, then shakes his head, laughing lightly. He stands, stretching his long, tanned, toned body, and glances from the TV to me. “Sorry, I guess I was beat.”

  “You had a long day,” I tell him, following him to the door. I open it and lean against the frame, looking up at him. “Good game tonight, by the way.”

  His eyes light up and his smile is all too conceited. “Thanks.”
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  I laugh, crossing my arms across my chest as the breeze makes its way in the door. “Get outta here before that hot air you’re full of makes me sweat.”

  He takes one step out, then hesitates before turning to face me. “I can’t tell you the last time I just chilled out and watched a movie on a Friday night.”

  “I bet.” I straighten and begin pushing the door closed.

  His dark eyes look right into mine. “Night, Kalani.”

  I nod and shut the door, leaving him standing there. I hear him chuckle as I walk back toward the couch.

  Bastard.

  My phone chimes from the table the second my butt hits the sofa. I laugh out loud when I see the message that pops up.

  Unknown number: thanks for the wild night.

  Right as I’m about to hit send, asking him how he got my number, a second text comes through.

  Unknown number: Parker sent me your number the second he hung up on you. Said you’d never give it to me. Save it.

  I program it and text him back.

  Me: I think he was right.

  I may have.

  Probably.

  Handsome: glad he has my back then.

  Me: don’t get it twisted, Monroe. If it came down to you and me…he’d pick me.

  Handsome: funny. I think I would, too.

  I stare at his text.

  Handsome: choose you, I mean.

  I still don’t text back.

  Handsome: night, Kalani.

  I toss my phone on the floor and make my way to my room, Nauni hot on my heels. I throw myself in my bed, and the two of us fall asleep together as we have every night for the last year and half.

  The next morning, I wake to the sound of my front door slamming and twenty seconds later, my bed dips. I throw my covers off my face to find Parker’s baby blues shining back at me, a smile on his lips.

  “Mornin’ sleepyhead. Certain someone keep you up all night?” He wiggles his eyebrows and I hit him in the face with my pillow. His laughter booms and I want to punch him.

  I’m about to ask him how he got in, when the culprit herself walks in, carrying a box of my Waffle Crisp, wearing the same thing she had on last night.