I Adore You // Braeden Lemasters

Chapter 14: Ice Cold Pool

Braeden drove down the empty street, dark except for the orange glow of the street lamps and his headlights. Slowly, he pulled into Natalie's drive way, Radiohead played softly through the speakers. Braeden gently nodded his head to the music, interrupted by Natalie swinging the passenger door open. She clutched her purse and tucked her hair behind her ear as she reached for the seatbelt.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey," he smiled, taking in the decadent scent of her perfume.

They found two seats near the back of the theater, Braeden holding the popcorn on his lap. Natalie snuggled up close beside him. Braeden lightly put his hand on her leg, and Natalie put her hand on top of his. She was so excited to be spending time with Braeden she struggled to pay attention to the movie.

The glow of the screen lit their faces and at some point their eyes met each other's. Braeden kissed her softly.

They left the movie theater holding hands. Natalie just happened to glance up at him, her shiny lip gloss was painted sloppily onto his mouth. She burst out laughing.

"What?" He chuckled innocently. "What are you laughing at? Do I have something in my teeth?"

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They lay in Natalie's room for a while, mostly snuggled up, watching something on TV.

"When should I leave?" He asked. "It's getting late."

"You can leave whenever you feel like it." She said reassuringly. "I don't want you to feel like you have to stay till I tell you to leave."

He pulled the blanket up over Natalie, as she lay in his lap. Soon he began to doze off. Natalie still lay snuggled in his lap, watching TV, tiredly. Suddenly, his phone began buzzing.

"Brae..." she mumbled, shaking his leg gently. "Hey, your phone is ringing."

As she handed him his phone she read the name on the screen, "Valerie." Braeden awoke, and immediately denied the call. Natalie watched him with curiosity.

"Who's Valerie?" She asked softly.

Braeden sighed and frowned. "She is my ex girlfriend." He said matter-of-factly and kind of surprised.

"Oh," Natalie said in a childlike manner- quietly and somewhat embarrassed.

"It's totally nothing." Braeden said.

Natalie nodded and returned back to laying in his lap.

When she woke in the morning she was alone in her bed. The TV was turned off, and the remote was placed neatly on the bedside table. Natalie had been tucked in with a warm blanket. She sat up in bed looking around for a moment. Then she walked down the hall and to the kitchen.

"Braeden?" She called.

She glanced out the front window, and Braeden's car was gone. She was both saddened and confused. Upon checking her phone, Braeden had sent her a text message about an hour ago.

"Sorry I had to leave early. I have a last minute audition. Talk to you later!"

It was a short but simple message. Yet somehow Natalie still felt empty inside. The message seemed so hollow.

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The Next Day

Natalie sat across from Braeden. They were in a classy restaurant in Santa Monica. Natalie's long dark hair was pulled back into a high pony tail. Lengthy silver earrings hung from her ears. Braeden was in awe.

"I'll have the chicken parmesan." She said politely to the waiter.

"Same for me." Braeden said, closing his menu.

Then his phone buzzed. Natalie's eyes went to his phone. He turned his phone over face down and avoided it.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

"Yeah." He said. "Why wouldn't it be?"

She pursed her lips and thought for a moment.

"Okay," she said backing off and sipping her water.

"Have you listened to the new Arctic Monkeys album yet?" He said.

"No," Natalie said with a frown.

"Come on!" He said laughing and giving her a tap on the wrist. "It's been out for almost a week, now!"

"I know, I know." She said, jokingly disappointed with herself. "I've been busy with work, but I will soon. You know what? I'll listen to it tomorrow."

"Oh yeah?" He said flirtatiously.

"Yeah." She fired back, shedding her perfect smile.