I Adore You // Braeden Lemasters

Chapter 23: Marvelous

Natalie sat in the living room, watching a cheesy 80s movie. Aubrey came out from her bedroom and sat on the opposite couch. She eyed the movie for a moment before she suddenly inquired,

"How are things with Braeden?"

Natalie's face flushed, "Good. We're doing really good," she said with a shrug.

Aubrey nodded, seeming pleased. Then she imposed, "Are things getting pretty serious?"

Natalie's eyebrows furrowed, "What do you mean?"

Aubrey shrugged, "Have you slept together yet?"

"Well I've spent the night at his place."

"But you haven't slept with him?"

Natalie bit her cheek, "No... But so what?"

Aubrey laughed, "Nothing, nothing."

"Do you think we should have by now? I've only known him a few months... We haven't been together together for very long..."

"In today's world it might seem a little prudish," Aubrey expressed and then went back to watching the movie.

Natalie said nothing. Prudish. Was she a prude? She couldn't focus on the movie, or anything for that matter, for the rest of the evening. Every moment she had had with Braeden replayed in her mind. She began over analyzing everything that occurred between them, wondering if she had ever acted like a prude.

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Friday

Natalie sat curled up beside Braeden on his couch. Wallows was about halfway done with recording by now. Braeden's skin had begun to break out over the past few days, which usually happened when he was feeling stressed. He ran his hand through his hair and let out a deep breath.

Natalie looked over at him, "You okay?"

"Yeah," he said, not very convincingly.

She watched his eyes for a moment, but he didn't meet hers. He kept his eyes on Parks and Recreation, although his mind was elsewhere.

"Hey," she said, "I'm here for you if you ever wanna talk about anything."

She gave him a squeeze and pecked his cheek. He tried for a smile then excused himself from the living room. He went to the back sliding door and stepped outside. Natalie bit her cheek, trying to decide whether she should give him space or go comfort him. She let him be for just a minute before deciding to go outside after him. When she closed the sliding door behind her she found Braeden sitting with his head in his hands, a lit cigarette dangling between his fingers.

She frowned, going over to him. She carefully took the cigarette from him and pulled his head into her shirt.

"Brae, you don't smoke..."

"I know..." he whined, his voice was muffled by her shirt.

Natalie tossed the cigarette to the ground. Her arms were wrapped around his head. Braeden held her waist tight, letting out a sigh.

"What's wrong, my love?" She pressed in a motherly tone.

"I'm so stressed out," he groaned. He let go of her and slouched in his chair. "I'm just being stupid, honestly. I don't know."

She knelt down in front of him, putting her hands on his knees, "There's nothing stupid about feeling stressed. You can talk to me."

He avoided her eyes and looked at the sky. He was clearly on the verge of tears. It was getting late, the stars had come out. There was only a small light near the backdoor that lit their faces.

"I feel like the album is not going where we planned... well, where I planned. Dylan and I have just been butting heads lately... I feel like the direction he wants Wallows to go is different than what I want. And Cole is just stuck somewhere in between and- I don't know. I'm afraid of what might happen to the band and without the band what am I?"

Natalie was taken aback.

"I see," she said. "Well first of all, you are brilliant outside of the band so give yourself a little credit. You are an awesome person all by yourself. Second, have you talked to Dylan about it?"

Braeden shrugged then shook his head.

"He's your best friend. But he's not a mind reader, B. You gotta tell him what's on your mind otherwise you guys are just gonna keep fighting. I'm sure he'll understand and you guys will figure things out."

He nodded solemnly. Then he rose from his seat, pulling Natalie up with him and into a tight hug. Then he searched her eyes.

"What?" She asked, looking back at him.

He smiled, shaking his head, "You're the best."

Both laughing, Braeden tossed an arm over her shoulder and guided her back inside.

"Braeden?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I'm a prude?"

He looked at her as if she had lobsters crawling out of her ears.

"No, are you kidding me? Don't be ridiculous." He said with a laugh. "Come on, let's go finish Parks and Rec."