The Secrets We Keep

The Twenty-Third Chapter

Hayden

Nathan picks up me and my brother promptly at six. After enduring an uncomfortable second introduction with my dad and having to speak to our nosy (and kind of mean) neighbor, Duncan, we're finally on the road. 

It's a nice drive. Nathan puts down his convertible's roof and if it weren't for Damien mumbling under his breath, I would almost think driving into town with the setting sun in the background was romantic. 

Fortunately, my brother's mood picks up once Nathan pulls into the parking lot of the local movie theatre. 

"Thank fuck. I thought I was going to have to suffer while you guys made out over sushi or something," Damien says after I get out so that he can jump out of the back. 

I blush and wrap my arms around myself in embarrassment. When he puts it like that, I'm also glad Nathan chose the movies. 

"If it makes you happier, I'll let you choose the movie," Nathan says, coming around to my side after locking his car. 

Damien's eyes narrow on him. They go to where our hands hang next to each other (unentwined). "That's not a half-bad offer. But don't be nice to me, Nathan. I'm content to dislike you. Especially if you're trying to get with my sister."

Nathan laughs as he starts heading for the neon signs by the theatre's glass doors. "What is it with you two and saying every goddamn thing you think?"

"Maybe filters are genetic," I say, falling back as Damien beelines for the ticket booth. Nathan hangs back too when he realizes I've stopped walking. He looks like he's about to open his mouth but I beat him to it. "So, is taking me out your side of the bargain?"

"You did say anything," he says, his eyes flitting about my face. He takes a step closer. "Why? Are you disappointed?" 

It's an effort not to smile. I have to not look at his face to manage the task. "No, more surprised. When you said anything, I thought I was in danger of doing something awful. Like, I don't know, being your servant for a week." 

Or at least, that was what I'd thought he'd intended until we'd had our 'almost moment' at the school stables. Then I'd at least thought his plans for me would be a little bit sexier. 

"If it makes you feel better, I'm surprised too. I've been wanting to take you out for a while. I just never realized I'd have the pleasure of taking out your brother too."

I snort as I follow his gaze to where Damien stands in line for tickets. I'm suddenly nervous. Damien likes anything from horror to movies that will kill you with their unnecessarily long length. 

"What do you like to eat?" Nathan asks, digging into his pockets for a wallet. I take a moment to admire the way his white T-shirt hugs his broad shoulders before I answer. Hey, if Damien chooses a horror, I won't mind being comforted by those arms. 

"I'm good with anything," I answer, a second too late, my eyes still admiring the corded veins of his forearms. "We can share if you want. It's cheaper that way," I say and then blush. 

Sometimes I forget that Nathan comes from a super wealthy family. What was it that Amelia wrote? A movie star mother and a politician father? Talk about connections and big bucks. 

Nathan smiles. "I think I can afford to get you your own popcorn. Wait here," he says, breaking off from our little corner for the concession stand. 

I start people-watching as I wait for him and my brother to return. There are lots of families here, moms and dads taking their kids out for a Friday movie night. There are a few young teenagers here in groups of threes or fours and I even see a few other couples.