Heir Born

11 | Nate

Hanging out with my friends is never just hanging out. There's always gotta be something going on. Like now, for instance, Preston's party which he decided was a good idea to have because Coach cancelled practice. As the captain of the team, am I bitching? Sure as hell I am. Will I show up to the party? Believe it. And I refused to be judged for that.

Preston decided to separate us from all the other kids, especially his sister Georgia's friends who still decide to show up even though Georgia herself isn't even in town. Weird college people who are complete hangers on. College is supposed to be the escape from parental hellhole. Like what gives?

Anyway, so we're all having our own little mini 'party' in the den upstairs.

"He doesn't like it when a girl makes him looks all nervous and shit." I shout out, looking at Zach. I know he hates being embarrassed. Payback is a bitch, Chadwick. That's what he gets for all the Summer jokes.

"Still. Bit cruel to tell her to leave, don't you think?" Liam also shouts over the loud party music playing over the sound system in the house.

"He doesn't give a shit, Lee. Of course he's gonna tell her to get her shit and get the fuck out." I laugh, then take a sip of what's left of my scotch.

Preston walks over to us, and immediately I get a whiff of that fruity magnolia — I'd know that scent anywhere with my eyes closed. I look up and Summer's looking straight at me.

My eyes unexpectedly and almost as though they have a life of their own, just gaze at her, ignoring Paisley and Preston next to her. "Summer." I whisper under my breath.

"Don't tell me you guys are talking about Zach's phantom one-night stand girl from Ashbury?" Preston chuckles, shaking his head.

I pick up the remote and lower the volume in the den. I look back at Summer. I notice how cute she looks in her dress and sneakers outfit. My jaw lets go a little. Unfortunately, also low enough for the guys to notice.

"Here, Nate." Zach pretends to hand me something, but when I tear my eyes away from Summer so I can look, his hands are empty.

"Just your jaw. From the floor." He says it with a deadpan face, but everyone just packs out laughing. Including me. I look back at Summer who's discreetly laughing too, as she surveys the room.

She blushes a little. She tries to hide it, but I notice and smile knowingly to myself.

"You guys gonna offer us a drink or what?" Paisley looks pointedly at Preston, who obliges with a bow. "My lady. I know what you like." Paisley winks at him. We all take a minute as we notice the overly friendly exchange between the two of them. I mean, I know why they're friendly, but Preston hasn't told the rest of the crew. I watch Preston move quickly to distract them all, as he looks over at Summer. "And what is your poison, Lennox?"

I'm hit all of sudden with a tinge of jealousy. Preston gets to be close to Summer. Close enough to touch her and talk to her. My jaw clenches.

Is that jealousy rearing its head there, Nate?

"Cola Tonic for me. Thanks."

She's not drinking. That's no surprise... after the last time she had alcohol. Summer smiles at Preston which compels me to jump up from my seat.

"It's cool, Pres. I got it. I need a refill, anyways." I don't take my eyes off Summer the entire time I'm talking to Preston.

"Mind giving me a hand?" Summer's surprised. But I also see that hint of excitement from that glint in her eye as she walks up to me.

Such a little daredevil.

The twitch of my mouth that resembles a smile is not disappearing from my face. She smiles back at me. The smile I saw in the elevator hits me again. Mesmerising. You'd swear there wasn't a thunderstorm behind that smile and those big deep green eyes.