Playing With Lightning

The Ultimate Wingman Strikes

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Nathan asked for the tenth time since we’d gotten back into the car.

“Yes Nath, I’m fine,” I rolled my eyes, pulling his jumper tighter around me. “But thanks again, for you know – everything.”

“Anytime,” he smiled warmly at me before turning his attention back to the road. “I just can’t believe that jerk actually just left you there. Anything could have happened.”

“But it didn’t,” I shrugged and he chuckled softly, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.

The car settled in comfortable silence, leaving me to the whirl of thoughts in my head. I rested it back against the seat with a sigh and I tried to sort them all out.

“Nathan,” I spoke up after a while of silence. “What, uh… What were you going to say before? In the kitchen?”

“Oh that, it was really nothing,” he ran a hand through his hair nervously, keeping his eyes glued to the road ahead.

“Do you really expect me to buy that?” I raised an eyebrow. “Come on Nath, I’ve known you for long enough to know that you’re full of it.”

“It’s probably not a good time.”

“Nathan.”

“You don’t want to hear it.”

“Nathan!”

“Really, it’s not even worth-”

“NATHAN!” I yelled over him, cutting off his babbling. “Please just tell me.”

He sighed and pulled the car to a stop at the side of the road. Okay major déjà vu here. Except this time I was with Nathan, so I knew nothing was going to happen. I was about as safe as I could be.

“Stop stalling,” I begged, taking off my seatbelt off so I could turn around and face him. “Spit it out.”

“Okay,” he kept his eyes down on his hands, which were twisting in his lap. “This is going to sound really dumb, especially after you went out with that guy and things ended up how they did. But I um… before you told me I may or may not have been trying to…”

“What Nathan?” I asked more gently this time, realising how difficult it was for him to get it out.

“I was going to ask you out,” he admitted, going bright red. I froze, my mouth falling open and closing again as I tried to push out words. “God, that sounded so dumb. Look, just pretend I didn’t say anything, alright?”

“Does that mean you’re taking back the offer?” I said boldly, biting on my lip.

“Wait, what?” he looked up, confused.

“I mean… Does that change now that I um – had this little mishap with Blake?” I clarified, or maybe I didn’t, I’m not sure. “Because, I’ve kind of been wanting you to ask that for two years.”

His face split into a grin and it made me smile back, because let’s face it, it was freaking beautiful. I mean, it was almost pitch black and it pretty much lit up the whole car.

“Are you sure your feelings for the horny jerk won’t get in the way?” he smirked.

“I’m sure I can push them aside,” I laughed. He reached forward and pushed back a lock of my hair behind my ear. His face was getting closer and closer until we were only an inch apart. A small smile graced his lips and then they were on mine.

Comparing the kiss earlier with Blake to this one right now, was like putting a glass of lukewarm water next to a chocolate milkshake. There was no comparison. Nathan was sweet and gentle, but still passionate as our lips meshed together.

My arms were instantly around his neck as we manoeuvred our way around the inconveniently placed car controls. It was literally exhilarating. I could feel my heart beating a million miles a minute but I didn’t care, all I cared about was the fact that I was kissing Nathan Sykes, the boy I’d gone crazy about for two whole years. I was kissing him and he was kissing me and it was perfect.

We pulled apart for breath and fell back into our own seats, ridiculously large grins on both our faces.

“Wow,” he laughed breathlessly, running a hand through his tousled dark hair. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to hear that,” I laughed back. “But unfortunately we should probably get back. I think I’ve got some explaining and then some grovelling for forgiveness to do.”

He chuckled and started up the car, one hand in mine while the other controlled the steering wheel. As we pulled up into our drive, I could see all the downstairs lights were on. I practically ran up the steps and inside, throwing open the door and making my way to the loungeroom.

“You’re alive!” Maeve screamed, jumping up and hugging me tightly. “I’m sorry I snapped at you and I was a horrible friend and I let you run off with that tosswank and -”

“Maeve, breathe,” I stopped her and she cut off with a giggle, taking a deep breath in. “I’m the one who should be sorry, I should have listened to you.”

“I’ve only been telling you that for like forever,” she rolled her eyes, stepping aside to let Tom give me a brotherly hug that said ‘I’m glad you’re home and didn’t get raped because it would have been my fault for not having my phone on.’ Or something like that, I’m paraphrasing.

I stepped back after they’d all had their turn, bumping into Nathan, who just smiled down at me warmly. I smiled back and squeezed his hand behind my back.

“Hold up!” Maeve interrupted our moment, narrowing her eyes at me. “Taylah you little slut!”

“What?” Jay looked confused. Actually he wasn’t the only one.

“Wait, do we need a conference about this oooor?” she asked, her forehead crinkling in thought.

“Nope,” Nathan answered for me, squeezing my fingers back reassuringly. “Guys, you might like to know that umm…” oh that’s right, now you go shy. Boys.

I held up our intertwined hands, and that plus Nath’s sheepish grin were enough for the boys to piece it together and rush forward to clap his back in congratulations. Maeve just opted for squealing, jumping up and down and what can only be described as emotional flailing.

“I knew it!” She fist pumped triumphantly. “I am so freaking good, I swear!”

“Of course we did nothing,” I rolled my eyes.

“Eh, you did a little,” she shrugged. “But the real mastermind here was obviously yours truly, duh!”

Sometimes I love her slow reflexes. Like when a perfectly aimed cushion hits her squarely in the face because she can’t duck in time. Nothing better. Okay, maybe there were some things better, and I may have just been holding hands with one of them.