Just as he’s about to pull away, I grip onto the back of his neck and pull him into me until I’m kissing him. I open my mouth and let his tongue slide in. Nate has his tongue pierced? The ball of his piercing glides over my tongue expertly, and holy hell, he’s a great kisser. He pushes my body down onto the sofa with his until my back hits the soft cushions. I inch my legs open until his knee is resting in between mine, not breaking the kiss. He tilts his head, giving me more access, and I lick his tongue, pulling it into my mouth while sucking on it.
“Madi, we’re going out for dinner tonight!” My father’s distant yell is like a bucket of ice-cold water. Nate and I both pull back, my hand coming up to my mouth and his eyes wide on mine, both of us in shock. I push him off me, and we both land on our feet just as my dad walks into the living room, doing up his cufflinks. “You’ll both come.”
“Sorry,” Nate deadpans. “I have plans tonight.” Then he looks to me. “And weren’t you saying that Tatum is coming over?”
I look between Nate and my dad nervously. “Yeah, but I can cancel.”
Nate looks at me with widened eyes. I widen mine back, because he’s being rude. I know my dad is blunt, but that’s how he has always been, and he may not be a great father, but he’s always tried. “Good. It’s settled. I’ll meet you both out in the car in half an hour.”
Half an hour later, Nate and I are both in the back of my dad’s Range Rover, both scowling at each other, and neither has spoken since “the mistake.” I would call it the kiss, but mistake sounds more fitting. Nate is dressed in casual dark jeans, a polo shirt, and black boots. I’m casual like him too, but not quite able to get away with jeans. I decided on a pant jumpsuit. It’s black and plain, but has two slight slits on either side of my ribcage, showing a whisper of skin. It’s one of the many clothes I have in my closet that I don’t particularly like wearing, but because of status, I have to own it in case, I don’t know... my dad decides to spring it on me that he’s taking us out to The Plaines, the most elite restaurant there is on this side of town. I only know this, because when I texted Tatum to tell her I couldn’t do tonight and that she and Tillie were on their own, she told me so. Right after cursing me out.
“So, Madison, how has school been?” Elena asks from the passenger seat.
“It’s been good.”
“Madi has settled right in.” Nate smirks from his seat. “Haven’t you, sis?”
The fact the same lips I was just kissing called me sis makes me gag. The hell was I thinking? My father looks at me in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah, I’ve found one or two great friends.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket as Elena shoots her questions at Nate. I slide my phone unlocked.
Bishop – we need to talk.
Is he serious?
Me – We really don’t.
Bishop – I’m not Nate, Madison. I don’t just stick my dick in every girl I see. We. Need. To. Talk.
Me – The way Ally paws at you, you could have fooled me.
Bishop – Jealous?
Me – No. And no, I don’t want to or need to talk. Just forget it happened. I’m pretty much with Carter now.
Lies. Why the fuck did I just say that? It’s the year 2017. We have drones, cars that can go in water, and men who walk on the moon. Why the hell haven’t they figured out how to unsend a text message? I don’t know who “they” are, but I’m blaming it on Apple.
Bishop – Careful, kitty...
I roll my eyes and push my phone back into my pocket. Nate’s leg nudges mine, and I look up at him, the passing streetlights illuminating his sharp features. “What?” I ask.
“Who was that?”
“No one.”
I look out the window, ignoring his gaze. How is it that, in a matter of weeks, I’ve woven this messy web? Suddenly, I’m wanting to be that new girl again, the one who was walking the halls for the first time ever.
“Dad?” I prompt, pressing my forehead against my cool window.
“Yeah?”
I exhale. “Can you fit in a round tomorrow before you leave?”
There’s a long pause, and I close my eyes. If he says no, I might break. After everything that’s happening around me, I want my dad with me, shooting like we used to. I need it to bring me back down from whatever cloud I’ve drifted off on.
“Sure, baby girl.” I exhale at his answer, my shoulders slacking and my stress already lifting somewhat.
Once we’ve pulled into the restaurant parking lot, I get out my side of the SUV and Elena looks at me. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you and Nate get along.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say get along.”
“He cares about you,” she assures, closing her door. “That counts for something, because Nate cares about very little. Apart from his friends.”
I close my door and nod. “I guess we get along a little bit.”
Elena smiles and hooks her arm into mine. “So tell me. You like guns?”
After a surprisingly normal dinner, we came home, and Nate left almost instantly. We hardly spoke through dinner, as though the mistake was already forgotten. Works for me, because it won’t be happening again. There’s a light knock on my door just as I’m about to get into my pajamas and start on my English paper.
“Come in!” I yell out, rummaging through my closet. It’s still a mess from the party, and in other cases, I would be the
