Chapter 9

  A warm body slides into my bed first thing in the morning. I smile into my pillow as my eyes refuse to acknowledge that the sun is up. I slide my hand over the mattress until my fingers find his strong chest.

  “Mmmm,” I groan, happy as a pig in mud as I peel my tired eyes open and smile up at Nate…. Fuck. That’s not Nate. “What the hell are you doing?” I shriek, ripping my hand off Jesse’s chest as he grins a ridiculous grin at me.

  “Happy birthday,” Jess cheers as laughter from my couch has my eyes flicking across the room to find Nate sitting back and enjoying my misery.

  He pushes out of my couch and crosses the room to me. “Sorry,” he grins as he sits down on the edge of my bed and pulls me into him. “I tried to get him to wait at least another two hours, but you know how he is with birthdays.”

  “I thought that was just his birthday,” I groan, squishing my face into Nate’s chest as I close my eyes, trying to find my peace and quiet which was just disturbed.

  “Nope,” Jess laughs.

  “What’s the time?” I mumble around the fabric of Nate’s shirt.

  “It’s already seven,” Jesse says. “Do you know how much time we’ve already wasted?”

  “Wasted?” I groan. “Don’t tell me you have some big, elaborate plan for my birthday because I’m sorry to tell you, I’m staying right here until mom drags me out of bed and sends me to school.”

  “Sorry, babe,” Nate chuckles, making me feel the vibration through his chest. “You think I’m about to let you spend your eighteenth birthday like that? No way in hell. Today is yours. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it.”

  “Good. I want to go back to sleep.”

  “Anything but that,” he warns.

  “Alright,” I say, pulling back out of his arms so I can see that face I love so much. “First, I want you and Jesse to go down to the hardware store and pick up a lock, a good sturdy one that won’t break when a teenage boy gets cranky and starts kicking doors in. Then I want you to put it on my bedroom door and lock yourselves on the other side.”

  Nate doesn’t look too impressed but it’s Jesse who replies. “Can I get myself a toolbelt and strut around like a workman? I’ll oil myself up so you’ve got something nice to look at.”

  “See, that’s the spirit,” I laugh.

  “Come on,” Nate groans, taking my hands and pulling me out of bed. “Go shower and get ready for the day. We’ll have breakfast ready for you when you’re done.”

  “But-”

  “Nope. No buts. Today is yours. Anything you want. You got it.”

  “Do I have to go to school?”

  Nate’s smile completely lights up my room. “Not unless you want to,” he tells me. “I figured you didn’t want to so I got your mom to send the school an absentee note.”

  “Are you serious? She’s cool with this?”

  “Yep,” he smiles proudly. “She said, and I quote, ‘You only turn eighteen once’. Then she went on to tell me some weird story about your dad’s eighteenth and honestly, I really could have done without it.”

  “Oh, no,” I groan. “She didn’t tell you the hooker story, did she?”

  “Yeah,” he grunts in distaste as he drags me to the bathroom.

  Nate leads me into the bathroom and closes the door behind us. He walks right over to the counter, takes me by the waist and lifts me on top of it so we look each other in the eyes. He brings a hand up and runs it down the side of my face, pushing hair behind my ear in the process.

  His hand continues down my neck and pushes the strap of my tank top off my shoulder before he leans in and kisses it. I don’t know why, I’ve had his lips over every inch of my skin, but nothing felt more erotic than that.

  Nate looks up and pierces his eyes through mine. “Happy birthday, Tora,” he whispers.

  I have to bite my lips from smiling like an absolute fool. “Thanks,” I say, reaching out and slipping my hand up under his shirt to feel his warm skin against my fingers. “So, I really get anything I want for my birthday?”

  His eyes sparkle as he does one of those sexy half smirk things that boys do. “Anything.”

  “Including you?”

  He leans in and presses his lips against the sensitive skin of my neck. “It’s your birthday, babe,” he whispers with his breath tickling against my skin. “Just tell me how you want it. Slow? Fast? Hard? Right here? In the shower?”

  I tilt my head the opposite direction to give him more access to my neck. “I want all of that,” I tell him.

  “Your wish is my command,” he tells me, reaching for my shirt and pulling it over my head. He doesn’t bother pulling my sleep shorts down, just scoops me off the counter and walks us into the shower as I wrap my legs securely around him.

  His lips never leave mine, not even when he feels around to turn on the tap.

  Cold water cascades down over us and I gasp out at the chill on my skin, but all it does is make me want him more.

  Our kisses become needy and desperate and before I know it, the rest of my clothes are gone and I’m throwing my head back in pure pleasure as Nate pushes himself deep inside me.

  Forty minutes later, we walk down the stairs, hand in hand as the smell of bacon and pancakes fill my senses. Hmmm, that’s what I’m talking about.

  I walk into the kitchen with Nate by my side to find my mother and Jesse slaving over the stove as Jesse explains their birthday tradition of cooking the birthday person whatever they want for breakfast. I don’t recall putting in my order but from the look of it, Jesse and mom have it covered.

  Mom looks up as she sees me walk in and drops her spatula into the pancake batter. She rushes towards me, throwing her arms around me as she starts to get emotional. “Oh, honey,” she cries. “Happy birthday. I can’t believe my baby is eighteen. You’re growing up so fast.”

  I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. “Thanks, mom,” I whisper as the smile permanently affixes itself to my face. I mean, how could a birthday possibly get better than this? I know I’ve only been awake for less than an hour but so far, this is certainly the best birthday I’ve ever had.

  Mom reluctantly pulls away but holds onto my shoulder. “Now, I know it’s a long shot, but I emailed the school and said you were sick so you could enjoy your birthday, but just so you know, you can still go if you want to.”

  “Really, mom?” I laugh. “Go to school or enjoy my birthday? Hmmm, that’s a tricky one.”

  She can’t help but grin as she releases my shoulders. “There’s no need to be smart about it,” she chuckles. “But the other thing I wanted to tell you is that I was speaking to Trish last night, and considering it’s a Friday, she has offered for you to host a party at her place if you’d like one.”

  “What? Seriously?” I grunt in surprise as Jesse looks over mom’s shoulder with wide eyes, clearly as surprised as I am, though Nate looks as though he knew about it all along.

  “Yes, seriously, but she has a few rules which I must say, I completely agree with.”

  “Let me guess,” I grin as a flashback of Jesse’s birthday comes to the forefront of my mind. “No underage drinking, her house is not to be destroyed, and it has to be spotless in the morning.”

  “How’d you know that?” mom questions.

  “Call it a gift.”

  Mom goes back over to the stove to rescue the pancakes which are starting to burn as my phone goes off in my pocket. I pull it out and unlock the screen to find a text from dad. I open it up and the disappointment instantly washes over me.

  Dad – Happy birthday.

  Wow. Could that have been any more generic? No ‘have a great day’, no ‘I can’t believe you’re eighteen’, none of that sappy crap your parents are supposed to say.

  “What’s wrong?” Nate murmurs beside me. I hold my phone out for him to see and after scanning his eyes over the screen, he presses his lips into a tight line, always on the same page as me. Well, mostly on the same page. “Don’t worry about it,” he tells me. “No matter what, I won’t stop until you’ve had the best day.”

  I turn around and look up into his eyes. “Is that a promise?”

  His lips drop to mine. “Definitely.”

  “Cut that shit out,” Jesse says, walking past us with a plate filled to the brim of pancakes. He sets it down on the table before going back for ice cream, strawberries, and whipped cream. “Breakfast is served.”

  I grin down at the table. “Damn, this looks good.”

  “And so it should,” Jesse laughs. “I only put this amount of effort in for people who I actually like, which for the record, is not a lot of people.”

  “I’m flattered,” I tell him, walking over and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

  He grins back at me like a puppy dog who’s just been called a good boy.

  Mom brings over a plate filled with sausages, bacon, eggs, and toast which I’m assuming the boys will go for as Nate grabs the carton of orange juice and a few cups.

  This is absolutely perfect.

  “You should have brought your mom over,” I tell the boys. “She would have liked to see you two slaving over me.”

  “Nate didn’t do any slaving,” Jesse grunts.

  “Oh, believe me,” I grin. “He most certainly did.”

  “OH,” mom shrieks in horror. “That is not something I want to hear.”

  “Sorry, mom,” I laugh. “I’m an adult now. You’re just going to have to accept that I’m going to be… adulting with boys.”

  “Boys?” Nate grunts. “I hope that plural was a mistake.”

  “Who knows?” I tease. “After all, I’m a free agent, remember?”

  Nate rolls his eyes before focusing back on the plate before him. “Not if I have anything to do with it,” he mumbles under his breath.

  I can’t help but laugh. There’s nothing better than teasing the very people at this table, and doing it all at once is so much better.

  “Have you decided what you want to do today?” mom question as she takes a sip of OJ.

  I look up and catch Nate’s eyes as a massive grin cuts across my face. He narrows his eyes, trying to figure out what could possibly be on my mind, but I don’t make him wait long. “Oh, yeah,” I tell her. “The boys are taking me paintballing.”

  “Fuck yeah,” Jesse cheers as Nate grins back at me.

  “Are you sure?” mom questions. “That’s awfully messy. Your clothes will get ruined, and… well, it hurts, you know?”

  “I know,” I tell her. “And I’m sure. I’ve been wanting to kick Nate’s ass for so long and haven’t been able to, but now’s my shot.”

  “What?” he scoffs. “What makes you think you could beat me?”

  I stare across the table at the man I’m so over the top, crazy, in love with. “You don’t have the balls to point a gun at me and shoot, especially on my birthday. I’m going to take you down Nate Ryder and I’m going to love it.”

  “Shit,” Jesse laughs. “She’s right. You’re fucked.”

  Mom rolls her eyes and gets up from the table to start clearing away the empty plates, leaving me with the boys. “There’s just one thing,” I tell them. Nate narrows his eyes yet again and I resist laughing at him. “I want everyone there. All the girls and the guys, even Maxen because I know Brooke would get a kick out of shooting him.”

  Nate’s eyes soften. “Done.”

  I cringe, knowing how this could possibly go. “By all the guys, I mean Jackson too.”

  “What?” both boys scoff. “No way.”

  “Yes, way. He’s my friend and I want him on your team so you don’t feel the need to shoot each other.”

  “I’m going to shoot him whether he’s on my team or not.”

  “Nate,” I groan. “Does that mean you’ll invite him?”

  “It's your birthday, Tora. Whoever you want there will be there.”

  “You’re the best,” I tell him.

  He rolls his eyes as Jesse pushes up from the table. “Come on,” he says. “Let’s get this shit cleaned up so I can kick your ass.”

  “I think it should be girls against guys,” I tell them as I load up my arms with things to take back into the kitchen.

  “Hell yeah,” Jesse laughs. “We’re going to annihilate you.”

  “Not quite,” I tell him with a wicked smirk. “Us girls are sneaky while you guys are all about brute strength and intimidation. We’ll get you when you least expect it. And besides, I want you on the girl team. I need someone to use as a human shield.”

  “What?” he gasps in outrage. “No way.”

  “Sorry man,” Nate laughs. “She’s the boss.”

  I grin back at him. Damn straight I am.

  ---------

  The girls, Jesse, and I stand around in a huddle, putting our plan in place. Well, most of us are putting our plan in place. Jesse and Kaylah are too busy making eyes at one another while Brooke is running the show, desperate to get a shot at the guy who tore her heart to shreds. She honestly couldn’t give a shit if we win or lose, as long as she gets to shoot him, which I’m all good about.

  My only goal here is to get one of my pretty little pink paintballs onto Nate’s perfect ass. It’s not going to be easy though. The fucker is fast. While I don’t have to worry too much about getting shot, he’s not going to make it easy for me to land one on him.

  It’s the other guys I have to worry about though. But if Nate gets wind of someone aiming their gun at me, they’re going down, no matter if they’re on his team or not. So, I’m pretty confident about it.

  It’s going to be one hell of a good birthday.

  A buzzer sounds letting us know it’s time to get started. I meet Brooke’s eyes across the circle and we give each other a firm nod. We’ve got this. Next up, I look to my human shield, and whether he’s happy or not about being on a team he thinks is about to get annihilated, he’s still one hundred percent dedicated to helping me take down his brother, no matter how many paintballs he has to take in the process.

  I dip two fingers into the paint and strike it up over both cheekbones. If I’m going to do this, then I’m going to look badass in the process. Brooke follows my lead and before I know it, all the girls have paint covering their faces. I even go ahead and slather some on Jesse’s, despite his relentless objections. Luckily, I have all the girls to help me hold him down.

  “You guys ready?”

  “Hell yeah,” Courtney cheers. “I want to nail Puck right in the ass.”

  “That’s the spirit,” Brooke laughs. “I’m going to nail Max right in the balls.”

  “Ooooh,” Jesse cringes, defensively grabbing his junk.

  “Alright, ladies,” I say. “Let’s do this.”

  We file out of our little room with each and every one of us cautiously looking around. We walk out into a massive field which has been built up with obstacles, targets, and little hidey holes for people like me to hide in.

  Not one of the boys are in sight, but I don’t doubt they see us. Especially Nate. He has a gift for this kind of thing. But not today. Today, I am kicking his ass.

  Courtney and Bry hurry off to the left, deciding to work in a team. Brooke launches herself forward, determined not to have anyone slow her down. Kaylah grabs Elle and they hide behind a tree, poking their heads out, probably searching for Jackson, while Jess and I stick together like glue. I wasn’t kidding when I told him he was going to be my human shield, and what the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets.

  Jackson’s head darts out from behind a rock while Tyson darts across the field. “Crap,” Jesse grunts for all us girls to hear as he spins his gun around to aim at Ty. “They’re using him as a distraction.”

  Just as the boys had hoped, all the girls start aiming for Tyson while the rest of them dart out from their hiding spots.

  And it’s on.

  Paintballs start flying.

  I duck for cover as Jesse shields me.

  Laughter bubbles up.

  Grunts are heard.

  “Holy shit,” I laugh, peeking my head up to get a look at the field. Shots are heard from every direction followed by laughter and the girls’ terrified shrieks.

  Nate darts across my vision and I can’t help myself. “Shit,” I gasp, grabbing Jesse and hauling him up. “There he is.”

  I force Jesse forward and we haul ass across the field with me hiding behind his back. I keep Nate in my sights. The fucker is fast, but not fast enough for me. No matter how long it takes, I will get him.

  Paintballs zoom past my head and it’s almost as though it’s happening in slow motion.

  I distantly hear Brylee scream out followed by Jackson’s booming laughter. Though, that doesn’t last long as a grunt is quickly pulled from him. I look over to see Kaylah literally standing on top of her brother with her gun held in the air triumphantly.

  I want to burst into laughter, but we’re too visible here. There’s no time for that, and besides, I have a target in sight and there’s no way I’m about to let him go.

  Nate Ryder is mine.

  Nate turns with his gun held out and Jesse grabs me before hauling us down behind a massive rock. A green paintball goes sailing past Jesse’s head, missing him by only millimeters. “Fuck,” he grunts as I burst into laughter.

  I poke my head over the top of the rock, bringing my gun with me.

  I find Nate instantly. He’s staring right at me, though, staring is probably the wrong word. He’s smirking at me like a cocky bastard who thinks he’s got this in the bag.

  No way in hell, buster.

  He crouches down behind a wooden target and I realize this is going to be a waiting game, but then, why shouldn’t I have fun in the process?

  I aim my gun right beside the target. I went shooting a few years ago and honestly, my aim absolutely sucks so I don’t know why I even bother aiming, though I’m sure it helps a little.

  I pull the trigger and watch with a grin as a perfectly round paintball flies through the air and crashes down into the ground, right beside Nate.

  His head shoots out from the target a second later, looking at me in shock. “You’re dead, babe.”