12. Nolan

CHAPTER 12

Nolan

“ Y ou cheating bastard! ” Matthew yells at me as I race down the field with the soccer ball at my feet.

I laugh over my shoulder at him, unable to stop myself from rubbing dirt into the wound. “You’re getting slow in your old age.”

He flips me off as he chases after me. Sara’s up ahead, and I kick the ball to her to give her the chance to score. The ball slams into the back of the net, causing Matthew and Adam to groan.

I let out a whoop, grabbing Sara around the waist and spinning her around. She yells in excitement. The brown strands of hair that have fallen from her ponytail stick to her sweaty forehead.

“That was dirty,” she teases.

“But it worked.”

Adam, Matthew, and Carter saunter up next to us, their breath puffing out in the chilly air.

Matthew crosses his arms over his chest. “That move should be put into our cheating rules.”

“Don’t pout, big bro. You won the last game.” For years, my siblings and I have been getting together for these pickup soccer games. It’s the best way we’ve found to ensure we spend time together outside of the regular family dinners my mom hosts. All five of us lead busy lives, and despite us living in the same area, it’s hard to find time to get together. With Carter and Sam now living in Sonoma, where we grew up, it’s even more true. They just moved into their new house together, and if I’m honest with myself, I’m a little sad about it.

I used to be able to drop by Carter’s place on a whim. He’d usually have a delicious dinner made, and I used that as an excuse to see him. He’s my best friend. Or was, I guess. Now he’s got Sam, and they’re going to start fostering, and I don’t know where that leaves me.

“Earth to Nolan.” Adam waves his hand in front of my face, shaking me out of my morose thoughts.

“Sorry, what?”

“We’re ready to quit. It’s fucking cold tonight. That okay with you?” Adam blows air into his hands.

“Yeah, sure. Anyone want to grab a drink at O’Malley’s instead?”

“Ohhh, a coffee with some Bailey’s sounds amazing right now.” Sara groans.

“I’m down. Tilly’s writing tonight, which means I won’t exist to her for a while.” Matthew leads us over to the benches, where we pack up our stuff.

Sara laughs. “How’s her next book coming along?”

“Great. She’s been writing like crazy the past couple of weeks.”

“What number is this one? Three?” I ask, throwing my duffle over my shoulder. We walk toward the parking lot as a group, our cars parked right next to each other.

“Yeah, the first two have done incredibly well, so she’s been pushing herself to get the next one done faster than the last.” The pride in Matthew’s voice is obvious. “See you guys at the bar? ”

We all confirm before separating to get into our cars. I crank the heat the second the engine starts and check my phone while I wait for my siblings to leave before me. When the screen illuminates, I find several messages from friends asking if I want to hang out with them tonight. One of which is no doubt an offer for a hookup. I delete that one instead of responding.

I quickly respond to the others, letting them know I have other plans, and ignore the disappointment swirling in my gut when I don’t see a message from the only person I want to see there.

It’s been almost a week since the night I spent with Katie and Cody.

Katie and I have texted a bit since then, but it’s usually me sending something silly to her first. I’m afraid to move too fast. If I had my way, we’d have been out several more times since the last time. Instead, I’ve done my best to keep her mind on me without overwhelming her. I have no clue if it’s the right way to handle this thing we’re doing. I’ve never done anything like this before. I just know that Katie is more important to me than anyone else I’ve ever dated. Instead of rushing in like the wrecking ball I’m known to be, I’m going to take my time and do it right.

Nolan:

Question…

How exactly does the whole “fated mates” thing work?

I set my phone in the cupholder and pull out of the parking lot of the soccer fields. The drive over to O’Malley’s is quick. I park in my reserved spot and head inside. My siblings are already sitting at a table toward the back of the bar.

“Everything going okay?” I ask Amanda. It’s pretty steady tonight. Not too busy to need an extra bartender, but not too slow to be boring.

“Just fine. We’re gonna need a new keg of Home Grown brought up, though. I may be an independent woman, but there’s no way I’m able to get it up those stairs.”

“Dammit. Terry was supposed to bring one up last night. I’ll go grab it.” I head down to the basement where we keep all our cases of alcohol. The silver kegs are heavy as fuck. They’re also a pain in the ass to maneuver up the stairs. I should’ve had one of my brothers help me carry it.

With a groan, I heft the stupid thing up to the bar. We keep a spot under the bar open to store the kegs when it’s not quite time to switch them out. Makes it easier on our bartenders, and the customers don’t have to wait too long for us to get a new keg in.

“Let me know when you need to switch it out. I’ll help you get it in place.” I nod at Amanda after she thanks me and then walk over to the table where my siblings have drinks sitting in front of them. “Sorry, guys. Had to grab a keg from the basement.”

Matthew’s eyes widen. “You’re strong enough to carry one of those by yourself? Color me impressed.”

“Fuck you.” I laugh. “I’d like to see you try to heft one of those up the stairs.”

Matthew makes a bring it gesture with his hands. “Anytime, baby bro.”

I roll my eyes but can’t keep my smile hidden. Matthew and I have always had this teasing rivalry between us. Since before I can remember, he’s pushed me to try harder. It didn’t matter if it was school, sports, or video games; he was the one encouraging me to do better. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without Matthew’s constant pushing. His belief in me gave me the courage to go after what I wanted, even if it wasn’t the path I originally set out on.

My phone vibrates, and I yank it out of my pocket, almost dropping it in my haste.

Katie:

It depends on the book. Basically, the character has a predestined person that’s meant to be theirs.

Nolan:

So… like soul mates, just with magic involved.

Katie:

Yeah, exactly.

“Dude, put your phone away. You’re supposed to be spending time with us.” Sara slaps my arm.

I click off my phone and put it down on the table. “Sorry.” Sara’s interruption is probably for the best. I’m going to need to come up with something else to keep the conversation going with Katie. I need to start the book she told me about. Then I’d have more to talk with her about.

“Have you heard anything about getting a foster placement yet?” Adam asks Carter.

“Not yet. We’re only just getting things settled into the house, though, so that’s probably for the best.”

“Do you need help with painting or anything?” I ask him.

“Definitely. We didn’t have time to get any of that done before we moved in.”

The rest of the night is spent catching up with everything going on with my siblings. Sara and Ben are starting to think about planning their wedding. They’ve been waiting for Sara’s stalker to finally be sentenced before they commit to anything. The court date is scheduled for this spring, and we’re hopeful things will finally be over for Sara.

Matthew and Tilly have been talking about weddings, too. It sounds like they’re planning a small ceremony like Adam and Ellie had last September. They just want to spend time celebrating with us instead of turning it into a big spectacle. Given Tilly’s and Matthew’s celebrity statuses, I can understand that. Thankfully, they don’t have to deal with any annoying paparazzi here in Westlake, but I could see how their wedding could turn into a circus quickly.

All this talk about weddings only makes me want to see Katie even more. Should that thought make me run for the hills? Maybe. But ever since I talked to Katie at Adam and Ellie’s wedding, I realized that I’m tired of hooking up with girls I have no desire to spend my time with. Plus, the only woman who’s even caught my eye since the wedding is Katie.

She’s never far from my mind, and I’m prepared to wait for however long it takes for her to be ready to be mine.