The photo above is Nathan, also known as Jessey Stevens :)
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I wake up when I feel a little sliver of light escape from the confines of my curtains and hit my closed eyelids. The feeling of being drawn out of sleep made me groan as I press my head further into my pillow and try to dodge the light on my face. I roll over in bed and accidentally throw my legs over the side before my body tumbles out of bed ungraciously. 

"Aghhhh," A strange noise comes from the back of my throat as my face presses against the hardwood floor after my fall.

With slow movements, I pushed myself onto my feet, but my head began to ache immediately. It was a dull ache by my temples that paired horribly with the feeling that my head was spinning in circles. I quickly sat down on my bed and take my head in between my hands to massage the temples in the hopes that it would alleviate the discomfort.

While I'm giving myself a temple massage, my phone buzzes from the bedside table erratically. I reach over and grab it to see a growing number of missed messages from Stephanie: 21 new texts from Steph, 6 texts from Cole, and 1 text from Brett. Below those, I had 5 missed calls from Stephanie and 2 from Justin, which I assumed was also Stephanie's doing. 

As I stared down at my phone in confusion, I couldn't help but think, what happened last night? I figured that a good start to finding out would be to look through some of my messages so I opened my phone and scrolled through my inbox. The first few messages were in all caps asking where I had gone, and then from there on, I found some pretty interesting content. 

Steph: Someone said they saw you and Nathan having sex in Brett's bedroom????? 

Steph: Some guys on the football team said you kissed Thomas at midnight... Is that true?? 

Steph: WTF???

My eyes were wide and jaw dropped at her messages. I knew that there's been plenty of rumors ever since I came back to school changed, but I had no idea they would go to that extent. Still, my mind was hazy about what happened last night, and I decided to check Brett's message. 

Brett: Where are you?

I checked the time stamp on the message and say 11:57 in the corner. My heart began pumping when I realized that he was trying to find me right before midnight, right before everybody kissed. And then with that realization came another one.

Nathan was my New Years kiss. 

Suddenly, the memories hit me like a truck. Me wanting to get away from Thomas but not being able to move, then Nathan pulling me to him and kissing me, and going to the park to talk, and then falling asleep on the couch downstairs. But if I fell asleep on the couch, then how did I get in my bed?

"Lauren," Coles sleepy voice came from behind my door before he walked in and rubbed his eyes. "Where's your Advil?"

I snapped out of my daze and looked up at him. "Um, I think there's some in the bathroom."

Cole nods but before he can shuffle out of the room, he frowns at me. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Just trying to remember last night," I admit sheepishly as I let out a discouraged sigh. 

His frown deepens and he lowers his voice to ask, "Did you really give Nathan a blowjob behind Brett's house?"

My eyes widen and head snaps up to look at him incredulously. "What? No! Of course not!" I run a hand through my hair and shake my head. "Where the hell did you hear that?"

"People talk," Cole says with a shrug. "I figured it was another rumor."

I want to ask just what other rumors he's heard but bite my tongue and concede that I really don't want to know. Instead, I turn my attention to Cole again and ask carefully, "How late did you two stay out?"

"Around three or four in the morning," Cole says with a discontented sigh. "Luke wanted to stay out later but I was throwing up and needed to get some sleep."

The words Luke wanted to stay out later almost broke my heart. This time of year was hard for all of us, but especially Luke. He was the youngest when my dad left, and now all he knows is that he wants to forget about it all, and he does so by drowning his sorrows in booze.

I vaguely remember talking to Nathan about this last night and the realization makes me deflate even more. Cole recognized by expression and came to sit beside me on the bed so he could wrap an arm around my waist. My head tipped to the side until it was resting comfortably on his shoulder and I sighed.

"It's hard for him," Cole mumbles quietly. "He doesn't know how to deal with it."

I appreciated the fact that he understood what I was feeling without having to elaborate. In a small voice, I murmur, "I just wish he didn't drink to try to deal with it."

"It's just the holidays that are the hardest," Cole assures me. "He's not usually like that."

I shut my eyes. "I know."

Cole stayed silent, but his silence was comfort enough. I kept my eyes shut for another moment as I breathe in and out deeply before I stand up and face Cole with a small smile.

"Let's go get some Advil," I tell him as the ache begins to settle in my temples again. "I have a massive hangover."

And I tried to forget about the aching in my chest when I thought of Luke drinking to forget a past that I was more than aware that I would never be able to stop remembering. 

* * *

My phone rang beside me around nine o'clock that night when I was sprawled out on the couch beside Luke and Cole. They were currently invested in an intense game of Halo, and I was rooting for Luke, mostly because Cole sucked at video games and all my little brother did in his free time was lock himself in the basement to play Halo. 

When my phone began ringing, both of the boys began whining and complaining that the noise was messing with their game. I rolled my eyes at the both of them for being dramatic and look at my phone to see Nathan's name across the screen. I get up quickly and walk out the back door as to not disturb the boys before I answer.

"Hey Nathan," I greet and feel my heart skip a beat in my chest. I hadn't talked to him since last night, when we kissed and I told him about my personal life, and I didn't know how to act.

Apparently, I didn't need to, because his panicked voice caught my attention. "Are you busy right now?"

"No, why? What's wrong?" The weird tingly feeling in my chest stops when I hear the alarm in his tone.

"Can you come over? Right now?" Nathan's voice still sounds rushed. "I'll explain when you get here."

I didn't even think about it. "Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes."

I hung up in the middle of him breathing a thank you and rushed back inside as a new sense of urgency pulsed through me. I went straight for my car and climbed in quickly as my mind raced around as to what could be wrong. Was he okay? Was Bennett okay? He didn't seem happy about my being there last time so I was sure he wouldn't invite me over unless it was an emergency.

I drove a little too quickly with concern lacing my thoughts. By the time I got to his house, I practically hopped out of the car before putting it in park, and walked to his front door two steps at a time. I knocked on his front door loudly three times before stepping back and, a moment later, the door opened to reveal a relieved looking Nathan.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" I ask immediately as my eyes scan the room behind him. "Is Bennett okay?"

When my gaze lands back on Nathan, he has a small smile on his lips, but as soon as it was there  it's gone and replaced by a scowl. "Ty fucking left the house to go to the bar with his friends but he was supposed to watch Bennett tonight. I have a race and Cotter will suspend me if I forfeit."

"So you need me to babysit," I finish his thought for him and feel my own relief when I realize that nothing serious was wrong. 

Nathan pouts at me with a pleading look in his eye and I practically melt right then and there. He was trying to convince me to do him a favor when I had already made up my mind. "Please. I'm sorry and I know it's shitty to ask you to babysit but I didn't know who else to ask."

"It's okay," I offer him a smile. "I don't mind."

Nathan opens his mouth to sing my praises, but a tiny voice from behind him cuts his words off. "Than, is your girlfriend here again?"

We both turn to look at adorable little Bennett standing a few feet away from the door as he drags his blanket on the ground. His big blue eyes were shining as he looked between me and Nathan and I couldn't help but grin wider at his boyishness. 

"Bennett, we talked about this," Nathan sighed at him. "She isn't my girlfriend."

The little boy turns to me and says slowly, "You're Lauren, right?"

I nod with a smile. "It's nice to see you again, Bennett. We're going to be hanging out tonight."

His expression turns deadly serious as he asks, "Do you like card games?"

I bend down a little to be closer to his height and respond in the same serious voice, "I don't like card games. I love them."

Bennett's expresión breaks and he grins with his gap toothed smile. "Go fish is my favorite. I'll go get my special cards and we can play!"

And with that, Bennett turned around and ran down the hall, out of sight, to retrieve his special playing cards. I grinned at him and straightened up before turning back around to face Nathan. He was already watching me with a small smile on his lips that made my heart race. When he looked at me like that, with those soft eyes, the overwhelming urge to kiss him until our lips were swollen struck me. 

My heart kept racing to keep up with my mind as I realized what I just thought. The way my heart beat quickened when he was around; the way I sped over here at the drop of a hat when I thought something was wrong; the way my thoughts went haywire the second we he looked at me with that damned half smile. Did I like Nathan Rhodes?

"I'm going to be back as soon as possible," Nathan promises, and I was thankful he spoke, because I couldn't form words. "Hopefully I can leave right after my race."

I nod and try to compose myself. "Okay. Is it going to be an easy race?"

He nodded as he began walking towards the front door. "Should be an easy win." When he opened it, he turns to look at me in the doorway. "Seriously, Lauren, thank you. I'm going to repay you."

I smile at him. "It's really no problem. Good luck and drive safe."

Nathan takes another second to stare at me before he grins a beautiful grin that showed off his perfect white teeth. It made my heart skip a beat and I briefly wondered what came over me that made me start acting like a lovesick teenage girl. "Thanks, kitten. I'll see you soon."

Once he turns around and walks towards his car, I shut the door behind him and take a deep breath. Seriously, Nathan was going to be the death of me someday. I needed to get my feelings in check. Bennett burst into the living room a minute later with his special deck of playing cards and he set up on the floor in front of the television. I joined him and, for the next hour, we played sixteen games of Go Fish. I know it's basically a game of luck, but all the luck had been on Bennett's side. He even accused me of letting him win and I was embarrassed to tell him that I wasn't.

Around ten o'clock, though, he grew tired and practically fell asleep mid-game, so I had to forfeit and bring him to bed. Bennett wasn't heavy, and I picked him up to carry him to his bedroom with ease. Once I tucked him in bed, he was already passed out, and I smiled at the little boy. Nathan must do this very same thing each night- after all, where were his parents? He didn't mention them at all, but I had the common sense to think they weren't around anymore. The last time I was here, his parents weren't; and where were they tonight? Clearly his parents were out of the picture, which only made me more curious about Nathan.

On the walk back to the living room, I passed a closed wooden door, and stopped in my tracks. Some unknown entity made me curious as to what's inside, and before I could stop myself, I turned the handle and peaked in. The walls were navy blue with a few posters hanging on them but they were mostly bare. However, what caught my eye were two large bookshelves stuffed to the brim with vinyls. A large smile stretched across my face when I saw it, and I took a step into his bedroom to search through the vinyls.

But I stopped after that first step and thought about what I was about to do. I was about to snoop in Nathan's bedroom- maybe it was his scent or the fact it matched his personality but I knew this was his room- and that wasn't okay. Instead I left his room, shut the door, and walked over to the couch in the living room. I laid down and snuggled my head closer to the couch pillow, facing the front door so I would be able to tell when Nathan came home. 

I don't know how long I was asleep for, but I woke up hearing a soft voice that was calling for me. "Lauren. Come on kitten, wake up."

My mouth released a soft groan from the disturbance and I could tell it was Nate by the way he called me kitten. I didn't bother opening my eyes, but mumbled tiredly, "Nate, please just let me sleep."

"I did, but I think you're going to regret it if you sleep on that couch all night." His voice was soft and he sounded like he second guessed himself after hearing my request.

His words make me open my eyes slowly and the world is fuzzy for a second before it clears up. The first thing I see is Nathan kneeling above me, looking down at me with one of those half smiles. His eyes are a lively shade of blue as they're fixed on my sleepy face. I wondered if I looked gross or if there was drool coming from the corners of my mouth. But I took the fact he hasn't laughed in my face as a good sign and decided I was fine.

"What time is it?" My voice is husky even to my ears from sleep and Nathan seems to tense just a little above me.

His eyes float over my face before answering, "One in the morning. I got home at ten thirty, but you looked so peaceful that I didn't want to wake you. But I don't know if your mom is wondering where you are, and you'll wake up tomorrow with a sore back from sleeping on the couch all night."

My heart warms as a smile grows on my tired face. I loved seeing the thoughtful side of Nathan. But I really was so tired and the prospect of getting up and driving home was very unappealing. I still felt half asleep and my eyelids were growing heavier by the minute. "Thank you, Nathan. Can I go back to sleep now?"

He let out a discouraged breath. "Did you even listen to me? I'm trying to be a good person here."

"Yeah, you're a good person." I mumble tiredly as my eyelids flutter shut again.

"That's not even-" Nathan stops himself and lets out another breath. "Fine, if you don't want to move, I'll move you."

Seconds later I was wrapped up in Nathan's arms as he carried me down the hallway bridal style. I was still half asleep yet awake enough to register the feeling of his strong arms around my body and my head resting against his chest. All I could think was that I was in his arms yet again and the feeling never ceased to make my heart flutter in my chest.

His fingers were pressed into my thigh from his warm hands underneath my legs to support me and I leaned further into his chest so he didn't see my reddening cheeks. I couldn't tell if I was too tired or too content to speak but I didn't utter a word as he kicks a door open gently before softly placing me on the king sized bed I saw in his room earlier. 

"You should know that I'm not going to be a gentleman and sleep on the couch," I can hear the smirk in Nathan's voice without opening my eyes.

Barely awake, I murmured, "As long as you don't sleep naked."

"You mean I'm not allowed to?"

I smiled lazily. "Shut up and turn off the lights please."

That seemed to shut him up. The lights went off a second later and I didn't hear his dumb comments anymore. He shuffled around quietly while I settled under his covers on the far left side of his large bed, too tired to realize that I was crossing a line by sleeping in his bed because I had refused to go home. 

When the bed dipped beside me, I slipped out of the almost-pocket of sleep and became slightly more aware that Nathan's body was under the sheets next to mine on the other side of the bed. Although I was on the brink of sleep once again, a thought crossed my mind that I had been wondering since this morning, and I force myself to stay awake for a moment more.

"Hey Nate," I murmur softly with my eyes still closed.

"Yeah?" Nathan's voice is deep and sexy opposed to my deadly tired mumble.

"Did you bring me to bed last night?" I question, thinking back to after the party, when Nathan and I had been hanging out downstairs. I don't remember coming to my bedroom, but I woke up in bed.

My eyes even flutter open to catch his expression, and even through the dark, I can see his eyes. His face is a good distance from mine, but both our cheeks rest on a pillow as we stared at each other. Nathan was watching me with a faint trace of a smile on his lips. "I did. You fell asleep on the couch."

"You could've left me there," I point out tiredly.

"I figured you'd want to be in your room when you dreamt of me," Nathan remarks cheekily.

I couldn't help but laugh ever so slightly as my eyes shut again. "I guess there's something about you that makes me fall asleep."

He laughs this time; a sweet, deep sound. "Or you just secretly wanted pillow talk this early in the relationship. It's okay to admit it, kitten. I won't judge."

His cheeky remarks set a smile on my lips as I felt myself succumb to sleep. The way he was acting, without his usual hard exterior on, made me feel completely comfortable. I was vaguely worried about which Nathan he would be when I woke up tomorrow morning.

That was the last thought that flittered across my mind before I fully succumbed to the comfort of the mattress, duvet, and sleep.