Promise Me Forever

Chapter Three - You Know I Always Win

"What the hell..." I trailed off, then realized that I'd accidentally crashed into Nate in my hurry to soak up some rays. His arms had circled around me, and I was wrapped in his muscled embrace.

"Watch out there, Allicat," He said in his deep voice, tilting his head down and touching his forhead to mine.

"Sorry," I whispered, biting my lip and looking into his gorgeous, golden spotted eyes. Those eyes that could almost see right through me.

He looked at me, and I couldn't read the expression that was on his face. It was almost like he---

"Alli?" I heard a voice from down the hall, and Nate and I jumped apart, like we did when we were kids and our mothers found us doing something we weren't supposed to.

"Hey! Sorry we were just getting changed," I said to her, a slight blush in my cheeks. Why was I embarrassed? It's not like we were doing anything! It was just Adri!

"Yeah... I can see that...," Adri said, giving us weird looks. "Well anyways, my mom just called and she needs me home, I'll text you Alls."

"Okay! I'll see ya soon babe," I said, walking up to her and giving her a hug.

"You two looked like you were doing a lot more then changing," She whispered.

"Shut up! It's just Nate!" I hissed.

"Mhm that's it," She said, pulling away.

"Text me!," I told her, and she left, winking at us over her shoulder.

"Well anyways, do you want some food or anything before we go and lay in the sun?" I said, turning to Nate, who was leaning against the wall with an amused expression on his face.

"Yeah sure, I could go for a bagel," He said, following me downstairs and into the kitchen.

I popped in two bagels for both of us, and jumped up on the breakfast bar.

"So, hows Tommy?" I asked, wanting to know about his little brother. When I lived in Kentucky, Tommy had been six and cute beyond belief. I loved him so much, and missed him like crazy!

"Tommys great, he's fourteen now, got all the girls and everything. He wanted to come with me to visit you but mom said no to that one, of course," He said bitterly, and anger flitted through his eyes. "But enough about me, how's your mom? And you?" He asked, before I even got the chance to question why he was mad.

"Oh she's great, spends most of her time away from home though. I'm great too, just been hanging out and busy with friends," I replied.

"Your mom is always gone isn't she?"

"Yeah, but I mean it's fine, she has to work and everything."

"Doesn't that bother you?" He asked, confusion wrinkling his eyebrows.

"Nah it's fine, and I get to have some really awesome parties. You'll see one soon, I promise," I told him, smirking.

"Can't wait," He said, laughing and his worries forgotten.

"And I can introduce you to some girls! You don't have a girlfriend right?" I asked, and he seemed upset about something.

"No, I don't," He said quietly, turning away from me and closing his eyes. He obviously had more to tell me, but I didn't want to push him.

The bagels popped out, startling us both. I hopped off the breakfast bar and grabbed the bagels, burning my fingers in the process.

"Ah shit shit! Ow!" I yelled, waving my fingers in the air trying to stop the hurting.

I looked over at Nate, his eyes twinkling with laughter.

"Oh shut up, I know you wanna say something. Just go ahead and say it," I told him, spreading peanut butter on my bagel.

"You're cute. Thanks for the bagel," he said, surprising me. I was expecting an insult.

"Yeah no problem, alright let's go in the water!" I exclaimed. I rushed towards the door, stuffing the rest of my bagel in my moulth.

"Okay, sure sounds good," He said, distracted.

"I'm gonna go grab some floats from the cabana, meet me outside? Actually, can you grab towels from the closet by the bathroom, over there?" I asked, pointing my finger in the direction the bathroom was while walking out the door.

"Sure!" He yelled back, and I stepped into the warm and slightly breezy air.

I loved the sun so much, and the beach was just an additional plus. I could spend days outside, if I were able to. The sound of the waves calmed me and the palm trees swaying gentlly above me made me feel as if I was just a tiny ant that didn't matter.

Suddenly, someone's strong arms wrapped around me, and I heard a small whisper in my ear.

"Boo," Nate said, and I turned around in his arms, circling mine up to clasp behind his neck. Slowly I leaned my head forward like I was going in to kiss him, and I could feel his muscular arms tighten around me, pulling me closer. There was just a small space between our lips, and I could feel his warm breath getting heavier as it washed over my cheeks. I leaned in more, as if I really was going to do it, and just as his eyes closed, I turned my head and whispered in his ear:

"You're really not as scary as you think you are"

His eyes flashed open, amusement clearly in them.

"Don't think that I'm not gonna get you back for that one, Alli," he said, still holding me tight.

"I wouldn't dream of it. But you know I always win, so you might as well give up now."

"Not this time, babe. Not this time," Nate said to me, and we both turned and ran to the ocean, smiles on our faces.

This summer was going to be even better then I'd imagined.