Blackbird Page 9

  At least another male could see sense in it. Nate might be an off the rails kind of bad boy but at least he had morals and values.

  “What about men and women are equal?”

  “Of course we are equal,” he replied. “Well, equal until it comes to sex, of course. Some women can become very demanding in that area,” he laughed.

  Claire laughed along with him. ‘So typical of you to turn the conversation around to sex.”

  “It’s true, though. Admit it.”

  Claire did admit it, but she wasn’t about to tell Nate that. “What are you up to right now?”

  “What, has all this sex talk got you thinking-?”

  “No!” Claire interrupted. “No, Nate, we are still only friends. I just wanted to chill out and not have to think about anything.”

  “I’m actually going to a friend’s Halloween party soon, if you wanna come? It’s not really chilling out though-”

  “Going to a party sounds awesome.” Claire said quickly.

  Anything to get her mind off what just happened.

  “Great, well it’s a costume party so if you can get one ready and come to my place in a couple of hours we can go?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Okay, see you soon.”

  “Seeya,” Claire said, hanging up the phone.

  She looked down at her phone. No messages from Dave…and he hadn’t even followed her out to the car, either. Fine, have it your way, she thought.

  Claire pulled out of her park and drove down the street. Now all she needed was a costume.

  ***

  “Wow.”

  Claire looked down at her costume. She didn’t have much to work with, and this was all she had been able to come up with. She was wearing a white leotard with a matching white tutu she had borrowed from Stella. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she wore white flat ballet shoes.

  “Wow as in good or bad?”

  Nate smiled. “Wow as in good, definitely good. Who knew ballerinas could be sexy?”

  Claire rolled her eyes. “I could say the same about you, although I think the sexy vampire thing’s been done a few times now,” she said, eyeing Nate’s costume. He was wearing all black and fake fangs with blood running down his mouth and throat.

  Nate raised his eyebrow, looking at her with a confused expression on his face.

  Claire started laughing. “But you, of course, have no idea who Edward is? Damon? Stefan?”

  Nate still looked confused. “Are they your friends?”

  Claire shook her head. “Never mind.”

  “Are you drinking tonight?” Nate asked.

  “I’m not sure. Why?”

  “Well, I still can’t drive, and if you’re planning on drinking I’d rather us take a taxi and leave your car here.”

  “I was only going to have a couple of drinks, so I could still drive.”

  “I’d rather just take a taxi. I don’t want you drinking and driving. Even if it is just a small amount.”

  “But I’ll be fine.”

  “Claire, please, just do this for me.”

  Claire looked at Nate’s pleading eyes. He was concerned for her, and she understood why. He was still suffering the after-effects of drunk driving. Although Claire would never get behind the wheel drunk, she understood where he was coming from.

  “Okay, let’s just catch a taxi,” she agreed.

  Nate sighed in relief. “Good. I’ll call one now and we can get going. But I will warn you now: Tim’s parties can get pretty wild, so I don’t want you leaving my sight.”

  She smiled. “Okay, I won’t.”

  ***

  “Okay, now I’m regretting my outfit choice,” Claire mumbled as they approached Tim’s house.

  It had only taken a ten minute taxi ride to get to the party, and as soon as they had gotten out of the taxi she had known she was going to look out of place. The girls lining the street and driveway to the house were all dressed in skimpy costumes that barely covered their bodies. Claire looked like a nun in comparison.

  “What? What are you talking about?” Nate asked as they walked closer to the house. The music could be heard from down the street and judging by the noise there were easily over a hundred people at the party.

  Claire grabbed Nate’s leather jacket and pulled him close. “I look like some kind of prudish princess compared to everyone else,” she whispered.

  Nate took a quick glance at the girls nearby, then bent down and whispered into her ear, “You’re the only girl I’m looking at tonight, and I happen to think you look amazing. If those girls want to dress that way then it’s their problem. Don’t worry yourself about it.”

  Claire watched two girls nearby dressed in matching maid costumes eye her up and down before laughing behind their drinks. “Easy for you to say. I’m sticking out like a sore thumb.”

  Nate stopped abruptly and pulled her so she faced him. “How many times do I have to tell you how beautiful you are? You are ten times better looking than any girl here. Stop doubting yourself because of some girls who have nothing better to do than bitch and be rude. You’re better than them. Plus, you’re with me, and that says something.” He winked.

  “What, that you’re hot?” Claire asked confused.

  Nate beamed his trademark mischievous grin. “That, and the fact I’ve never taken a girl to a party before.”

  Claire shook her head. “What-t? Like never?”

  “Never. You’ve been my first for a lot of things now. First girl I’ve ever bought to a party, first girl I’ve ever taken on a date, and first girl I’ve ever called.”

  Claire had known Nate wasn’t a relationship guy, but seriously?

  “So how come I’m the exception?”

  “For many reasons- but we need to get into this party now.” Nate stepped up the side porch steps leading to the front door. “Coming?”

  Claire sighed, wishing she could understand Nate. She was sure she had him figured when they first met, yet now she didn’t know what to think. He was a player, no doubt about that. His interest in women never went past sex. He was confident in himself, took pride in his body, was extremely talented when he put his mind to something, yet, he had this guilt he carried around, and for some reason he treated Claire differently.

  “Yeah, I’m coming,” she said stepping up to meet him.

  They walked across the patio together and into the house. The music was blaring and there seemed to be someone squeezed into every space possible. Claire didn’t even think anyone could know this many people, let alone have them all crammed into the one house at the same time.

  Claire glanced into one of the rooms to see people doing beer bongs, body shots, and god only knows what those shots are called. She felt even more like a prude for what her eyes had just witnessed.

  The opposite room, which Claire could only assume was the lounge room, had been transformed into a dance floor with a DJ. People were jumping and dancing everywhere.

  Claire laughed. “This is crazy!” Claire yelled up to Nate.

  He smiled. “I told you!”

  He entwined his hand in hers and nodded his head toward the kitchen. “Come with me.”

  Claire followed Nate through the crowd, holding his hand tightly. She couldn’t help but notice how big his hands were and strangely how soft they felt against her skin.

  His height and build made it easy for Nate to push his way through the crowd. Not that he really needed to- the crowd naturally parted for him. To strangers Nate was intimating; his tattooed muscular frame, the power he portrayed, the man he was.

  Every female they passed took in Nate’s presence. They giggled, gawked and attempted to gain his attention. Claire tightened her grip on Nate’s hand with each look, somewhat proud he was holding her hand and not theirs, as childish as it sounded.

  They moved into an opening in the kitchen. Nate wrapped his arm around her waist causing her body to tense before relaxing when his fingers gently rubbed her i
n reassurance.

  “Boys, this is Claire,” Nate said to three men talking to each other.

  They all turned towards Nate. The tallest guy, who had gone all out on a roman warrior costume, took one look at them and spat his mouthful of beer across the room. “Holy shit!” he called.

  “Smooth Tim, smooth,” Nate grumbled.

  The tall guy, Tim, put down his drink on the bench and rubbed his eyes sarcastically. “Am I seeing this right? Did Nate fucking Williams just turn up to a party with a girl? Or did he manage to pull one within seconds of arriving?”

  Nate leant down and whispered to Claire loud enough for them to hear, “Ignore him. He’s a dick at the best of times.” He then looked up at Tim. “And yeah, to answer your question, I arrived with her, but we’re just friends.”

  Tim’s eyes moved to Nate’s hand around her waist. He raised one eyebrow and laughed. “Friends? Is that what you want to call it?”

  Claire suddenly didn’t feel so comfortable with Nate’s hand around her so she tried to pull herself free, but Nate held her firmly by his side.

  “Shut up Tim! Are you looking for a fight tonight?” Nate threatened.

  One of the other men, who resembled a zombie, stepped forward and pushed Tim aside. “He’s just messing with you, Nate.” He held his hand out to Claire. “I’m Liam. Nice to meet you, Claire.”

  Claire shook his hand. “Likewise.”

  The smallest of the men, dressed in a pirate outfit, stepped forward and also held his hand out. “I’m Blake, the good looking one.” He winked at her.

  Claire smiled and watched as Tim also held out his hand. “And I’m of course Tim, the dickhead.”

  Claire shook his hand as Tim lowered his voice, “I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just Nate turning up with a girl is a first.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  Claire couldn’t blame the guy for being surprised if everything Nate had told her about himself was true. She had to admit she herself was surprised. . But it didn’t faze her. They were only friends and that was how it was going to stay.

  While Nate launched into the story of how Claire and he met, she took a quick glance at her phone. Dave still hadn’t tried to text or call. She didn’t know whether to be pissed off or relieved. Whatever the case, she was going to ignore it and try to have a good night. It had been way too long since she’d gone out and just enjoyed herself without having to worry about paparazzi or staying out too late, which upset Dave.

  ***

  Everything about being with Claire seemed natural.

  She was confident and certain of herself as they roamed the party together, drinking and talking to his friends. She conversed easily with his friends, and the fact that she didn’t know anybody but him didn’t seem to worry her. She looked to be enjoying herself regardless.

  The surprised reactions of him turning up with her didn’t just stop at Tim, though. Nearly every one of Nate’s friends came across as surprised in one way or another. Nate actually began to take pleasure at the looks on their faces when he introduced Claire, leaving out the ‘just friends’ comment, to watch their reactions. Even Claire began to play along, slipping her hand around Nate’s waist or holding his hand.

  Every time they were together he couldn’t wait for the next time they would see each other. He had started to believe in the term ‘whipped’ and they weren’t even dating. He wanted, no needed, to be around her.

  Even though Claire had seemed upset earlier in the evening, she wasn’t letting it get to her now. He guessed she must have had a fight with Dave, but he didn’t mind. He didn’t like that she’d been upset because of him, but he would happily be the one to be there for her, her shoulder to cry on.

  Are you listening to yourself, you fucking pansy!

  Okay, okay. Something was seriously happening to him. The type of shit Nate was thinking about, sappy love sick shit, was not something Nate Williams would think about. This girl had done a number on him and he knew it.

  “Nate?”

  He looked down at Claire. “Yeah?”

  “I’ve gotta pee,” she said apologetically.

  He laughed, finding her tipsy composure from drinking amusing. “And?”

  “And…” She pointed to the line of at least twenty girls in front of the bathroom.

  “Right.” Nate understood what she meant. He pushed forward to the front of the line, pulling Claire along with her.

  “My friend really needs to use the bathroom. Can she jump the line?” he asked the girls in the line.

  “No way! We’ve been waiting for over half an hour,” one of the girls responded. The others crossed their arms and frowned at him.

  He leant forward and said, as seductively as he could, “Please, it would mean a lot.”

  The girl just laughed and shook her head. “Not happening. You may be hot, but I’m busting!”

  “Nate, just leave it,” Claire said tugging on his arm. “Is there anywhere else I can go?”

  “Apart from the bush, no.”

  “The bush it is then,” she said pulling him out the door towards the back of the property.

  “You’re serious?”

  “I have to pee, Nate!”

  He chuckled at her, “Fine but you’re not going anywhere where someone could see you.”

  He guided her out to the backyard. Thankfully Tim’s house backed onto bush land. They got to the back fence and Nate bent down, cupping his hands together. “Here I’ll give you a boost over.”

  Claire didn’t even hesitate, stepping into his hands and using her body and his push to hoist herself over the fence. Nate quickly followed, landing on the other side of the fence with her.

  He led her through the bush land, keeping her steady with his hands, making sure she didn’t trip on anything. When he thought they were far enough into the bush he stopped. They could still hear the music from the house, but it was dark where they were now, the moonlight the only light they had.

  “This isn’t the moment where you take me into the bush and have your way with me is it?” Claire joked, holding his arms for support.

  “Taking advantage of a woman drunk and in the bushes isn’t really my thing.”

  She looked up at him, placing her hand on his cheek. “I like you, Nate.”

  “I like you too, Claire.”

  Her eyes moved to his lips. She bit down on her lip, sending vibrations through his body.

  Fuck, she was sexy.

  If he didn’t consider himself to be a half decent kind of guy he might have just taken advantage of her and kissed those mouth-watering lips of hers. Instead he lent down slowly and kissed her forehead. “You need to pee, remember?”

  “Right, I do,” she said quickly, pulling away from his grip and walking a few steps to the right. “Turn around and don’t you dare look!”

  Nate turned and laughed. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  “Seriously though, this is embarrassing enough as it is.”

  “I promise, now just get on with it so we can get back.”

  There was silence as he waited for her to go.

  “You’re making me nervous!” she called out.

  “I’m not doing anything,” he said defensively.

  “You’re being too quiet. Talk about something.”

  Nate shook his head. Women.

  “What do you want me to talk about?”

  “Anything! I don’t care!”

  “Fine! Jeez, calm down, crazy.” Nate took a breath and thought about what he could talk about. He could still see Tim’s house when a story popped into his head. “Okay, I’ll tell you a story about the first time I met Tim. I met him when I was eighteen. Liam and I have been friends since we were little and he had told me about this Tim guy he met at a party, told me he was the craziest son of a bitch he’d ever met and that I should meet him. So we decided to go to his house party, at this very house we’re at now. Anyway Liam was right…”

  He tried not to notice the noise comi
ng from behind him, but he laughed to himself anyway. Never in a million years would he have thought he’d be talking a chick while she was pissing in the bush.

  “… He was the craziest person I’d ever met. He lost a drinking game and as the loser he was dared to jump off the roof into the pool and he did it without hesitation. He didn’t, however, take into consideration that it was winter and the pool was below five degrees, nearly freezing him to death. I knew then we’d get along, and we have ever since.”

  “You liked him because he jumped off a roof into freezing cold water?”

  “No, I liked him because he was like me, he took chances. They may have been stupid, but he has an awesome view on life. He believes in living every day to the fullest. He was the one that encouraged me to travel.”

  Claire came up beside him. “I used to be like that. Crazy, impulsive. Fun.”

  “What happened then?”

  “I don’t know. Things have changed the past few months. I guess I’m getting older now and should settle down and focus on my future.”

  Nate had a feeling he knew why things had changed. Claire never talked about Dave that much, but from what she’d mentioned he was very career focused, which might have made her change her way of thinking.

  “Look at me, Claire,” he said, turning her to face him. “You are twenty-one years old. You have your whole life ahead of you to settle down. You need to live life with all the happiness and passion you have. Life was meant to be an adventure. You just need to make it one.”

  Claire nodded. “You’re right. It’s my life, and I’m so young. Let’s go dance!”

  “Not exactly what I had in mind-”

  “You’re doing this, Nate!”

  She raced off back to the house, Nate following her close behind, trying to keep up.

  Once they reached the fence he helped lift her over and followed behind.

  As he hit the ground, he noticed they were behind the back shed. Claire was frozen in her place.

  “What’s up?” he asked, standing by her side.

  She didn’t respond instead he heard the familiar sound of Tim talking.