Against All Odds by Kels Barnholdt Page B

practice,” he says nodding to a booth in the corner. I notice a couple of guys from the team sitting there and for the first time realize that we have an audience. It kind of makes me uncomfortable so I take a step away from him.
    “Hey,” Nathan says. “Relax, it’s fine.”
    I nod. “I know.”
    “Okay,” he says now, “I better get back. But I’ll see you at home?”
    “Actually, I’m staying at Angelina’s tonight.”
    “Oh,” he says. And for a second I think I see a flash of disappointment come across his face. But before I know it, it’s gone and he’s backing away from me. “Okay, have a good night then.”
    “You too,” I call, but I don’t think he hears me. He’s already with his friends again. I sigh and go to pick up the food.
    As I climb back into Angelina’s car my phone beeps telling me I have a new text message. I flip it open. It’s Nathan’s cell.
    “I totally saw you checking out my arms fyi ;)”
    I roll my eyes and snap my phone shut.
    I’m so screwed.

    ***
    The next three days go by way too fast. Before I know it it’s already Friday, which means this is the night I’m supposed to take control of the situation with Nathan.
    Which means I’m extremely nervous and kind of freaking out right now.
    “Can you relax?” Angelina says to me. I’m sitting on my bed as she finishes up my hair.
    It’s around seven o’clock and I keep glancing at the clock on my nightstand. I’m waiting for my dad and Missy to leave for some dinner party before I make my move.
    It’s hard though because I have no idea what time Nathan is supposed to be hanging out with Ava and I don’t want to miss my chance.
    Angelina took me to get a spray tan today. No, I’m not kidding. And as I look at myself in the mirror I almost don’t recognize myself. I have a dark golden glow that makes me feel beautiful. My eyes are smoky, my face bronzed and blushed, and my lips freshly glossed. My hair is curly and falling in layers all over my face.
    My red outfit is already on and I can feel my heart beating fast in my chest.
    Downstairs I hear the front door slam shut and I run over to my bedroom window to see my dad and Missy climbing into the car.
    I let out a little sigh. “They’re gone.”
    Angelina jumps off of my bed and starts putting her shoes on. “That’s my cue.”
    I walk over to her slowly. “Thanks Angelina. For just…for everything.”
    She grins and jumps up from the floor. “Of course. It’s going to go great. I mean, you seriously look hot.”
    I give her a small smile. “I’ll call you later.” She gives me a final pat on my shoulder and then she’s gone.
    I wait until I hear the front door slam shut behind her, then I glance at myself one last time in the mirror. I barely recognize myself. I kind of look like a tanned goddess.
    I try to breathe and remind myself not to be nervous. It’s not that I don’t want to do this because I definitely do. It’s just that I don’t even wear this little to the beach. I grab the red silk robe that came with the outfit and slip it on over the rest of my clothes (or lack there of.) I tie the robe safely shut around me, check one more time to make sure my dad and Missy are gone, and then head toward the door to my bedroom. Here goes nothing.
    Each step down the hall toward Nathan’s bedroom feels longer than the one before it. I don’t know if it’s because I’m nervous or because I’m anticipating what’s coming.
    When I reach the door to his room his back is to me. All he has on is a pair of jeans, and I can make out the top of his boxers. I swallow and take in his tan back muscles and toned arms. He’s on the phone.
    For a second I almost leave and come back, but then I remember what Angelina said about taking control of a situation for once. So instead of leaving I silently tiptoe inside, shutting the door behind me and locking it.
    “I’m telling you bro, all you have to do is break down their defense,” he says to