Go Figure
By angellwings
Chapter Twenty-Six
It was the next morning and Nate certainly didn't feel rested. He'd found it hard to sleep without having Ella next to him. It was probably something he shouldn't have allowed himself to get used to, but he just couldn't help it. He'd tossed and turned all night. He wondered how Ella had slept. They'd talked on the phone just before they'd gone to bed, and he felt guilty for secretly hoping she hadn't slept well either. He'd like to think she was just as attached as he was.
He couldn't help but smile warmly as she and the rest of the band walked through his front door. Ella looked tired. Almost as if she hadn't slept at all. He smirked at her knowingly and she stuck her tongue out at him. When she got closer she leaned toward him to whisper.
"I blame you for my lack of sleep. You spoiled me over the last few days."
He chuckled. "And I'm okay with that."
"So," Caitlyn said with a grin. "Are we ready to record?"
"I've got everything ready to go," Nate said with a nod. "We're recording two songs today?"
Chevy nodded. "Falling Down and Maybe."
"Good," Caitlyn said with a smile. "My phone has been ringing all morning. Someone posted a video of last night's performance on YouTube. People want demos. We're talking real managers. With experience."
"What if we don't want another manager?" Tyler asked.
"You'll need someone who knows what they're doing," Caitlyn told him with a roll of their eyes.
"Then they'll have to co-manage," Andy said with a chuckle. "You're stuck with us, Caitlyn. For good."
Nate chuckled lightly. "You volunteered. You knew they weren't going to let you out of it that easily."
"Hush, you," Caitlyn said with a playful glare. "Did I ask for your opinion?"
Nate rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Let's get this show on the road."
He let the band record the backing track first. He sent them in to the booth and got to work recording the instrumentals for both songs. He'd noticed Ella watching him closely the entire day. She wasn't trying to be discrete about it either. He'd catch her watching him work and she'd just smile pleasantly. Finally, when they were taking a break he got to ask her.
"What are you doing?" He asked curiously.
"Just observing," Ella said with a grin. "I've never seen you working in the studio before. It's interesting. You know you have like four different personas?"
His brow furrowed. "What?"
"Well, there's Concert Nate who's full of energy, excitement, and adrenaline. Public Appearance Nate who's full of charm and wit. Recording Session Nate who's all drive and focus and musical vision. And then Down Time Nate, he's my favorite, he's a combination of all three," Ella told him happily.
"Oh yeah?" He asked as he leaned toward her.
She nodded as his lips hovered just over hers. "Yes."
He started to lean in just as someone cleared their throat.
"Hey, love birds, we're working here. Remember?"
Nate turned and glared at Caitlyn. "You and Jason make out all the time while we're trying to record."
"Yes, well, if I ever harass you with a candy wrapper while you're trying to get some sleep on a plane then I give you permission to interrupt us," Caitlyn told him with a playful glare. "Revenge is sweet, my friend."
Nate huffed but Ella chuckled and kissed his cheek. "It's my turn to record anyway, Nathaniel. And I doubt you want my brother to see us getting too friendly." She winked at him as she stood up and walked toward the booth.
He smiled at her in amusement before he shook his head and returned to monitoring the controls. Ella's vocals were practically perfect. They'd only need three takes on "Falling Down" and then she was done. Next were Chevy and Mac's harmonies which took a bit longer to record. Once they were happy with that they all stopped for lunch. Jamie had gone out and picked up calzones for everyone to share. Ella immediately grabbed one and spread out on Nate's couch with it. Nate smirked at her and knocked her feet off of his couch teasingly before he sat down next to her.
"Are you planning to share that, Ells?" He asked.
She let out a low thoughtful hum as she thought about her answer. "Nope. Well, not unless someone asks nicely, that is."
Nate rolled his eyes and nudged her shoulder. "Fine, Ella Billie Pador, will you please—"
"What kind of please?" She asked as she cut him off.
His brow furrowed. "What?"
"What kind if please is it? Is it a regular 'please' that you don't really mean or is it a pretty please?" She asked with a grin. She leaned toward him and whispered dramatically. "Bonus points if you add a cherry on top."
"You're not going to make me say all of that, are you?" Nate asked.
Ella shrugged and smiled victoriously. "Only if you wanna eat."
He sighed and spoke up reluctantly. "Ella Billie Pador, will you pretty please…" He paused for a moment and Ella watched him expectantly. "With a cherry on top, share your calzone with me?"
Ella chuckled and nodded. "Of course, there's no need to beg, Nate."
He laughed and shook his head at her. "Has anyone ever told you that you're evil?"
"On more than one occasion, yes."
She set the box in between them and then stood back up.
"Where are you going?" Nate asked.
"To get plates and a knife to cut it with. Unless you want tomato sauce, crumbs, and cheese all over your couch, that is," Ella said with a smirk.
Nate laughed. "No I don't. But let me get it. You sit. It's my house."
Ella shook her head. "No, I got it. I remember where the stuff is. I can do it."
She turned and headed straight for his kitchen and he watched as she found the appropriate cabinets on the first try. She already knew the layout of his kitchen. He wasn't sure why, but he found that very attractive. He smiled brightly at her as she approached and she gave him a strange look.
"What's with the grin?" She asked.
"I just like having you here," He said honestly. "That's all."
She blushed and smiled. "I like being here."
They finished lunch in relative silence before the calzone was gone and the box was empty. Nate leaned toward her once everyone else appeared to be finished and whispered a question to her. "After we finish up today, will you stay? We could have dinner, watch a movie…"
She smiled softly and whispered her response back to him. "Yes."
Nate grinned and nodded. "Good."
The second song, "Maybe", was recorded even faster than the first. Ella only needed one take. Nate had never been more impressed with her or proud of her. The guys took a little longer but now that they'd all been warmed up it took a lot less time to record. They were finished just before seven that night. Every one was headed out the door and Jamie and Chevy stopped to give Ella questioning looks.
"Are you coming, El?" Chevy asked.
"Um, no," Ella answered as she looked over at Nate and grinned. "I've got a date."
Chevy sighed. "Right." He turned and pointed a finger at Nate. "Don't do anyting stupid. I like you, but she's still my sister."
Nate blushed slightly and nodded. "Got it."
Jamie gave Ella a stern look. "Call me if you need to go home and do not leave this house without me. Understood?"
Ella nodded. "Completely."
"Alright then," Jamie said as he visibly relaxed. "If you need me I'll be at the hotel taking a very long nap."
Nate chuckled as he walked them both to the door. "Have fun with that, buddy."
"Oh, believe me, after dealing with you nutcases all day it's going to be great," Jamie said with a smirk.
"Hey! I am not a nutcase!" Chevy said defensively.
Jamie rolled his eyes. "Were you or were you not the one who spent the entire flight playing an entire song on your invisible guitar?"
"It's called air guitar," Chevy said as he turned to walk away.
"No, it's air guitar when you're 'playing' along with music. Not when you're envisioning hearing the music in your head," Jamie said as he shook his head and followed Chevy down Nate's front steps. "Therefore, nutcase."
Once they were down the steps Nate quickly shut his door, and turned to smile at Ella. "Now that we're alone…"
Her eyebrows rose and she looked as though she were going to say something but Nate interrupted her. He dipped his head and quickly captured her lips with his. Ella made a surprised noise before she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up on her tip toes to deepen the kiss. Nate backed them up toward his couch and held Ella tighter as he allowed them both to fall back over the arm rest. Ella squealed softly into his mouth and then giggled against his lips as she pulled back a little. Nate grinned before he pulled her back into the kiss and wrapped his arms around waist. His fingers had just slipped under the hem of Ella's shirt when her stomach growled loudly.
Nate pulled back and laughed softly at the embarrassed expression on her face. "Hungry, Ella?"
She buried her red face in his shirt and nodded against his chest. She said something, but it was muffled against his shirt.
"What was that?"
She looked up at him and smiled shyly. "Starving."
"Well, I guess now that I've finally gotten to kiss you we can order something. I've been wanting to do that since you walked through the door this morning, by the way," Nate told her. "It's been very difficult not to."
Ella smiled brightly at him. "I wouldn't have minded."
"But I think your brother would have," Nate said with a smirk.
Ella shrugged and grinned. "He would've gotten over it, but I do appreciate your sacrifice."
"You should, Pador," Nate said as he watched her start to sit up and adjust her shirt. "You don't make it easy on me, you know."
Ella laughed and winked at him. "If I made it too easy then you wouldn't feel the need to pounce on me like you just did, and I thoroughly enjoy the pouncing."
Nate smirked at her in amusement. "I'll remember that in the future. So, what would you like for dinner?"
"Chinese?" Ella asked. "I have a sudden craving for pork egg rolls."
Nate nodded as he sat up too. "Chinese it is. Other than egg rolls what would you like?"
"Sesame chicken and mixed vegetables if you don't mind," Ella said with a smile. "Do you mind if I pick out a movie while you order?"
"Go for it," Nate told her. "The DVDs are in the entertainment center drawer underneath the television."
"I hope you have something other than obnoxiously loud action movies," Ella told him with a wink as she stood up and walked over to his entertainment center.
"Do Bond films count as obnoxiously loud?" Nate asked as he pulled out his phone and walked toward the kitchen and his take out menu drawer.
"Depends on which Bond you're referring to," Ella said as she opened the drawer and glanced over his movies. "If it's Connery, Dalton, or Brosnan then yes. Lazenby, Moore, or Craig—no."
Nate froze as his fingers began to dial the number and looked over to where Ella was looking through the drawer with her back to him. "Y—you know the names of the actors who have played James Bond?"
Ella looked over her shoulder at him and gave him a strange look. "Yes. Why? Should I not know that?"
"No, no. Most girls don't, though," Nate said with a smirk.
"Well, Nathaniel, as you might have figured out by now, I'm not most girls," Ella told him with a grin.
"Okay, I'm glad we're going to be alone for the rest of the night," Nate said with a chuckle. "I will be kissing you again very shortly."
Nate called in their order and they started a movie while they waited. Ella leaned against the arm rest and laid her legs across Nate's lap. Nate grinned at her and rested his arms on top of her legs. He reached for her feet and Ella pulled them away from his hands.
"What are you doing?"
"I was going to take your shoes off," Nate said as he gave her an amused look. "Is that a problem?"
"No, I guess not," Ella said hesitantly. "I just…haven't had time for a pedicure lately."
Nate rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Let me tell you a secret, Ella, guys don't really pay attention to pedicures. To us…feet are just that—feet."
"I just like for my feet to look cute when people see them," She said. "That's all."
"I'm sure they're fine," Nate said with a smile and a shake of his head. Ella relaxed again and tried to return her attention to the movie as Nate pulled her shoes off and dropped them onto the floor. His hand slipped up the leg of her jeans and reached to pull the sock off of her right foot. She looked over at him as he slowly peeled it off of her and tossed aside. She looked away and back at the movie again as he reached for the other one. A few minutes she almost let out a deeply satisfied moan as he started to rub and massage her feet.
"Oh God, that's amazing," Ella said as she closed her eyes and slumped against the couch.
Nate chuckled at her. "Do you ever wear comfortable shoes?"
"I'm short," Ella said lamely. "I need the extra height."
"See, men can't use that excuse. Not really. A guy that wears lifts in his shoes is automatically laughed at and shamed," Nate said with an amused grin.
"Speaking from experience, Nate?" Ella asked with a teasing smirk.
"Do you want me to quit rubbing your feet, Ms. Pador?"
"No! Don't you dare."
"Keep teasing me and I just might," He threatened.
The phone rang and Ella whined as Nate let go of her foot and answered the phone. It was security letting him know the delivery man should be at the door soon with the food. He hung up and gently lifted Ella's feet off his lap as he stood up and then placed them back down on the couch.
"We'll finish this later," He said with a wink.
Ella paused the movie as the doorbell rang. Nate paid for the food and took it into the kitchen. Ella joined him and pulled out two glasses to pour them some drinks while Nate pulled out the containers and figured out what was in each container.
"Oh God, that smells so good," Ella said as she leaned on Nate's shoulder and took a big whiff of the food. "I'm so hungry."
He chuckled and handed her the container of sesame chicken. "Then I believe this is yours, yes?"
Ella nodded and kissed his cheek before she took the container from his hands and grabbed chopsticks out of the bag.
"You're not actually going to use those, are you?" He asked.
"Yes, why wouldn't I? I mean don't you have to when you eat Chinese food?" Ella asked with a grin. "I feel like it's a rule, and if it isn't then it should be."
"Not for me," Nate said with a shake of his head. "I can't use them. No matter how many times I try."
"You can't use chopsticks?" Ella asked as she tried to hide a grin with her hand. "Playing drums and guitar are no problem, but chopsticks are an issue?"
"Go ahead, laugh," Nate said as he pulled a fork out of the silverware drawer. "You know you want to."
"Maybe I'll buy you some training chopsticks the next time I'm in Chinatown," Ella said with a light laugh.
He chuckled and shook his head at her. "Get it all out now."
"Some pretty pink ones with bows and flowers on them," Ella said as she continued to laugh.
"I thought you were hungry?" Nate asked as he pointed to the container she'd yet to touch.
"Oh, I am, but teasing you comes first," Ella said with a chuckle.
He rolled his eyes and laughed lightly. "I think you've taken care of that, Ells. Shall we get back to the movie?"
"Fine, if we must," Ella said as she tried not to smile teasingly at him.
"Keep going and I'll never give you another foot rub ever again," Nate said with a challenging look.
"Oh," Ella said with a mock-glare. "You play dirty."
He grinned and nodded. "You have no idea."
They moved back into the living room with the take out containers to finish the movie. Once they were full they paused the movie to clean and put things away, and then sat back down on the couch. Ella was tired. It had been a long day, and now she was warm and content and comfortable. She didn't want to drift off, but she couldn't really help it. Nate felt Ella's head fall onto his shoulder and he smiled warmly at her.
He wasn't lying earlier in the day when he told her he enjoyed having her around. He loved having her around because he loved her. But Ella wasn't there quite yet. He knew that. He was getting impatient though. He wanted her and he wanted all of her. He wanted to know that she felt as strongly about him as he felt about her. She was getting closer. He could tell. He just had to wait a bit longer.
He could be patient. He could wait for that. For her.