Page 55 of Voices

It doesn’t take long for sleep to take me.

Chapter Seventeen

Charlie

BEEP-BEEP, BEEP-BEEP…

Groaning, I wake up to my alarm going off. Blindly reaching out I find it on the pillow next to my head. Opening one eye, I turn the obnoxious noise off and bury my face in the pillow. A scent that’s all Shane permeates my senses. Grabbing the pillow, I take a deep breath in and hold it then slowly let it out with a smile.

Wait. Where is he?

I sit up and look around his room but he’s not here. Feeling the side of the bed that he slept on, I realize that it’s cold. Did he leave me alone in his condo? Grabbing my phone, I have a missed text from him and a missed call from my mother.

Not wanting to start my day listening to whatever she has to complain about, I click on the message from Shane instead.

Sexy Stix: Good morning beautiful. I had to leave for practice at 5:45 and didn’t want to wake you. I have classes all day and won’t be finished until 2:30 then I have strength training at 3 with the guys. I hope to see you again tonight. Have a great day :)

A shy smile curves my lips up. I’ve never gotten a good morning text before. It has butterflies dancing in my stomach.

Me: Good morning. I have a class this afternoon then one tonight at 6. Not sure what I’m doing afterward.

I hit send then quickly send another one.

Me: Why is your name Sexy Stix in my phone? I don’t remember saving your number.

I change his name to Blue.

I open the voicemail, but my phone vibrates with a new message.

Blue: I can come over when you get out of class and we can have a late dinner together. And my stick is pretty sexy, don’t you think? I also look sexy holding a hockey stick, so the name fits! ;)

He’s an emoji texter, just like Lily. Awesome.

Me: I’ll let you know later about dinner. Your dick is nice but I don’t really remember what you look like holding a hockey stick so that’s still up for debate.

Blue: Nice? That’s it? Not sexy or huge or mouthwatering?

I can’t help but laugh because it is one hundred percent sexy, huge, and mouthwatering. Not as big as an eggplant but I don’t think there’s a dick emoji.

Looking at the time, I have about two hours before my first class. I need to go home and change too.

Me: Ok fine, it’s better than nice. It’s gorgeous, like you.

Oh my God, I did not just send that. I rush out another text before closing the text thread.

Me: I’ve got to get ready for class. Bye.

You’re so stupid!

Getting out of bed, I head for the bathroom.

My mother’s message can wait until I get home.

I take care of my full bladder and then head to his door. I know I’m alone but I’m still hesitant to leave his room. Peeking into the empty condo, the sun is glowing through the thin curtain, blanketing the room in a soft glow. I step out andquickly make my way to the front door. On my way past the kitchen island, I see a blue Post-it with messy handwriting on it.

Have a great day, beautiful.

I peel it off the hard surface and stare at it for a few minutes. Why is he so nice to me? I feel like a burden. All that I’ll do is bring sadness into his life.

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