Page 36 of Strong Side
“I mean, she’s not wrong. And, ladies, it’s more like nine years. They met in middle school.” Charlie cracks up. “Just no talk about body parts. Or if you do, give me a warning so I can plug my ears.”
“Well, now that you mention it …” Lily laughs. “Have you seen the peen?”
“Guyssss, seriously.” Charlie plugs her ears and darts off to the kitchen.
I’m left with Chelsea, Arbor and Lily, each staring at me, waiting for information. I can feel that my face is red now by the heat in my cheeks, and while I know better than to divulge any intimate details about Casey, I realize how much I’ve missed this. The girl camaraderie. The sitting around and talking about guys.
“No, I have not,” I tell them. “I’m not kidding when I say that we’re taking it slow. We’ve really only kissed. And I’ve only been with Trey, so I don’t feel like I know what I should be doing, if that makes sense. But for the record, I am very much looking forward to it.”
“Well, I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Casey is fuck hot. I would be climbing that tree every chance I got.” Lily purses her lips.
“Lily, seriously? You have a boyfriend.” Arbor shakes her head.
“Don’t tell me you don’t think Casey’s hot. I know you do because we’ve talked about it.” Lily laughs, but my smile drops.
“I can think he’s hot, but not want to bang him. He’s like a brother to me.” She looks at me. “Noelle, I have zero thoughts about Casey like that, but I do appreciate that he’s a good-looking guy.”
I release a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. “Oh, yeah, of course. And I agree; he’s definitely hot. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I feel like I don’t know what to do in bed.Trey just kind of took care of himself. There wasn’t a whole lot of anything … else. You know what I mean?”
Lily nods. “I can totally see that with Trey. Selfish men are usually selfish lovers. But I don’t see Casey being like that at all.”
And based on what happened the other night, I can confirm he is not selfish.
“Lovers? Eww.” Arbor laughs.
“What? It’s true, and you know it.” She points at Arbor.
“Well, I mean, no, I actually don’t since I’m a virgin, but I can see Trey being that way for sure. He’s a textbook narcissist.” Arbor nods.
“Wait, you’re still a virgin?” Chelsea chimes in.
“Yep. Not necessarily by choice, but it’s just not been a priority. And don’t get me wrong; my vibrator and I are well acquainted.”
“Hey, are we done talking about my brother and sex?” Charlie asks, walking back into the room and removing her hands from her ears. “I want to watch the game today too.”
“There’s nothing really to tell, so we’re good,” Lily states.
“Great.” She looks at me and smiles with a wink. “But seriously, I hope everything works out for you guys. I want nothing more than to see my brother as happy as I am.”
“Thanks, Charlie. It’s been a shift for sure, but, like, in a good way. For me at least. I don’t know. I guess I’m also just trying not to overthink everything.”
“Look, you know Casey doesn’t play games, and he also doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do. So, when you are together, believe that he wants to be there. Just always be honest with him about what you’re thinking and feeling.” She wraps her arm around my shoulders and pulls me to her in a sideways hug.
I nod, feeling a little less awkward.
“Oh, I have an idea. Let’s take a selfie, and I’ll send it to Beck and Casey for them to see when the game is over. Casey will go crazy, seeing you in his jersey.”
“Okay, he did ask for one earlier, but I agree, I think he’ll like the jersey.” I laugh, but also … it gives me butterflies to think that he will be happy to see me in his jersey again. Because it makes me happy to be wearing it.
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
CASEY
We got homea few hours ago after winning our out-of-town game in New Orleans. I took a hit yesterday that didn’t feel awesome. From my hip to mid-thigh, I have a beauty of a bruise. It’s turning a gorgeous shade of purple already. But the touchdown I made, then coming into the locker room and seeing a text from my sister with Noelle sitting next to her, in my house and in my jersey, has distracted me from the pain. Because I can’t stop looking at it.
She’s the kind of pretty that doesn’t beg for attention, yet turns every head in the room. Especially mine. The faintest freckles line her nose, her hair glistens in the sunlight, her mouth curves in this soft, knowing way, and her eyes … God, those eyes could talk me into anything.
