Page 80 of Strong Side
“Always.” She pushes me away. “Okay, don’t make me cry.”
The front door opens, and finally, my girl is here.
NOELLE
“Hey, y’all!” I yell.
Chelsea and I walk into the house, and I have a few packages in my hands.
“Happy birthday, Noelle!” everyone shouts, making me laugh.
“Aww, thanks!”
I toe off my shoes, and Casey comes over to me and takes the packages from my hands.
“Hi.” I tilt my head up for a kiss.
“Hi, pretty girl.” He kisses my nose, then my lips.
“Charlie, it smells so good in here,” Chelsea says, walking toward the kitchen.
“Hey, girl. Thank you so much, and I agree! The food will be ready in just a few minutes.” Charlie walks back over to the oven. “We have snacks and apps if you want to eat something before dinner.” She stands back up and looks at Chelsea. “Love your PJs, Chels. Looks like you have a match in the house, huh?” She winks at her.
The guys are all talking about football, but I notice Bo looking into the kitchen at Chelsea.
Archie’s twin brothers came to Walker this year and are on the team. Arbor, Lily, and Brooke are talking about something on Lily’s phone. AndElfis playing on the television, even though no one is watching it.
The tree is twinkling, and lights shine all around the house. The food smells amazing. And it’s loud in here with everyone talking, but the noise is comforting. I absolutely love being part of this group.
Casey sets the packages under the tree. When he walks back over to me, I can’t help but giggle at our matching PJs. Our pants are black-and-white checkered, and our shirts are black with a Little Debbie Christmas Cake on the front with the wordsOut here wanting to eat a snackon his andOut here lookin’ like a snackon mine. We’re so cute. But then I notice he looks a little … nervous or something.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him.
“Nothing’s wrong. Why? Do I look like something is wrong?” He takes my hands in his and pulls me into his chest.
I can’t help but laugh. “Case, honestly, what’s your deal?”
“You know what? I can’t wait.” He stalks over to the tree and grabs a box from underneath.
“Casey King! Don’t you dare. You’ll ruin the plan,” his sister yells.
I look back and forth between them.
“What’s going on?” I laugh nervously.
Once he’s in front of me, he takes one of my hands in his. I look around the room because I have no idea what’s happening, but by the look on everyone’s faces, they don’t know either. But they’re all watching intently now. When I meet his gaze, his look has changed into something softer, maybe even a little … shy?
“Noelle, I really want you to open your present now, if that’s okay.”
He holds out the box to me. I release his hand and take it in both of mine.
“Okay … now?” I raise my brows.
“Yes, please.” He smirks.
I start to pull the Christmas wrapping paper from the box, and once it’s unwrapped, I open the lid just as I see Casey drop to one knee.
I gasp before I even look inside the box. “Casey!”
