Page 30 of Unconventionally, Elle
"Exactly. Anyways, Elle, officially"--she winked--"this is my brother, Barrett Henry." He looked back at us and gave a curt nod. "Quite the talker, obviously." She rolled her eyes. "Well, it looks like we're seat neighbors. How exciting!" She clapped her hands together and motioned for Barrett to follow her around the row of seats and next to us. She sent Barrett in first.
I leaned over to Finn, who was sitting back down, watching all of this with intense amusement. "Kale Guy" was all I managed to whisper before leaning back and readjusting my scarf. Finn understood immediately and again started giggling to himself.
Barrett took his seat next to me, then Emma at the end. "Emma, you don't want to sit next to your friend?" he asked.
I felt unsure. Did he not want to sit next to me? Did I smell? I tried to smell myself but as casually as possible.
Finn elbowed me. "Elle, you're fine." He gave me a quick wink and turned to Barrett. "Barrett, what's wrong? Her Saints colors embarrass you?"
"Oh, I promise I'm not a Saints fan." I gave Finn major side-eye, then wildly motioned my hand to show that I indeed was not a Saints fan.
They both looked at me, Emma with a raised eyebrow and a sly grin, Barrett with brows pinched and confused.
"So where's Jackson tonight?" Emma leaned over her brother to talk to Finn.
"Jackson's got a prior engagement, so I brought Elle to her first Pats game." Finn smiled bright.
"Please tell Jackson I said hi, then. I haven't seen him in class lately," Emma pouted.
"Work, work, work. You know the drill when you're a cog in the wheel," Finn replied.
"Don't we all," Barrett said, chiming in.
We all looked over at him. I felt my cheeks warm up again.
"He?talks?" Emma elbowed her brother, and he instinctively smirked.
"So you work at the magazine now?" he asked, turning to look at me.
"I think so?" I looked over at Emma for verification.
"Yep, I saw Olivia today. Your article was incredible! Fuck, Elle. You can write really well," Emma said as a roar erupted from the crowd.
The teams were lining up, and an electric energy vibrated through the stadium.
"So then, yes, I freelance forBoston Social," I yelled over the screams to Barrett.
He smiled and gave me a nod, but his mind had gone to the game now. The kicker ran up to the ball and sent it into the other end zone.
"Let's go!" Barrett jumped out of his seat and brushed my arm as his body slid past mine. My skin tingled even under all my layers--a jacket, two sweatshirts, and an athletic long-sleeve.
I was still staring at his body when Finn kicked my shoe.
"You're staring, Ellz."
When I got home from the game, I went straight to my room and flopped onto my bed, letting my king-size duvet swallow me. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and frantically opened the group chat with Sarah and Rach.
Me:You guys, I officially met Kale Guy!
Rach:OMFG, you have a name?
Rach:Details, details! And wait, it's late as hell. Why are you up so late?
Me:His name is Barrett Henry, and he is the BROTHER of a girl I work with at the magazine. I mentioned Emma, I think?
Sarah:Wait, what's going on? Sorry, I saw my phone blinking but was getting in my late-night cycle sesh.
Rach:Elle met a boy.
