Page 49 of The Change Up
“Now wait a second, I never said I didn’t want to have sex. I’ve been dreaming about that for two years, and after catching you fuck your toy, it’s all I’ve been able to think about.” Her face flames as I remind her that I caught her servicing herself. “But that’s not what I had in mind for tonight. I’ve waited this long. I can wait a little longer.”
She nods her head as she plays with her hands in her lap.
“But, Wildflower, you can use me.” Her eyebrows come together causing cute wrinkles on her forehead. Jesus, did I just say her confused wrinkles were cute? “I’m available anytime you want to get off. I promise I can do it better than your toy. Hell, maybe we can do a combination of the two.”
I flash her my devilish smirk and watch as her eyes darken with desire.
Clearing her throat, she shuffles from where she’s sitting up the bed, coming to rest with her back against the headboard. I take it we are done talking about that situation.
Grabbing the remote from the nightstand, I gently toss it on her lap. “You pick the movie.”
“Any movie?”
“Any movie, Wildflower.” I know I’m going to regret my words as soon as she gives me a mischievous grin. But I don’t even care if she puts on the cheesiest chick flick, I just want to spend the night with her.
“Close your eyes,” she says as she flips through the apps on the TV. I close my eyes and feel my lips curl up.
Rustling comes from beside me as my senses are heightened. Her body moves as the WB theme song fills the speakers. She nestles her side against mine as instrumental music begins.
“Once upon a time,” the female narrator begins as Chloe settles her body against me. Without thought, I bring my arm around her and pull her tight to me.
Tilting my head, I open my eyes and find her watching me. Leaning forward, I bring my lips to her forehead. “God, I missed you, Chloe.”
She snuggles closer into me. One of her arms is bent between us while the one furthest away rests against my stomach. Slowly, she traces the lines of my abs, and I try not to focus on how good it feels. If I focus on her touch, a third member will be joining us for this very chill, very non-sexual, movie night.
Tonight I’m watchingA Cinderella Storywith the girl I haven’t been able to get off my mind in two years.
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I lean down and kiss the top of her head.
This is my year.
This is the team’s year.
But maybe it could be our year, too.
Iwoke up this morning wrapped in my comforter and wishing I was back in Cody’s arms. I did not expect last evening to happen. The two of us laid in his bed watchingA Cinderella Storyand talking about this, that, and everything. It felt like we were those two teenagers who spent the summer chasing sunsets and never wanting the days to get shorter. Shorter days meant fall was approaching.
Tossing off my covers, I’m hit with the sudden urge to get my body moving. As much as I love running, I don’t feel like I’ve been able to prioritize getting outside to run. I’ve mostly been hitting up hotel gyms for any type of exercise. Even though I know I’m more than likely safe, running on an unfamiliar campus gives me anxiety.
But there’s nothing like running outside.
Feeling the pavement crunch under my shoes. Inhaling the fresh air. Seeing spring come alive in Texas.
Central Texas University has been around for one hundred and fifty years. The sidewalks are lined with mature trees thatflourish in the warm months. Even though our townhouse is considered off-campus, if I run toward the back of our complex and cross another parking lot, I’m able to get to the brick-lined streets that make up CTU. I love the unique features CTU was built on and that they have kept updated all of these years.
Snapping on my silver belt bag, I double check that my phone, keys, and student ID are secured in the bag before I pop in my AirPods. Today’s goal is an easy five miles around campus and back. My Mass Media Law class was canceled this morning, which means I don’t have to be on campus until noon for my newspaper class, which is optional, but I try to make it as much as possible. I love writing in the newsroom, even if I don’t have an assignment, the chaos is soothing.
I let my legs take over as I glide across the sidewalk keeping my head up but constantly looking ahead to make sure there aren’t any high spots in the pavement. Running at this point is second nature. I could completely shut my brain off, and my limbs would know what to do. My feet would know to slide across the pavement, not pound. My legs have learned to push off the pavement in long strides. My arms have learned to stay bent, but relaxed, while my back stays straight.
Running and cooking are the two things that allow me to mentally shut out what’s going on around me and focus on the task at hand.
Well, running typically allows me the luxury. This morning I’m still thinking about waking up in Cody Jacobs’s bed yesterday.
I still can’t believe I made the first move. But when I opened up that bag and saw my ribbon and note, everything escaped my brain. It was the sign I needed to realize Cody viewed our summer together as something; it wasn’t nothing.
And when my lips met his…it was like the stars aligned, fireworks went off, and a bright neon sign was flashing saying this is it. This is everything I’ve been waiting for.
I smile at the memory.
