Page 79 of The Change Up
“Thanks for checking on me. I’m sorry, I think I only saw the first inning of your game.”
He chuckles. “It’s fine, Chloe. You weren’t kidding when you said you were running on empty.”
“No, I wasn’t. How was your game?”
“It was good. We won five to one.” There’s a pause on his end of the phone, and I hear a door open as Hudson’s voice starts. “Hey, Wildflower? I’m gonna go grab a shower.”
“No problem. Text me after if you want?”
“Yeah, babe.”
“Talk to you in a—”
“I love you, Chloe.”
“I love you, too.”
The call ends as my heart warms. How can three words pack such a powerful punch? And how did Cody and I get here? It feels like yesterday we were avoiding each other, but at the same time, it feels like he’s owned my heart for as long as I can remember.
Turning off the TV, I gather all of my textbooks before standing. Twisting my body from side to side, I welcome the cracks that erupt down my back as my body reacts to being in this weird position for the last three hours. Shutting off the lamp, I make my way up the stairs to my bedroom.
Those three little words keep ringing in my head as I drift up the stairs and step foot inside my room. The space inside our townhouse, which I’ve made into my own sanctuary, feels empty tonight. For so many weeks, Cody and I have spent days in between games together, nights curled up in each other’s embrace, and even on those days before we were an us, he was just on the other side of the wall.
Slipping out of my clothes, I rummage through piles of clean laundry I’ve been meaning to put away until I find the oversized tee I’ve found myself wearing to bed on so many nights. Biting on the corner of my lip, I fight the smile that wants to break free and spread across my face.
Who am I kidding? I let the smile break free as I toss myself on top of my covers. Breaking out in a giddy dance, arms flying and legs kicking, I let the warmth spread throughout my veins.
Love is such a powerful feeling. It’s a four-letter word filled with so many emotions.
Being in love is scary. It’s trusting someone to guard your most powerful asset. To hold such a vital part of your being in the palm of their hand and hope to god they don’t crush it along the way.
Love is joyful. It leaves you with this endless feeling of giddiness. Of kicking your feet together and squealing. Someone in this world loves you for who you are. The good, the bad, and the downright damaged.
Love is singing in the rain. When the world feels like too much weight is piling on your shoulders, love reaches in and gives you a hand to carry your burdens.
Love is the energy radiating from the sun, seeping into our souls. It’s the energy our souls crave in order to allow us to flourish in this world full of challenges and struggles our inner demons possess us with.
A chime from my phone interrupts my inner ramblings.
Cody: What are you wearing? *wink*
Sitting up, I turn on my bedside lamp. Deciding to turn things up a notch, I lean up on my knees as I twist the long T-shirt in my opposite hand, working it up until more thigh is revealed. With my hand holding the phone, I raise it in the air before swiping the front-facing camera on. Biting down on my lip, I hope this pose is sexy. I snap the photo and send it to Cody before I give it too much thought. I’ve never been one to sext, and to be honest, I have no idea what the hell I’m doing.
Cody: Damn, baby. Is that my shirt?
Me: Yep! Wish you were here.
Cody: Me too. That shirt would be on the ground with you naked underneath me.
A small groan leaves my lips as I read over his message. Flashes of the last time we were naked in my bed came pouring back.
Me underneath Cody as he explored every inch of my body. His tongue licking my pussy.
Fingers pressing inside of me.
Curling just right until he hit that magic spot deep inside me.
My legs rub together, seeking out the friction to satiate the burning feeling pooling in my belly.
