Page 20 of Silent Count
Calm it, Chelsea. You want a hookup, not a sexual rebellion.
My internal debate pauses when I see him come out of his room, wearing gym shorts, also riding low, but not as low as the towel. I nearly drop the grape Powerade I grabbed from the fridge.
“Hey,” he says as he comes into the kitchen.
I’m still standing near the fridge, and he stops in front of me.
“Hi,” I say with a slight stutter. Good Lord, what is wrong with me? He’s struck me stupid with all those abs on display.
“Can I reach around you to grab a drink?” he says, smirking. There’s a literal twinkle in his blue eyes.
“That it is, but I don’t want to hit you with the door.” He chuckles, then stretches his arm over my head, grabbing the top of the fridge.
“Oh, right. Sorry!” I duck under his outstretched arm, laughing.
He opens the door and also grabs a grape one too. “Not a problem. You girls still watching the show?” he asks.
I nod as I take a drink. “Yes, I think there’s a little time left. Did you want to watch something? And did I take one of your drinks?”
He shakes his head. “No, you’re good. We all chip in for groceries. Grape is just my favorite.” He lifts up his bottle and taps it to mine. “Twinsies.”
Did he just say twinsies? How cute is he?
“Grape is also my favorite. Blue is the runner-up. Red is a no go. Plus, it stains.” I turn and walk back toward the couch, and Bo follows me.
“Agreed. I do like the white one too. I think it’s like a cherry flavor or something.” He takes a seat on the oversize chair, and Isit back down on my space on the couch, which is closest to the chair.
“Yeah, that one isn’t bad either,” I agree.
“I like that the color hides the truth. You don’t know what’s inside until you take the risk and try it. Kind of like people.”
“And who said you’re not good at psychology?” I tease.
The show starts back up just as Casey and Silas walk in the door.
“Hello, ladies.” Silas nods and smiles. “What do we got going on here?”
“Below Deck. Shh,” Charlie says.
Silas chuckles. “Sorry. I’ll leave you to it,” he says as he walks toward his room.
“Hi, pretty girl.” Casey bends over and kisses Noelle, then moves to her neck for more kisses.
I’m used to seeing them like this, and I’m so happy for them, yet I’ve never wanted what they have. At least not until now. Something tugs in my chest, an ache that feels both sharp and sweet. I want that—arms pulling me close, lips brushing against the curve of my neck, a love that belongs to me.
“Hey.” She giggles. “What took you so long?” She sniffs him. “You showered at the field?”
“I knew we were on our own tonight, so I grabbed some food at the field, and then I got to talking to some of the guys. Sorry I’m late. And, yes, I showered at the field.” Casey drops another kiss on her head, then walks toward his room with his bag in his hand. “Be right back.”
Noelle gets up to follow him, and Charlie groans.
“I’m not waiting for you, Noelle! Chelsea and I are gonna keep watching with or without you.”
“I’ll be right back. Don’t start it back up without me.” She points at Charlie.
I look over at Charlie, and she rolls her eyes, making me laugh.
“Be right back, my ass. I swear if she’s in there for more than a few minutes, we’re starting without her. I need to get up early tomorrow, and I still need to call Beck too.”
