Page 27 of Silent Count
“That’s right; I did.” She clears her throat. “So, your sisters—how old are they?”
I pick up my phone and find the latest picture they sent me of them together and turn it toward her. “I know you saw that picture of us on my dresser, but that was a few years ago, right before I came to Walker. This is them now. Savannah turned eighteen in July, and Caroline turns sixteen in November.”
She’s looking at my phone screen. “They’re beautiful, Bo. Are y’all close?”
“Yeah, I guess. We text each other, but I don’t really talk to them on the phone much. They’re busy with their own schedules, too, so they don’t come out to many games. And my parents don’t get out here much either.” I really wanted to know more about her and talk less about my family.
“Yeah, you’ll have to tell me more about your dad sometime. I’m curious about his path to becoming a judge. I think our time is just about up.”
She starts to stand just as my alarm chimes on my phone, so I slip my phone in the pocket of my jeans and pack up my bag quickly.
“Wait, I’ll walk out with you.” I zip it and put it over my shoulder, then reach for hers to carry too. “Here, let me carry your bag.”
“Ha! You don’t have to do that. I’m very capable of carrying my bag around.” She looks up at me and smiles.
“I don’t doubt that you are, but I would like to carry it for you.” I reach out again, and she lets me take it off her shoulder.
She places her hand on my forearm. “Hey, thanks again for the coffee and cookies. And for carrying my bag for me. You’re a good guy, Columbus Callaway.” Her smile stretches across her face.
“Shhh … seriously, don’t tell anyone my full name.” I bend down close to her ear, half whispering, even though we’re still in the study room alone.
She turns her head, and our lips are just a breath apart.
She crosses her heart with her finger. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you. So, where are you heading next?” A slow smile spreads across my face, and I hold the door open for her.
“I’m done for the day, so I’m going home. Or I guess your house, since we aren’t allowed back into our building yet. I need to work on my applications for law school and sort all that out.” She looks at me as we walk down the stairs and lifts her eyebrows. “Sounds like a good time, right?”
“Probably more fun than dodging linemen.” I chuckle.
“Agreed. So, I guess I’ll see you later?”
When we exit the building, she reaches for her bag on my shoulder, so I slip it off and hand it to her, brushing her fingers with mine.
“Yep, I’ll be home after practice. Did you sleep okay in my room? I forgot to ask.”
She smiles and nods. “I did. Thank you. I still feel bad, taking over your room.”
“Don’t. I swear I’m good.” My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my pocket to check the time. “Shit, I’d better go. I’ll see you later,” I say, walking backward.
“See you later, Bo.” She winks. Yes, winks at me.
I smile at her and turn. The smile stays on my face the whole way to the field.
Coach is standing outside his office as I walk into the locker room. “Hey, Bo. How you doing?”
I reach out to shake his hand. “Doing good, Coach.”
He places one of his hands on my shoulder, my hand still in his other. “Did you take care of the tutoring?”
“I’m pretty sure you know I did, Coach.” I chuckle because I know Coach knows everything about everyone. More than we probably realize.
He laughs and releases my hand and my shoulder. “You’re right; I do. Have you started yet though?”
I nod. “Just coming from our first session.”
I think I’ll keep the fact that I know Chelsea to myself and definitely the fact that she’s staying with me right now. I don’t want them to assign me to someone else. I want to spend as much time with her as I can.
