Page 29 of Silent Count
“Nothing’s happened. We’re just friends. But, man to man, yeah, I’m really into her. I have been for a while, honestly.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen the way you look at her. I just didn’t know if it was general appreciation or if it was something more. But last night, when you offered her your bed, I wondered. Good for you, man. Just don’t fuck around with her. I really like her, and she’s, like, Noelle’s best friend.”
“King, when have I ever fucked around with someone? Emotionally. The girls, friends I’ve spent time with, understand what we are and aren’t. And it’s not like I’m some big player either.”
He knows that, and he also knows I don’t toy with people.
“True. You never bring them home though or spend time with them after a hookup. I just don’t want Chelsea to be one of those kind offriendsfor you.”
“Chelsea is different. Yes, she’s obviously gorgeous and smart. But I like her—you know what I mean?” I slip on my pads, then my practice jersey.
“I do. She’s a cool girl.”
Both dressed at this point, we begin lacing up our cleats.
“Do you know much about her? She mentioned going home this weekend for her sister’s birthday and said she was raised by her aunt. She didn’t seem to want to elaborate on why, and I didn’t press her. But I’m curious about her.”
He shakes his head and stands. “Not really a lot. If Noelle knows anything, she’s never mentioned it to me, but I’ve never had a reason to ask either.” He takes his helmet off the hook in his stall, then slaps me on the arm as he passes. “Let’s go, QB. You’re gonna be late.”
I shake my head and laugh. I’m never late; I’m usually the first one on the field. I grab my helmet and follow him. I need to clear my head and focus on what I’m here to do. Then I can get home and see her again.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
CHELSEA
The last fewdays went by fast. School kept me busy, and then I had one more study session with Bo before I left for Florida. Staying at his house has been kind of fun actually. I like my own space, and I don’t mind being alone in general, but having all of them around is nice. The eye candy on display is an extra bonus too. Bo specifically. I did feel bad about taking Bo’s room though. He swore it wasn’t a problem, but I felt even worse when I saw him stretching out his back last night. He said it was from practice, but I’m sure sleeping on the couch for days hadn’t helped.
I’m at the airport, waiting for my flight to leave, and my phone buzzes. I look down to see a text from my aunt.
Laura: I’ll meet you in Arrivals. I can’t wait to see you! Have a good flight.
Chelsea: Sounds good. See you in a few hours.
Another text comes through, but it’s from Bo this time. We haven’t texted each other since we made our plans for tutoring. But I can’t lie and say I’m not happy about him texting me now.
Bo: Did you make it to the airport?
Chelsea: Yep, I’m just waiting for my plane to get here.
Bo: The waiting is the worst. I don’t mind traveling, other than all the waiting.
Chelsea: I don’t really mind the waiting. I love to people-watch. You can find out a lot about a person by observation.
Bo: Oh, yeah? Have you ever observed me, Miss Future Attorney and Psychology Expert?
Chelsea: All the time.
Am I flirting? Indeed I am. Over the last few days and in our study session yesterday, we’ve been flirting. I’m not sure why it took us so long to talk like this, to flirt—because I have no doubt he’s just as into me as I am him. And it’s not like I don’t know him at all. We’ve spent a year in each other’s circle. But something has changed.
I’ve dated a few guys since I’ve been at Walker, but nothing serious. Mostly for sex, to be completely honest. And it’s been a while since I’ve gotten laid, which could be why I’m feeling the flirt more than I usually would. Nah … Bo is just fun to be around and very nice to look at. It’s not a hardship, flirting with him.
Bo: Okay…and? What can you tell about me from observation?
Chelsea: First, let the record reflect that you’re objectively hot.
Bo: Ha! Back at you. But what else?
