Page 64 of Silent Count
My defenses are up now. Not only for Chelsea, but for myself. “You don’t even know her, Dad. She could very well be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I honestly can’t wait for you all to meet her. She’s special, Dad.”
I glance over at Casey, who’s off his call now, trying not to look at me, but he hears everything I’m saying and can probably hear my dad’s deep timbre through the phone too.
“Son, I’m sure she’s lovely, but do you even know who she is? Anything about her past?” He lingers on that last word.
“What are you getting at, Dad?” I’m pacing back and forth, practically burning holes in the carpet.
“Look, my patience has run out about this. Youcannotsee her anymore for multiple reasons. One of which is, you two are just kids. You have a lot going for you—and it sounds like she does too. You’re going into the NFL; she’s going to law school. I suggest you leave your … connection or whatever it is as a friendship.” He clears his throat. “I’m going to say it again, and I suggest you listen this time. I insist that you let her go.”
“Dad, respectfully, I’m not a child anymore, and I don’t need to do anything you tell me. You understand that, right? And I don’t know where this is coming from, and I don’t appreciate it after a really fucking shitty day. If there is something you know that you think I need to know, tell me, but just to be clear, whatever you have to say or whatever you think you know, you’re wrong because you don’t know her. So, Dad, I’m not going to talk to you about this anymore tonight. Tell Mom and the girls I said hello and I love them. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I pull the phone away from my ear, but I still hear him say, “Bo, please think about what I’m saying.”
I end the call and throw my phone on my bed, tilt my head back, and blow out a breath. “Fuck.”
“You okay, man?” I look over at Casey, and he moves from lying on his bed to sitting up, legs to the side of the bed, facing me.
I look over at him and shake my head. “I don’t fucking know. My dad is being really weird about me being with Chelsea, and I can’t figure out why. It’s starting to piss me off actually.”
“But why? It’s not like she’s a bad influence.” He chuckles. “She’s like the perfect girl. Other than my girl, of course.” He places his hand on his chest.
“No, I know. She is perfect, but also perfect for me. I’m crazy about her, so it doesn’t really matter what he says or thinks. Especially when he doesn’t know her. It just bothers me that he won’t leave it alone. I’m not sure what he’s so worried about. She couldn’t care less that I play football, and she has no intention of getting in the way of my goals. It’s just pissing me off. I feel like … protective of her or something. I can’t explain it.” I sit on my bed and kick off my shoes, then flop back onto the mattress.
“Oh, I understand feeling protective. When I had to watch Noelle date her asshole ex, knowing he was a douchebag, it was brutal. Not that yours is the same issue, but I get it, man.” He stands up and grabs his phone from his bed. “Why don’t you call her? It’ll make you feel better, I’m sure. I’ll head over to Silas’s room and give you some time to talk to her.” He holds out his fist to me, and I bump it.
“Thanks, brother. I know you’re tired, too, so I’ll try to keep it short.”
“Just text me when you’re done. Call your girl.” He opens the door and walks out.
I lie there for a minute, collecting myself before I call Chelsea. She’s very intuitive, and I don’t want her to hear the stress in my voice. I hate to even admit it to myself, but my curiosity is piqued. I can’t figure out why my dad is so insistent on this. And more importantly, what does he think he knows about my girl that I don’t?
After I pull in a few deep breaths, I lift my phone and press Call on her name. She answers after a few rings.
“Hey,” she answers.
Instantly, when I hear her voice, I feel myself relax.
“Hi,” I say, smiling. “Can I just say something before we start talking about other stuff?”
“Yeah, of course. Are you okay?” she asks, sounding concerned.
“I’m fine. I just wanted to tell you I miss you. I hope that doesn’t freak you out or anything. I know we haven’t been dating all that long, but I really fucking miss you right now.” I let out a hoarse chuckle. “You just make everything … better.”
I hear her take a deep breath in, and she pauses for a minute.
“I miss you too. Especially since I’m lying here in your bed and I can smell you on your pillow, and I’m surrounded by all your things, but you aren’t here. I gotta say, it’s a bummer. But I know it was a rough day, and I’m sure it sucks ass, being stranded there. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get home early tomorrow though.”
“You’re in my bed?” I can’t help the stupid smile on my face.
“Well … yeah. Ireallymiss you.”
It’s one thing to be with her and be able to see how she responds to me, but to hear her say it? Makes me feel like I just won the Heisman. I mean, I feel like she likes being around me the same way I do with her, but honestly, I’m still letting her work up to letting me in more, and I think we’re getting closer. She’s definitely more open with me than she was when we first got together.
“I’m not sure if you’re making it better or worse. Is it weird that I’m jealous of my pillow right now?” I sigh.
She lets out a soft giggle, and I can hear her shifting around. Getting under the sheets maybe.
“Weird? Nah. I mean, I guess some people might think it was weird, but I don’t.”
