Page 84 of Silent Count
I look up into the sky and see a million stars shining and smile. For the first time in my life, I finally feel free.
I walk back into the apartment, lock the door, and walk back into my room and pick up my phone off the bed.
Chelsea: I burned it.
Aunt Laura: Well done.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
BO
I knowshe’s coming tonight, and the anticipation is making me crazy. I’m wearing a hole in the carpet, and I’m probably driving Charlie nuts. But I think something else is going on because Casey is acting a little squirrelly too. He and Charlie have been doing a lot of whispering today.
Silas has noticed it, too, but he just shrugs and shakes his head.
“Dude, settle down. She’s coming. Come watch TV with us.” Silas waves me over to the couch, but I sit in the chair I’ve basically claimed as mine.
Aston and Ace Griffith are on the other side of the couch anyway.
“Yeah, what’s your deal, Callaway?” Ace asks me.
I ignore him.
“I know she’s coming, but I want her to be wearing the PJs I bought for us. But what if she doesn’t?” I sit up in the chair and rest my elbows on my knees and lean toward Silas.
“Then she doesn’t, and you keep trying.” He looks at me pointedly. “Right?”
“Okay.” I nod. “Yeah, you’re totally right. But what do I do if she doesn’t?”
“Callaway, you’re killing me. I’ve never seen you this nervous, even in a playoff game when the championship is on the line.”
“Well, that’s because I have some control over the outcome. This? It’s all up to her. She’s it for me, you know?” I flop back in my chair.
“I get it. I mean, I haven’t experienced that yet, but I get it.” He nods, smirking at me.
But he looks over his shoulder toward Brooke, who’s in the kitchen with Charlie, Arbor and Lily, wearing pajameralls, like he is.
“Oh yeah?” I tip my head toward the kitchen.
He holds his hands out. “What?”
The front door opens, and Noelle comes into the house first, and then … she’s here.
“Hey, y’all!” Noelle says, holding some packages.
“Happy birthday, Noelle!” everyone shouts, except me.
My eyes are locked on Chelsea. Who’s wearing my PJs.
Thank fuck.
“Aww, thanks!” she says, handing Casey the packages to put under the tree.
“Charlie, it smells so good in here,” Chelsea says, walking into the kitchen.
“Hey, girl. Thank you so much, and I agree! The food will be ready in just a few minutes. We have snacks that Silas helped with, and Bo made some apps if you want to eat something before dinner.” Charlie turns to look from the oven and looks at Chelsea. “Love your PJs, Chels. Looks like you have a match in the house, huh?” Charlie glances over at me and gives me a wink.
