Page 7 of Silent Count
“I hope they don’t come to the house. My room is a mess at all times, and my mama would kill me if it was caught on camera.” Silas shovels more food into his mouth.
“Gross, Silas. Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Charlie scolds him, then looks at her brother. “What do you think, Case? They won’t come here, will they?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. I would guess there’s something in the contract about players’ privacy.”
Chelsea raises her hand, and it’s freaking adorable. “I can look at it if you want. I mean, I’m not a lawyer yet, but I can definitely understand legal contracts.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea, Case. Let her look at it.” Noelle nods.
“Yeah, you can take a look, but you have to sign a blood oath that you won’t share it with anyone.” He looks at her and raises his brows, trying not to laugh.
Chelsea makes a cross over her heart. “I promise. Attorney-client privilege and all that.” She giggles.
“You’re hired!” Silas says, raising his hand.
“Oh my God, Bo. Are you allowed to participate?” Charlie asks.
I pause, my fork just in front of my mouth, ready for me to take a bite. “Uh, what do you mean? Of course I can.”
“I just meant, like, with your dad in politics and stuff. What is it he does again? I didn’t know if that would be something you could do or not. Have the exposure or whatever,” she says.
“Well, I’m not sure if you know this, but I’m on TV every weekend during football season.” I laugh and try to think of a way out of talking about my dad too much.
“Ha-ha. I know, but it just popped into my mind. Never mind. It’s none of my business.” She waves her hand and continues eating.
“No, it’s your business. You are my friend and roommate, but honestly, I don’t have much to tell. I’ll talk to my parents later and fill them in on what’s going on.” I’d really like to end this conversation about my dad.
“What does your dad do, Bo?” Chelsea asks.
And now I have to give them something. Although Casey knows my dad is a judge. He’s not saying anything, but he’s watching me to see what I’ll share.
“He’s a judge.”
“That’s right! I couldn’t remember for some reason. You don’t really talk about your parents much,” Charlie says.
Chelsea is looking at me, head tilted to the side. “Oh, wow. That’s really cool. Here in Oklahoma?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m from California.” That’s all I want to say about it, so I need to redirect the questioning. “So, Chelsea, what kind of law do you want to practice?”
She finishes chewing and takes a drink of her water. “Family law. Mostly children’s rights type of stuff.”
“I think that would be hard. I would want to save everyone,” Charlie chimes in.
“Same! We’d have a house full of kids, Case.” Noelle leans her head on Casey’s shoulder.
“Well, most kids aren’t that lucky, so that’s why I want to be their voice when they don’t have one.” Chelsea gives a soft smile and looks down at her plate. It feels like she wants to talk about her interest in law as much as I want to talk about my dad’s career.
I want to ask her more questions, but I want to be the only one to know the answers. What she likes, doesn’t like. She fascinates me, and I want to know all about her. I want to knowher. And lucky for me, I’ll get my chance.
After dinner, Silas went to his room to play video games, and Charlie went to her room to call Beck again. I know it’s hard on them, being apart this year. So, I’m sitting on the oversize chair we have in the family room, watchingSportsCenterwith Casey, Noelle, and Chelsea. Well, Casey and I are watching, and the girls are talking about something else.
I keep sneaking glances at Chelsea though. She’s in leggings and a T-shirt that shows a sliver of her stomach. Her long,dark hair looks a little wild, and her legs are curled under her while she speaks animatedly to Noelle. But it’s her eyes that mesmerize me. They’re green, and they practically sparkle when she smiles.
Chelsea Sullivan might just be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
She catches me looking at her and smiles softly. When she looks back at Noelle, she leans in for a hug. And I’m jealous.
“I’d better get going. I have some work to do before I get to bed tonight. You’re staying here, right?” she asks Noelle.
