Page 64 of Shut Up and Jingle Me
“Actually,” I say, tilting my head like I’m pondering something serious, “maybe we should just get you your own stocking. You know—hang it up next to mine so Santa doesn’t forget you.”
Todd snorts soda through his nose, Peter groans, “Jesus, Starling,” and Daniel’s lips twitch like he’s holding back a laugh he shouldn’t let loose.
Max’s jaw works, sharp enough I know I’ve got him. His eyes flick to mine, and his voice drops low. “Starling.” It’s a warning.
I smile wider, unfazed. “What? Stockings are festive. It’d look good with candy canes sticking out of one, just for you. You know you secretly love peppermint.”
Before he can answer, the waitress swings up to the table, pen ready. Max straightens like a soldier caught out of line, yanking his menu closer.
“Uh—burger,” he says gruffly, rattling off the rest of his order without looking at me. But his thigh shifts under the table,pressing into mine all the way down to our shoes, like he can’t quite stop himself.
I bite down on my grin, heat curling in my stomach. He can act all stern and annoyed, but I know better.
The second the waitress leaves, I let my hand drop under the table again, casual as anything, until my fingers brush Max’s thigh. Warm. Solid. Tense as hell.
He doesn’t move. Doesn’t even twitch. Just keeps his eyes on the condensation sliding down his water glass like if he ignores me hard enough, I’ll quit. Spoiler: I won’t.
I trace idle patterns on his leg, light enough no one across the table would notice. Daniel’s elbow nudges mine, casual as hell, but when I glance over, he’s smirking into his Coke like he knowsexactlywhat I’m doing.
Shit.
My pulse kicks, but I don’t move my hand. If anything, I spread my fingers a little wider, pressing firmer into Max’s thigh like I’m daring him—or Daniel—to say something.
“Calder,” I say, loud enough for the table, all mock complaint, “don’t forget me when you start making the rounds today. I’m still pretty sure you left a bruise the last time you checked me over.”
Across from us, Todd barks a laugh. “Bet you bruise easily, Starling.”
I flash him a grin, leaning back. “Only when Calder’s being bossy.”
That earns me a low rumble at my side, pitched so only I catch it: “You’ll live.”
But under the table, the muscle in his thigh jumps when I run my fingers closer to his hip. And when I glance sideways, his jaw is locked, green eyes cutting into me like he’d strangle me if he could get away with it.
Which just makes heat curl low in my stomach. He’s fighting it. Fighting me. And I like it. Maybe too much.
By the timethe plates are cleared and Max is grumbling about needing to get back for checks, I’ve got that warm, buzzy feeling in my chest I always get around him. Even when he’s scowling, he makes the air feel charged. Todd and Peter peel off together outside, still arguing about who cheated at pool last week, and it’s just me and Daniel left standing there.
He shoves his hands in his hoodie pocket, eyes cutting to me with that dry, older-brother look he gets when he’s about to call bullshit.
“You know I’m not blind, right?” he says, tone low, casual. Daniel glances at me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So…Calder, huh?”
I choke on nothing, tugging my scarf higher. “What?”
“Don’t give me that innocent Bambi look, Starling. I’ve seen that game before.” He wiggles his brows. “You and Calder, sitting side by side like you’re not about to combust if your knees brush? Please. I’d swipe right on that tension alone.”
Heat spikes up my neck. “You’re imagining things.”
Daniel snorts. “Uh-huh. Sure. Look, I’ve spent enough nights on the apps scrolling through DL jocks looking for a ‘workout buddy’ to recognize it when I see it.” He elbows me lightly. “Just saying—you could do worse. And he definitely could too.”
I groan, dragging a hand over my face, but I can’t stop the stupid grin tugging at my mouth.
Daniel claps me on the back, grinning like a cat with cream. “Relax, lover boy. Your secret’s safe with me. For now.”
He peels off with a wave, and I’m left crossing campus with this stupid grin tugging at my mouth. The cold bites at my ears, snow crunches under my boots—but all I can think about is the heat of Max pressed against me in that booth.
But Daniel’s words keep looping in my head.Calder, huh?
I wonder if it was obvious to Todd and Peter, too. Maybe they just didn’t say anything. I’m going to fuck it all up if I keep being so obvious. And if other people find out, or if Coach finds out, it will all be over. And I don’t want it to be over.
