Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Rome
I need a break.
Wait, let me fix that.
I’ve needed a break since the end of last football season. While keeping up with my workout routine is easy, I need a break from the drills, memorizing plays, and all the hits on the field. My brain is exhausted, too; classes last semester were rough. I don’t have any concerns about not being drafted into the NFL before I graduate. Still, any smart player has a backup plan, and mine is history.
I’ve always been fascinated by history, particularly the American Revolution. My fifth-grade teacher, Mr. P, made learning interactive and fun. We ran missions like the colonials and pretended to sneak past the English army. I love football, so I’ll play until my body demands I quit. After that, I’ll teach history and aim to be a great teacher like Mr. P.
When Ash asked if I wanted to join the crew at the beach for Gwen’s birthday, I was all in. I adore Gwen Roman. She carried Ash out of the darkness of his mind. She showed him what love is and cared for him even when he lost faith in himself. If I could find someone like her, my life would be complete.
With a sigh, I drop all my dark thoughts and focus on the sign straight ahead.
Finding parking is easy. The beach that Ash praised up and down is supposedly always deserted, and I’m thankful he was right. I park next to him and pick up my phone to call him.
“Hey, are you here?” Ash asks, answering the phone within the first ring.
“Yeah, but I’m gonna need you to find me. I see your car, but not you,” I say while gathering my things.
“We walked a bit farther down. Walk past the ice cream stand, and I’ll be right there.”
“Sounds good.”
We hang up at the same time. Ash and I were close in high school. We’ve gotten close again since Zack brought him to the pavilion last September. Zack and I have always been friends. Our friendship is effortless. He’s the kind of guy who will defend you until his dying breath.
Zack and I bonded in high school. We were partnered up during a science experiment. Mistake number one: We were complete goofballs and failed not only that project but the class. Ever since then, we’ve been best friends. He knows what happened with my mom, but I don’t think he sees how it affects me to this day.
I was happy when I found out we were attending the same university, but over the years, we drifted apart. We didn’t see much of one another until last year, and we snapped back together.
After locking up my car, I step onto the pier and walk down the withered planks. I hear her before I see her. Chrissy has a signature giggle—high-pitched and always filled with excitement. She’s a literal ray of sunshine, a bubble of explosive energy. Her smile could light up a room that’s only ever known darkness.
She’s always been beautiful, but I didn’t notice until last November. She was hunched over a psychology textbook, her nose wrinkled in deep thought. Her pen flickered away as she pondered over whatever thought ran wild in her head. I sat across from her in the library, but she didn’t notice me until I spoke up.
“What’s up, bubbles?” Since I met her, she’s reminded me of Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls . Always so kind, energetic, and sweet.
“What do you think of Piaget’s theory?” she asked.
“I can’t handle big words,” I said with a small chuckle.
She grinned back, blushing, and she giggled.
I was done for. We exchanged numbers shortly after, and I’ve walked around with Chrissy in my heart for months, but nothing can happen.
So, when she appears in my line of sight, I push down any butterflies that attempt to emerge from the depths of my stomach. I put on my game face and meet Ash a few more feet down the beach. When he loses his footing, I can’t help but laugh.
“I think Gwen’s clumsiness is rubbing off on you.” I smirk as I slip my sandals off and step into the hot sand.
“It could be worse,” he says with a shrug. “Look at your hair!” He messes my hair with his hand, wearing the widest smile I’ve ever seen from him.
“Had to look more pro ,” I say with air quotes. That, and I was tired of combing through the tangles and sweat after every game.
“Remember me when you make it big. I kept and still keep you fed.”
“I also get the feeling Max may sue me for eating his fancy yogurt.”
Shrill laughter and squeals pierce the air as we near Gwen and Chrissy. I can’t help but grin when we find Chrissy and Gwen swatting at one another.
“I was only gone for five minutes,” Ash sighs while running his hand through his hair.
They freeze at the sound of his voice, and Zack barrels in to save Gwen from Chrissy’s antics. She fights against him, trying to hide her amusement.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Chrissy is more beautiful than the last time I saw her. Her blonde hair is long with tight curls, her lips are lathered in pink chapstick, and even though her eyes are covered with dark sunglasses, I can imagine the sparkle behind her lenses.
I shake my head and avert my attention to Gwen. “Happy birthday!”
She smiles up at me and takes the purple gift bag from my hands.
I don’t know what she says next. My gaze and ability to listen are drawn to Chrissy. I feel her eyes on me, trailing from my hair to my pecs, leaving me hotter than I was a second before. I get the feeling she shares the same feelings as me because she’s never quiet. Whenever I’m around, she gets shy, and it’s fucking adorable. I’d give anything to hold her against me, to feel her body pressed to mine.
Fuck, I’m doing it again. Game face, Rome, game face.
Gwen’s shriek brings me back to reality. “How did you know?!”
“I’m an excellent gift giver.” I’m lying. I’m a terrible gift giver, but I don’t want to burst her moment of happiness.
“He’s stealing my thunder. I told him that book has been on your Tbr for months.” Zack says, completely stealing my thunder.
“But who told you that?” Ash chimes in, and before you know it, we’re all going back and forth.
Chrissy pops in, and my voice cuts out. She’s talking, but I can’t hear what she’s saying. Her beauty has stunned me.
Next thing I know, Gwen throws a towel at Ash’s face, and they start to play fight.
“Hey, Chrissy.” I can’t hold it back anymore. I need to have her attention on me again.
“Hi, Rome.”
And there goes my game face.
We don’t pack up until the sun sets. Ash offers to treat everyone to ice cream before the trek back, and who am I to deny free food? It’s practically against my DNA to refuse.
As I look out at the beach, I zip my hoodie and rest my elbows on the wooden rail. Night has settled in, giving the view an enchanting ambiance. The sky has become a vast canvas adorned with countless twinkling stars, and the moon casts a silvery glow upon the gentle waves lapping at the shore. The cool breezes carry the scent of salt and seaweed.
I perk up at the sound of my friends’ laughter, prompting a weak smile. It’s been so long since I felt truly at home, but in this moment, surrounded by laughter, I’m reminded of what it feels like. The salty sea air comforts me. My muscles relax the moment the scent hits me. When I was younger, my parents loved taking spontaneous beach trips. That all ended when my mom left. Ever since then, I seldom feel comfortable or safe.
Maybe that’s the reason I don’t date. I tend to keep girls I’m interested in more than an arm’s length away. Perhaps it’s best I leave the romance side of my life to casual hookups.
“Whatcha doing over here?” Chrissy jolts me from my thoughts.
“Just thinking.”
With a wide smile, she hands me a waffle cone with chocolate soft serve and sprinkles.
“I don’t think too often. It’s not worth the headache,” she teases before placing her spoon in her mouth. “Want to talk about it?”
“I just don’t get out much. This is nice.” I lick around the cone, snagging the melting areas before they reach my hand.
Turning around, I rest my back against the rail, and Chrissy does the same. I observe Gwen and Ash as they smile at one another. Zack is there too, but he’s always grinning at something.
“They really are lucky,” Chrissy mumbles.
“Why do you say that?” I know why I think Gwen and Ash are lucky, but I want to hear why Chrissy shares the same thought.
“They have each other. Can you imagine having someone to rely on day in and day out? Knowing there’s someone out there who loves you as much as, if not more than, you love them? I watched that girl crush hard on him for years. I used to tease her about it, harboring a crush for so long. It’s like she knew they were meant to be, and she waited until the time was right. But man, their journey was an adventure. A very fun, heartbreaking, and romantic adventure.” Chrissy sighs before dropping her bowl in a trash can.
“I thought you and Miles were close to having what they have. Was I wrong?”
“We might have been close last summer, but it didn’t click. I admire that man. I really do. He deserves someone who will look at him, well, like that.” Chrissy gestures toward Ash.
He smiles softly at Gwen even though she’s not looking. She’s too busy bopping in place, eating her vanilla soft serve.
“I’m starting to think I can’t do that for anyone.” She turns, and her eyes meet mine.
A slight hitch of air passes through her lips, and I realize I’ve been looking at her the entire time. If only she knew the effect she had on people, the effect she has on me.
“Ready, guys?” Zack calls as he dunks his wrapper into the trash.
“You better not be driving,” Chrissy groans before smiling at me one final time.
“Never again!” Ash threatens, eliciting a laugh from the entire group.
“I make one wrong turn, one time!”
“Down a one-way street.” Chrissy pretends to cough to cover her words.
“Says the girl who didn’t know the difference between the gas and brake pedal.”
Chrissy lunges forward but stops when a gust of chilly air blows past us. With a harsh shiver, her teeth start to chatter violently.
“Chrissy, wait.” I drop my ice cream wrapper and unzip my hoodie. I’m removing my arms from my sleeves when she turns around. “Here.”