Chapter 6 – Stella
STELLA
“I can’t believe you used to go there for vacation every year too. We were probably there at the same time.” I cover a yawn.
“Probably,” Beau says. He’s lying in his bed in the dark, the screen of his phone providing the smallest bit of light for me to see him.
We’ve been talking for three hours. Topics have included everything from class schedules to family vacations.
The only thing we haven’t talked about is him being a football player.
A football player my brother hates, apparently.
Holly is still out, but Beau’s roommate, who’s also a football player, came back and crashed thirty minutes ago. He has ear buds in now and his voice is quiet as he speaks. “Actually, nah, I would have tried to hit on you.”
“Or my sister,” I say, “since we look identical.”
“You look that much alike?”
“I think you maybe don’t understand how identical twins work.”
“Okay, smart ass.” His mouth twists into a playful smirk. “Those dudes from the show Selling Sunset are twins and they look different.”
“Hold up, did you just admit to watching Selling Sunset?” My cheeks hurt from grinning so much.
“I admitted no such thing. I merely confessed to knowing the show has twins on it. And that one of them dated Chrishell, but they broke up because he wasn’t ready for kids, and she was. It was a real tearjerker.”
Laughter escapes my lips. “You so watch it. Oh man, I don’t know if I can keep talking to you with that knowledge.”
“It’s a little drama-filled for my tastes, but the real estate is pretty incredible. Plus, the cars.”
“That is such a guy reason to watch.” I turn over on my side and place the phone on the bed, so I can still see it while lying down. “People that know us well can tell Holly and me apart. Our styles are different. She loves shoes and accessories, and I’m more casual. She’s quieter than me too.”
“Have you ever pulled the switcheroo on a guy?”
“No, but once in high school, the guy I was dating grabbed her ass because he got us mixed up. And another time, a guy asked me out, but thought he was asking out Holly.”
“Still, seems like it’d be cool to have a twin.”
“I can’t imagine it any other way.” I shrug and then we fall quiet. I know he needs to go. He has practice in the morning and his family is in town, but it feels like as soon as we get off the phone, the reality of the situation is going to set in.
He’s my brother’s rival. Can this really go anywhere? Do I even want it to? I know that I really enjoy talking to him.
“I have an idea,” I say, sitting up and bringing the phone closer to my face.
“What’s that?”
“What if we kept talking?”
“I’d probably fall asleep eventually.”
“You’re so funny.” I laugh, quick and light, but my nerves kick up as I continue, “Seriously, though, what can it hurt? You’re a million miles away anyway.”
“Or a thousand.”
“That might as well be a million with our schedules. It isn’t like we can see each other or date, or whatever.” My face goes a little hot.
One side of his mouth lifts. “Did you just admit you would want to date me if I lived close?”
“I admitted no such thing,” I say, stealing his words from earlier. “Besides you’re too busy.” I think back to everything he’s told me. “Wait, your job.”
“I was talking about football,” he admits. “Still want to keep talking to me?”
“Yes. Though, I think we have to redo every conversation we’ve had.”
He crooks an arm behind his head. “I’ve got time for that.”
“You are kind of fun to talk to.”
“Right back at ya.”
“So, friends?” I ask.
“You’re sure?” The uneasy expression on his face makes me doubt myself.
I love my brother. We’re a lot alike, both athletic and competitive, so I’d like to think I can put myself in his shoes in this situation.
How would I feel if he dated a diver from another college?
I’d probably be slightly annoyed, but Beau and I aren’t even talking about dating.
We’re friends. Barely even friends, really, since we’ve just texted.
(And had one three-hour, make that four now, phone call.) I’m sure it’s just the excitement of talking to someone new, and in a week or two, we’ll have run out of things to talk about.
And if we don’t, then I’ll tell Felix, and I bet he won’t even care. Fingers crossed.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
Over the next few weeks, Beau and I continue texting. Before classes, during lunch, after swim and football practice, while studying, at parties—we text a lot. He’s the first person I talk to every morning, and most nights, I fall asleep texting him. And it’s mostly friendly, a little flirty.
I keep waiting for one or both of us to get bored with talking, but I’m less confident that’s actually going to happen. I like Beau. I like talking to him.
After a home meet, I check my phone to find a text waiting for me.
Beau
Good luck at your meet! Let me know how it goes.
Me
First place!
Beau
Congrats!
Me
Thanks. I heard you won too! Wooo!
Beau
Thanks. You should get your sexy ass on a plane and come party with me tonight to celebrate.
Me
Be right there. Save me a shot.
Beau
I’ll save a whole bottle for you.
Me
Drunk already?
Beau
Not yet, but I’m working on it.
His team played their final game of the season, so I’m not surprised that he’s hitting it hard tonight.
And I do wish I could go hang with him instead of going to the swim and dive party I promised my friend Rachel I’d go to with her.
I think hanging with Beau would be fun. We’ve chatted enough after or during parties for me to discern that he’s the life of the party, always up for a game of beer pong, and on an exceptionally celebratory night, he breaks out the liquor and does shots instead of beer.
I’ve also learned from those drunken conversations that things with his family are a little strained. His dad puts a lot of pressure on him with football. At first, it was hard for me to feel sorry for him about it. I’d love for my family to show a little more interest in my diving.
Don’t get me wrong, my parents are supportive, but Felix gets most of the attention in that department.
Especially since he started getting endorsements.
I’m proud of my brother, truly. He’s maybe the most supportive person I have outside of Holly.
He’s quick to talk me up and shine the spotlight on me, but people still smile politely at me and then ask him about football.
I love diving and I don’t need people to hype up the sport to be proud of myself and want to continue doing it, but I can’t deny that it’s irritating when people fawn over Felix and his football games and don’t even mention my meets.
All this to say when Beau first grumbled about pressure from his family, I chalked it up as not a big deal. But it’s different for him. They nitpick and critique to the point that I think he struggles to enjoy the victories.
When I get to the party, I check to see if he’s texted again. He hasn’t, so I send another.
Me
On a scale of 1-10, how much do you wish I were there?
Beau
11, duh. When girls ask this question, no matter the topic, the correct answer is always 11.
Me
A wise ass, as usual.
Beau
And a sexy ass, as usual.
Electricity hums under my skin at the compliment.
Beau
Also, my real answer is still 11. What are you doing over break? Maybe we can meet up.
Me
You’re going to be in Arizona?
Beau
Yeah, of course.
I don’t know why I didn’t consider this sooner. He’s from Arizona. Our parents live maybe forty-five minutes from each other. A new level of excitement rushes through me, but just as quickly, Felix’s face flashes in my mind.
Beau’s going to be close. So close. But how am I going to see him?
Me
One more day!
Beau
Twenty-one hours and thirty-eight minutes, but who’s counting?
Me
LOL. You, apparently. Plans for your holiday break?
Beau
Nah, not really. Hanging with the fam. I might see if some buddies from high school want to head up to Show Low this weekend to ski. You?
Me
Not sure, but skiing sounds fun! I bet you’re pretty cute in ski goggles.
Beau
Only one way to find out. Come with.
We never directly talk about Felix, but it’s getting harder to avoid.
Especially if I want to see Beau over the holiday break.
I confirmed their rivalry by casually mentioning I was talking to a guy from Colorado University.
The very first words out of my brother’s mouth were, “I hate their entire football team.”
I slide my phone into my backpack, without answering him, as I walk into the dining hall. Holly is already at our usual table.
“Hey,” I say, sitting across from her.
She pushes one of the plates on her tray toward me. “They ran out of blueberry bagels.”
“This is perfect. Thank you.” I tear off a hunk of the cinnamon bagel in front of me and smile. “Two more classes and we’re done! We’ll have survived our first semester as college students!”
“Felix already left,” Holly says, and then scrunches up her nose. “I hope the house isn’t trashed when we get there.”
Our parents took advantage of all their children being away at college and finally went on a two-week vacation. They won’t be back until Christmas Eve. Felix is house-sitting, which more than likely means he’ll be throwing a party every night until they return.
“What if we didn’t go home just yet?” I ask, an idea forming.
Holly’s wearing a red T-shirt and earrings in the shape of candy canes that dangle as she tilts her head to the side. “You want to stay on campus longer?”
“No. Let’s go to the cabin.” I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.
Our family has a vacation home in Flagstaff near the ski resort.
It’s a small two-bedroom without a lot of fancy amenities, but the resort nearby is beautiful, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a few days than snowboarding and relaxing with Holly after our first semester of college.