Chapter 5 #2
She laughs lightly and shakes her head. “No, nothing on your face. I just didn’t know you wore glasses. I’ve been around you for, like, what, a year and a half ? And I’ve never seen you wear them.”
“Oh, yeah. I don’t have to wear them all the time. I just put them on when I’m studying or reading.”
I debate on telling her about my dyslexia. I’m not embarrassed by it or anything, but I’m just not sure I want to get into a whole conversation about it right now. Truth is, the glasses help to contrast the numbers and letters and also help with what my eye doctor calls visual stress.
“It’s funny that I’ve never seen you do either one with how often I’m over at your house.” She smiles.
I shrug. “It’s hard to focus in the house when people are coming and going, so I usually study in my room.”
“Makes sense.” She leans back in her seat, dropping her hands into her lap. “So, you ready for the game?”
“I’m always ready, Cupcake.” A smile spreads across my face. I like that she’s asking about the game.
“Good. I’m excited for y’all. I think you guys can win the whole damn thing.” She crosses her arms.
“Me too. We’ve got a strong team, and we’re really vibing this year. I love these guys.”
She nods and smiles. “Yeah, it seems that you all have really good chemistry on the field, but you actually like each other too.”
Then we just sit there, looking at each other, smiles on our faces.
I have questions just dying to spill out, but I just said in the locker room that I would give her space.
But, damn, the waiting is gonna be hard.
I want to walk around the table, pick her up, and walk right out of here.
Then take her to my bed and fuck her all night.
I mean, can’t help it. She’s drop-dead gorgeous with her long brown hair, dark brown eyes, and pouty lips.
And her body … it doesn’t quit. Curves for days, and I want to learn every. Single. One.
She pulls in a deep breath. “Well, I guess I should probably go.” She places her hands on the table in front of her and stands.
I stand with her. “I’ll walk you out. You heading to your dorm or our house?”
“I’m going to the dorm tonight. My dad will be here before lunch to get me. I was going to wait for Beck to get here and ride home with him, but my dad wants to do some last-minute Christmas shopping and needs my help. But we’ll be at the game.” She picks up her bag and slings it over her shoulder.
“Can I walk you to your dorm?” I slide my computer in my bag quickly and pull the straps over my shoulders.
“Uh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She grimaces.
“Why not?” I walk over to her and nudge her arm with my elbow.
“Silas.” She looks at me incredulously.
“Is this about the dickhead?”
We start walking toward the exit of the library.
“Eli?” She rolls her eyes. “I mean, a little bit, yeah.”
“Okay, how about I walk you to Lindsey Street at least?” When we get to the door, I walk ahead and hold it open for her.
She looks up at me and smiles. “Fine, but you aren’t crossing with me.”
“All right, Cupcake.”
I hold out my arm for her to take, and she shoves it away.
“Don’t push it, Arbuckle,” she says, laughing.
I touch my chest with my hand. “I’m nothing but a gentleman.”
“Right.” She smirks.
“You’ll see.” I wink at her.
“Okay …” She adjusts the strap on her shoulder. “So, will your family come to the game, or will you get to see them at all over break?”
“My parents are supposed to come, but my siblings won’t come.”
“You have a big family, right? Kind of like Archie’s?” She looks up at me.
I nod. “I have seven siblings. I’m lucky number eight.”
“All boys?”
“Nope. I have two sisters, who are like bonus moms.” I chuckle, thinking of my bossy sisters.
“So, you’re close with just them or all of them?”
“Well, we’re all pretty close in age. One of my brothers and my older sister are Irish twins.
” I lift a shoulder. “I guess I’m closer to a few of them than others.
My older two brothers are married with kids already.
I also have a brother in the Navy, but the rest are near home and work on the farm. ”
“And your family has a produce farm? I’m sorry. I can’t remember what it is.”
“We harvest wheat mostly, but we also grow rye. All for commercial use, like breads, cereals, that kind of stuff. I’m not really involved, but I’ve done my time, working on the farm.” I laugh.
“I would imagine it’s a lot of work.”
“Yeah, it is. I hated it when I was a kid, but as I got older and started training, I used it as an extension of my conditioning. It definitely helped with my upper body strength. We have machines that handle the really heavy lifting and, of course, separating the seeds out, but I’ve spent many hours in the barn, moving bales after the seeds are removed. ”
“That’s really interesting. In one of my classes this semester, we had to write about weather patterns and how they affect agriculture in our region.” She looks at me and smiles.
“Weather is a gift and a curse in that world. It can determine whether or not you’ll make good money in a year.”
A guy on an electric scooter comes out of nowhere, cutting far too close. I barely have time to register it before instinct takes over.
I grab her around the waist and pull her back against me, turning us just enough to get her out of the way. Her body fits easily into the space I make for her—soft curves under my hands, warm and very real. My fingers sink in for half a second longer than necessary, reluctant to let go.
She exhales sharply, one hand braced against my chest. I can feel the rise and fall of her breath, the subtle press of her hip against mine as the world rights itself again.
“Hey, asshole! Watch where you’re going,” I yell out to him.
“You okay?” I ask her, keeping my arm around her.
“I’m fine. Thanks for saving me from a scooter disaster.” She leans into me slightly.
“Happy to be your knight in shining armor anytime.”
I wink at her, and she shoves me away, making my arm fall.
“You’re too much, Silas.”
I don’t want to be too much. I want to be her everything.
“Here’s where we part ways. I guess I’ll see you in Houston.” She leans forward and slides her arm around my waist, surprising me. “Good luck and be safe out there, okay?”
Before I can react to her half hug, she draws her arm back and jogs across the street. She turns around when she reaches the other side and waves.
I hold up my hand in response and then wait for her to get farther down the pathway toward her dorm. Then I cross the street and stay a decent distance behind so she won’t necessarily see me if she turns around, but I’m close enough that I can make sure she gets to her dorm safely.
Once I see her walk in the door, I turn and start to make my way home.
I’m not even ten steps in when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I pull it out and see a message from her on Instagram.
Brooke: Thanks for making sure I got to my dorm safely.
I can’t help the laugh that slips out.
This girl. I think she might like me too. She just doesn’t want to admit it. Yet.