Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
BO
It’s not uncommon for Chelsea to be here when Noelle is over, but I mean … what are the chances? We talk on occasion, but usually within the group, never one-on-one. Now, I’m not an overly superstitious guy, but I feel like this could be a sign to take my shot.
Trying to act nonchalant and like her number isn’t burning a hole through my pocket, I stroll into the kitchen. “What’s up, ladies?”
I look around at each female in the room, smiling and nodding, then stop on Chelsea. She’s smiling back at me, but I must stare a little too long because she breaks up the awkwardness.
“Uh, hi, Bo.” She laughs and brushes a strand of hair behind her ear.
I look away first because I don’t need to embarrass myself further. “Where’s Casey?” I ask, looking at Noelle.
“He’s on the phone with Beck in his room. I’m sure they’re almost done.” She tilts her head toward his room while she grabs some plates from the cupboard.
“Oh, awesome. I want to go say hello to the big shot too. It’s not every day your buddy is recruited to the NFL. I want to see how things are going in Chicago.”
I turn to look at Charlie. “When does he come home for a visit?”
She’s standing at the stove, pulling out what looks to be roasted chicken and potatoes. “I think he’s planning to come down for the first game, but he hasn’t gotten his tickets yet. If he comes, he’ll have to leave right after. They have their last preseason game that weekend.”
“That’s right. Okay, I’m gonna go say hello. How much longer until dinner?” I put my hand in my pocket over my phone.
“Probably about five minutes, but don’t hang up. I want to say goodbye.” She calls after me. “Silas, no! Do not pick at the chicken with your fingers. Go wash your hands.”
I laugh, hearing her scold Silas. “Will do.” I wave my hand over my shoulder.
When I reach Casey’s room, I tap on the door.
“Come in,” he shouts from the other side of the door. “Sup, man. Dinner ready?”
“Charlie said it’ll be another five minutes. I just wanted to say hi to Beck.” I nod toward the cell in his hand.
“Let me put it on speaker.” Casey taps the speaker button on his phone. “You there, brother?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” Beck says. “How’s it going, Callaway?”
“It’s going. Casey tell you about the new curfew and the docuseries?” I huff a laugh.
Beck chuckles. “He did. Glad it’s you guys and not me.”
“Dude, it’s gonna suck. The curfew part of it. I have my routine at home.” Casey groans.
“You mean, your routine at home, where you fuck your girlfriend all night?” Beck laughs.
“Well, I mean, yeah. But also, it’s not just fucking. She’s the love of my life.” Casey puts his hand over his heart, smiling. “I like having her here when I wake up too.”
“Right, we’re all aware of that. Speaking of girlfriends, where is mine?” The cell rings with an incoming FaceTime call from him. “Switch it over so I can see my girl.”
Beck’s face appears on the screen. He’s sitting on a couch, with the skyline of Chicago in the background.
The lights of the skyscrapers are starting to turn on, making the city shine.
Chicago is a fun city. It’s not one of my top choices, but I like to try picturing myself in places my friends play.
“You look rough, brother.” Casey winces. “Is that a shiner?”
“Nah, just a little scratch. I got nailed by Johanson in practice the other day. Fucker was trying to lay me out and nearly did, but I juked right before he got me hard. Still got me hard enough that I slid across the turf. My helmet scraped my face. Hurt like a motherfucker more than the hit did.” He smirks and shakes his head.
Pete Johanson is a beast. He’s a safety for Chicago—and not someone I ever want coming at me. Lucky for Beck, he’s his teammate, and the only time he has to face him is in practice.
“Rub some dirt on it. You’ll be fine.” I wink at him and give him my signature smile. The real one, not the one I use for media.
Beck gives me the finger. “Go get my girl. Oh, and, Bo? Have fun with all those interviews for the show this season. I’m sure you’ll have a great time, getting followed around.” He laughs.
“Well, I mean, I’m not sure they’ll follow me around all the time, but, yeah, not looking forward to it.” I shake my head and put my hands on my hips.
“Dude, they’re gonna follow you around.” Casey smirks and nods.
“Still waiting to see my girl. I’ll catch up with you guys later.” He waves his hand to gesture for us to walk out of the room.
“Char! You’re being beckoned. Get it? Why am I so funny?” Casey laughs as he walks out of the room.
I follow him, laughing and shaking my head. “You’re such a dork, dude.”
Noelle, of course, thinks he’s funny. “Casey King, you are a dork, but you’re mine.” She giggles and wraps her arms around his shoulders once he hands his phone off to his sister.
I glance over at Chelsea and see her smiling and watching them, which makes me smile. Her smile lights up her whole face. It’s the kind of smile where you can tell the person is really happy, that it’s genuine.
Silas must have left the room while we were on with Beck, and he walks back into the kitchen. “We ready to eat? I’m starving.” Grabbing one of the plates off the counter, he starts scooping some of the potatoes from a bowl onto his plate, then grabs some chicken and salad too.
“Sure, go right ahead, Silas. We aren’t waiting for my sister, who cooked the meal.” Casey chuckles.
“Oh, sorry. Should I put it back?” he asks us.
“NO!” we collectively shout.
Silas smiles, knowing that would be the answer. “I’m a growing boy. I need to eat. My stomach waits for no one.”
Just as he sits, Charlie comes back into the room, face a little flushed. “Silas, go right ahead.” She waves her hand toward his food.
“Sorry, Charlie. I was hungry, and I wasn’t sure how much longer you would be on with Beck. I heard you on the phone with him when I passed your room. Sounded like it was gonna be a while.” He tries to smother a laugh.
“I have no idea what you mean, eavesdropper.” Charlie spins on her heel and walks over to the food.
“Uh-huh. Out of respect for you and your brother, I’ll keep what I heard to myself.” He can’t hold his laugh in anymore.
“Nope. Stop.” Casey plugs his ears.
“Okay, kids. Let’s just get our food and eat. I want to hear more about the docuseries y’all are going to be a part of this season. That sounds like fun!” Chelsea says as she walks over to grab a plate.
Casey starts to tell them everything that we know. I still need to look through the paperwork and also call my dad at some point tonight, not only about the show, but also about my tutoring. He’s not going to be happy about the tutoring part. I’m not so sure how he’ll feel about the show.
“So, will they come here to the house, do you think, or just stay around the stadium and locker room? And do they travel with y’all?” Noelle asks.
“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.