Chapter 4
CHAPTER
FOUR
CHELSEA
My whole way home from dinner last night, I thought about Bo.
When he had said he was walking me out, my mind ran through a few different scenarios, one of which was that he was going to ask me out.
To my surprise, I was disappointed he hadn’t because, throughout the night, I’d caught him looking at me.
But not in a creepy way. In a I like you kind of way.
When I got home, I took my shower and got myself ready for bed.
Before turning in, I texted Bo the days and times I blocked for tutoring and waited for a reply to see if they worked with his class and practice schedules.
He didn’t reply right away, so I turned in for the night, but when I woke up this morning, there was a text from him, saying he would meet me tomorrow mid-morning at the library, which was my first available time slot.
I wasn’t sure if it could work with his schedule between classes and football, but he didn’t ask for a different date, so I assumed the timing worked for him.
I’m on my way to class with a lot on my mind. I still need to finish a few law school applications. However, I’m still undecided about where I want to apply, aside from Walker and Penn.
My cell phone rings just as I’m pulling into the commuter parking lot. When I put my car in park, I pull my phone out of my bag and see that it’s my aunt calling. My sister’s eighteenth birthday is coming up, and I know they both want me to come home to celebrate it.
“Hello, you’ve reached Chelsea Sullivan. I can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave me a message, I’ll probably text you back.” I can’t hold in my laugh.
My aunt and I are really close, although it took a little bit of time for that to happen.
“Hello, Chelsea Sullivan. This is your favorite aunt calling.” We both laugh now. “Did I get you at a bad time? I don’t have your new schedule in front of me.”
“No, I’m good for a few minutes. I just pulled into school. I have about ten minutes before class, so you’ll be walking with me.”
I turn off my car, grab my backpack, and get out. I lock the door with my key fob over my shoulder as I walk. I switch my phone to my other hand so I can put the other strap of my backpack over my shoulder.
“Okay, I’ll be quick. Are you going to be able to come home for Torie’s birthday? It would mean a lot to her,” she says quickly. “I love that you took extra classes this summer, but Florida misses you … and so do we.”
I gnaw at my bottom lip. “I know. I’m trying to figure it out. Let me get through the day and double-check my schedule. I just talked to her the other day, and I really want to see her for her big day. She said you’re taking her to the Bahamas with a few friends for graduation?” I ask.
She sighs. “Yes, that’s what she wants to do. I would much prefer a one-on-one trip, like you and I had for your graduation, but you know Tor; she is a social butterfly and wants all her besties to come. I just hope Eve’s mom, Julie, doesn’t want to join us. She gets on my nerves.”
“Eww, yeah, she’s not fun. What’s the plan for her birthday? Are we just doing the three of us, or is she having a bunch of people there? I just need to be socially prepared.” I laugh.
“Well, it depends on what day you come in and how long you get to stay. Dinner with the three of us for sure.” I hear her moving around her office.
She’s a pediatrician, and she must be between patients. I can see her office in my mind. Probably still featuring my and Torie’s artwork from school and pictures of the three of us.
“I just got to my building, so let me get back to you later on whether or not I can come in early, but it’s not likely.” I see a few people from my class walk by and into the building. “I’d better run. Class is about to start.”
“Okay, sweet girl. I’ll talk to you later. Have a good day. I love you!” Her voice pitches at the I love you.
“Love you more. Talk to you later,” I say and start to take the phone away from my ear to disconnect.
“Oh, wait, Chels! We need to talk about that letter sooner rather than later. Sorry …” She stalls.
The letter.
It’s been something Aunt Laura has brought up a few times over the last month. It was sent to the house, and she forwarded it to me. It’s sitting in my desk drawer, unopened and staring at me whenever I go to grab a pen.
“I mean, I would rather not. But we’ll talk about it later. I don’t want it on my mind today. I have a lot to do,” I say, aggravated. Not at her, just at the mention of the letter since it’s from my dad.
“I know. I’m sorry. It just popped in my mind. Love you.” She makes a kissing sound.
“Love you too. I’ll call you guys later.” I disconnect and pull the door open to head into my class.
Funny enough, it’s a Developmental and Child Psychology class. I’m sure they could do a whole case study on me and my sister. It’d probably be enough material for an entire semester.
We’re actually both as mentally healthy as anyone could be, considering our history. Torie was pretty little when my aunt got us; she really doesn’t have many memories of what it was like with my parents before my mom died. Luckily.
I, on the other hand, remember a lot. And most of it wasn’t good.
Especially the memories from that night my mother was killed.
I’ve been through years of therapy, and I’ve dealt with the trauma of it all, not that I don’t get bad dreams here and there, but I know how to process it in a way that isn’t harmful to me or sets me back in any way.
Thinking about what could have happened to us if we hadn’t had our aunt …
I can’t even imagine how we would have turned out or if we would have been able to stay together at all.
After my mom’s murder, the Florida Department of Children and Family immediately took custody of us and, within twenty-four hours, had a shelter hearing before a judge.
At the shelter hearing, my aunt—the only surviving blood relative we had, who we didn’t even know—was granted emergency placement.
Most cases aren’t as easy as ours was in terms of placement.
After social evaluations and more hearings, the court granted my aunt a long-term guardianship plan. She legally adopted us nine months later.
And that’s why I want to go into family law, advocating for children.
We were fortunate that she wanted us without a doubt in her mind.
At least, that’s what she’s always told us.
She’s never made us feel like we weren’t wanted or loved.
Sure, it was difficult in the beginning, especially with me becoming a teenager not long after she got us.
Dealing with all the counseling and the hormones on top of it …
bless her for not giving up on me. She has been a mother, in every sense of the word, to us both, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.
After class, I decide to stop at the coffee shop in the campus common area.
When I walk into the building, I look to my right and spot Bo sitting on one of the couches in the lounge area, looking like the snack he is, wearing gray sweatpants and a Walker University Football T-shirt with his number on it.
I internally debate on whether or not I should go say hello or if it would be weird.
I mean, he’s my friend, sort of, and I’ll be tutoring him, so I probably should.
Why am I acting like this? I literally never get flustered with guys. My thoughts make me laugh, which draws his attention. I’m looking right at him and laughing. Great.
He smiles and waves at me. “Hey, Chelsea. What’s so funny?”
Now it really would be weird if I didn’t go over and say hi, so I stroll over to him. “Hey.” I smile and shift my bag on my shoulder. “Oh, nothing. Just funny running into you here.”
He nods. “I mean, not that funny, considering I go to school here too.” He laughs. “You between classes or done for the day?”
“Just finished one class, and I have one more before I’m done. But then I need to meet the other student I’m tutoring.” I take a seat on the chair next to the couch.
He puts his hand on his heart. “You mean I’m not your only one? I’m crushed,” he says, laughing.
I smile at him and feel my cheeks heat. “I have another. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to share me.” I shrug.
“I don’t like to share. Is it another athlete?”
“Soccer,” I state.
“Damn. Those guys are fit and definitely have a good time. I bet he tries to sweep you off your feet.”
“Well, it’s a she, not a he. Not my type, although she could be a new bestie. You never know.”
His shoulders relax as he sits back. “But I’ll be your best student.” He winks at me and smirks.
“Oh, yeah? You take direction well then? Like to be told what to do?” I smile, testing him a little to gauge his response to my blatant innuendo.
He barks out a laugh. “In certain situations, yeah, maybe. I guess we’ll have to see how it goes.
” He leans back in his chair and tilts his head, his brow raised as he studies me.
“So, what brought you to Oklahoma? Doesn’t seem like the kind of state a girl from the Sunshine State would want to go. ”
“Says the West Coast guy.”
“Exactly. But I’m here for football. Because no one just wakes up and says, You know where I want to be? Oklahoma.”
I smirk. “Maybe I did.”
He chuckles. “Nah. You’re too smart for that.”
I swirl one of my curls between my fingers, keeping my tone light. “Let’s just say … it was time for a change. Walker was far enough away, and that was enough.”
“That’s all you’re giving me?”
“That’s all there is,” I answer easily, though I can see the way he’s still searching my face, like he’s trying to pry more out of me.
“You’re tough,” he says finally, grinning. “Most people like talking about themselves.”
“I’m not most people.”
“No kidding.” He shakes his head but smiles like he’s enjoying the challenge. “All right. I’ll let you keep your secrets—for now.”
I lift my brows, playful but firm. “Smart choice.”