Chapter 4 #2
We stare at each other for a minute, smiles on both of our faces. I sit back in my chair, crossing my legs to mirror his casual sprawl.
“So, besides football and being a mediocre student, what else should I know about you?”
He smirks. “Mediocre? Harsh. You’ve never even seen me study.”
“Exactly,” I shoot back. “The fact that I had to be recruited to keep you eligible speaks for itself.”
“Fair,” he concedes with a laugh. “Okay, let’s see … I like wings, video games, and long walks on the beach … at least, that’s what it says on my dating profile.” He winks, and I know he’s kidding.
“Any special talents?”
“I could answer that in more than one way, but I’ll keep this PG.” He taps his chin like he’s thinking hard. “I make the best chicken wings you’ll ever eat.”
I arch a brow. “You cook?”
“Cook might be a strong word,” he admits with a grin. “But I grill like a champ. You haven’t been here when it’s my night to cook. My roommates beg me to do it every time there’s a game.”
“Impressive. Wings and video games. Truly a renaissance man.”
He points at me. “Don’t forget the long walks on the beach. That’s key.”
I laugh. “Except there are no beaches in Oklahoma.”
“Minor detail.” He bends closer to me, smirking. “You’re not supposed to poke holes in my profile. You’re supposed to be impressed.”
“Oh, I’m very impressed,” I say, deadpan. “You’re basically every girl’s dream guy.”
“Exactly.” He sits back, smug, though his eyes are glinting with amusement. “And you? What’s on your profile? Got any hobbies?”
I tilt my head, smiling like I might answer. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
He groans, dragging a hand over his face. “You’re gonna make me work for every scrap, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much.” I’m enjoying the little spark of frustration in his eyes. “Fine. I’ll give you a hint. I like organizing.”
“Organizing?” His brows shoot up. “Like … closets? Calendars? Color-coded chaos?”
I shrug, keeping my tone light. “Exactly that. Drawers, closets, planners … I like putting things in order. It’s kind of my thing.”
“You don’t watch those organization porn videos on TikTok, do you?”
I lean forward and drop my voice to show I’m serious when I say, “All. Night. Long.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Okay, I have to admit, that’s way more specific than I expected. And somehow … kinda cute.”
“You might be the first one to ever believe so,” I tease.
He laughs again, clearly entertained. “Unbelievable. Organized chaos … meets mystery girl.”
“Exactly,” I reply, flashing him a small smile.
We stare at each other, smiling. There’s a sizzle in the air between us that seems to have ignited over simple banter.
This kind of feeling isn’t something I’m used to. Magnetic men aren’t usually my type. I like them mellow and easy to get over when the relationship ends.
Bo, though, is a different breed of man. He’s the kind that can pull you in with chiseled good looks and then trap you with his wit and humor. That is a dangerous combination.
My phone buzzes from my bag, breaking my attention from him. I pull it out and see a text from Noelle.
“Oh, I’m very impressed,” I say, deadpan. “You’re basically every girl’s dream guy.”
“Exactly.” He sits back, smug, though his eyes are glinting with amusement. “And you? What’s on your profile? Got any hobbies?”
I tilt my head, smiling like I might answer. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
He groans, dragging a hand over his face. “You’re gonna make me work for every scrap, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much.” I’m enjoying the little spark of frustration in his eyes. “Fine. I’ll give you a hint. I like organizing.”
“Organizing?” His brows shoot up. “Like … closets? Calendars? Color-coded chaos?”
I shrug, keeping my tone light. “Exactly that. Drawers, closets, planners … I like putting things in order. It’s kind of my thing.”
“You don’t watch those organization porn videos on TikTok, do you?”
I lean forward and drop my voice to show I’m serious when I say, “All. Night. Long.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Okay, I have to admit, that’s way more specific than I expected. And somehow … kinda cute.”
“You might be the first one to ever believe so,” I tease.
He laughs again, clearly entertained. “Unbelievable. Organized chaos … meets mystery girl.”
“Exactly,” I reply, flashing him a small smile.
We stare at each other, smiling. There’s a sizzle in the air between us that seems to have ignited over simple banter.
This kind of feeling isn’t something I’m used to. Magnetic men aren’t usually my type. I like them mellow and easy to get over when the relationship ends.
Bo, though, is a different breed of man. He’s the kind that can pull you in with chiseled good looks and then trap you with his wit and humor. That is a dangerous combination.
My phone buzzes from my bag, breaking my attention from him. I pull it out and see a text from Noelle.
Noelle: I have some bad news.
“Oh no.” I huff.
“What’s wrong?” Bo asks.
“I’m not sure. I just got a text from Noelle, saying she has some bad news. I mean, it could be anything from her breaking a nail or something serious.” I snicker.
Chelsea: What’s wrong?
Noelle: So you know the guys that live above us?
Chelsea: Yesss…
Noelle: Apparently, they have a cockroach issue, and the entire building needs to be fumigated.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
“What is it?” Bo prods.
I groan. “The guys who live above us have a roach issue. I guess they have to fog the whole building, which is really inconvenient.”
Chelsea: Awesome. I assume you’ll go stay with Casey, right?
Noelle: Yes, and I don’t mean to overstep, but I asked him if you could stay there too. Charlie was with us and said you can bunk with her or something. Or she said she can give you her room and go stay with Arbor and Lily.
Chelsea: I don’t want to take her room. I mean, it doesn’t matter to me about sharing a room. Whatever is easiest. Can you tell Casey and Charlie I said thank you?
Noelle: Absolutely. I guess we need to get our stuff today. They’re starting tomorrow.
Chelsea: Okay, I have tutoring until four, but I’ll run home after. Should I just meet you at the apartment or Casey’s?
“Can I help with anything?” Bo asks.
I shake my head and look at him. “No. I mean, I guess you already are. I’ll be staying at your house for a few days. Casey offered to let me stay there while the apartment building is getting debugged.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Tutoring and a roomie, huh?”
“Looks like it.” I turn my attention back to my phone.
Noelle: I won’t get home from school around then either, so I’ll meet you there, and we can go over to the house together. Does that work for you?
Chelsea: Sounds good. See you later.
I check the time, then close out my screen and put my phone back in my bag. “I need to run. I need a caffeine fix before my next class. So, I guess I’ll see you later.” I stand.
Bo stands with me and slings his backpack over his shoulder. “I’d better get going too. I need to get to the field soon. I could use an energy drink or something. I’m starting to drag.”
I bite the inside of my lip to keep from smiling and start walking toward the coffee shop.
“What do you like to drink? Are you a sugary coffee drinker?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Not too sugary. I want more coffee than sweetener or syrups. I usually go for a chai or a macchiato with a dash of caramel in it. Or sometimes, when I’m feeling a little quirky, I’ll branch out and do a matcha.”
“Is that the green one?”
“Yeah.”
“Does it taste like grass? I imagine it tasting … earthy.” He laughs.
I look up at him and smile. “Not really. At least I don’t think so. Why don’t you go crazy and try one today?”
“Maybe I will,” he says.
We reach the shop and step up to the counter.
“This is my treat,” he says.
“You don’t have to do that.” I wave him off.
“Nope. I insist.” He puts his hand on my lower back, which shoots tingles straight up my spine, and guides me forward.
I place my order for a vanilla chai and give them my name, and he orders the matcha and an energy drink and gives them his name.
“Double fisting, eh?” I look at him.
“The energy drink is my backup plan in case I don’t like the matcha.” He chuckles.
The barista gives him the total, and Bo pulls out his phone from his pocket to tap the payment. Once he’s paid, he drops his phone back in his pocket, and we move down the line, his hand on my lower back again. When we reach the end of the line, his hand stays in place, and I don’t say anything.
I’m not sure if this is like an automatic reaction for him or if he intends to touch me. I don’t hate it—that’s for sure. I can feel the warmth of his hand through my clothes. It’s calming, but also … those tingles are back.
“Chelsea,” the barista calls out.
“That would be you.” Bo slides his hand up my back, then drops his hand.
I take my drink off the counter and turn to him. “Thanks for the chai. I appreciate it, even though you totally didn’t have to.”
“It’s not a problem, and it’s absolutely my pleasure to serve you, Chelsea.” He places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes gently.
Our gazes are locked, and we’re both smiling.
“Bo!” the barista calls out.
Without breaking his stare, he reaches over and grabs his two drinks and tips his head in the direction of the exit.
I turn on my heel and start walking, feeling his stare on me. I’ve always thought he was good-looking, but it seems like his hotness is all up in my face now. Possibly because I’ve spent more time around him over the last year, and lucky me … I’m about to spend more time with him.
When we get outside the doorway of the coffee shop, he comes up next to me so we’re walking side by side. “What class are you in now?” he asks.
I push the door to the outside open, and he reaches over me to hold it open.
“Environmental Law and Crime.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
“Wow, okay. That sounds intense.” He chuckles. “You excited about that?”
I smile up at him as we walk toward the building where my class is located. “Actually, yes.”
“Good. It definitely makes the class go faster when it’s something you like.” He takes a sip of the matcha and scrunches up his nose.
“Don’t like it?” I ask him, giggling.
He turns his head side to side. “Actually, it’s not too bad. A little sweet, but not too sweet. Has a grassy flavor. Kind of like drinking a shot of wheat grass with milk in it.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had wheat grass, so I can’t tell you if you’re right or wrong.” I shrug.
“You’re not missing anything. I drink it occasionally because it’s good for you, but it’s not a preferred beverage.” He snickers.
“I’ll take your word for it.” I tilt my head toward the building in front of us. “This is me. I guess I’ll see you tonight.”
He smiles a wicked smile and nods. “Looking forward to it. Have a good class.” He starts walking backward.
Smiling, I shake my head and turn to open the door.
Those eyes, that smile, and that body of his could make a girl lose her mind. Except for me, of course. Because I know better. At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself since he and I will be sleeping under the same roof.