Chapter 7 #2
“Okay, thanks. Yeah, I went with them a few times last year.” She nods.
“I remember. You had a cute little beanie with one of those balls on the top.” I want to make it clear to her that I notice her—have noticed her.
“That’s right; I did.” She clears her throat. “So, your sisters—how old are they?”
I pick up my phone and find the latest picture they sent me of them together and turn it toward her.
“I know you saw that picture of us on my dresser, but that was a few years ago, right before I came to Walker. This is them now. Savannah turned eighteen in July, and Caroline turns sixteen in November.”
She’s looking at my phone screen. “They’re beautiful, Bo. Are y’all close?”
“Yeah, I guess. We text each other, but I don’t really talk to them on the phone much. They’re busy with their own schedules, too, so they don’t come out to many games. And my parents don’t get out here much either.” I really wanted to know more about her and talk less about my family.
“Yeah, you’ll have to tell me more about your dad sometime. I’m curious about his path to becoming a judge. I think our time is just about up.”
She starts to stand just as my alarm chimes on my phone, so I slip my phone in the pocket of my jeans and pack up my bag quickly.
“Wait, I’ll walk out with you.” I zip it and put it over my shoulder, then reach for hers to carry too. “Here, let me carry your bag.”
“Ha! You don’t have to do that. I’m very capable of carrying my bag around.” She looks up at me and smiles.
“I don’t doubt that you are, but I would like to carry it for you.” I reach out again, and she lets me take it off her shoulder.
She places her hand on my forearm. “Hey, thanks again for the coffee and cookies. And for carrying my bag for me. You’re a good guy, Columbus Callaway.” Her smile stretches across her face.
“Shhh … seriously, don’t tell anyone my full name.” I bend down close to her ear, half whispering, even though we’re still in the study room alone.
She turns her head, and our lips are just a breath apart.
She crosses her heart with her finger. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you. So, where are you heading next?” A slow smile spreads across my face, and I hold the door open for her.
“I’m done for the day, so I’m going home. Or I guess your house, since we aren’t allowed back into our building yet. I need to work on my applications for law school and sort all that out.” She looks at me as we walk down the stairs and lifts her eyebrows. “Sounds like a good time, right?”
“Probably more fun than dodging linemen.” I chuckle.
“Agreed. So, I guess I’ll see you later?”
When we exit the building, she reaches for her bag on my shoulder, so I slip it off and hand it to her, brushing her fingers with mine.
“Yep, I’ll be home after practice. Did you sleep okay in my room? I forgot to ask.”
She smiles and nods. “I did. Thank you. I still feel bad, taking over your room.”
“Don’t. I swear I’m good.” My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my pocket to check the time. “Shit, I’d better go. I’ll see you later,” I say, walking backward.
“See you later, Bo.” She winks. Yes, winks at me.
I smile at her and turn. The smile stays on my face the whole way to the field.
Coach is standing outside his office as I walk into the locker room. “Hey, Bo. How you doing?”
I reach out to shake his hand. “Doing good, Coach.”
He places one of his hands on my shoulder, my hand still in his other. “Did you take care of the tutoring?”
“I’m pretty sure you know I did, Coach.” I chuckle because I know Coach knows everything about everyone. More than we probably realize.
He laughs and releases my hand and my shoulder. “You’re right; I do. Have you started yet though?”
I nod. “Just coming from our first session.”
I think I’ll keep the fact that I know Chelsea to myself and definitely the fact that she’s staying with me right now. I don’t want them to assign me to someone else. I want to spend as much time with her as I can.
“Good, good. I look forward to seeing your progress. Now, go get ready. We’re on the field in fifteen.” He turns to face one of the other coaches, who came up while we were talking.
“Yes, sir.”
I spin on my heel and walk toward my stall.
My practice gear is already hanging in it, ready for me to dress.
I pull open the bottom drawer under the seat and drop my backpack in there.
I forgot to run it to my car before I met up with Chelsea.
Which also means I forgot my gym bag, which has my shorts in it.
I look around the room and see one of the equipment managers carrying water bottles to the cart. “Hey, man. Can you grab me some shorts? I forgot my bag in my car.”
“Sure thing, Bo. Give me a few. Do you need anything else?” He sets the bottles on the cart and walks back toward the uniform closet, looking over his shoulder at me.
“Oh, yeah, a rash guard would be good.”
After we won the championship, our alumni sponsors were incredibly generous, as were our athletic sponsors. We get everything from shoes, suits, workout gear, and team track suits. Before, we’d had a tight setup, but even more so now. Anything we want, we pretty much just say the word.
I see Silas on the other side of the room, lacing his cleats. Then Casey flies in through the door and sprints over to his locker near mine.
“Sup, man.” He glances over at me.
“Hey. What are you rushing for? You still have, like, ten minutes to get ready.” I start pulling off my shirt and jeans.
“I lost track of time, then had to run across campus to get here. Literally ran.” He starts laughing. “I nearly took out a few people on my way.”
“Do I even want to ask why you lost track of time?” I ask while taking my pads off the hook and setting them on the bench.
“Probably not.” He looks over at me with a grin.
“Here you go, Callaway.” The equipment manager hands me my clothes.
“Thanks. Appreciate you.” I bump fists with him.
“Why don’t you have clothes?” Casey asks while stripping down.
I clear my throat. “I forgot to go to my car after class to get my bag.”
He looks over at me, suspicious. “You forgot something?”
“Yep,” I reply curtly.
“Uh-huh. Who is she?” He chuckles.
“Why would you assume it’s a girl? You know I don’t chase girls around.” I huff.
I see him nod out of my peripheral vision.
“I guess you’re right. But it’s unlike you to forget to do something when it comes to football.”
“Fine, I was studying with Chelsea.” I slip on my rash guard.
“Chelsea? Noelle’s Chelsea?” He pauses and looks at me.
“Do we know another Chelsea?”
He pulls his shorts on and looks at me.
“What?” I laugh awkwardly.
“You’re more than just studying with her, aren’t you? I suspected you liked her, but after last night and now this, I’m sure of it.” He points at me, smiling.
I’m not even gonna try to pretend with him. He’s one of my closest friends here.
“Nothing’s happened. We’re just friends. But, man to man, yeah, I’m really into her. I have been for a while, honestly.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen the way you look at her. I just didn’t know if it was general appreciation or if it was something more. But last night, when you offered her your bed, I wondered. Good for you, man. Just don’t fuck around with her. I really like her, and she’s, like, Noelle’s best friend.”
“King, when have I ever fucked around with someone? Emotionally. The girls, friends I’ve spent time with, understand what we are and aren’t. And it’s not like I’m some big player either.”
He knows that, and he also knows I don’t toy with people.
“True. You never bring them home though or spend time with them after a hookup. I just don’t want Chelsea to be one of those kind of friends for you.”
“Chelsea is different. Yes, she’s obviously gorgeous and smart. But I like her—you know what I mean?” I slip on my pads, then my practice jersey.
“I do. She’s a cool girl.”
Both dressed at this point, we begin lacing up our cleats.
“Do you know much about her? She mentioned going home this weekend for her sister’s birthday and said she was raised by her aunt. She didn’t seem to want to elaborate on why, and I didn’t press her. But I’m curious about her.”
He shakes his head and stands. “Not really a lot. If Noelle knows anything, she’s never mentioned it to me, but I’ve never had a reason to ask either.” He takes his helmet off the hook in his stall, then slaps me on the arm as he passes. “Let’s go, QB. You’re gonna be late.”
I shake my head and laugh. I’m never late; I’m usually the first one on the field. I grab my helmet and follow him. I need to clear my head and focus on what I’m here to do. Then I can get home and see her again.