Chapter 8
CHAPTER
EIGHT
CHELSEA
The last few days went by fast. School kept me busy, and then I had one more study session with Bo before I left for Florida.
Staying at his house has been kind of fun actually.
I like my own space, and I don’t mind being alone in general, but having all of them around is nice.
The eye candy on display is an extra bonus too.
Bo specifically. I did feel bad about taking Bo’s room though.
He swore it wasn’t a problem, but I felt even worse when I saw him stretching out his back last night.
He said it was from practice, but I’m sure sleeping on the couch for days hadn’t helped.
I’m at the airport, waiting for my flight to leave, and my phone buzzes. I look down to see a text from my aunt.
Laura: I’ll meet you in Arrivals. I can’t wait to see you! Have a good flight.
Chelsea: Sounds good. See you in a few hours.
Another text comes through, but it’s from Bo this time. We haven’t texted each other since we made our plans for tutoring. But I can’t lie and say I’m not happy about him texting me now.
Bo: Did you make it to the airport?
Chelsea: Yep, I’m just waiting for my plane to get here.
Bo: The waiting is the worst. I don’t mind traveling, other than all the waiting.
Chelsea: I don’t really mind the waiting. I love to people-watch. You can find out a lot about a person by observation.
Bo: Oh, yeah? Have you ever observed me, Miss Future Attorney and Psychology Expert?
Chelsea: All the time.
Am I flirting? Indeed I am. Over the last few days and in our study session yesterday, we’ve been flirting.
I’m not sure why it took us so long to talk like this, to flirt—because I have no doubt he’s just as into me as I am him.
And it’s not like I don’t know him at all.
We’ve spent a year in each other’s circle. But something has changed.
I’ve dated a few guys since I’ve been at Walker, but nothing serious.
Mostly for sex, to be completely honest. And it’s been a while since I’ve gotten laid, which could be why I’m feeling the flirt more than I usually would.
Nah … Bo is just fun to be around and very nice to look at. It’s not a hardship, flirting with him.
Bo: Okay…and? What can you tell about me from observation?
Chelsea: First, let the record reflect that you’re objectively hot.
Bo: Ha! Back at you. But what else?
Chelsea: You’re patient, emotionally regulated—very prefrontal cortex of you. You have a way of stepping back, observing, instead of needing to be the loudest in the room. Honestly, if I were profiling you, I’d say you’re the kind of guy who notices details most people miss.
Bo: So, you’ve been profiling me?
Chelsea: Oh, absolutely. And my professional conclusion? You’re trouble. The best kind.
Bo: Hmm. That sounds pretty accurate. You’re good at this. I do like to observe rather than be the one talking for sure.
There are exactly three people I care about deeply in this world, and their opinions matter to me. The rest of the noise I can shut out. But Bo is quickly becoming someone I want to really know me, too, and I care about what he thinks.
Chelsea: And…
Bo: And what?
Chelsea: What do you see when you observe me?
Bo: I actually think we’re pretty similar in a lot of ways.
I think you’re also very thoughtful about how you react and respond to people.
You’re social, but don’t want to be the center of attention.
You are comfortable in your own skin. You’re honest, but only offer your honesty if asked directly.
You’re funny, too, although I don’t think you realize it.
But you’re mysterious. You have secrets, and I respect them.
Maybe if I’m lucky, you’ll let me be your vault.
His answers make me smile. He’s spot-on for the most part. Being comfortable in my own skin has taken some work though.
Chelsea: I would say that’s accurate too.
Bo: I know. And another thing I know by my observation of you is that you like me.
He’s going for it now, I guess.
Chelsea: That would be correct. Just like I know you like me. By observation, of course.
Bo: Oh, I definitely like you. Why do you have to go to Florida again? Any chance you can miss your flight on purpose?
I giggle.
Chelsea: My little sister’s birthday. But don’t you have to go to a hotel or something tonight?
Bo: Yeah…to eliminate distractions.
Chelsea: Distractions being girls?
Bo: That and partying. You remember Smith and Schuster, right? Well, they got in trouble for being late and hungover a few times last season, so that’s why we have to do this now. But also because the pressure is high this season for us to get another national title.
Chelsea: That makes sense. So do you just go to the hotel and go to bed?
Bo: Not right away, no. The schedule says we’ll eat dinner, then we get to go see a movie at the movie theatre for a team activity. I’m guessing we’ll get the theatre to ourselves, but I’m not really sure yet. Then after that, we have curfew at nine thirty.
Chelsea: Is it a lights-out-at-nine-thirty type of situation?
Bo: I don’t really know. We’ve actually always had curfew, but the coaches just called us the night before and made sure we were home. So, I don’t know if they’re coming around each room or what. I’ll let you know later.
Chelsea: Please do. I’m fascinated by this adult-curfew situation. If I had an athletic bone in my body, I would probably thrive on the structure of it all. I like knowing what to expect and what the expectations are up front.
My need for transparency is definitely related to my trauma. My parents were so unpredictable and volatile, which was literally the only thing I could count on. Their bad behavior.
Bo: So you don’t like surprises?
Chelsea: Not really, no. Although, you bringing me chai this week for our tutoring sessions was a nice surprise.
Bo: Noted. I’m glad you liked it.
A high-pitched buzzing noise comes across the speaker. “Sorry about that, folks. Flight 841 to Fort Myers will be boarding in the next twenty minutes. If you’re not already at the gate, please make your way to it. The plane has just arrived.”
Chelsea: My plane just got here, so we’ll be boarding soon. Have a good rest of your day!
Bo: Have a safe flight. Text me later if you can.
Chelsea: Okay, I will, but won’t you be busy?
Bo: I’ll answer.
I shake my head and smile.
Chelsea: Okay, but don’t get in trouble. Walker University fans wouldn’t be happy if their star wasn’t on the field tomorrow .
Bo: Ha-ha. Talk to you later.
I drop my phone in the small pocket of my bag and make sure my earbuds are in there. My newest audiobook is already cued up for the trip, and I want to get it started as soon as we take off. Coincidentally, it’s about a quarterback falling for his tutor.
Two and a half hours later, I land in Florida.
When I step outside to look for my aunt in the line, the heat blasts me immediately.
It gets hot in Oklahoma, but the humidity here is an absolute killer.
And I forgot to put product in my hair this morning, so I can already feel my hair frizzing. Awesome.
I pull out my phone from my bag to call her, but I see her drive up in her Land Rover before I press Call.
I hold up my hand, but she already sees me and is waving at me through the window.
She has a huge smile on her face. Sometimes, I think about how wild it is that she and my dad are siblings. They couldn’t be more different.
When she stops in front of me, I open the door and get into the passenger seat, putting my bag between my legs on the floor.
“You know you can put that in the back, right?” She gestures toward my bag.
“I know, but it’s not that big, so I’m good.” I lean over and give her a side hug. “Where’s Torie?”
“She’s at home, getting ready for dinner.” She looks at me and rolls her eyes. “It’s just the three of us for dinner, but we might see someone she knows while we’re out, so she has to be prepared, I guess. God forbid she go out without makeup and hair.”
“Right.” Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “So, where are we eating? I’m actually starving. I’ve hardly had much today.”
“She wants to go to Del Mar tonight, then tomorrow …” She glances at me and grimaces.
“What?”
This can’t be good if she’s grimacing.
“We’re all going on airboat rides,” she says quickly.
“We’re what now? Did you say we’re going on airboat rides or just one ride?” I narrow my gaze at her.
“Technically, one ride, but two boats because of the amount of people we have in our party.” She has a worried smile on her face.
“And?” I prod.
“So, I just need you to be the adult on one of the boats.”
“Why though? Don’t they only have to be sixteen to go alone?” I pull out my phone to double-check.
“Yes, but some of the parents want to make sure the girls are properly supervised.” She shakes her head.
“Well, I mean, alligators are great for supervision. What is it they think their daughters will be doing that requires an adult? These girls will all be running around college campuses in less than a year. They do realize that, right?”
“Chels, I know it’s something your dad used to do with you, but while you have a negative association with the activity, Torie really wants to do it. She’s really excited to go. I know you hate it, but I need you. And more importantly, your sister wants you there.” She tilts her head and smiles.
“I mean, I don’t think I have a choice, do I?” I laugh.
“You always have a choice—you know that. But your sister and I would like you to be there.”
If I stayed away from everything that reminded me of my childhood, I’d never step inside this state—or about every fast-food chain in the country.
And while I avoid a lot of things that bring back negative feelings, I can’t deny that the most positive thing in my life is my relationship with my sister.
If having me there is important to her, then I have to do it.