CHAPTER FIVE #2
“The color of it was nice,” she admits. I can hear a bit of wind noise around her, and it sounds like maybe she’s walking. “You looked good drinking it. I mean…with your skin tone. And your hair color. I don’t know, the palette was just right.”
I laugh, deeply tickled by the turn in this conversation. “So you’re saying the IPA and I matched.”
“Yeah. Absolutely a beer you should consider drinking more often because it complements your skin tone.”
We both share a laugh, and then she swears under her breath. “Sorry. I’m walking back to my car and this guy just hollered at me.”
“What did he say?” I wander around my apartment, phone pressed to my ear. I don’t talk much on the phone anymore—I vastly prefer texting—but with Casey, it’s easy. Natural, even.
“Just your typical catcalling,” she mutters.
My brows shoot up. “Really? At this hour of the day?”
“Oh, Griffin.” She tuts. “It follows me everywhere. Chicago was horrible for it. Not all men are decent human beings like you.”
The experience makes something itchy and uncomfortable slide through me. I want to be there now. I want to wrap her in my arms and keep her safe.
“I’m doing my part, but men need to do better,” I say with a sigh. “What else is new, Case? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while but it’s only been…”
“Three days,” she finishes for me with a laugh. I hear the handle of her car door, and then it slams shut a moment later and her end is quieter. It’s much easier to hear her pretty voice when she says, “Everything’s been fine. I guess. As fine as it can be.”
“Why does it sound like that means things aren’t fine?”
“Oh, it’s just…you know. Being home. Under that roof again.” She pauses, and I can see her in my mind’s eye, worrying on her plump bottom lip. “Claire came over for dinner last night with Paul, and of course the wedding came up, and the whole maid of honor thing got shoved into my face again.”
“What maid of honor thing?” I ask.
She sighs, like she’s readying herself for a journey. “Claire asked me to be her maid of honor back when Paul proposed and I…said no.”
I grimace. “I’m sure she didn’t take that well. Why did you say no?”
“Because she hates everything I do!” The words come out in a frustrated burst. “I’ve never once pleased her.
I was shocked she even asked me. I was also really honored, but I…
I don’t know, my panic took over and I said no before I could think twice because I was so scared to mess up.
I always mess up. I can’t be Chaotic Casey for her wedding.
She’s been even meaner to me since then, and last night she blew up at me about the centerpieces. ”
“Ouch.” I get that same urge to pull her into my arms and protect her from the stress of it all. “What was the deal with the centerpieces?”
“I suggested she do a different color scheme to match the wedding party dresses and she didn’t like the suggestion and then segued into how she’d be sure to ask her actual maid of honor for some input.”
“Fuck.”
“Exactly.” She lets out a frustrated burst of air. “My parents take her side, of course. I just don’t think I can last much longer in that house.”
The solution is bubbling up out of my throat before I can even second guess it. “You can stay with me whenever you need a break. My door is always open for you.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “You mean that?”
“Of course. I don’t mind being a landing pad,” I admit. “Piper stayed with me for a few months last year after Kru kicked her out of her apartment.”
“Wait. Her fiancé…kicked her out of her apartment?”
“It was before they started dating,” I clarify, easing onto the couch and splaying out to get more comfortable.
Now I feel like I’m back in high school, talking to my girlfriend on the phone.
But I like it. “Kru showed up as the new landlord of her shop. She lived in the upstairs apartment, and part of his renovations included that space as well as his restaurant. So they didn’t get along for a while. Did you not watch the reality show?”
“Too busy reading, I guess. I can imagine the fireworks!” She laughs, and it’s a beautiful melody against my ear.
“You are the sweetest person I’ve ever met.
I really appreciate the offer, but my goal is to find my own rooming situation for the summer.
I’ve been watching the local groups for people looking for temporary roommates. I’ve got a couple leads.”
My instinct is to say “no, let me help, move in with me.” But that feels somehow fast. Or like maybe my true intentions might shine through, which is that I want Casey Hart in my space, and eventually in my bed, more than almost anything else.
“Let me vet them,” I add. “No catcalling creeps or weirdos allowed.”
“You can be the creep monitor if you want.”
We share another laugh, and that’s when I remember the plans for that night.
“Are you doing anything later? I’ve got a movie night happening at my house, and you’re welcome to join.
Piper and Kru are coming, plus Branson and maybe a couple others.
You can stay the night if you want. That would kind of solve your problem temporarily, at least.”
She hums excitedly. “What movie are you watching?”
“A sleazy B-movie.”
She snort-laughs again. “I’m in. I’ll bring popcorn. And…what else does this level of sleaze require? Baby oil? Stirrups?”
My mind goes down a path it shouldn’t since we’re just friends. I scrub those thoughts and say, “I’ll let you decide the accessories. I haven’t decided yet which movie we’re watching, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”
We exchange a few more jokes before hanging up. I haven’t been more excited for a routine movie night in eons. I’m just glad Piper and Casey aren’t here right now.
Piper, because she’d give me shit for how goofily I’m smiling right now and would for sure tease me about my “girlfriend” like she did during the grand opening.
And Casey, because if she were here right now, there’d be no way for me to pretend I’m not desperate for a taste of her.
I’ve got the rest of the day to steel myself and put that attraction right where it belongs: under lock and key, where it can’t interfere with my summer recovery or my upcoming season with the Crushers.