Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
CHELSEA
It’s been two days since the night we messed around.
I have talked to Bo every day, but I haven’t seen him since.
And I’m back at my own apartment now, which I’m slightly disappointed about.
I was starting to get used to having other people around, and being able to see Bo sleeping in his bed was a bonus too.
He’s been busy the last few days with football stuff, and he had to do some more interviews for the docuseries. And I’ve been working on getting everything turned in for my law school applications. I get to see him at our study session today though, and I can’t wait.
I’m walking to the library now. Luckily, I’ve been able to reserve the study area we’ve been using.
I take the flight of stairs to the second level and head into the room.
I’m just pulling my notebook out of my messenger bag when Bo walks in and sets his backpack on the table.
He looks amazing in jeans and a tight black T-shirt.
“Hey.”
One thing I’ve noticed in the time we’ve been spending together and talking is just how deep his voice is. The timbre hits just right.
“Hi.” I look at him and smile. “How’s your day going?” I untie the hoodie around my waist, drape it on the back of my seat, sit down, and pull out the syllabus.
“Better now that I get to see you.” He walks around the table to me, tilts my chin up, and leans down to kiss me, lingering for a minute before pulling away. He goes back to his side of the table, opens his bag, and starts taking out his notebook, phone, and tablet.
“Aren’t you sweet?” I tease. “So, you have a quiz this week that we should study for today.”
“Yep, I do. I feel pretty good about it though. The last few weeks have really helped.” He takes a seat and pulls his chair in closer to the table.
“Good. I’m glad.” And I am.
I really like to help people. It’s not that Bo isn’t capable of learning the material. I think, with him, it’s more of a lack of interest in the subject maybe. Honestly, he just needs to pass the class. So, as long as I help him do that, I’ve done my job.
“Okay, let’s get started.”
“All right, let’s get the school stuff out of the way so we can talk. I want to hear about your day.” He pulls up his notes on his tablet and glances up at me, the corners of his mouth lifting.
“Not much to tell. I had class and met with my advisor this morning. Now I’m here with you.” I shrug. “My life is pretty predictable. I like a solid routine, you know?”
“I do know. I’m the same,” he says, watching me.
“Your old-man schedule, you mean?” I can’t help but laugh.
He puts his hand on his chest. “Hey, don’t knock it. I personally enjoy eating dinner early, and getting solid sleep is the best. I’m tellin’ ya. Those old folks have had the right idea all along.”
“I believe you. I just can’t shut my head off as early as you do. I need to watch a show, scroll on my phone—although I need to stop doing that. It interferes with your sleep pattern or something.”
“Yep. That’s what our nutritionist tells us too.
We need the sleep and downtime for recovery, but also for cognitive awareness.
All that said, I do like being able to talk to you at night before bed.
That’s been really nice the last few days.
” He reaches across the table and hooks my index finger with his.
“I also miss having you at the house and in my bed.”
“You do, huh?” I tilt my head, studying his eyes.
Bo Callaway is the kind of guy who speaks from the heart, and you can read the truth in his eyes.
“I do. Have you missed me?” His mouth tips up on one side.
I’m not one to play games, so I tell him the truth. “I have. I was getting used to being in your bed. You’ve got a good mattress.”
“So, you just miss my mattress?”
I pull in a deep breath because I know things are about to change between us. I can feel it. And I want it. I want to just be around him, to have his hands on me, his mouth on mine. “I’ve missed you.”
He takes my hand in his and brushes his thumb over the top of my hand. “I want to see you tonight. Can you come over, or can I come to yours?”
“Um, yeah, either one works.”
My guess is that Noelle will be at his place again with Casey, so that means we would have my apartment to ourselves. Not that I expect anything to happen, although I wouldn’t mind. It would be good for us to hang out without everyone else hanging around too.
“I can make something for dinner at my place if you want. Noelle will probably be at yours again.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.” We sit, staring at each other in silence, both smiling. “Do you like to cook?”
I nod. “I do. I mean, I’m no Top Chef or anything, but I can make a few things. I guess I should ask if you have any food restrictions.” I lift my shoulder.
“Not really. I try to avoid a lot of fatty foods though. I eat a lot of protein and veggies. But honestly, don’t worry about me. I’ll eat whatever you make. Can I bring anything?” He releases my hand and sits back in his seat.
“I should be good. I have to stop at the store on my way home anyway, so I can grab anything else I might need then.” My phone buzzes with a text from my aunt, and I glance at it quickly, but close it out.
I do notice the time though, and we’re running behind.
“You’ll have to go to practice soon, so we should get started. ”
“Okay, let’s do this.”
Forty minutes later, we start to pack up.
I look up and ask him, “I think you’re ready for tomorrow, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I think so. I’ve gone over it on my own and now with you. So, unless she changes everything she’s testing us on, I should be good.”
I chuckle lowly.
“Thank you for helping me with this. I mean, I know it’s your job, but you’ve been great, explaining things in a way that make sense to me.”
“Happy to help, and, yes, it is my job, but I like working with people.” I stand and grab my hoodie from the back of the chair.
“Well, you’re good at it. If the lawyer stuff doesn’t work out, you’d be an amazing teacher.” He slings his backpack over his shoulder and walks toward the door.
“I feel like I’m pretty set on the law stuff, but thanks. I’ll consider it for a fallback career just in case.” I bring the strap of my bag over my head so it’s crossing my chest.
Bo pulls the door open and holds it as I walk through, his hand touching my lower back.
“Oh, you know what? I need to go grab a book for one of my classes. You want to just text me when you’re done with practice or something?”
“I’ll walk with you. I have a little more time today. I already did my interview yesterday, so I just need to run to my SUV and grab my bag and drop my backpack off on the way.”
“You don’t have to come with me. I know where it is in the library, but it might take a minute to find it in the row.” I adjust my bag so I can grab the paper with the name of the book on it.
Bo nudges my shoulder with his arm lightly. “I want to. Unless you want me to go. Is it some secret-society kind of book or something?”
“Ha, no. It’s a biography that I’m referencing for a case study that I’m working on for one of my classes.” I look at the numbers at the top of the stacks, trying to find the right one. When I spot it, I turn down the row.
I scan the shelves, looking for the book I need, but I can feel Bo close behind me. I stop and trace the numbers along the book spines until I see the one I need. Bo is standing close enough to me now that I can feel the heat of his body at my back.
“Did you find what you need?” he says softly in my ear, making me shiver.
The timbre of his voice is so fucking sexy. I could probably get myself off with his voice alone. No lie.
“Yeah, it’s right here.” I turn, and our chests brush against each other.
He lifts his arm and braces his hand on the shelf next to my head. His other hand comes to my hip. “I can’t stop thinking about the other night.”
“Me neither.” I’m not the type of girl to blush, but I can feel the heat in my cheeks. Not from embarrassment, but from getting turned on just by his proximity. Right here. In the library. Where I work.
Ah, fuck it.
I take hold of his shirt and fist it in my hand, pulling him into me and bringing his lips to mine.
When I slide my tongue into his mouth, we both moan.
He drops his hand from the shelf behind me and wraps his arm around my waist, tugging me in closer to his body, and I can feel his hard-on through his jeans against my belly.
“Fuck yes.” He kisses my forehead, then kisses me again on the lips. “We’d better get going. I can’t be held accountable for my actions if we keep standing here, kissing. I’m about to blow in my jeans. From a kiss.” He shakes his head, laughing, but he doesn’t seem to be embarrassed.
“That might be hard to explain to your teammates in the locker room, I’m sure.” I giggle. “Let’s go.”
I unwrap my arms and turn back around and grab the book I need. When I face him again, I see him adjusting his dick in his pants with a smirk on his face.
“Better?”
“As good as it’s gonna get,” he grumbles, but he’s smiling.
We walk down the row and then down the stairs. I have to check out the book, so I walk toward the counter, and he stays with me. Once my book is checked out, we start to walk out, and a few people congratulate him on Saturday’s game as they pass.
He reaches for my hand, but I pull away. I don’t want my supervisor to see us holding hands if she happens to walk by. It’s not in the actual rule book that you can’t date a student you’re tutoring, but it doesn’t really look good either.
“You don’t want to hold my hand?” He’s looking at me, but doesn’t look upset. “Are you embarrassed of me?”
“No, it’s not that. I just don’t want my supervisor to see us.” I shrug.
“Ah, gotcha.” He leans down close to my ear. “But when we’re not in the library, will you let me hold your hand?”
He’s so cute for asking. And I can tell he’s being sincere.
Like he doesn’t want to do anything that would make me uncomfortable.
Which just makes me like him even more. Because public displays of affection—or, hell, even just hugging my aunt, sister, or Noelle—haven’t always been a natural thing for me.
And I like that he can sense that about me.
I smile up at him. “Yes, Bo, I’ll let you hold my hand outside of the library.”
“Yes.” He makes a fist and pumps his arm into his body.
“Oh my God, Bo.” I can’t help the loud laugh that squeaks out. “You’re a dork.”
He looks down and has a huge smile on his face, his eyes literally sparkling. “I wanna be your dork.”
When we get to the doors, he holds one open for me. Then, as soon as we walk out of the building, he reaches for my hand.
I entwine my fingers with his, our hands between us. Like we’ve done this a million times before. Which, for me, is different, but I like it.
Bo’s phone chimes, signaling it’s time for him to head to practice. “Where are you parked?” he asks me.
“I’m on the other side of campus. You go. I’m fine.”
I try to let go of his hand, but he pulls it up to his mouth and kisses my fingers.
“Get home safe. I’ll call you when I get out of practice, okay?” He releases me and starts walking backward.
“Yes, sounds good. Now get to practice before you’re late.”
“Bye, Chelsea.” He winks, then turns and jogs toward the stadium.
“Bye, Bo,” I whisper to myself.
This could be a whole lotta fun or a whole lotta trouble.