Chapter 22
NERO
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Cosette stammered, a slight blush creeping up her neck as she recoiled from our accidental touch over the popcorn bucket.
We’ve watched dozens of movies together, typically with Andy, finding some brief moments alone when she’d excuse herself to the bathroom. Yet, this time the tension in the air was thick, making this the most uncomfortable it had ever been.
I never had reason to pull my hand away from accidental touches when we would reach for whatever snack we'd shared before.
But now? Now, there was, because the lines were finally blurring between us.
“It’s okay. Here, let me just,” I trailed off, grabbing the popcorn bucket, and the warm, buttery smell of the popcorn wafted into the air as I poured some onto the dome-shaped plastic cover. “There.”
Cosette mumbled a soft “thank you” with a sheepish smile, the movie trailers’ flashing images still dancing on the screen.
I knew this was coming. I figured Cosette would be all jumpy and nervous being alone with me. Even when we were just friends, sometimes she’d clam up, and still, I was dumb enough to think Andy was bullshitting me when she would tell me C had a crush on me.
She’s just like that because I’m a guy, I always said.
Seriously, she’s always been like that. How was I supposed to know? She’s always been the introverted one from the moment we met.
“You cold?” I asked when I saw her rub her palms together after taking a sip of her frozen slushie.
“Uh, just a little,” she replied, but I was already shedding my blazer off and handing it to her.
C only sighed, taking it begrudgingly. “Thank you. I was going to bring my own jacket, but the two kept on snatching it from me. I thought it was because they wanted me to show more skin, but now, I think I know why.”
“So that I could offer you mine and I’ll look like a gentleman?”
C laughed softly, nodding. “Yeah, pretty much.”
I laughed with her, and we gazed at each other, a silent understanding passing between us. It was working. I was loosening her up.
The last of our laughter dissolved as the last movie preview ended, and I spoke, my voice a soft whisper.
“You don’t have to be nervous, you know? This may be a date, but nothing has to change. We’re just two people hanging out like we used to. And just because we’re trying this out doesn’t mean we have to be a thing, C,” I said.
Cosette agreed with a nod, her shoulders dropping as she visibly relaxed beside me.
I held my hand up in a fist, and the sound of her cute little giggle filled the air as she bumped her fist with mine.
How did I not appreciate that giggle until now? I’ve never heard her laugh like that before, even after all this time.
Never appreciated them like I do now, nor thought about how different it would sound if I were to tickle her.
Would it be a higher pitch? Breathless pleas for mercy?
Maybe when all of this ends well, I’d be able to test it myself.
“You’re staring,” she suddenly whispered, though her eyes remained glued to the screen, the colors of the movie’s introduction reflected in them.
If I were to squint? I’m sure I might see hints of a blush on her cheeks, along with the smirk forming on her lips. A telltale sign she was trying to hide her amusement.
“Movie’s not on my face, is it?“
Now, I can say for sure that she’s comfortable. Good.
“So? Movies are pieces of art. I’m just checking out a different kind of art right now,” I said in a flirtatious tone, giving her one of my crowd-winning grins.
It was a grin I’d perfected over years, designed to disarm, to charm, to... well, to get a reaction.
Cosette groaned, closing her eyes as she looked half-cringing and half-amused.
“After watching you flirt with she-who-must-not-be-named dozens of times, why did I not stop liking you? You’re so corny.”
I knew it was way too cheesy, but if I know Cosette—and I do—she lives for that shit.
I remember the time Cosette, Andy, and I were hanging out in her bedroom one time, and they were doing their nails, completely in their own little girly world, and I was so bored that they were completely ignoring me that I grabbed her Kindle and started reading her current read.
It was downright sugar and spice galore, and I was getting to a good sex scene when she and Andy finished, catching me in the act, and Cosette started screaming, yanking the e-reader from my hands.
She wouldn’t talk to me for a day after that.
“Oh please, you love me,” I teased in passing, not thinking too much about it, but as soon as she looked at me, it hit me that what I said was a bit too close for comfort.
“Hey, you know— I just— I didn’t,“ I scrambled for words, to assure her I’m not putting pressure on ‘us’, nor am I making fun of her feelings for me that had been there for so long.
But we were getting interrupted, getting shushed. “Movie’s starting. Please stop flirting with each other… just for like an hour and a half. Please,” an old lady behind us said, making Cosette and me let out embarrassed apologies before focusing on the screen.
Great. Any way to delay ‘the talk’ is very much welcome.
“So, what do you think?”
“Better than the second one, that’s for sure. Heck, I might even say that’s the best one yet, if I’m being completely honest,” I said as I stood up, grabbing the emptied popcorn bucket, before stacking our equally empty drinking cups.
“Hundred percent agree. I like that all the previous main cast’s in this one with fresh faces added into the mix,” Cosette replied, walking beside me as we headed out of the cinema.
There were only the two of us left, with C wanting to stay behind for two reasons.
One, because she wanted to finish the credits as a way of appreciating those who made the movie, and two, to avoid making eye contact with the people sitting on the row behind us who shushed us before the film started.
Miss goody two shoes—and I say that affectionately—got so embarrassed at getting called out that she stayed silent the whole film. I mean, not even letting herself finish her drink until after the credits to avoid the risk of the sound the straw makes when you’re barely sipping any liquid left.
We passed by a bin on the way out, and I freed my hands from the trash as I threw all of it away.
I didn’t even notice that I was reaching out for C’s hand until she hesitantly slipped her fingers between mine.
Once I realized it, I came to a halt, shifting my gaze, only to find her already looking at me. “Is this okay?” I asked, and her mouth curled up into a full-blown smile, nodding.
“I haven’t seen this side of you for a long time now,” C said, my brows furrowing in confusion. At that, she continued, “You know. The ‘asking for consent’, timid, very cute Nero. After you became a couple, you got a bit arrogant. Not in an annoying way. Just… more confident and sure.”
“And? Which do you like better?”
C only laughed, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t have one without the other, or it wouldn’t be you. Nero, the kind and smart golden boy who’s bad at psychology, but also the badass quarterback just a little jagged around the edges.”
I could’ve melted. I would’ve, if not for that one thing about psychology.
“Excuse me? Are you using my inability to fake diagnose mental illnesses as a point for me, or against me?”
That earned another laugh from C, defensively raising her hand up beside her head. “I’m just saying! You’re like really good at everything… except psych.”
Her teasing continued as I led her to our ride, opening the door for her before I rounded the truck to get in myself. It was endearing to finally see her relax on our date, making it feel like we really were just hanging out, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As C fiddled with the radio and sang along to some songs on our way to the restaurant, I came to the conclusion in that twenty-minute ride that Cosette Evangelista should be considered a traffic hazard.
I couldn’t stop staring at her.
At how she looked glowing under the passing streetlights.
How she’s grown into such a beautiful woman—inside and out. How damn lucky I am that even if things somehow didn’t work out, she and her boyfriends allowed me to have this one night with her.
Though, who am I kidding?
Beneath the surface of this ‘kind and smart golden boy’ really had a darkness not everyone could see. And that part of me?
Well, it would want to burn the whole world down, watching the flames dance, if that would give me Cosette.