Page 9 of Charger

After standing in the long line and ordering our life-saving hot chocolate, we wait as Garrett and Zach approach us. I’m confused when Garrett slips behind Lisa and rubs his hands up and down her arms, trying to help her get warm.

“Why the fuck didn’t you wear something warmer?” Garret leans into Lisa as he scolds her.

Lisa stares at me wide-eyed. “I… uh, didn’t realize how cold it was going to be.” She nervously looks at the ground, and I mentally remind myself to ask my brother what that was about later. Zach stands next to my brother with his hoodie under his jersey, also wearing his dark, torn jeans. How can someone make a hoodie look so good? Even with it on, you can still see how broad his shoulders are.

“Aw, how come you ladies didn’t buy us any hot chocolate?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. We didn’t realize you were physically incapable of buying your own?” I give him an evil smile over my cup mid-sip, and Zach makes a dramatic scene like someone shot him in the chest. My brother laughs as he wraps a tender arm around Lisa’s shoulders. She mouths, “Oh my God,” to me and her cheeks become flushed. I know my brother and I know he wouldn’t go after one of my friends, so I’m not sure what he’s doing right now. Unless, he all of a sudden had a change of heart and got his head out of his ass. He knows that Lisa has been crushing on him since sophomore year, maybe he finally took notice.

“Zach, you looked amazingly sexy out there tonight.” Sam slips her way into our circle, and his arms. She paws her hands down his chest and looks over to me, but something causes her jaw to almost hit the ground. Zach’s eyes radiate anger.

“Uh, hey, Jules.” I turn around at the sound of Tommy’s voice. He’s tall, but still shorter than my brother and Zach. Though, anyone could get lost in those hazel eyes.

“Oh, hey, Tommy.”

“What’s up, guys?” He confidently greets everyone; Lisa smiles with shock but the guys don’t say anything. Sam is still standing there speechless, like she can’t believe someone like Tommy is talking to me right now.

Eat that, slut.

Zach looks like a bull ready to charge through the red flag at any moment. My brother also shares the same look but not as scary. You could cut the tension with a knife.

“How’s it going?” I nervously tuck some hair behind my ear and glasses.

“I have a confession.” He leans a little closer, and Zach’s eyebrows burrow in. “I kind of wanted to ask you for your phone number ever since the soccer ball incident. Which, I am super sorry about still.”

My phone number, is he serious? Okay, how cheesy is it that I’m excited about him getting my phone number? But let’s be honest… I have never given my number to anyone before. He smirks, but a deep murderous noise sounds from across the group.

“Here.” He hands me his phone and after a long thirty seconds of staring at it, I type my number into his contacts. “I’ll text you later.” I finally close my mouth as he walks away.

“Holy shit!” Lisa steps out of my brother’s hold and right up to me. “Tommy just asked for your number. That boy is hot as fuck!” Garrett clears his throat in annoyance.

“Just be careful, Jules,” Garrett tells me. “But you already know that.”

Zach doesn’t say anything as he shrugs Sam away from him. “Come on, I’m taking you home.” He grabs onto her wrist and gently pulls her along. She looks like she wants to argue, but doesn’t fight it.

Slipping into my covers, I turn on my book light. My head is bouncing all over the place because I still can’t believe that Tommy asked for my number. Honestly, I don’t think he will text me, but it feels pretty damn good that he asked for it.

I can’t concentrate on reading so I turn on my Pandora and let it shuffle through my alternative playlist. A number pops up in my notifications—one that I don’t have in my contacts.

Unknown: Hey, it’s Tommy.

Holy Shit.

I jump up with my back against the headboard of my bed, tightly gripping my phone in excitement. He actually texted me. Now, to think of what to say.

Me: Hi. What’s up?

My heart beats out of my chest as I save his number in my contacts.

Tommy: Not much, just got home. I feel like your brother and Zach don’t like me very much…

He’s not wrong about that one.

Me: They’re fine. Just a little too overprotective.

Tommy: I have sisters. I get it. Don’t be a stranger, Jules. Let’s hang out soon, good night.

I smile to myself, setting my phone down on my end table.

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