Page 12 of Strong Side
“Hi, Mr. James. I’m Chelsea. I think we met a few times during my freshman year.” She shakes his hand.
“Oh, right! Your hair is different?” he asks.
Chelsea laughs. “Yes! I was in a hair coloring phase, and I think it was either pink or purple the last time I saw you.”
Dad snaps his fingers. “That’s what it is! Good to see you again then. I’m glad you girls could work this out.” He turns and walks to the back of the trailer.
“Chelsea, let me introduce you to everyone.” I grab her hand and pull her over to me. “You probably remember Casey.”
“Yep, I do. Hi, Casey.” She nods.
“Hey, Chelsea. Good to see you.” He smiles at her.
“This is Beckham, who is Charlie’s boyfriend and Casey’s best friend. We all grew up together too. This is Bo Callaway and Silas … I don’t know his last name.” I laugh.
“Arbuckle. Like the mountains,” he says, giving a crooked grin and placing his hand on his chest.
“Hey, y’all. Good to meet you.” She waves her hand and smiles.
I’m glad she’s not shy because this group can be intimidating if you don’t know them. Just from their size alone.
Casey claps his hands together. “Let’s do this. I’m sweating my nuts off out here already.”
With these guys here, along with Charlie and Chelsea, it feels like I’m starting off the year right. I just need to stay focused on school and spend time with people who really care about me. Fuck Trey.
CHAPTER
SIX
NOELLE
Everything has beenamazing since we moved into our new apartment. Chelsea and I are very similar in our routines, so it’s been easy to get into a flow with school. My course load is heavy this semester, so having a roommate who cares about school as much as I do is really nice.
I’m on my way to my second class of the day, but I desperately need a coffee and have a few extra minutes to swing into the food court. As I pull the door open, I bump into a really tall guy with a very hard chest. When I lift my head, I meet Trey’s eyes.
“Noelle. I’ve been trying to get ahold of you, so this is perfect.” He grips my arm.
“Let go, Trey.” I try pulling my arm out of his grasp.
“Baby, come on. Don’t be like this. I said I was sorry.” He squeezes my arm a little tighter.
Trey is six feet five inches, which he likes to use to intimidate people. I’m no match for him in size or strength.
“Trey, if you don’t let go of my arm, I will scream.” My heart is starting to pound in my chest, and I feel the onset of a panic attack coming.
He drops my arm and holds his hands out. “Jesus, Noelle. Drama much? I just want to talk to you.”
“I have nothing to say to you. In fact, I would be so happy to never see or talk to you again. Now, get out of my way.”
I can feel my hands starting to shake and try to walk around him, but he blocks me.
He lifts his hand, and with his index finger, he tilts my chin to meet his gaze. “It was a mistake. You need to get over it. You know how I feel about you, baby. Why don’t you let me come over and we can talk about it?”
I grab hold of his wrist and pull his hand away from my face. “Don’t ever touch me again.”
When I move to walk around him this time, he lets me pass.
“Noelle. You’re being ridiculous about this. Come on, baby.” He huffs.
