Page 53 of Strong Side
“What color are you getting?” I hold out the color samples to her.
“I’m thinking I’ll go bold. Like a nice bright orange or something. Really live it up.” She laughs.
“Hmm, I like that idea. Maybe I’ll do a deep red though. I feel like that’s not only fall vibes, but also Walker colors. I need my toes to match my jersey.” I hand her the samples, then take a drink of my pumpkin spice latte.
“No one will see your toes at the game though. It’s too cold to wear flip-flops.” She flips through the colors. “Unless you want Casey to notice. Please tell me he doesn’t have some kind of foot fetish.”
“Eww, no! That’s so gross, Chels!” I smack her arm lightly, making her laugh. “I just thought it would be cute. Go Stallions!” I hold my hands out and wiggle them, smiling.
“I mean, you never know. It’s always the sweet, hot guys that surprise you.” She gives me a wink.
“Well, I assure you, Casey doesn’t have a foot fetish. Oh, but maybe I should get his number on my thumbs. That would be cute, right?” I smile and raise my brows.
“This is the one!” She hands the color to the technician. It’s not quite neon, but definitely a bold orange. “Okay, sorry. Back to you. Casey’s number, thumbs.” She nods. “Yeah, that would be cute.”
“Yay! I can’t wait to show him. He’ll love that.” I pull out my phone, snap a selfie, and send it to him. I haven’t seen him yet today or really talked to him much since he had practice and film after.
“So, can I ask you something without coming across too nosy?” She looks at me pointedly.
“Yeah, of course.” I smile at her.
“Are you guys, like, officially dating now, or are you still tiptoeing around your feelings, or what?” She smirks.
“What do you mean, tiptoeing around our feelings?” I laugh nervously because this is actually something I’ve been thinking about since we had sex.
“I mean, it’s none of my business, but I was just curious. When we were at their house, watching the out-of-town game, and his sister brought up that you guys were together, I was happy to hear it. Y’all are cute together.” She smiles, then takes a sip of her matcha.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I mean …” I pause. “Can I tell you something?” I ask.
“Yes, of course.” She nods.
“Well, you know what happened with me and Trey?” I ask her.
“I do. I never liked him, for the record.” She points at me.
“Yeah, he’s not a great guy.” I breathe in. “So, I ran into him on campus one day, and he figured out my schedule and started following me.”
“Jesus, Noelle. Why didn’t you tell me?” she says, concerned.
I lean in closer to her. “Well, I was just trying to ignore him, but one day, he grabbed me and was spouting off how I was his, and I just blurted out that I was dating Casey.” I shake my head. “So, then I had to tell Casey to go along with it, just in case it got around somehow.” I look down at my hands twisting together on my lap. “Basically, it started as fake, but I’m not so sure that it is anymore. At least not for me. But I don’t know if I should say anything because what if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
Chelsea’s head drops back, and she barks out a laugh.
“Why are you laughing? This is a slight crisis for me. He’s my best friend, and I’m falling in love with him, but I’m not sure what to do about it.” I sigh.
“I’m sorry. I promise I’m not laughing at you.” She reaches over and takes my hand. “I’m just laughing because that boy is head over heels in love with you. Honestly, I thought you knew it and were just keeping him in the friend zone because you didn’t feel the same.”
“Are you serious? Why do you think that?” Now I really want to know what she sees that I’m not.
“Well, for starters, he was always around the dorms our freshman year, and you guys spent a lot of time together, even after you and Trey started dating.” She pauses to take a drink. “I didn’t get to see you as much last year, but I’m betting you spent about the same amount of time with him?”
I nod.
“And now that we live together, I see it. From him helping us move in to the little things he does for you. Like, he checks to see if you need anything before he comes over, and he pays attention to details, like when you’re getting low on toothpaste.But mostly, it’s in the way he looks at you. That boy looks at you like he’s been in love with you forever and he’s just waiting for you to figure it out.” She smiles softly. “I had to learn at an early age how to read people. Emotions specifically. And I’m telling you, he loves you.”
There’s a lump in my throat, and I feel like I can’t speak. I want to believe that everything she’s saying is true. That it’s real. Because I do love Casey.
“Are you guys acting with all things, or have you slept together? Like, what’s part of the deal?” She props her hand on her chin and leans in closer.
