Page 6 of Strong Side
“Urgh! You’re the worst!” She pushes me away from her with one hand, but laughs.
When we get back to the dock, I hop out again, tie up, and help her out of the boat.
Before we part ways, I reach for her hand to stop her. “Hey, please eat something. You can’t survive on Dr. Pepper.”
“I mean, I beg to differ. I could probably just hook it into an IV and walk around like that. DP running through my veins at all times.” She wiggles her eyebrows and smiles.
“Noelle, I’m serious. Please eat something. I’m betting you haven’t eaten yet today, and it’s nearly two o’clock. It worries me when you do that, and I don’t want you to get a migraine before tonight. I want you to watch the fireworks with us.”
“You’re sweet for caring, but I promise, I’m fine. I’ll grab a snack when I get inside. Now, go do boaty things for my dad. I’ll come get you when we’re ready to shut down.” She releases my hand and starts to walk toward the store.
“I’m gonna hold you to that promise!” I shout as I walk backward.
She doesn’t have the best eating habits, and since Trey, it’s only gotten worse. I need to keep her away from him this year. I need my sweet, happy friend back.
CHAPTER
THREE
NOELLE
Charlie and Beckgot here about an hour ago and have been hanging out on the beach, waiting for Casey and me to finish working. The sun is fading into night, which means fireworks will be starting soon. I need to finish cleaning up the store for the morning shift, but first, I’ll grab some food for all of us. We don’t have a wide variety at the store, but I did manage to keep some of the barbeque sandwiches for us. They’re Casey’s favorite.
The door opens, and Casey strolls in—shorts that sit low on his hips, a tight white T-shirt clinging to his bronzed skin, and dark hair that’s perfectly tousled from drying in the sun after our lake splashing. I can’t lie and say I don’t think Casey is hot. He is. The way he held me today in the water not only made me feel safe, but it was hard not to notice all that lean muscle I was pressed against. And Lord knows I’m not the only girl who notices. He’s always had a flock of girls flirting and following him around, but he is very selective.
I’ve heard rumors around campus, about him messing around with girls, but he’s not the kiss-and-tell type—at least notwith me. Trey always made sure to tell me when he saw Casey at parties with girls hanging around. I’m not sure why he made it a point to tell me. Probably to hurt me, which it did. I know I didn’t have the right to feel the sting, but I just always think of Casey as mine. He’s been my best friend for so long, and he knows me better than anyone, so I guess it feels weird for me to share him.
“Hey,” he says, lifting his shirt to wipe his face, showcasing a sliver of his abs. “You ready to go? Charlie and Beck are waiting for us. Should we take the boat out to watch the fireworks?”
Clearing my throat and hopefully not drooling, I reach for the bag of sandwiches and snacks off the counter. “Yep, I’m ready. I got some food for us, but can you grab drinks out of the cooler? I don’t plan to drink tonight since I’m driving the boat, but if you want to bring something for you guys, go ahead.” I nod toward the direction of the cooler.
“Nah, I’m good. I need to head back to campus tonight.”
“You aren’t coming in tomorrow? I thought you had one more shift.”
He walks up to me and throws an arm around my shoulders. “Sorry, pretty girl. Beck told me one of our teammates is moving in tomorrow and needs our help.”
“Who is it?”
“It’s a new guy. He’s a cornerback transferring in from Georgia. Beck met him and says he’s a decent guy.”
Casey grabs a few drinks from the cooler and gets me a Dr. Pepper. Bless him. I walk over to the door and hold it open as he walks out. He reaches for the bag in my hand so I can get my keys out and lock the doors.
“Thanks, Case.”
He winks at me and turns toward the dock. “Yo! Char! Come up to the dock. We’re going to take the boat out.”
I try to take the bag back from him, but he holds it out of my reach.
“I got it.”
“I’m capable of carrying the bag, you know.”
He looks at me and smiles. “I know you are, but I got it. Need to build up my muscles and get ready for training.” He lifts the bag up and down.
“Right, right. So, the less than five-pound bag will really make a difference, I’m sure.” I laugh.
“Hey, losers!” Charlie comes bouncing over to us. “Are we taking the boat out or what?”
