Page 68 of Stella
“I’ve come to a resolution on the whole CC front.”
“I’m down with the nicknames, babe, but CC?”
I roll my eyes. “What would you like me to call Cale Callaghan?”
Manny thinks for a second. “Sugar lips. Baby cakes. Honey pie. Personally, I like Golden Boy, because he kinda is perfect in every way in the looks department, clearly, his personality could do with some work.”
I can’t help the laugh bubbling up inside of me. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m ridiculously cute.” He gives me a wink. “Or so I’ve been told.”
“By your two lovers? How is it you get two at once, and I can’t even get one in my bed?” I sigh.
He straightens me by the shoulders as I meet his eye. “First, trust me, I do not recommend taking two lovers unless you’re a hundred and twenty-five percent committed. Second, youcanget any guy into your bed without even trying; what you want is therightguy in your bed. There’s nothing wrong with being fussy, baby doll.”
I make a face. “I’m pathetic. Just admit it.”
“No, you’re not. You feel how you feel. I was celibate for a long time because I was just over that whole thing. I knew I wanted a committed relationship, but I didn’t know how to go about it, or that it would be with a guy and a girl,” he goes on. “The point I’m making is, sometimes holding out for the right one to come along isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re in love withCC,then you’ve gotta be ready for the consequences with the club.”
“Aren’t you the one who told me to just go for it?”
“That’s when I thought it was just sex. I can see clearly now that it was never just about that.” His smile softens.
He’s right, so I can’t deny any of it. “He doesn’t feel the same way. He thinks I’m too young, and the club is complicated. Cash and my dad would go nuts if they found out he’d even been at my apartment.”
“You’re not too young, that’s just an excuse, maybe even a defensive mechanism, and if you ask me, it’s lame. But he’s not wrong about club complications. Let’s face it, you don’t really know this guy all that well. Maybe putting all your cookies into one jar isn’t smart, Stell,” he says. “You have feelings, and that’s a good start, but maybe there’s too much emphasis onrightness.What if he sucks in bed? What if he snores? What if he leaves the fucking toilet seat up?”
I slap him on the shoulder, making a face. “Are you trying to make me feel better, or worse? I grew up with two males in the house, so I know all about their gross habits; the toilet seat being up is one of them.”
“I’m just saying, you have this thing in your head about CC, but maybe he isn’t the golden boy we think he is. He hates thisclub, and that could be an issue if he can’t play nice with the boys.”
“So you’re saying I just ignore my feelings and walk away?”
“I’m not saying that, but I am a strong believer in a man doing the chasing.” When my face drops, he tilts my head back up by my chin. “He’s being cautious, honey. And I get that. What guy wouldn’t want a knockout like you? Just know what you’re getting yourself into if you pursue him, that’s all I’m saying. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’m not pursuing him,” my voice is small. “I’ve been pretty forthcoming with what I wanted, and we had a good time without getting to home base, but I haven’t heard from him in over a week. He’s a dick.”
“That I can agree with. So we can agree that tonight, we’re going to have fun and not think about anything to do with him. You can’t be walking around with a long face and looking like someone canceled Christmas.”
I nod, my smile picking up. “I think I need a night out with my bestie.”
He pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head. “That’s my girl. We don’t need CC, and we don’t need dicks who can’t call or text. Plus, there’s some pretty cute guys on the court. Maybe you could snag yourself a rich, basketballer with a huge?—”
I put my hand over his mouth. “Are you always on the pepperoni?”
His voice is muffled behind my hand. “Not always. I also love puss?—-”
I squeal, pressing my other hand over his mouth. “Ew! I do not need a front-row seat for your sexcapades.” He laughs as I pull my hands away. “Let’s go watch some hoops.”
“Best decision ever.”
I don’t fucking believe it.
Out of all the games in the entire world, and all the places to fucking sit, Cale Callaghan is here. At the game. Two rows down from me, courtside. Of course he is, fuckingGolden Boy.
I smile at one of Manny’s many nicknames, but I think I like that one the best.
I don’t alert Manny to Cale’s presence, there’s no need to blow my cover, and from this angle I can get a good look at him with two of his friends and observe without detection. He’s wearing an unassuming white t-shirt, jeans, and a Pelicans cap. Fuck me. He looks like he just stepped out of a TV commercial. He also hasn’t shaved, and I’m into it in a big way.
