Page 16 of Sneaking Around with the Player
“Hold up, did you just admit to watchingSelling Sunset?” My cheeks hurt from grinning so much.
“I admitted no such thing. I merely confessed to knowing the show has twins on it. And that one of them dated Chrishell, but they broke up because he wasn’t ready for kids, and she was. It was a real tearjerker.”
Laughter escapes my lips. “Yousowatch it. Oh man, I don’t know if I can keep talking to you with that knowledge.”
“It’s a little drama-filled for my tastes, but the real estate is pretty incredible. Plus, the cars.”
“That is such a guy reason to watch.” I turn over on my side and place the phone on the bed, so I can still see it while lying down. “People that know us well can tell Holly and me apart. Our styles are different. She loves shoes and accessories, and I’m more casual. She’s quieter than me too.”
“Have you ever pulled the switcheroo on a guy?”
“No, but once in high school, the guy I was dating grabbed her ass because he got us mixed up. And another time, a guy asked me out, but thought he was asking out Holly.”
“Still, seems like it’d be cool to have a twin.”
“I can’t imagine it any other way.” I shrug and then we fall quiet. I know he needs to go. He has practice in the morning and his family is in town, but it feels like as soon as we get off the phone, the reality of the situation is going to set in.
He’s my brother’s rival. Can this really go anywhere? Do I even want it to? I know that I really enjoy talking to him.
“I have an idea,” I say, sitting up and bringing the phone closer to my face.
“What’s that?”
“What if we kept talking?”
“I’d probably fall asleep eventually.”
“You’re so funny.” I laugh, quick and light, but my nerves kick up as I continue, “Seriously, though, what can it hurt? You’re a million miles away anyway.”
“Or a thousand.”
“That might as well be a million with our schedules. It isn’t like we can see each other or date, or whatever.” My face goes a little hot.
One side of his mouth lifts. “Did you just admit you would want to date me if I lived close?”
“I admitted no such thing,” I say, stealing his words from earlier. “Besides you’re too busy.” I think back to everything he’s told me. “Wait, your job.”
“I was talking about football,” he admits. “Still want to keep talking to me?”
“Yes. Though, I think we have to redo every conversation we’ve had.”
He crooks an arm behind his head. “I’ve got time for that.”
“You are kind of fun to talk to.”
“Right back at ya.”
“So, friends?” I ask.
“You’re sure?” The uneasy expression on his face makes me doubt myself.
I love my brother. We’re a lot alike, both athletic and competitive, so I’d like to think I can put myself in his shoes in this situation. How would I feel if he dated a diver from another college? I’d probably be slightly annoyed, but Beau and I aren’t even talking about dating. We’re friends. Barely even friends, really, since we’ve just texted. (And had one three-hour, make that four now, phone call.) I’m sure it’s just the excitement of talking to someone new, and in a week or two, we’ll have run out of things to talk about.
And if we don’t, then I’ll tell Felix, and I bet he won’t even care. Fingers crossed.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
Over the next few weeks, Beau and I continue texting. Before classes, during lunch, after swim and football practice, while studying, at parties—we text a lot. He’s the first person I talk to every morning, and most nights, I fall asleep texting him. And it’s mostly friendly, a little flirty.
