Nic: I don't mean to be rude, but why are you texting me?
I sigh. Good question. I should be talking up a girl. Any other girl but V. But she’s the one on my mind, and I enjoy talking to her.
Me: I like talking to you.
There's silence for a bit. I glance at the TV hanging in the corner of the bar; a baseball game is on. I watch it for a bit until I hear the ping.
Nic: Where are my brothers?
Well, I wasn't expecting her to ask about her brothers when I just told her I like talking to her, even though I told her that last night.
Me: Busy.
Nic: And you're not?
Me: No.
Another pause in messages.
Nic: Because you rather text me?
A hand clamps down on my shoulder. "Dude what are you doing over here?" Vance says standing at my side. "Who ya texting?" He leans in, "Who's Nic?" I press the side of my phone, making my phone go dark. I turn to him, "No one, just a girl I'm talking to."
"She hot?" is all he asks.
I laugh. "Yeah, she's hot."
"Nice."
This is so fucked. He doesn't even know.
"Come back to the table and join the festivities!"
"Okay, I'll be right there."
As soon as Vance walks away, I unlock my phone and respond to V's message.
I’m Not Ten Anymore
It's almost midnight. Jerry went home claiming that he has a big bed he can sprawl out on, rather than sharing a bed with two girls or sleeping on the floor. Taylor is passed out next to me. We came up to my room after watching the last movie they picked. Some freaky ass shit that has me looking to my open closet in fear. Assholes.
None of my brothers are home yet, and I'm going to be pissed if they're not up and ready to go to Harry's tomorrow morning. I sent both Vin and Vance a text telling them so, but not too surprising; I haven't heard back from them. My phone buzzes and my heart picks up. Chase and I have been texting almost all night. It has me completely reeling and so, so confused. I hate to assume that he likes me, but it seems obvious at this point. Why else would he be at a bar, where I'm sure there are tons of girls, texting me? Not to mention he put his number in my phone like he had this planned already. Ugh.. I hate overthinking shit, and I feel like that's what I'm doing. I look at Taylor. Her blonde hair is all over, mouth parted, and her breathing even.
"Taylor, am I overthinking this?" I ask her. I put my pointer finger on her chin then move it like she’s speaking, making my voice a little higher, "Yes, yes you are bitch." I move my finger away and reply, "I knew it! Thanks, Tay." I laugh at myself. Taylor lets out a snore and rolls on her side facing away from me.
"Good chat," I mutter. My phone vibrates, and I pick it up off my chest, swiping it open.
McSwoony: Yes.
And there it is, ladies and gentlemen. He would rather be texting me than be ‘busy’. Okay. Alright. No problem. My palms are sweating. What do I say back? I look at Tay’s back. "What do I say?" I whisper. My phone vibrates in my hand, but Chase hasn't sent another text. I go back into my messages and see Vin has. A simple text telling me to be ready by nine am. I set an alarm for eight-thirty am and send him a quick one-word response.
Me: I'm flattered, glad I can keep you out of trouble and disease-free.
That's playful, right? I don't want him to know how much his response really meant. I put my phone on my chest and wait.
I'm startled awake by the vibrating on my chest, and the loud ringing. Shit. I grab my phone and turn off my alarm. Taylor groans next to me.
"What the fuck was that?" she mumbles.
"My alarm. Sorry."
She mumbles something incoherent.
"I'm going to the junkyard, I'll be back."
"O-Kay," she whispers, then she's snoring. I rub my face and open my phone to see if Chase messaged back. I must have passed out before he responded. He did, and more than once.
McSwoony: Haha real cute.
McSwoony: You fall asleep?
That was sent about seven minutes after a winky face.
McSwoony: You fell asleep.
McSwoony: I must be boring.
Three minutes later.
McSwoony: Sweet dreams.
I smile wide and clutch my phone to my chest. I hear lots of movement out in the hallway--doors opening, and closing, and the toilet flushing. I jump up from my bed and quickly get dressed in jeans and a tank. I throw my hair up in a messy bun. My door whips open.
"You ready?”
"Shhh!" I glance around my closet door at my brother and point to Tay who's still sleeping. "Yeah, I'll be right down," I whisper. Vin ducks out but leaves the door open. Jerk. I grab my boots from the closet and leave my room, trying to close my door as quietly as possible. At the bottom of the stairs, I place my boots on the last step before entering the kitchen. I find myself pausing again at the threshold taking in the scene. Vin and Vance’s backs are facing away from the entrance. They’re eating and too busy with their phones to notice me. My eyes collide with Chase’s as he’s leaning against the counter, and I watch as a smile slowly spreads upon his lips. The butterflies are flapping in my stomach. I don’t know how long we stand there looking at each other until one of my brothers lets out a loud fart, completely breaking our trance.
“Ew, You nasty!” I yell. Vance looks over his shoulder, “Oh hey V, didn’t see you there.”
“Like that would matter.” I move into the kitchen to grab a cup from the cabinet.
“Nope.” He laughs in agreement.
"Vin, you seriously need to knock before coming into my room."
He rolls his eyes, "You ain't got nothing to see."
"I hate to break it to you, I'm not ten anymore."
Vin puts his phone down and walks to me in two strides. He scoops me into a hug and squeezes, then proceeds to run his hand all over my head making a huge mess of my hair. I try to push away from him, but it's useless-- he's much bigger and much stronger.
"You'll always be ten to me, but I'll knock." He kisses me on the head, and releases me, walking back to the table. I don't even look at Chase. I’m totally embarrassed.
"Asshole," I mutter. I bend over, pulling the hair tie out of my hair and redo my bun. I stand up and put my hands on my hips.
"Alright, we ready?" Vance asks. Vin is grinning over his cup. Ass. Hole.
"Yup!" I skip out of the kitchen and sit on the steps to put my boots on. The guys walk past, Chase being the last. He pauses, and I look up at him, then at my brothers who are walking out the front door.
"Sleep well?" he asks with a smile.
"Yep." I slip my feet into my boots and start tying the laces.
"How was your night?" I ask curiously.
"Okay. Got bored once the girl I was talking to fell asleep on me."
Oh.
"Ouch. You must've bored her to sleep. I'm sure you had others to occupy you though." I stand up, and he moves closer to me causing my breath to hitch. I have to tilt my head up to look into his blue eyes. His hands go to my hips, holding me in place...What is he doing?
"The only girl I wanted to occupy me"—he scans my face—"was you." He winks then turns, walks out the door, leaving me completely speechless. He's left me a puddle in more than one way. I gather myself the best I can and rush out the door, grabbing my sunglasses and slipping them on top of my head. Chase's truck is parked out front, and I can see them sitting inside the cab. It would make sense to take his truck, as we all have smaller cars. The truck gives us more room. Surprisingly, my brothers are in the back, leaving the passenger seat open for me. I open the door and heft myself up. Chase has his sunglasses on, but his smile is wide.