Mr. Football

Chapter 3

Hopping in the passenger seat, I looked over at her till not saying a word. "Rosie." She peaked up from under her eyelashes.

"Rosie, what's wrong, talk to me?" Shaking her head she turned away from me, but I saw in the rearview mirror as she swiped away tears that spilled over her eyelids. She'd come to me when she's ready.

The drive to my house was dreadfully quiet, almost mind numbing. Making our way upstairs to my room, I plop down next to Rosie on my bed. 

"I like Blake." She whispers so low I almost don't hear her. "What?" I ask though I know I heard correctly. " I like Blake." This time she turns to look at me and gauge my reaction. But I don't have words. I just stare in shock.

"I know what you're thinking, and no he has no idea. It's been about a year since the feelings began." My eyes widen at her revelation but she continues.

"It's stupid and I wish I didn't like him, but seeing his tongue down Brooke's throat, Theresa's #1 girl, hit hard. How he doesn't see me. yet he has no problem seeing those idiots, I just don't get it!" My heart sank for her. Anger at my brother built up in my chest. How could he be so stupid not to see how amazing my best friend is. Who cares if she's my best friend, I just want her happy.

Grabbing her I pulled her into my and squeezed her tight.

"Blake is stupid for not seeing you Rosie, you're incredible and I'm gonna make sure he sees that. Laughing she pulls away and uses the back of her hand to wipe the tears from her face. Don't worry about it Char, I don't care if he ever notices me, I just really needed to get that off my chest, so you know. Smiling at her I hugged her again and we sat there.

Later that evening, head deep in homework, we heard a commotion downstairs. Rosie and I shared a look and stopped what we were doing to investigate. My parents weren't home, they had a business meeting so it was just Blake and I tonight.

We crept down the stairs and came face to face with Blake and Carson playing videogames. Raising my eyebrows, Rosie looked at me and shrugged. Deciding we could use a snack we made our way to the kitchen. 

Digging through the pantry, I grab an armful of snacks and walk over to the counter to deposit them. Rosie clambers around in the fridge, looking for drinks and I open up the snacks to pour them into separate bowls.

"Need some help there?" Looking up I see Carson staring back at me, with his arms crossed showing off his muscled arms as he leans against the frame of the door. His smile sends butterflies in my stomach so I turn my attention back to the food. 

"Think you got enough to eat?" His comment makes me squirm, maybe he's right, maybe this is too much food for me. "Lotte, God, sorry that's not what I meant. You can eat as much as you want, I just meant I have no idea where you girls would put it all." Letting my eyes wander back up to him, a gentle smiles plays on his face and it sends my heart racing. Even that little smile lit up his eyes making them sparkle. 

"Rosie and I are having a movie night and you have to have a lot of snack options." His smile got wider at my excitement and he gestured toward me. "Here let me help you, you have your hands full." Going to grab the popcorn bowl, we reached for it at the same time and his fingers brush mine and sparks rush up my arms. A gasp uncontrollably escapes my lips and I pull away quickly.

Unable to meet his eyes, I let go of the bowl and gather the rest of the snacks, heading upstairs. Rosie and Carson aren't far behind and he places the popcorn on my desk.  I watch as his muscles contract when he releases the bowl. Reaching up to touch the corner of my mouth making sure there's no drool, our eyes meet and he winks at me before walking out the door.